Summicron 35 v4 vs asph

[Lelmer]

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Hi all,

I am currently using a 35 v4 on my M240 and M4, and although I am pretty happy with it, I am wondering if replacing my v4 by an asph recent model would be a good idea? for those who have both, what would I gain /loose ?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[Gregm61]

The ASPH is bigger so you loose a little compactness. The gain, if you buy one that is 6 bit coded, is that convenience. I prefer the conveniences of the newer lenses on my digital bodies. Optically the newer model is a better performer the wider open you shoot.

[01af]

Sorry, no idea about the 35 mm Summicrons ... except that the previous Summicron-M 35 mm Asph (with plastic snap-on hood) was pretty prone to flare.

But last year, I switched from the original Summicron-M 28 mm Asph (with plastic snap-on hood) to the current model (with metal screw-on hood). Albeit the modifications were minor—there's no perceptible difference in the data sheets' lens cross-section diagrams—the difference in optical performance is mind-boggling. Even though the original version definitely was no slouch, the new model is much better.

 

So I guess it's very likely that there might be a similar difference between the latest Summicron-M 35 mm Asph (with metal screw-on hood) and its predecessors. Yet, I am just speculating ...

 

That said, even if you find an improvement such as, for example, sharper corners at full aperture, you might still find the older model's overall rendition ... umm, nicer. Or not. Anyway—do not get rid of the old lens in favour of a new one before you carefully compared the two, checking not only sharpness but also things like inclination to flare, bokeh at various distances, overall rendition, etc.

 

 

[lct]

The 35/2 asph will give you more sharpness below f/4, especially in edges and corners, and less focus shift as far as my lenses are concerned, but it feels a bit heavier and bulkier, especially on lighter bodies. BTW all s/h 35/2 asph are not 6-bit coded. Those w/o coding were made for film and may require some calibration. Same for 35/2 v4 lenses which were all made for film and can be 6-bit coded by Leica. 

[wattsy]

for those who have both, what would I gain /loose ?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Sorry, no idea about the 35 mm Summicrons .

Yet, I am just speculating ...

 

 

Classic Leica forum. Probably best to try the new lens out for yourself. It really is the only way to decide.

[Lonescapes]

Size and rendering. ASPH is more 'modern' and V4 is more 'classic.' It's not a huge difference. I don't shoot film, but for digital work I like the V4 a little better for BW and the ASPH a little better for color, but would gladly use either in both cases.

[Rob L]

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My understanding is that the new version Summicron 35 ASPH differs only in the Lens Hood design and the aperture setup (# of blades?). No difference optically. The 28 2.8 and 2.0 had minor, but effective adjustments to element spacing to make them more digital friendly.

[otto.f]

That said, even if you find an improvement such as, for example, sharper corners at full aperture, you might still find the older model's overall rendition ... umm, nicer. Or not. Anyway—do not get rid of the old lens in favour of a new one before you carefully compared the two, checking not only sharpness but also things like inclination to flare, bokeh at various distances, overall rendition, etc.

Yes the Summicron 35 iv is just nicer and a bit more sympathetic to hang on your neck or shoulder. Not for the latter but for the former reason I pick my Summicron 35 iv more often than my Summilux 35FLE. But if you want variation in 35 AND within Leica I'd rather advise some Summilux than another Summicron, perhaps even the pre-FLE.

Edited February 1, 2018 by otto.f

[Lelmer]

thank you all for your valuable inputs.

First conclusion so far...whatever I would decide to buy (summicron asph I or II, summilux pre asph as suggested,...), I should keep my v4 

[Stein K S]

thank you all for your valuable inputs.

First conclusion so far...whatever I would decide to buy (summicron asph I or II, summilux pre asph as suggested,...), I should keep my v4 

Yes, do hang on to that Cron IV. I have really learned to love that lens. Even if it today is complemented by a Lux pre-FLE... another fabulous lens. 35 is quite clearly my most use lens and I really think that I have ¨the best of everything¨ with these two lenses.

[lct]

Yes, do hang on to that Cron IV. I have really learned to love that lens. Even if it today is complemented by a Lux pre-FLE... another fabulous lens. 35 is quite clearly my most use lens and I really think that I have ¨the best of everything¨ with these two lenses.

