Do many folks own both a 1.4 and 2.0 35mm lens? I own the 1.4 Asph, which is, of course, fantastic. But I do consider the size, and am considering getting a used 35 2.0 for its smaller size, when I do not need the speed. Is this stupid? Should I just live with the size of the 1.4 (and it's big hood)? Thanx!

-- Bob Stevens (matlaw@hargray.com), April 03, 2002

Answers

I have 35mm 2.0 i cannot imagine anything giving better tonal/image quality(or need to).Maybe the 1.4 is just hype to pull some more money out of your pocket.However,i have never used one, so i maybe wrong.Interested in thoughts from those who have used both.

-- Allen Herbert (allen1@btinternet.com), April 03, 2002.

Hello Bob.You are not alone.I sold my 8 element 'Cron to buy an Asph.,missed the compactness of the 'Cron, bought it back and now use it as much as the Asph.Don't ask a non Leica user if they think this instinct is stupid as they would probably not understand.

-- Sheridan Zantis (albada60@hotmail.com), April 03, 2002.

I must be even more barking than above! Having started with the non-apsh 'lux, I then traded it for the Asph model. Now the situation is going into reverse as I'm returning to the older lens. And yes I also own a 35 'cron (the last non-asph version)

-- Tim Franklin (tim_franklin@mac.com), April 03, 2002.

If you don't need the speed, the most economical 2nd hand 35 might be the summaron. I had the f3.5 one and found it to be too small.

-- Steve (leitz_not_leica@hotmail.com), April 03, 2002.

I fooled around with both the current 2/35A and the current 1.4/35A. I then bought the current 2/35A. Yes, the 1.4 has more speed, but I don't need that speed often enough to have to buy it. If I did need it, I would have bought it instead. Even although it costs 60% more! I like the smaller size and better balance of the 'cron more than the bigger speed of the 'lux. This type of decision is thousands of years old (well, okay, Leica itself isn't) so all you have to know first is what you'll end up needing most.

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), April 03, 2002.

I have both 35 ASPHs & they're both excellent, but wouldn't mind selling off the 35/2 Summicron (hint, hint), as I use the 35/1.4 Summilux much more often (I do a lot of low light photography & don't mind the extra size & weight).

-- Chris Chen (Wash., DC) (furcafe@NOSPAMcris.com), April 03, 2002.

Bob

I suggest you use it without the hood. You can even add a 46-55 step up ring or similar to add some shading capacity if you want. Keep the hood in your bag and only use it when you think you really need it. Most Leica lenses are not too affected by flare, and when they are you can probably guess when it will be. Live dangerously, I bet you won't notice the difference. I think that many of the Leica w/a hoods are rather absurd.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), April 03, 2002.

I have both 35 lenses and like them both a lot. They both have their plusses and minuses. But I have more equipment than I need. Have recently shed some of it. A sane and reasonable person needs only one 35. Too much of the 'grass is greener on the other side' thinking. We forget that they probably water the grass more on that side and fertilize it more as well. Of course some day soon I may want to replace my 28 elmarit with the 28 summicron... Whatever gets the juices flowing. Cheers.

-- Don (wgpinc@yahoo.com), April 03, 2002.

Hi Bob,

Ask me anything about 35mm lenses! I went through a pile of research before getting my 35/2 ASPH. Yes, it is okay to own as many 35mm lenses as you want, or can afford. There is absolutely no law, secular or religious, that says otherwise. The Utilitarians might shake their fingers at you, but you can live with that. Anyway, suppose you are shooting b/w and color. You might need two 35's!

Anyway, a really light, pleasant and optically good lens is the Voigtlander Skopar Classic 35/2.5. It is tiny and great when you don't need a whole lot of speed.

Yes, I've thought of getting a 'lux 35/1.4 ASPH for the extra speed. But using the 35/2 ASPH with the 'lux 50/1.4 is a nice combo.

I've kept my non ASPH 'lux 35/1.4 which has charming properties inspite of its many optical quirks, like flare.

I also have an old Summaron 35/3.5 which I mount on my Bessa T when I cycle. A very small and tough old bird.

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4-u.or.jp), April 03, 2002.

Hi Bob,

I have both the 35 Pre-ASPH Lux and Cron. They are wonderfully compact lenses and I would keep at least one of them no matter what else I might get in the future.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), April 03, 2002.

The 35mm Summilux ASPH is my keystone lens and other focal lengths merely supports it. I own or have owned at least five other Leica mount 35mm lenses but the look of the 'lux ASPH impresses me the most. I fully agree a second 35mm lens is in order when you don't need the bulk, however I would recommend a lens with a totally different look such as the early 8-element Summicron or the early Summilux. The ASPH 'Cron would just be a repeat. An M mount Summaron is very nice for b&w but the LTMs aren't bad either. A late chrome pre-ASPH is a work of beauty and I wouldn't be surprised if you end up dumping your current lens for one. I don't recommend any of the VC lenses as there are enough Leitz glass to choose from but if you can pick up the 35mm/2.5 Classic for $200 it is a nice little puppy.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), April 03, 2002.

Robin: What are you doing/using for the 46-55 step-up,in place of a hood? Bob.

-- Bob Stevens (matlaw@hargray.com), April 04, 2002.