peter_n
Veteran
Coming in from left field but reading the above post about the v4 Summicron there is also the modern equivalent, the Konica UC-Hexanon 35/2. Matsuiyastore is still selling these lenses for $870 on eBay. Look the lens up in the search engine here to see what it can do.
awilder
Alan Wilder
The V4 35 'cron can be made in Canada or Germany. The German ones were made later in the run and optically and mechanically are no different than the Canadian versions. Germany will be engraved on the the front with the other information inside the filter ring.
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alexz
Well-known
Peter, I indeed noticed the existance of Hexanon 35/2 and I'm realy curious abuot Hexanon line which appears to be well regarded. However, contrary to Leica counterparts (and now Biogon, I found very little written about it, couldn't find any compelling cases (for me) to spend the price of new Biogon on UC Hexanon instead...
What I did found is what appears to be quite clear demonstration of v4 'cron vs. asph one where the latter one exhibits noticeably faster fade out into OOF which helps to stand out the subject (and subjectively gains that 3D effect). I really liked that effect.
Having said that, I made up my mind to go another route: I'm picking a used Color Skopar PII and will do with one for a while. It doesn't dent a painful hole in my bank account, but will give the feeling of 35mm framing and usefulness. According to several tests (including of Reid Sean), it performs quite admirably in technical assessements even a side of 'cron asph and Biogon. I do not expect any special character from one, leica-like rendering OOF or similar, just a sharp and reasonably cnotrasty contemporary lens. I hope it will be a joy to get into 35mm framing with one, and should I really get into it, then I probably consider big guys (can't get 'cron asph out of my mind...)
What I did found is what appears to be quite clear demonstration of v4 'cron vs. asph one where the latter one exhibits noticeably faster fade out into OOF which helps to stand out the subject (and subjectively gains that 3D effect). I really liked that effect.
Having said that, I made up my mind to go another route: I'm picking a used Color Skopar PII and will do with one for a while. It doesn't dent a painful hole in my bank account, but will give the feeling of 35mm framing and usefulness. According to several tests (including of Reid Sean), it performs quite admirably in technical assessements even a side of 'cron asph and Biogon. I do not expect any special character from one, leica-like rendering OOF or similar, just a sharp and reasonably cnotrasty contemporary lens. I hope it will be a joy to get into 35mm framing with one, and should I really get into it, then I probably consider big guys (can't get 'cron asph out of my mind...)
peter_n
Veteran
Alex I think that's a good choice. My very first 35mm lens was a Color Skopar PI and I still have it. It has all of the attributes you articulate and then some. It is very contrasty and I don't think you'll ever need a color filter for it. 
Good luck with the lens!
Good luck with the lens!alexz
Well-known
Thank you Peter.
In fact, I consider 35mm lens mainly for indoors people stuff, such as family and similar. I found 50mm is often a bit narrow for a good composition in regular living places. And for such kind of use I don't think high contrast will affect me.
On the other hand, so far I figure 50mm is good for street stuff allowing enough room yet keeping respectful distance.
However, I may find 35mm to be my cup of tea (alongside to 50mm), then I suspect 'cron asph bug will bite me seriously...
In fact, I consider 35mm lens mainly for indoors people stuff, such as family and similar. I found 50mm is often a bit narrow for a good composition in regular living places. And for such kind of use I don't think high contrast will affect me.
On the other hand, so far I figure 50mm is good for street stuff allowing enough room yet keeping respectful distance.
However, I may find 35mm to be my cup of tea (alongside to 50mm), then I suspect 'cron asph bug will bite me seriously...
Nando
Well-known
x-ray said:
Well I just took the plunge. Just exchanged a few emails with Tony Rose at Popflash and now a Summicron-ASPH will be on its way to me. So much for will-power.
I can't tell you how hard it was to pass up the ZM Biogon since it is such a great lens and less than half the price of the Leica. Although they render differently, I didn't really like one look over another. In another thread, I said that I tended to like the photographs taken with the Leica but I concluded that was really because I found more examples of photographs taken with the Summicron. I did not find the ASPH clinical - just different to me. It may be "harsher" but that characteristic didn't break through on the photographs that I really liked. If the content of the photograph evoked warm and fuzzy feelings say, the harshness really didn't effect it. These are the main reasons why I chose the Summicron-ASPH.
1. Size. It is considerably smaller than the Biogon. I just couldn't get over its size. I would, of course, accept the size for a 50mm but I was really looking for a compact lens. After using the 35/1.2 Nokton as my main 35 for a week, I REALLY felt that I wanted something small. I won't be giving up the Nokton anytime soon though - I really love the lens. I also like the tab focusing. I liked he ergonomics on the gen-III that I borrowed for the last couple of days so I should also like the ergonomics of the current version.
2. I like the more classic look of the ZM but I already have many 'classic' lenses. I have a J3, a Summitar (also from 1946), a J-12 Biogon clone, a 90 coll. Elmar, and a bunch of others that I've been using extensively as of late. I'd say that 90% of the photographs that I've taken in the last 6 months were with lenses older than me. I was drawn to the slightly more modern look of the ASPH just for the sake of change, I think.
3. Kind of related to #1... I figured since this lens was smaller, making the camera more portable, I would tend to carry the camera more and also shoot more. I found this happened when I got my 50 Summitar. I take my M3 and Summitar with me almost everywhere I go now. I love the Summitar but it does have its disadvantages when using it as an everyday lens - flare being the worse of them. I hope I get the same experience using the 35 Summicron mated to my MP.
I still might get a ZM Biogon but not the 35. I'm very interested in the 21/2.8 ZM.
I really valued everybody's input. It made my decision much harder actually but it also made me think a lot more about it and therefore I'm very confidence that I won't be regretting my decision.
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Nando
Well-known
I'm selling a laptop and portable printer to a friend to offset some of the cost.
peter_n
Veteran
If you were lucky enough to buy an ASPH lens last year and decided you didn't need it now you would make about 60-70% over your buying price. They have got ridiculously expensive.
Ken Ford
Refuses to suffer fools
peter_n said:
... which makes the brand new one I bought in February 2006 for $850 even more delicious.
Sorry, I had to say that.
robbo
Robbo
Well, as I started this thread, I thought I'd better let you know that I did get the 35 'cron ASPH. I've only had the chance to finish off a roll of Fuji Neopan with the new lens, but I'm very happy with what I've seen so far.
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thomasw_
Well-known
robbo, i like the trunks. you made that lux sing keep posting! sincerely thomas
keep posting! sincerely thomas
J J Kapsberger
Well-known
thomasw_ said:robbo, i like the trunks. you made that lux sing
He made the 'cron sing.
It's an absolutely cracking lens. Enjoy, robbo. Nice shot of the baggage.
robbo
Robbo
Thanks for the comments guys. I'm not so sure I like Neopan tho'. I've also tried 400CN and Ilford and prefer both of those to the Fuji at the moment. Some more rolls of each are in order I think.