The earlier models have a sharper lens than the modern models due to some materials used that later became forbidden, and the cost is quite manageable. It is similar to the cost of an M8 or lower.
This myth has been stated over and over again. The changes to the Biogon, once past the T* coatings in 1973, only applies to the 905 SWC model when the lens design was recalculated to allow continued production with currently available glasses.
The first SWC I used was a loaner SWC from about the middle 1977 ... belongs to a friend of mine ... with the Syncro-Compur shutter. Love the style of it. My understanding is that some parts for the old shutter are becoming scarce as they are out of production for many years (SWC/M last made in 1988).
The second SWC I used is the one I bought ... an '00 903 SWC. I saw no difference whatever between what it produced and the first one. Far as I'm aware, the lens is identical, they just went to the newer shutter (more reliable, easier to obtain parts for) and restyled it a bit.
The third SWC I used was an '04 905 SWC owned by another friend. I was specifically interested to see if the reformulation of the Biogon 38mm lens had affected its quality at all, as the myth had been going around already (this was a decade ago). We put the two cameras through a series of semi-formal lens tests with one roll of film, and then went out and shot the same subjects for another roll of film. As far as I could tell with my eyes and a 8x magnifying loupe, the two lenses produced identical results (modulo my ability to get the tripod and subject alignment identical between the two cameras).
Perhaps if tested on an optical bench, one could identify more differences. However, in practical terms, I doubt that the differences amount to a hill of beans.
Doesn't really matter all that much. Get one in good condition and it's a fine camera, no matter how old it might be.
🙂
G
