[Leica] Leica] 35 Summilux...

[pklein at 2alpha.net (Peter Klein)]

Frank:  When I bought my 35/1.4 Summilux ASPH, I kept my 35/2 Summicron 
(4th Version).  It is small, light, with a smooth look, and at f/2.8 and 
above, as good for my purposes as the newer lens.  It also would be much 
less of a loss if lost or stolen.

I have absolutely no regrets about buying the 'Lux ASPH--it's the most 
incredible lens I have ever met.  At f/2 and f/1.4, the ASPH is a world of 
its own.  Except for the narrow depth of field, the pictures have none of 
the tell-tale signs of a wide-open lens.  The trade-off is decidedly 
harsher bokeh than with the classic lenses.

I usually carry the classic trio of focal lengths:  35-50-90.  If the 
primary purpose of an outing is available light, I take the 35 'Lux 
ASPH.  But when I won't need f/1.4, I take the 'Cron along.

If I had to give up all but two of my lenses, I would keep the 35 Summilux 
ASPH, and the 50 Summicron.  If I could only keep one lens, I'd be hard 
pressed to decide.  I prefer the 50mm focal length, but the 'Lux ASPH is so 
incredible. . .

I would never replace a 35 'Lux ASPH with a classic 35 'Lux.  While much 
smaller than the ASPH, the classic 35 'Lux is quite soft and flare-prone at 
f/1.4.  Since I love available darkness, it's not a good choice for me.  If 
you only occasionally need f/1.4 and want only one lens, it might be a 
viable choice, but there will be more flare issues than if you use a 
classic or ASPH Summicron.

My take is that if you mostly shoot at medium apertures, any of the 
1960s-and-later Leica 35s will be just fine.  If you have gotten used to 
the quality of the 'Lux ASPH at f/1.4 and f/2 and use those stops more than 
occasionally, nothing else will do.  TMax 100 will certainly show the 
differences between the lenses, wide open--you can readily see them even on 
Tri-X

Hope this helps!
--Peter

At 11:26 PM 4/3/04 -0800, you wrote:
>I have a 35 ASPH Summilux, and because of the weight, I am thinking of
>getting a pre ASPH lens.... What does the gang think?
>
>I really like the idea of an F1.4 lens, and prefer the weight of the pre
>ASPH design... My output is for my own consumption only.  Mostly 8x10 prints
>from B+W film  ( TMX 100).