35 Summilux ASPH - did it replace your Cron?

[ddp]

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I have had 2 versions of the 35 Cron ASPH - a chrome one, and a black paint one. But I always wanted a 35 Summilux, wanted the speed. I was lucky enough to come across a 35 Summilux apsherical (the first one) for less than the price of a new asph...and haven't looked back or missed the Cron.

Interestingly enough, this lens does not have back focus issues on my M8. Then again, it cannot be coded either from what I gather.

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[Jerry_R]

The summicron 35mm asph is an unbeatable lens

Zeiss BIOGON 35mm f/2

- less distortion

- smaller contrast = more details in light & dark areas

(in case of need you can increase it in LR without problems)

(you can't get back lost details from Cron photo)

- sharper across whole frame

 

None of above lenses is best in all areas. But using words "unbeatable" probably is too strong.

 

Have a look:

Zeiss 35mm f/2.0: diglloyd: Leica M9 lenses— Zeiss ZM 35mm f/2 Biogon

Leica 35mm f/2.0: diglloyd: Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH

 

Here you can compare details, sharpness and color - on 50mm example, the same - Leica vs Zeiss: THE ZEISS ZM 50 SONNAR 1.5 LENS REVIEW

[jaapv]

I'm a quite amazede at the posters who have sold or are not using their Summilux 50 asph because of a Summicron 35 asph. The images that are taken with these lenses are so dramatically different from one another. I could not imagine being without either of them.

[k-hawinkler]

I have had 2 versions of the 35 Cron ASPH - a chrome one, and a black paint one. But I always wanted a 35 Summilux, wanted the speed. I was lucky enough to come across a 35 Summilux apsherical (the first one) for less than the price of a new asph...and haven't looked back or missed the Cron.

Interestingly enough, this lens does not have back focus issues on my M8. Then again, it cannot be coded either from what I gather.

 

Very interesting. I have a 35 Summilux ASPH with both back focus (that can and will be corrected soon) and focus shift (that can't be fixed). I just wonder what measurements you could share for your 35 Summilux apsherical?

 

Statements like focus at close focus distance is within X mm, or focus shift from f=1.4 to f=16 is less than Y mm.

 

Thanks for a reply.

[KM-25]

I loved the 35 cron, but the lux is just stunning, even wide open, it just drinks the light and serves it up as a visual Margarita. All images with the 35 Lux wide open with Kodachrome 64 from New Years Eve ( sorry, no people shots on the web till the book comes out ).

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[mdozier]

fwiw I have and use both the 35'cron for it's detail, size and overall unobtrusive but excellent performance.

 

My 35 'lux almost permanently resides on one of my MP's. I love the speed and versatility of this lens at this focal length.

 

I will always keep both.

 

just mho.

 

m

[jamriman]

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I started out with a v.4 Summicron. I also bought a pre-asph Summilux simply for speed, was much disappointed by its performance, and got myself a Summilux-ASPH. I kept the 'cron because it formed a kit with my 1983 Jubilee M4-P and a similarly engraved Tele-Elmarit.

 

But that was in film days, meaning ISO 64 to 100 for real quality. Also, the focus shift problems of the 'lux, while to a large extent psychological, are real, at least in digital use; and I went 'M-digital' in early 2007. In November last year I made an experiment: I hitched the old 'cron to my M9, identified the lens by the menu, and took the rig to the Stockholm Photo Fair, a medium low-light affair with a lot of 'street photography' to it. I was amazed by the performance of the 'cron. See picture. It was taken at f:2.8.

 

Conclusion: That venerable lens is an excellent all-rounder. The Summicron-ASPH is probably even better, but the v.4 is smaller and lighter. So this lens is now away for coding and a complete overhaul -- it's back in service, the way a M lens should be.

 

This reminds me of that conversation between Hemingway and Scott Fitzgerald: -- "Ernie, rich people are different from us." -- "Yes Scotty, they have more money." There's no special magic about Summilux lenses -- they're just faster. And that speed is not as necessary now as when we were shooting Kodachrome 25.

 

The old man from th Age of Kodachrome I

 

Just wondering how you feel about the pre asph cron compared to the asph lux. I have the pre and miss my 35 lux asph. Hard to afford both. Thanks!

[rvincent]

I had the v.4 pre-asph Summicron and the Summilux asph at the same time. I sold the Summicron and kept the Summilux. It's not that I didn't like the Summicron, but I much prefer the rendering of the Summilux. I must have a good copy, because I've noticed no discernible focus-shift on either a film M body or a M8.

 

I certainly wouldn't base my decision on size. The Summilux is not that much larger than the asph Summicron. If you want or need f.14, get the Summilux. Otherwise, keep the Summicron.

[peter_n]

Size Below are the Summilux ASPH, Summicron v.1 and Summicron ASPH. Yes not much difference especially with the 3rd pary Summilux hood, but I just feel more comfortable with the Summicrons. Difficult to articulate. And despite what Jaap says I don't see too much difference in the lenses' rendering. I do however like the Summilux at f1.4, very much.

