I've read through many postings re the quality and pros/cons on these two brothers, byt still have a last question before I decide which one I'll buy as my first step into Leica (though I already have a Minilux)

I know that the 'Lux is more expensive and is one stop faster. An obvious answer would be: get the 'Lux if you shoot at f1.4. I don't think I'll shoot at this stop all the times but I'm pretty sure I will shoot at f/2. My question is: is one step stop-down on 'Lux much sharper than the 'Cron at wide open? Is worth to pay extra if the 'Cron lens already excels when shooting at f/2 (I mean better than 'Lux @ f/2)?

-- Fred Lee (leefred@cadvision.com), May 27, 2002

Answers

Fred,

I believe the Cron is a better all round performer across the whole negative image, whereas the lux is better in the centre, but not as good in the corners, but these differences are very small.

Have a read of this: http://www.imx.nl/photosite/leica/mseries/testm/m2-35.html

If you are a f2 shooter then get the cron, its smaller and cheaper. I personally have this lens and its totally stunning!

-- Karl Yik (karl.yik@dk.com), May 27, 2002.

oh yeah, just because it costs more doesnt mean its better. Eg the noctilux costs 3 times a 50 cron buts its performance (at apertures f2-f16 is nowhere near)

-- Karl Yik (karl.yik@dk.com), May 27, 2002.

Hi, I had a 35mm Cron, later I bought a Lux, after the prints came back from the first roll film taken with the Lux, I sold my Cron the same day. Now the price between the Lux and Cron is not that big, you can get a brand new Lux for $1300-1400, and Cron for $950-1050, for $300 you not just getting the extra one stop, the Lux is a much better lens, plus it looks cooler on the camera body than the Cron.

-- Mitchell Li (mitchli@pacbell.net), May 27, 2002.

I went into a very good Leica Dealer in Walnut Creek, CA. They had both the aspheric cron and lux. At that time I was using the 8 element cron. I tried both lenses at 2.0. The aspheric lux looked much better to me (anecdotal at best) so I bought a used one from Kenny Shipman who gave me what I considered a very good deal. I have since acquired a 35 aspheric cron. I carry them about 50/50. Carry the cron when I want to put the camera in my pocket. I have absolutely no complaint about either 35. They will both knock your eyes out. If someone made me choose I'm not sure which one I would end up with. This is the only focal length where I duplicate in my Leica M lenses. Generally I'm pretty conservative re equipment, 28 & 90 elmarits instead of summicrons for example. I just don't think you can go wrong with either of the 35 aspherics. Cheers

-- Gil Pruitt (wgpinc@yahoo.com), May 27, 2002.