Guest guy_mancuso Posted October 14, 2007 Share #1 Posted October 14, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Can anyone specifically tell me the difference between a version III vs a version IV and is it optically the same or different. Also do i want Canadian or German. I have beat on a 3rd version for 1100 and may jump on it. Be honest if it stinks i want to know, not in a hurry I can wait for a 4th Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 14, 2007 Posted October 14, 2007 Hi Guest guy_mancuso, Take a look here 35mm Cron III VS IV. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest guy_mancuso Posted October 14, 2007 Share #2 Posted October 14, 2007 Serial number 271xxxx Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrj Posted October 14, 2007 Share #3 Posted October 14, 2007 Hi Guy I have v3 and tried v4 (and the later asphs). The one I kept was v3. It has excellent drawing, transition to OOF areas and a very fine quality in tonality and sharpness. I don't think about the aperture, if wide open is needed its no problem but I guess 5.6 and 8 are best for contrast and quality across the frame. The handling is very good I find, better than the smaller v4. Important for me is that the depth of field markings on the lens and focussing 'throw' make it easy to set for hyperfocal focussing. The v3 was supposed to make a hood redundant through some sort of 'optical mirror' construction. I've used it extensively (nearly 20yrs) both with and without hood and not noticed much difference in flare, its very compact without hood. I use it on an M6 where it has been my most used lens, and used it on an Epson RD1. If I'd kept the epson it would have made my ideal combination (along with a 50DR) but the epson had a shutter fault... Nik Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrj Posted October 14, 2007 Share #4 Posted October 14, 2007 Forgot to say mine is a canadian Nik Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrj Posted October 14, 2007 Share #5 Posted October 14, 2007 ...and serial no 277xxxx Nik Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted October 14, 2007 Share #6 Posted October 14, 2007 Thanks Nik that helped Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkie Posted October 14, 2007 Share #7 Posted October 14, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Main differences are.. 1. Design and handling.. Some Vers III's has a convex focusing tab. IV's have a concave, which I personally find more ergonomic and easier to use. Some VIII's, especially the earlier ones have a 'saw tooth' type aperture control, IV's have an aperture control ring with serrations (similar to the 35/2.0 ASPH). 2. Optically they are different VIII: 6 elements in 4 groups, IV: 7 in 5 groups 3. Weight VIII: 170g vs IV: 190g/ chrome 250g 4. Finish VIII's - all black. IV's - black & chrome. Chrome model is very nice and a little harder to come by as less were produced 5. Hoods VIII's - some/most are round vented hood IV's - square hood with hood cap like the 35/2 ASPHs 6. Build quality It has been said that the IV suffers from the front thread coming loose due to a glued construction, possible as people grab the lens by the hood to mount and unmomunt the lens. The III is built with set screws so seems to not suffer from this. I have never experience my IV coming loose. But I do tend to unmount my lenses by their bases rather than twisting the hood! here's a thread: Leica and Rangefinders Forum: Leica 35/2.0 Summicron 3rd Version - photo.net Canadian and German made are just as good IMHO, no differences encountered. Some people think that 'Made in Germany' is better but I don't think there is any truth in this except if you are a collector. Canadian made lenses are definitely NOT inferior to their German made counterparts in my experience. The Noctilux was (and I think still is) made in Canada if thats anything to go by! - they don't make sub-standard lenses out of Canada As for shooting the IV has more of a cult status as the bokeh king which has elevated its price over the II's and III's. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted October 14, 2007 Share #8 Posted October 14, 2007 Thanks Sparkie that helped a lot so the design is different between the 2 and yes i agree no difference between countries which for collectors may matter , i could care less myself. Nocti is still made in canada BTW. I may wait for a 4th version than, really no hurry on this lens . I have bigger fish to fry from 28 mm down at the moment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkie Posted October 14, 2007 Share #9 Posted October 14, 2007 here's some more links for your reading pleasure :D Canadian vs. German Lenses Leica and Rangefinders Forum: Why is the 35/2 Summicron (4th pre-asph) so expensive? - photo.net Leica and Rangefinders Forum: 4th gen.35 cron bokeh. - photo.net Leica and Rangefinders Forum: Leica M 35/2 Pre-ASPH 3rd/4th version- where to find info. - photo.net Leica and Rangefinders Forum: Problems with 35 sum 4th gen - photo.net Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted October 14, 2007 Share #10 