Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/03/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On 15 Mar 1996, Adrian Tanovic/GRFP/GRN wrote: > All right, I'm confused. What is the difference between the Aspherical and the > Asph? I've seen lenses with both inscriptions on the front, but had thought > Leica just shortened the engraving on a subsequent production run. From > postings in this group I get the impression they are actually different > lenses. Eastland, inter alia, only mentions the Aspherical. If these lenses > are indeed different, it would be a masterpiece of confusing marketing. > As I recall, the original Asperical design was to be a limited-production run (around 2,000 units). Because of some production problems (for example, I heard that only one person in the factory had the requisite skill to polish some of the elements in a particular way), they only cranked out half that number. Demand for the lens, though, apparently, sparked a redesign that resulted in the comparatively cheaper version on the market today (as much as $4500 for the original, versus about $2800 for the current version). The redesign involved such innovations as a molded plastic element, and I haven't heard of too many complaints about image quality. (Mind you, some of the foregoing may fall into the category of urban legend --- I can't claim to have a pipeline into the factory.) And I recall a posting a few months back to the effect that the Aspherical has displaced the Summilux from the Leica catalog. If true, that means your choice of a fast 35 (new, anyway) will only be the Aspherical. Chuck Albertson Seattle, Wash.