Re: Comparison between old and new 35mm Aspherical summiluxes

["Roger L. Beamon" <beamon@primenet.com>]

>Roger here from Kindermann. How are things at the P.M.'s office?
>The main difference between the two versions of the 35 Summilux ASPH is
>the process used to produce the aspherical element. The new one is
>produced with a new method called "Precision blank moulding" in which
>raw glass is heated and then pressed into the aspherical form. This is a
>new computer-controlled process, not to be confused with ordinary
>bank-moulding which only fulfills low quality demands. This new
>automated process is much less problematic than the old "grinding and
>polishing" technique as it eliminates the grooves than can result with
>manual grinding and polishing. Some manufacturers fill in these grooves
>with synthetic materials, an option which is of course unacceptable to
>Leica.
>This is why they have employed this new high-tech process. 

With the above as interesting background, has anyone *used* both versions
and would they care to comment on the relative merits or lack of them?
     --
     Roger Beamon,  Naturalist & Photographer
                               Docent:  Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
                               Leica Historical Society Of America
                               INTERNET:  beamon@primenet.com