Which to buy -- 35mm Summilux 1.4/ASPH or new Summicron 2.0/ASPH

[Rick]

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Jeff, I guess I forgot that you take yourself so seriously that you can't even see the irony in my post, and that I was agreeing with you.  You find a way to disagree with people even when someone agrees with you!  Maybe, read my post again. I give up.   

 

Rick

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[otto.f]

Not meant to be rude but I was never interested in the 35cron asph because I find it boring, it is so to speak a lens without identity. That won't change with sharper corners I bet.

So I own the 35lux FLE and the 35cron IV and if I am on a trip where I really want to save weight and need to leave my 35lux at home I won't cry because the 35cron IV always comes up with surprises too (like the FLE). The FLE is sure as hell worth the money. I did China with it and 80% was done with this lens, it just opens up the world for you. Cropping to half the format and printing at A2? No problem!

The new 35cron asph  won't be cheap either and will it be as compact as the first version?

[wattsy]

Not meant to be rude but I was never interested in the 35cron asph because I find it boring, it is so to speak a lens without identity. That won't change with sharper corners.

Boring? If you want a special effects lens you can save a bit of money and buy a lens baby or one of those petzval things.

[Jeff S]

Jeff, I guess I forgot that you take yourself so seriously that you can't even see the irony in my post, and that I was agreeing with you.  You find a way to disagree with people even when someone agrees with you!  Maybe, read my post again. I give up.   

 

Rick

 

So it's the internet and I missed your irony after midnight here.....and that's supposed to mean that I take myself too seriously?  Seriously?  So nice of you.

 

Jeff

[CheshireCat]

Boring? If you want a special effects lens you can save a bit of money and buy a lens baby or one of those petzval things.

I think he just means the lens lacks character, which is quite normal for well corrected lenses with modest maximum aperture.

The Noctilux 50/1 has plenty of character. Far from boring, and far from cheap.

 

I renew my suggestion to the OP to try the Nokton 35/1.2 wide open. Stopped down it is well corrected. Use it as your mood suggests.

[sdk]

Neither, buy the Zeiss Distagon 35mm/1.4 ZM. It's optically a better lens than either the Leica 35mm/2 or 34mm/1.4, though it is slightly larger than the current Leica 35mm/1.4. The Zeiss 35mm/1.4 has a flatter field, no focus shift, very smooth bokeh, and is and amazing lens at less than half the cost of the Leica Summilux 35mm, and also less than the cost of the Summicron 35mm.

[CheshireCat]

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Neither, Buy the Zeiss Distagon 35mm/1.4 ZM. It's optically a better lens than either the Leica 35mm/2 or 34mm/1.4, though it is slightly larger than the current Leica 35mm/1.4. The Zeiss 35mm/1.4 has a flatter field, no focus shift, and is and amazing lens at less than half the cost of the Leica.

Probably the best lens technically, but quite bulkier than the Leica 35/1.4 FLE, and twice the price of the Nokton 35/1.2.

 

I found this size comparison on Flickr:

https://flic.kr/p/r4xRhf

 

And this review with comparison vs Nokton:

http://joerivanderkloet.com/zeiss-zm-distagon-351-4-review/

[lct]

Hard to find a small 35 with smooth bokeh at all apertures. Leica 35/1.4 FLE and 35/2 asph have not unpleasant OoF renditions at full aperture but they tend to become harsher when stopping down, especially the Summilux. My favorite 35's there are Biogon 35/2.8, Summarit 35/2.5 and Summicron 35/2 v4 but bokeh is a subjective thing as you know.

[Mikeleica]

Wowzers, some of you folks a kinda mean to each other, what gives?

 

I did rent the 35mm 1.4 FLE and the 35mm F2 Asph ( not the newest one ) from lens rentals for 4 days and it helped a lot to nail it down. I already had the 35mm F2 version 4 that I got with my M4-P from my dad a couple years back so I was kinda biased on the F2 end. 

