[Leica] 35-70/3.5 vs 35-70/3.5

["SML" <inyoung@jps.net>]

Hello,

  If the German version of the subject lens is the same in optical design as
the Japanese version, it simply was designed by a Japanese company but
manufactured in Solm, Germany.  Then how come some people kept insisting
that the German version designed in Japan but manufactured in Germany is
better in performance than the Japanese version which was designed and
manufactured in Japan?
The German version should be the same in performance as the Japanese version
if they are identical in optical design.  But one question comes up.  How
did Leica make the front element bigger (E67 instead of E60) without
changing the optical design?  I am just curious.

Thanks,
David