semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
I'm going to start calling my pre-aspherical Summilux 35 the "Queen of Coma" in every relevant internet post I can in hopes of de-throning the 'King.'
ROTFLOL. So funny. So true. Can I call my old Summilux ASPH the Duke of Distortion?
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semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
The current-formula 50 'cron (tabbed or collapsible hood) is, despite its age, a *very* modern-looking lens. Chris Crawford pairs his with a Zeiss 35/2.8 Biogon-C, and so do I.
I suspect that the closest match to the 35/IV will be the 50 'cron gen. 3, the one between the DR/rigid and the tabbed. Work shot with that lens seldom fails to impress; really an under-rated optic, IMO. A good thing since that foolishness drives the price down a bit.
wjlapier
Well-known
I agree with you. I have both lenses and I'm completely satisfied with them and don't consider any other lens in that FL.
Prices for the IV is climbing, but the V3 50 cron seems to be steady or in some cases dropping.
jljohn
Well-known
I know this is too late to help the OP, but I also know it is a question that comes up from time to time, so I'll toss my thoughts out there.
50mm Summicron v. IV a (external hood) & b (pull-out hood) are more contrasty and more modern IMHO than the Bokeh King.
While I have not used the 50mm Summicron v. III (type II rigid from the 70's) I would imagine that it would be closer to the 35mm v. IV than the current cron. I would be the first 50mm cron I would try for a rendering match to the 35mm v. IV.
From what I have seen of the DR/Rigid I, it lacks the contrast of the 35mm v. IV, and it feels more old-school to me. Not a bad match, but not perfect in my eyes.
This brings me to the lens that I believe has the best match (i.e. makes the best partner for the 35mm v. IV if what you want are two lenses that render very similarly at the same aperture), and that is the 50mm Summilux pre-asph (I am talking here about type II (E43) III (E46 with pull-out hood lenses). Also note that I am talking about how they handle Black & White--color may be a different matter. Despite being designed about 20 years apart, to my eye, these lenses seem to be made to go together.
Hope this helps.
50mm Summicron v. IV a (external hood) & b (pull-out hood) are more contrasty and more modern IMHO than the Bokeh King.
While I have not used the 50mm Summicron v. III (type II rigid from the 70's) I would imagine that it would be closer to the 35mm v. IV than the current cron. I would be the first 50mm cron I would try for a rendering match to the 35mm v. IV.
From what I have seen of the DR/Rigid I, it lacks the contrast of the 35mm v. IV, and it feels more old-school to me. Not a bad match, but not perfect in my eyes.
This brings me to the lens that I believe has the best match (i.e. makes the best partner for the 35mm v. IV if what you want are two lenses that render very similarly at the same aperture), and that is the 50mm Summilux pre-asph (I am talking here about type II (E43) III (E46 with pull-out hood lenses). Also note that I am talking about how they handle Black & White--color may be a different matter. Despite being designed about 20 years apart, to my eye, these lenses seem to be made to go together.
Hope this helps.
aleksanderpolo
Established
I am using a Cron 50 v3 and cannot understand the bad press/underrating of this lens. Good contrast without being harsh, just wonderful images.
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
I can understand it. Too many dweebs taking photographs of sheets of newspaper taped to the walls of their bedrooms.
jljohn
Well-known
I actually have a theory about this that goes more to human psychology than optical quality. I think there are people who want and always will have the newest and best (in their eyes). Then there are a large group of people who are content with the next-to-newest or second-best. They tend to look at lenses and say "that brand new, really expensive lens is not worth the upgrade; my last generation lens is good enough for me." Third, there is a group that likes and prefers the "classic." They want the old-school or classic look, so they tend to prefer 50, 60, 70, etc year old lenses and the style they lend their photography. The 1970's summicrons don't fall into any of these categories, and are often overlooked (I am thinking of Version 3 35 and 50mm summicrons here). They are neither classic yet, not the 'last pre-best' out there. I believe that they probably represent some of the best per-dollar performance in Leica lenses, but are overlooked for these other reasons.
Who knows--maybe I am dead wrong, but I love a good theory!