Is the 35mm Summicron f2 ASPH worth the money?

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Nick De Marco

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First, I obviously don't need one. I have updated, retraded, streamlined my 35mms. I now have as my main 2 the 35mm Zeiss Biogon-C f2.8 for general purpose, and the wonderful Voigtlander Nokton f1.2 vII for low light/wider aperture. I am very happy with this set up. Happier than I was with either an old pre-ASP summicron and Biogon f2 I sold.
So I don't need a 35mm Summicron ASPH.

But I cannot help wondering.... I know it is a great lens, having used a friend's copy in Italy. The only justification I could make for buying one is that its size means it could be a good all round 35mm, for travel etc., when I din't want to take the Biogon and Nokton together. That's almost certainly not a good enough reason to buy one. But I am very tempted every now and then. Am I missing something, or is this just bad GAS? Is it really worth the extra bucks? If so, why?
 
I am one of those members here that must have all the versions of one specific lens (more specific all the different optical versions). To give an answer to your question: YES YES YES

Recently I started shooting film again (about a 36mm film each two weeks) and the ones taken with the asph are simply great in all technical aspects: color rendition, resolving power, contrast, and beautiful bokeh.....(I had two of those Noktons, but both were not up against this summicron, unless you really need f 1.2, which I don't so I both sold them, found them too heavy on my little Leica's anyway) If you really need more light - I guess you shoot film otherwise you just take a higher iso: than of course a decent Summilux would do the job

btw still looking for the asph LTM version: any offers?
 
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Nick De Marco said:
Ron, do you mean you also have the Biogon 2.8-C and the Nokton? If so what makes the more outstanding in your opinion?
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No not the Bio 35mm, since that didn't came out as a very good lens in tests, but I have the best Biogon around (at least that is also what is generally stated here and on other sites): the 25mm

I had 3 Noktons: the 1.4 40mm, and two Silver 1.2 35mm lenses, sold recently (also the 40mm was not that crisp that I want from a modern lens)

... and about the money: I could only justify buying these lenses by selling cameras, which I had too many after some years, and selling lenses I didn't like after a while (sold almost all my 50mm's - now using 35mm as a standard) - and why Summicrons, since they are so pocketable and still have great optics
 
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Not sure I would want every model even if I had money to burn though Raid... I don't like having lenses I end up not using. I know what you mean though, and that's why I say I don't 'need' one. I could afford a Summicron only by not spending money on perhaps more sensible things - but what I don't know is whether it is really worth it compared to the lenses I mention
 
Nick De Marco said:
Not sure I would want every model even if I had money to burn though Raid... I don't like having lenses I end up not using. I know what you mean though, and that's why I say I don't 'need' one. I could afford a Summicron only by not spending money on perhaps more sensible things - but what I don't know is whether it is really worth it compared to the lenses I mention
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If you buy one, you can always sell it if you don't need it anymore, and as you know, especially the summicrons have risen in price the last three or so years, so your risk is very low (they will be further in demand now the M10 will come out soon)
 
Nick De Marco said:
First, I obviously don't need one.

(...)

So I don't need a 35mm Summicron ASPH.

(...)

Is it really worth the extra bucks?
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In your case, no. If money is your primary concern, I'd get the Minolta Rokkor 40mm f/2 CLE, even Canon's 35mm f/2 LTM

You must feel comfortable with your gear. If you don't need it, paying extra for it is going to make you extra uncomfortable.
 
The Rokkor (or Summicron) 40/2 is a great little lens. I use it extensively these days.
I agree with Gabriel on the need to first feel comfortable with the lens chosen.
 
I LOVE it but is it worth the moula ...hmmmm
There are lots on the Market ...( so I am not sure buying New you will get your money back easily)
if You are savvy , one can find one around 2300-2500 which seems a Good deal as opposed to 3000.

What makes it exceptional to my EYE is the Crisp, Sharp Rendering
So Clean & Refined with a Thin Plane

I have grown tired of the more rounded , voluptuous 'Look' of the luxes
Even though it renders Quite Beautifully
And decided to go for a more Modern, Edgier Look
What blows my Mind is the Asph Glass with Tmax 400...swoon !

Just my 2 cents...though I would'nt my trying the c biogon one day
 
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I love Helen's work with this lens. Not just this image, but others, too. I tend to like the images from this lens most on film (like Helen's), but not nearly as much on digital. Thus, for me (as digital only M user), the lens loses some appeal. For you, it's a mixed matter, as you have so many M bodies, film and digital.
 
I love mine. I have the chrome version and have basically not taken it off my M6 since I got it, apart from a little dalliance with a 35mm 'lux ASPH (which I didn't like as much as my 'cron).
The best lens I have ever owned....well, apart from the Contax G 45mm planar. Hmmmm, now I might have to get one of them converted.
 
I've been testing loads of 35mm's a few months ago. When I saw what the Summicron apsh. produced it was clear to me. This is the lens to have. For me then of course.

cheers,

Michiel
 
I bought one when they cost less than half what they are now (and I had much more free money), and there were no other options.
Today, I would not or could not put so much money in a subjective difference between the ASPH and a Biogon, a Hex, or even a cron vers 3 for the size.
For my type of shooting, saying that they are all good enough is a huge understatement.
 
I love the results with the ASPH. Worth it to me.

I agree with the statement right above me also. And I was lucky in getting one before everything started going up in price. I think most of what I got, just a little less than 2 years ago, was almost half what I would have to pay now.
 
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