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[lars_bergquist]

Just wondering how you feel about the pre asph cron compared to the asph lux. I have the pre and miss my 35 lux asph. Hard to afford both. Thanks!

Sometimes I do need the speed of the Summilux ASPH, because Sweden in winter is a very dark place, and coping without flash is nice. There are differences of drawing between this lens and the old v.4 of course, but nothing that I can put into words. If subtle differences like these were important, none of us would ever change lenses!

 

"Mijnheer Rembrandt, don't you think The Night Watch would have been better if you had used a different brand of brushes?"

 

The old man from the Age of Proportions

[4X5B&W]

Dan's Kodachrome images above nicely illustrate the "beyond just sharpness" look of the Lux ASPH......it is the reason I switched from the Cron ASPH.

 

I'm very happy with the classic look of the Summilux ASPH.

[Rolo]

Dan's Kodachrome images above nicely illustrate the "beyond just sharpness" look of the Lux ASPH......

 

I'll agree with that. Dan those colours are beau.

 

I ebayed my Summicron Asph after buying the Summilux Asph for it's extra low light capability. The 'Lux was acquired to be the lens I could turn to in the most demanding lighting conditions.

 

The 'Cron had produced some great images and was much easier to use and weight friendly and I have wondered whether I made the right decision, but the 'Lux has become my standard lens (for the moment) and I'm very happy with it.

 

Mine is silver and doesn't focus shift. What was disappointing is that with the M8, I was shooting at f2.8 and f4 to cover for the focus problems I had with those cameras. With the M9 I shoot it wide open with confidence.

[lars_bergquist]

The focus shift problem of the Summilux ASPH is inherent in the design. If some people think their sample does not exhibit it, then it is because they react differently, which is normal -- we are all different, thank God. My reaction to it is sort of medium: I am aware of it, but I can live with it, at least as long as I avoid f:2.8. But I would rather not have it. So I have put in an advance order for the new version, in the hope that, like the 0.95 Noctilux, it will be just like its predecessor, but better.

 

The old man from the Age of Kerosene Lamps

[wattsy]

My reaction to it is sort of medium: I am aware of it, but I can live with it, at least as long as I avoid f:2.8. But I would rather not have it. So I have put in an advance order for the new version, in the hope that, like the 0.95 Noctilux, it will be just like its predecessor, but better.

 

Be careful what you wish for. If it's anything like the new Noctilux it'll be a pig to turn the focus ring. My 35 Summilux has the silkiest focussing ring of all my M lenses and I'd be reluctant to change it for a lens that focusses like my 50 ASPH (or, God forbid, like the even stiffer Noctilux that I ordered and rejected last month).

 

Incidentally, I'm curious about your point about focus shift and how the existence of it has led you to advance order the rumoured new version. The last time I raised this issue a month or two ago you dismissed it as of no significance and suggested that I (and others like Tim Ashley) must have some kind of OCD-like personality disorder requiring psychiatric treatment.

[jaapv]

Up till now all lenses with floating elements are a bit more stiff to focus. logical, as there are more parts to move. So I think it unlikely a new design will be as smooth as the current one.

[jamriman]

The focus shift problem of the Summilux ASPH is inherent in the design. If some people think their sample does not exhibit it, then it is because they react differently, which is normal -- we are all different, thank God. My reaction to it is sort of medium: I am aware of it, but I can live with it, at least as long as I avoid f:2.8. But I would rather not have it. So I have put in an advance order for the new version, in the hope that, like the 0.95 Noctilux, it will be just like its predecessor, but better.

 

The old man from the Age of Kerosene Lamps

 

With all do respect, how do you pre order a lens that doesn't exist yet? Just like my old nocti, it's beyond good enough for me as the possibly old lux.

[4X5B&W]

With all do respect, how do you pre order a lens that doesn't exist yet?........

 

I have pre-ordered the 35 Noctilux

[jamriman]

I have pre-ordered the 35 Noctilux

 

So apparantly you guys got some inside sources. Nice!

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Hallo,

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[Jager]

With all do respect, how do you pre order a lens that doesn't exist yet?

 

LOL. If a rumor seems sufficiently well-founded, many dealers will go ahead and start a list. Others may even take deposits (obviously refundable, should the rumored product not materialize).

 

Many of us "pre-ordered" an M9 before the 9/9/09 announcement, for example.

[peter_n]

Up till now all lenses with floating elements are a bit more stiff to focus. logical, as there are more parts to move. So I think it unlikely a new design will be as smooth as the current one.

I'm inclined to agree with you, however I'm on my second 75/2 and both the 75mm samples I've used are very smooth. The only thing I've noticed with the lens is that if you don't use it for a while the dampening gets a bit heavier at close focus. The lens is like butter compared to my 50 ASPH though.