ZI Biogon 35 or Summicron 35 ASPH

[Nando]

Thanks for your comments X-ray.

I would like something compact. In my recent trip to Portugal, I discovered that I really valued something small that can be carried in a jacket pocket or in a small man-purse. Despite my preference for my J3 as my all-round 50mm, I ended up using my Summitar more than any other lens on the trip because it took up so little space when collapsed. And the J3 itself is relatively small.

I'm thinking of either using the Biogon mostly without the hood (though I'd probably carry it with me just in case) or using the Summicron ASPH with the hood on always.

I borrowed a gen-III Summicron to try out. I know its a different lens altogether and also smaller than the current ASPH but I mainly wanted to see how I would take to using a small lens with tab focussing. I find it quite nice. For me, compactness is a really strong feature for the Summicrons.

This is a really tough decision for me. I'm almost tempted to by both and then keep the one I like best but there's no way I could afford that.

 

[sepiareverb]

The ASPH is quite tiny, even with the hood, it is the lens I reach for when I want a compact camera/lens combo for the day. One thing I notice with the ZM lenses is that they are much larger than I expected. I have the 25 & 28, not the 35, and the 25 is bigger than my 50 Summicron by a good bit.

 

[thomasw_]

the zm 25,35 and 50/2 are not 'large' m system lenses at all; i'd call them average or medium size. i use them with and w/o their hoods and have never felt as though i would prefer to go back to my L glass size wise.

money and size aside, these zms are performers and if you like their rendering you will join many in applauding them. For myself, the only L glass I have kept is the 50/1.4 since getting into the zm lenses.

i think you should pick your 35 based on the rendering you take the most delight in. then look at the prices and sizes; from there your decision will sort itself out.

 

[Nando]

i think you should pick your 35 based on the rendering you take the most delight in. then look at the prices and sizes; from there your decision will sort itself out.

Thanks for the advice. I spent the last three hours looking at over 400 photographs on the web made with both lenses. Of course, I have looked at photographs taken with both lenses before but not as extensively and didn't study them as intensely. My eyes are definitely a bit tired now. I really like both lenses but I tended to like the rendering of the Summicron ASPH just a bit better. I can't really explain why either.... its almost as if there is something unique about it relative to what I am used to. I didn't find it dispassionate - just different. To be honest with you, I think I'd be really happy with either one. I got to determine if the substantial extra cost is worth it for the smaller lens, which I marginally prefer.