 

In the end I went for the 35mm 1.4 FLE because was such a different world than either the 35mm F2 asph or my version 4, "boinger" sharpness, just really digs into the low light with my new to me M240. I think it pairs pretty well with my little 35mm F2 V4 too, that basically stays on the M4-P for shooting Tri-X. I did not hate the 35mm F2 Asph but it kinda in between my 35mm V4 and the 35mm 1.4, guess it woulda been a good all rounder had I not had the 35 I do already which I am not getting rid of cause it was my pop's.

 

And about the holding the value thing, I dunno man, 12% off is nice and all but I found my 35mm 1.4 FLE for $3,200 practically new in the box, late serial number too. I have seen 50mm 1.4 Asph's go as low as $2,000 although I am resisting that one, just did my taxes

 

Good luck with your decision, It's Leica glass, it's all good! 

[doublev]

To me , Leica is about small with top image quality.   35 Summicron ASPH seems fine.

 

If you need 1.4, then no option. 

 

thank you.  The perfect response and I agree. 

 

I ordered the summicron and will have it tomorrow. 

 

I think it is a logical lens for someone that lugs around a noctilux.  If I want small and quality, i can use the 35mm cron.  if i need best light gathering and dont care about weight then i can use the noctilux.  I think it will be the same as owning two different (but same) cameras

 

Also, i learned this new lens has 11 blades which should result in more pleasing bokeh

[sdk]

Probably the best lens technically, but quite bulkier than the Leica 35/1.4 FLE, and twice the price of the Nokton 35/1.2.

 

I found this size comparison on Flickr:

https://flic.kr/p/r4xRhf

 

And this review with comparison vs Nokton:

http://joerivanderkloet.com/zeiss-zm-distagon-351-4-review/

 

Yes, compared to other 35mm/1.4 RF lenses the Zeiss 35mm/1.4 is a bit big, but it's not hard to get used to the size. It is long, but svelte compared to most SLR 35mm/2 or faster lenses, and better than any of them. The Zeiss 35mm/2.8 C-Biogon ZM is almost as good, and a tiny lens. I rarely feel the desire to use the smaller lens though, so I will probably sell it.

[LeicaR10]

OP,   I tested the new Leica 35mm f/2 Cron at a Leica Store last week.  I was comparing it to the 35mm Lux FLE in the store as well.  The new 35mm cron difference was the bokeh to appeared more smooth.  But it was not as sharp in the corners and edges as the 35 Lux.  In fact, the 35 Cron did not get sharp at the edges and corners until f/5.6 and f/8.  Based on what I observed with my lens tests (actually tested outside) the addition of the blades did not improve the optical performance of the lens.  I found the 35 Lux to be far superior in many aspects.  In fact, I bought the 35 Lux FLE to add to my 21 SEM, 24 Elmar and 50 Lux lenses.  IMO, I wouldn't waste money on the new 35mm Cron unless you want smoother bokeh.  r/ Mark

[CheshireCat]

 

I ordered the summicron and will have it tomorrow. 

 

I think it is a logical lens for someone that lugs around a noctilux.  If I want small and quality, i can use the 35mm cron.  if i need best light gathering and dont care about weight then i can use the noctilux.  I think it will be the same as owning two different (but same) cameras

 

Also, i learned this new lens has 11 blades which should result in more pleasing bokeh

Uhm... 35 and 50 are quite different focal lengths, and I think you will end up carrying both the 35 and the 50/1 in the bag.

Besides, the Summilux 35/1.4 is not much larger and heavier than the Summicron 35/2, so don't make it a matter of size/weight.

 

About the 11 blades: it's mostly for better sunstars. Bokeh wide open is not affected by the blades.

 

If you have the money, go for the Summilux: it is the best lens of the bunch as far as performance/size is concerned.

