[Leica] Which 35mm 'cron or 'lux?

[henningw at archiphoto.com (Henning Wulff)]

At 9:35 PM -0500 2/11/05, William G. Lamb, III wrote:
>Henning,
>
>Not that I take everything that Irwin writes as gospel, but I'll 
>happily mail you his M-Lenses pdf if you like. There is little doubt 
>in his mind nor mine.

I am convinced; you are quite right, and Leica's data supports your 
point as well. Sorry. My use of the 28/2 indicated it was an 
extremely finer performer, with essentially no negatives; in other 
words equivalent in that regard to all the other ASPH lenses. A 
somewhat harsher rendition than their non-aspherical predecessors is 
also common, but the 90AA is the only lens where that sometimes 
bothers me. I might sell it for that reason, and because I like the 
75 so much.

>At 11:00 AM 02/11/2005 -0800, you wrote:
>>At 7:24 PM -0500 2/10/05, William G. Lamb, III wrote:
>>>Carl,
>>>
>>>Frank's summary was pretty good. Perhaps you are also overlooking 
>>>another option to round off your kit?
>>>
>>>Personally, I love the fingerprint of the 35 Lux ASPH, but it just 
>>>blocks too much of the viewfinder to make a compact package with 
>>>an M and what I consider to be my "normal" lens. If I want to 
>>>block my viewfinder, I use a 28/f2 ASPH which is Leica's modern 
>>>answer to the 35mm traditional documentary lens. On all counts it 
>>>does not disappoint, is one of the finest Leica lenses, has a 
>>>wonderful warm fingerprint and is optically superior to both the 
>>>35 Lux ASPH and the 35/2 ASPH.
>>
>>All three of those lenses are excellent. I've never seen a shred of 
>>evidence that states the 28 is better.
>>
>>>
>>>If you want to stick with 35mm, I've got a perfect new black spare 
>>>which is surplus to demand because I'm using the LHSA chrome 
>>>version mainly on my chrome MP .58. You are welcome to it for 
>>>$1,250 U.S., complete with box and case, etc. This lens is capable 
>>>of the highest image quality in most circumstances, but it is not 
>>>perfect. In bright light combined with conditions of high humidity 
>>>it can vignette.
>
>I'd imagine that you are correct as far as the theory goes, and I'm 
>not a scientist nor am I an engineer. In the REAL world, the 35/f2 
>ASPH exhibits this vignetting noticeably in the conditions I 
>describe. It does not otherwise. Several other users I know have 
>experienced the same characteristic. Care to account for this 
>phenomenon theoretically? It is the one real flaw of the lens, and 
>both mine exhibit it.

I'm not a scientist or engineer either, but I do have some degrees in 
Physics, and optics courses as part of those. I've used Leicas since 
the early 60's, and have used or owned pretty much all the lenses 
made since then. I do not own a 28/2 nor 35/2, but I have used both. 
At present I own the 35 ASPH 'lux and 4th generation Summicron.

>Do you happen to have one of these, or are you just guessing? Pardon 
>me for asking, but there is no end of guessing, idle and uninformed 
>speculation, unrestrained whinging and moaning and the like on the 
>LUG. Generally I refrain from comment because the most frequent 
>posters claim to rarely use a Leica anymore anyway, and there would 
>be little point. The gent who asked the question actually appears to 
>want to buy and use a Leica lens on a Leica. Can you believe it?! :-)
>
>>Vignetting is a function of optical design, mechanical construction 
>>and aperture. It is never affected by light level or humidity 
>>(unless you breath heavily on it). :-)

This is something I'll stand firmly behind.

>>>Can't say if the 35 Lux ASPH does because I've never owned one..., 
>>>but the 28/2 ASPH is no larger than the Lux ASPH and most 
>>>certainly does not.
>>>
>>>Best,
>>>
>>>William

-- 
    *            Henning J. Wulff
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