 

Best of everything in the pre-asph world indeed. Current best are 35/2 asph and 35/1.4 FLE. Sharper lenses with full apertures almost as workable as medium ones but more bulky and with less or different character obviously. Matter of tastes as usual. 

[Stein K S]

Hi and thanks Ict!

But I just felt the urge to comment that my Lux is the asph, but the version before the FLE. But still an asph lens I find to draw very nicely though ;-)

[a.noctilux]

Hi all,

I am currently using a 35 v4 on my M240 and M4, and although I am pretty happy with it, I am wondering if replacing my v4 by an asph recent model would be a good idea? for those who have both, what would I gain /loose ?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

To jump to conclusion :

- keep the Summicron-M 35 IV for film and your M4

- buy the asph. for your M (typ 240) if you can

 

History...

Years ago, when the Summicron-M Asph. was released and after using pre-asph. 35mm Summilux/Summicron, I replaced them for my M9.

I loved the Cron 35mm asph. so much I had (foolish) then three colors available (Black, Titanium, Silver).

 

Time passed, I sold them all (asph. Cron) to re-use those pre-asph. 35mm again .

That's only me, I prefer rendering of "non-asph" 35mm Summicron-M ... but I have 35mm Summilux-M Asph. in place.

 

Same story with 50mm after using asph. lenses for a while.

I'm happy with non-asph. lenses for my M.

[bocaburger]

I had the v.4, ASPH, and Lux-ASPH at the same time.  The latter two are long gone, the v.4 I will never sell.  Along with a v.3 which performs nearly identically but is built much better---and hence, is heavier, which is why I have the v.4 for travel. 

 

At one time I had all the current ASPH lenses, but sold them one by one when I discovered they just didn't offer as much performance improvement over their immediate predecessors in areas of concern to me, to justify the cash I had sunk in them. 

[otto.f]

To jump to conclusion :

- keep the Summicron-M 35 IV for film and your M4

- buy the asph. for your M (typ 240) if you can

 

History...

Years ago, when the Summicron-M Asph. was released and after using pre-asph. 35mm Summilux/Summicron, I replaced them for my M9.

I loved the Cron 35mm asph. so much I had (foolish) then three colors available (Black, Titanium, Silver).

 

Time passed, I sold them all (asph. Cron) to re-use those pre-asph. 35mm again .

That's only me, I prefer rendering of "non-asph" 35mm Summicron-M ... but I have 35mm Summilux-M Asph. in place.

 

Same story with 50mm after using asph. lenses for a while.

I'm happy with non-asph. lenses for my M.

I would turn that around; Karbe lenses are great for film and often too sharp for digital. I prefer Mandler lenses for digital. Which doesn’t mean that Mandler lenses aren’t good for film. If you click on my website below you’ll see a photo of a tree with a Summicron 28mm asph latest on Delta100. I like that better than when taken with a Monochrom1 Edited February 6, 2018 by otto.f

[adan]

The 35 v.4 and the 35 ASPH Summicrons are equal but not identical (in the same way that 2+3 and 4+1 are equal but not identical).

 

v.4 - slightly higher resolution in the center, slightly less at the corners (strong coma and astigmatic "butterflies"), lower contrast, more "energetic" bokeh @ f/2, greener color.

 

ASPH - the reverse (+ pinker color).

 

I like the v.4 for its size and weight and lower contrast. However, for the moment I am using the ASPH because it was easier to find one of those with real factory 6-bit coding (and for the same price as the v.4) for use on the M10, which is not happy with manual black paint/pen coding. And frankly, it works just fine.

 

If I ever do find a ready-coded v.4 for sale/trade, I will likely swap the ASPH for it, just to recover the classic feel and ergonomics.

[Lelmer]

I'll keep my v4, and get the latter asph version, if I find one on the second hand market...

Thank you all for your feedback

[lct]

Hehe problem with Leica lenses is not getting them but quitting them . Wise decision. 

[chris_tribble]

I had the v4 and eventually got the asph as I preferred the way it deals with colour. Weight / ergonomics haven’t been a issue for me and it remains the lens I use most and that’s almost glued to one of my M10 bodies.

Edited February 11, 2018 by chris_tribble

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Lelmer]

I had the v4 and eventually got the asph as I preferred the way it deals with colour. Weight / ergonomics haven’t been a issue for me and it remains the lens I use most and that’s almost glued to one of my M10 bodies.

 

Which asph version have you got? latest one (2nd version from 2015)?