which 35mm lens is sharp wide open

[tlitody]

which 35mm lens is sharp wide open and what is its aperture?

I'm wondering because if for example, a nokton 1.2/35 needs to be at F2 before its sharp whereas a Zeiss ZM 2/35 is sharp at F2 then the only reason to get the faster lens is if you really do need that last bit of speed. And the Zeiss is cheaper than the nokton. Oh and there is the character difference but they won't be very different, will they?
I'm not specifically thinking between these two lenses so I'm interested in opinions on any 35mm lens.

 

[sdotkling]

A thought: sharpness isn't everything, capturing a moment is. While there is a fine line between an impressionistic image capture (take the example of a blurred laughing face at a dimly lit cocktail party) and a somewhat botched too-soft image, it's the image itself that proves whether the photographer is in command of his tools or if they are in command of him. Context is everything.

So if a 50mm f/0.95 lens can help you get something you couldn't get otherwise, it is a good tool. it doesn't matter if the subject's pearls are soft, as long as the photo has enough integrity to convince the viewer it was all intentional.

If, on the other hand, you can't handle it--meaning you can't reliably produce the results you want with that lens--look to your skill level, not the equipment. Match your gear to your skills, f'rintstance, stay outdoors in good light so you can shoot sharper by shooting at smaller apertures, or learn more about composition or whatever it takes.

This does not mean that I am not lusting over a Summilux. I am only human.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Years ago, I had both the Summicron and Summilux in 35mm. The Summilux was quite a bit sharper at f/2, but by f/5.6 there was very little to choose, and at f/1.4 there was no contest. As I normally shoot either at full aperture (because I need the speed) or at middling apertures (f/5.6 and f/8), the extra stop in the Summilux was decisive and so I sold the Summicron. Never regretted it for an instant.

I've occasionally thought of buying a current 35 ASPH Summilux but (a) it's a lot bigger and heavier (b) it's a lot of money (c) I doubt I'd get better pictures. If I were just getting into Leicas and didn't have a good 35 I'd probably buy the ASPH but I'm used to the old one.

Cheers,

R.

 

[jsrockit]

35mm Biogon and Leica Summarit are sharp wide open.

 

[Rogier]

Zeiss Biogon 35/2

 

[semilog]

The 35/2.8 Biogon-C is *very* sharp wide open. Ken Rockwell shows examples demonstrating that at f/2.8 it outresolves the M9 sensor.