Which Summicron 35mm is this?

[wolan]

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Hi,

are you able to tell me from the frames attached which version of the Summicron 35mm is this?

 

Thank you

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[roelandinho]

This is the v4. It’s the silver made in Germany version.

Edited February 8, 2021 by roelandinho

[jdlaing]

Looks like a IV

[jdlaing]

Vintage 1993

[wolan]

Ah, ok, this is the so called King of Bokeh, right?

[roelandinho]

Just now, wolan said:

Ah, ok, this is the so called King of Bokeh, right?

Yes, but that doesn’t mean much 🙂 

[a.noctilux]

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Silver IV is much more expensive, a large bit heavier than black.

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images from Wiki

[TheBestSLIsALeicaflex]

A silver 35/2 iv was my first Leica wide angle back in 1998.  They were selling out of them because the ASPH had just came out and you could pick them new for $999.  A lot of $$ back then, but wish I purchased 10 of them.   Nice optics.

[shirubadanieru]

Wow That’s amazing now they’re more expensive than the asph ahah

[shirubadanieru]

1 hour ago, Steven said:

They are quite rare, and much more durable than the plastic made Canadian black version. Being the KOB, they will also grow in value as years go by, which makes collectors hold on to them and the prices rises. I bought one last month for 4500 euros. It's mint, like new. I bought it not because I needed it, but because I didn't want to have to pay double in five years if I decide I need it. And if I don't, I'll sell it. 

And the silver version just looks so much nice than the black, but @shirubadanieru, it's not to you I'm going to teach this ! 

It is indeed much better than the black one  after the steel rim it’s probably the best designed Leica lens 

[david strachan]

1 hour ago, Steven said:

They are quite rare, and much more durable than the plastic made Canadian black version. Being the KOB, they will also grow in value as years go by, which makes collectors hold on to them and the prices rises. I bought one last month for 4500 euros. It's mint, like new. I bought it not because I needed it, but because I didn't want to have to pay double in five years if I decide I need it. And if I don't, I'll sell it. 

And the silver version just looks so much nice than the black, but @shirubadanieru, it's not to you I'm going to teach this ! 

"..I bought one last month for 4500 euros.."

😲 yikes...

[a.noctilux]

8 hours ago, Steven said:

To me, the Cron asph is a lens I would not take if they gave it to me for free. No place on the shelf. I HATE this lens. 

How Steven ?

Hate ?

I'm curious.

(I had three of those ex-loved, but none now, curious)

seen this thread ?

 

 

 

Edited February 18, 2021 by a.noctilux

[shirubadanieru]

I’d definitely take it for free...but only to then re-sell it and get any of the pre-asph crons aha I am with @Steven on this one, 35mm asph summicron is by far my least favorite 35mm Leica has released. Really don’t like its rendering, no soul, just plain boring and clinical.

[Jeff S]

On 2/17/2021 at 10:13 PM, Steven said:

Dont forget that the v4, beyond some bad, out of context press it got lately from the guy who retracted himself from calling it the KOB, is one of the most delicious 35 cron. Great colours both on film and digital. It's extremely well built, compact, and durable. It is probably the only one worth collecting with the V1 (8 elements). 

To me, the Cron asph is a lens I would not take if they gave it to me for free. No place on the shelf. I HATE this lens. 

Mike Johnston, now publisher of the The Online Photographer, merely captioned a magazine picture (as the editor) of the lens two decades ago as ‘the king of bokeh’. He hadn’t fully tested the lens, and subsequently described its out of focus blur as pleasing (based on HIS tastes) at small apertures and middle distances, but not so much (based on HIS tastes) at large apertures and close up.  He never spoke for anyone else, and his articles are not legally re-posted elsewhere, but are easily searched generally at TOP for those who are interested in his take. The internet and word of mouth are ‘responsible’ for the ‘kob’ legend around the lens, not Mike.  He also didn’t comment on any lens characteristic beyond its out of focus blur quality (‘bokeh’, which was another word he established for the first time in the magazine to help readers’ pronunciation of the Japanese ‘boke’).  

FWIW, Mike has from time to time written about other lenses with his favorite out of focus blur qualities (new kings of bokeh).  In 2016, it was a LUMIX 42mm micro four thirds lens, which sold for under $350.  I don’t think it has yet reached legendary status or stratospheric prices.

If anyone ever gives you a 35 Summicron ASPH, I’ll gladly take it off your hands. I’ve created myriad print renderings with mine, as well as with other Leica 35mm M lenses. Any bad results are on me.
 

Jeff