Posted October 14, 2007 Thanks all appreciate the help Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted October 14, 2007 Share #11 Posted October 14, 2007 Guy, both versions are about equally sharp on axis. V. IV performs better off axis. Also, v. III has quite a bit of over-corrected spherical aberration, which is bad for the bokeh and can be seen especially in non-focused point highlights. Double contours can occur. V. IV got its bokeh reputation because its spherical is a little bit under-corrected so that off-focus detail is 'creamier'. This is usually the case with 'classical' Leica lenses. I love this lens – especially on the M8, where I lose the slightly soft corners at f:2 and 2.8. The old man from the Age of the Elmar Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted October 14, 2007 Share #12 Posted October 14, 2007 Thank you Lars , i think i will wait for a IV than. BTW i love the fact that as much as i know about leica there are guys out there that know more and i can always get a great answer to my questions. You don't realize how important that is. In 5 posts i got the answer i need from you guys, very valuable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tummydoc Posted October 14, 2007 Share #13 Posted October 14, 2007 Main differences are.. 1. Design and handling.. Some Vers III's has a convex focusing tab. IV's have a concave False. All Type-III have concave finger rest. Early Type IV have convex with serrated edge (as do early "tabbed" 14119 50mm) which is another instance of a poorly-conceived Leica design change that had to be reverted in short order. There is also some confusion between Type-II and Type-III. Type-II have a small tab on the aperture control ring, Type-III do not. Type-III are physically longer than Type-II or Type-IV. Both II and III are built to a visibly higher standard than IV, which was one of Leitz's early attempts at rationalising lens construction in the interest of economy. Optically II and III are quite similar in formula, and therefore in performance. Type IV is a different formula with a very slightly different finger-print. All 3 are much closer in that regard than the ASPH. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkie Posted October 14, 2007 Share #14 Posted October 14, 2007 False. All Type-III have concave finger rest. Early Type IV have convex with serrated edge (as do early "tabbed" 14119 50mm) which is another instance of a poorly-conceived Leica design change that had to be reverted in short order. opps, my humble apologies. i stand corrected and will go to my corner now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack_Flesher Posted October 14, 2007 Share #15 Posted October 14, 2007 Biggest difference is in the Bokeh signature --- creamy smooth butter on the IV, a bit clumpy in background highlights on the III. Gandy gives a pretty summary on this page --- scroll down to the section titled, "Lenses for your Leica M" Leica M Lens Users Guide Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnguyen Posted October 14, 2007 Share #16 Posted October 14, 2007 I like the way OOF renders on the IV vs III. I see lots of worned out III lenses as well. I have the chrome made in germany version IV and love . I'm keeping both the 35mm f1.4asph and 35mm f2 IV pre-asph. If I'm only allowed to have one lens for my M8 the 35mm pre-asph IV is it ! Good luck in your search. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted October 14, 2007 Share #17 Posted October 14, 2007 I found one for 1400 German and bought it , my wife agreed . Whew not sure how i pulled that off but my 35 cron asph 6 bit coded brand new almost is for sale. I will list it on the buy and sell when i get a chance. You guys talked me right into that one. LOL Don,t be too proud i am a leica lens whore . ROTFLMAO Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted October 14, 2007 Share #18 Posted October 14, 2007 Guy, 1400 Euro is a heck of a lot for a 35/2 IV. Normally they go for around 800-900... 1300-1400 is what you should get for your 35/2 Asph. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted October 14, 2007 Share #19 Posted October 14, 2007 1400 US for the version IV not Euro, sorry The new crons are 2200 US so maybe 1800, 1900 for mine. It is 3 months old so i should recoup most of my investment in it. I think i will be happier given the light i have to work with here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted October 14, 2007 Share #20 Posted October 14, 2007 Guy, unless you sell through a dealer, I doubt you will get that much. There are quite a few of them floating around. I just sold mine, and couldn't get rid of it at €1300; waited for weeks. Finally I sold it for €1550 through my dealer, but lost 25% for the fee. It's kinda sad. It was a great little lens, and eventually I only switched to the 35 Lux Asph because I shoot with this focal length so often, and missed the extra stop. Then Eoin's chrome copy with no focus shift came on the market, and I just couldn't resist. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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