Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/03/08
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Maybe I'm a fool, but the 35/1.4 and the 50/1 are two lenses (along, of course, with an M film body) that I intend to hang on to the bitter end, in hopes that a reasonable digital M body will someday appear. The 35/1.4 "sings" to me through all its apertures; just as the Noctilux's vignette at full aperture is a 'flaw' in the technical sense, the 35/1.4's 'softness' possesses a character all its own. I don't defend it against modern designs, but on its own terms it's a formidable lens with a distinct Leica signature. I love it. CHandos -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+cmbrow=wm.edu@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+cmbrow=wm.edu@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Feli Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 9:47 PM To: Leica Users Group Subject: Re: [Leica] Advice needed on 35mm lens for Leica M 1.4/35 Lux ASPH Stunning. You simply can't beat it, but it is the biggest of the bunch. Keep in mind that it's really no bigger than a 1.4/50 Summilux, it's just that the old Lux was tiny. Expensive piece of glass. I've borrowed and rented this lens a few times and want one dearly... 2/35 Summicron ASPH Same performance as the Lux ASPH, but of course a stop slower. Very compact. Much cheaper than the Lux. My friend purchased this one with his M6TTL and it made him a 'Leica believer'. I've seen these for as little as $1400 from Hong Kong or as gray. 1.4/35 Lux (pre-ASPH) A great lens in it's day, but unless you really are in to the vintage glowing look, it may not be your cup of tea. Soft and flare prone at 1.4. Needs to be stopped down a good deal to really sing. The new Lux and both Crons eat this lens for breakfast in the performance department. Very small lens. Still expensive, running $1000 and up. I believe that for that amount of cash, there are better options. 2/35 Summicron-M (4th version, pre-ASPH) I own this one. A killer lens. By f4 it's performance is head to head with the ASPH models. The ASPH is crisper and more even across the frame at f2. Has earned the nickname "Bokeh King". Beautiful fingerprint. Very compact. Expensive. Clean examples run about $1000-1100. Here is Erwin Puts' take on three of these lenses: http://www.imx.nl/photosite/leica/mseries/testm/m2-35.html Feli ________________________________________________________ feli2@earthlink.net 2 + 2 = 4 www.elanphotos.com _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information