35mm Summicron purchase

[tmickan]

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Hello all

Having just purchased my first M, the M4, I now feel as though I need a 35mm lens to go with my not so modern 2/5cm Summar.

 

I have found a couple of appealing options however I am not sure which way to go. Both are the same price more or less.

 

Option 1 - Summicron 2/35 version 4 pre asph

Option 2 - Summicron 2/35 asph current

 

Am I correct in thinking that the asph. current version is sharper but has a more modern look to it, where the pre ashp has that 'old Leica' look about it. I am fairly green when it comes to the Leica lenses so advice would be apprectiated, and same sample pics would be great. Thanks.

Tom

[Philippe D.]

Hi Tom,

Both are the same price more or less.

Option 1 - Summicron 2/35 version 4 pre asph

Option 2 - Summicron 2/35 asph current

Same price !

The v.IV is usually 1/3 less than the Asph version.

Depending on the price, maybe the Asph have some troubles or, the IV is very expensive.

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[tmickan]

The asph I'm told is in mint condition, box etc and the Version IV is 'EC'. The price of the 35 asph does seem to be very good at US$1200 and the Vers IV is US$1100.

[JBA]

Go for the Asph. It's a fantastic lens.

[vertekijker]

Definitely the Asph.

Check the Erwin Puts website:

OlderMlenses

He concludes:

'Summicron-M ASPH 35mm and Summilux-M ASPH 35mm are the more modern designs and are capable of better image quality than the Summicron-M 35mm.

The differences are visible, but you must compare the images side by side to see it. Summicron-M ASPH 35mm is a superb all-round lens with a very even and excellent performance. Its images have the special Leica characteristic, that can be seen in most modern Leica third generation designs: image clarity of a very high order (...) The Summicron-M 35 was and is a excellent lens. It is a tribute to the designers of that lens that it took Leica 20 years and the most modern design- and production technology to bring optical quality to a higher level. The photographer, willing to exploit the superior qualities of the ASPH lenses, must be willing to upgrade his technique also.' (E.Puts)

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Frans

[tmickan]

Well those answers are good enough for me, the ASPH it is. Thanks.