Down to one 35mm lens, but which one.

A used Summarit might be in your price range, small and light, newer, 39mm filter... Not as popular as the other choices but a steal in my opinion.
 
If the choice is between Summicron v3 and Summilux pre-Asph, then Summilux, if the closest focus distance of 1 meter for the Summilux does not bother you.
 
Greg, it is very interesting read, but with ESL, limited knowledge of some ladies names, no knowledge of hard and soft developer, the only thing I was able to get... 30 1.4 is good if you take pictures after sun goes down.
And why Diafine is standard developer?....


Anywho, since my choice is narrowed to two lenses, I'll have to read more about them and probably try both. I have tried plenty already, just two more...
 
I've had Cron III, IV, ASPH, Lux ASPH FLE, and currently have Summaron 2.8. I liked them all. Of the two finalists you got, Cron III and Lux II, I'd personally go with the Cron because of 0.7m minimum focus distance. In practice, especially with 35mm, that 30cm makes quite a it of difference for my way of shooting. YMMV tho of course.
 
I've had Cron III, IV, ASPH, Lux ASPH FLE, and currently have Summaron 2.8. I liked them all. Of the two finalists you got, Cron III and Lux II, I'd personally go with the Cron because of 0.7m minimum focus distance. In practice, especially with 35mm, that 30cm makes quite a it of difference for my way of shooting. YMMV tho of course.


If you had to choose one only, which one would you take?
In my case, even though people talking very good things about the cron III and summaron but in the end I always find the cron IV unbeatable after trying all of them.
Am i the only one here?
 
If you had to choose one only, which one would you take?
In my case, even though people talking very good things about the cron III and summaron but in the end I always find the cron IV unbeatable after trying all of them.
Am i the only one here?

It's really tough and subjective, even for myself. IMHO I'd describe each in short:

• Summaron 35/2.8
Classic rendering wide open. Pretty darn sharp stopped down, even on digital. Lovely industrial design just like the V1 Cron. Very compact.

Life: Simplified by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


You don't say? by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr

• Summicron V3
Often underrated (but you can get pretty good deal due to that). Lower contrast compared to newer models. Great for b/w. Personally like the "bear claw" focusing tab. Felt a bit prone to flair but not exceedingly so.

Into the secret garden by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


That step won't go there, dad. by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


• Summicron V4
Very compact. Overall very versatile lens. Never really found the bokeh to be "Bokeh King" worthy. Canadian model has plastic inner barrel. Compact square hood that you love it or hate it.

Time moves differently here by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


On the Platform by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr

• Summicron ASPH
Very sharp and contrasty overall. I don't find the bokeh to be awful but nothing to write home about. Great on film and digital. A bit larger/heavier than older models.

Blacksmith at the Station by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


Metal & Steam by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr

• Summilux FLE
Marvelous lens for digital and film with nice Bokeh and fast speed. Minimum focus shift on digital. Can focus down to 0.7m (pre ASPH can only go down to 1m) and can use regular threaded filters. Heavy and large compared to the Cron. Expensive. Do you need F1.4?

Antique Hunter by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


Classy Man by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


All photos not cropped. Last one is Monochrom V1, others are TriX developed in Rodinal (grainy ones) or D76 (smoother ones).
 
It's really tough and subjective, even for myself. IMHO I'd describe each in short:



All photos not cropped. Last one is Monochrom V1, others are TriX developed in Rodinal (grainy ones) or D76 (smoother ones).

that cron 35 v3 look is so lovely ..
thanks for all the photos ... a very good comparison

William Jusuf
 
Or should I take it easy?

EASY for sure.

Stay in one system. Do not move until you know what you want.

Leitz had good optical designs. David Douglas Duncan bought Nikon RF on his way to photograph the Korean War because he thought them to be sharper. But there is more to it than sharpness in making a good print.

Leitz was slow to come up with hard coating and we last to utilize canadian balsam cement which was prone to separation. And they fogged over time. They are the most most beautifully manufactured lenses.

The rest are not up to German standards of precision.
 
It's really tough and subjective, even for myself. IMHO I'd describe each in short:

• Summaron 35/2.8
Classic rendering wide open. Pretty darn sharp stopped down, even on digital. Lovely industrial design just like the V1 Cron. Very compact.

Life: Simplified by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


You don't say? by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr

• Summicron V3
Often underrated (but you can get pretty good deal due to that). Lower contrast compared to newer models. Great for b/w. Personally like the "bear claw" focusing tab. Felt a bit prone to flair but not exceedingly so.

Into the secret garden by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


That step won't go there, dad. by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


• Summicron V4
Very compact. Overall very versatile lens. Never really found the bokeh to be "Bokeh King" worthy. Canadian model has plastic inner barrel. Compact square hood that you love it or hate it.

Time moves differently here by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


On the Platform by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr

• Summicron ASPH
Very sharp and contrasty overall. I don't find the bokeh to be awful but nothing to write home about. Great on film and digital. A bit larger/heavier than older models.

Blacksmith at the Station by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


Metal & Steam by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr

• Summilux FLE
Marvelous lens for digital and film with nice Bokeh and fast speed. Minimum focus shift on digital. Can focus down to 0.7m (pre ASPH can only go down to 1m) and can use regular threaded filters. Heavy and large compared to the Cron. Expensive. Do you need F1.4?

Antique Hunter by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


Classy Man by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


All photos not cropped. Last one is Monochrom V1, others are TriX developed in Rodinal (grainy ones) or D76 (smoother ones).

Lovely images, thanks for sharing. The one of the girl on the train platform is my personal favourite.
 
🙄 Funny, the lens I'm after is kinda - where is the focus? And lens I don't want, Summaron, has lovely rendering.
And I have no idea what is FLE... Fast Expensive Leica ?
 
The wife with the v3 on an M2. Maybe not the best composition but it tells you a lot about the v3 optics:

Scan-101114-0029.jpg
 
🙄 Funny, the lens I'm after is kinda - where is the focus? And lens I don't want, Summaron, has lovely rendering.
And I have no idea what is FLE... Fast Expensive Leica ?

One thing I should clarify. I had the v3 some years ago, and my taste of development, post process for web posting, and of course the subject matter have changed over time. And it's still changing depending on my mood. They are definitely not a scientific test. I picked the photos somewhat representing the characters I see in the lenses, but since I'm a B&W guy, final image can go all over the place depending on the processing. V3 would give you a lot of wiggle room for contrast adjustment.

That said, I am fan of that Summaron myself.

FLE is floating lens element or something like that, but yeah, it's fast Leica expensive as well. 😉
 
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