[colonel]

Yes, compared to other 35mm/1.4 RF lenses the Zeiss 35mm/1.4 is a bit big, but it's not hard to get used to the size. It is long, but svelte compared to most SLR 35mm/2 or faster lenses, and better than any of them. The Zeiss 35mm/2.8 C-Biogon ZM is almost as good, and a tiny lens. I rarely feel the desire to use the smaller lens though, so I will probably sell it.

 

Yes

 

I didn't mention the Zeiss 35mm f1.4 above as the OP was interested in bokeh between two Leica lenses. The Zeiss is probably the sharpest and flattest field and micro-contrastiest lens I have every used. The bokeh is merely ok. Highly recommended

 

Ok, and BTW its absolutely gorgeous in silver. I even use a silver one now on a black camera ...

[doublev]

OP,   I tested the new Leica 35mm f/2 Cron at a Leica Store last week.  I was comparing it to the 35mm Lux FLE in the store as well.  The new 35mm cron difference was the bokeh to appeared more smooth.  But it was not as sharp in the corners and edges as the 35 Lux.  In fact, the 35 Cron did not get sharp at the edges and corners until f/5.6 and f/8.  Based on what I observed with my lens tests (actually tested outside) the addition of the blades did not improve the optical performance of the lens.  I found the 35 Lux to be far superior in many aspects.  In fact, I bought the 35 Lux FLE to add to my 21 SEM, 24 Elmar and 50 Lux lenses.  IMO, I wouldn't waste money on the new 35mm Cron unless you want smoother bokeh.  r/ Mark

 

I am positive the FLE is a better lens. I dont remember it being small when I used it the first time I owned it.  I protrudes maybe 3/4 or 1" more than what the cron 2.0 would and since i keep the camera in my hand or on my body that extra bit does matter.

 

I do realize the cron is inferior and it is priced accordingly.  I made a decision to give up a little in performance to get something small.  I have gotten very good using the single noctilux lens (a big believer in a one lens system) but i think i am going extreme the other way because i just cant deal with the weight and size anymore.

 

I sometimes look at other leica cameras that are more compact and it seems silly for me to buy them when the 2.0 cron will be small enough to finally meet that need.

[Hayek]

I am positive the FLE is a better lens.

Negative.

Purely by the numbers, the Zeiss 35/1.4 is probably the highest performing rangefinder 35 ever contrived. In fact, probably one of the best RF lenses ever designed.The metrics bear out what the 'colonel' and 'CheshireCat' both said.

 

Whether the extra weight, bulk and rendering are to your taste, or jibe with what you want out of a RF is another matter.

[gberger]

Before I had to put my M series camera bodies on the shelf, I acquired the Zeiss 1.4 Distagon. What colonel and Chesire Cat said is factual. 

[Jon Pop]

While the comments about the nuances on bokeh between the various 35's discussed here (older Cron, newer Cron, Voig, Lux, Zeiss, etc.) are fine, I think it's a bit of a mug's game to micro-analyze bokeh in a 35 and make comparisons/hopes for a similar dreamy bokeh to a Noctilux. Anticipating mountains of internet vitriol in response, I have to be clear in that I'm not saying it doesn't matter...it's that the effect - no matter what magical bokeh fairy dust the lens has been sprinkled with - is considerably less than a 50. 

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[CheshireCat]

no matter what magical bokeh fairy dust the lens has been sprinkled with - is considerably less than a 50.

 

... and the Summicron aperture is considerably less than f/1.

 

For bokeh, the CV 35/1.2 is the best 35 in M mount.

Version 2 also focuses at 0.5m, while the Noctilux is just 1m, so - perspective apart - you can have plenty of bokeh (although not as swirly).

[honcho]

thank you.  The perfect response and I agree. 

 

I ordered the summicron and will have it tomorrow. 

 

I think it is a logical lens for someone that lugs around a noctilux.  If I want small and quality, i can use the 35mm cron.....

Good choice. I once bought the 35mm Summicron asph and the 50mm f1 Noctilux together. The 35mm Summicron asph is still my most used Leica lens and the Noctilux is a distant un-missed memory.