Description: Excellent sharpness, high contrast and a superb resolving power over the entire focusing range are evident at full aperture. With its
aperture stopped down modestly to f/4, this versatile lens delivers a maximum of resolving power and contrast. It is all the more
impressive because of its virtually perfect absence of distortion. That makes it a world-class lens among fast wide-angle lenses. In spite of its high speed and its superb imaging performance, it is surprisingly small. Every Leica M camera fitted with this lens becomes a highly compact and elegant unit.
Summary: Bought it used from a forum member at photo.net
Besides it being a sharp lens, I also love the tab.
At first I thought it was kinda weird, but now I have come to love focusing with one finger.
Strengths: sharp lens with great finish (mine is chrome) and heft to match.
Focus with one finger!
Weaknesses: the hood does not have a slot so it blocks off some of the viewfinder
Summary: When having an balanced conversation regarding Leica products the following must be remembered: A)Good things cost money. B)All photographic equipment has an optimum usage style. and C)Comparing apples to oranges never produces anything useful. Now my review....I finally sold my old dodge truck and decided to buy into the "Leica" legend... so I purchased a near mint M6 and 35mm ASPH f2. Optically, nothing I have ever shot with compares with my 35mm Leica lens, and trust me I have plenty to compare with (Nikon, Mamiya, Hasselblad, Canon). Now when I look at slides from my Nikon prime lens all I seem to notice is distortion, vingetting, flare, and lack of sharpness.
I have not been able to put down my Leica in 5 months.....my girlfriend makes fun of me because I bring my M6 to bed (this is true). Yes the lens and camera are that GOOD! Don't get me wrong Nikon and Canon gear is GREAT and has very many uses....I would never sell my Nikon gear because it covers SO may photographic situations and offers a fantasitc peformance at reasonable cost. However, when you compare Nikon to Leica optics....well there is simply no comparison. If you can afford a single Leica lens, get this one..... It is simply the incredible.
For unobtrusive street photography this lens coupled with the M6 has no rival.
Finally, unless absolutely need the extra stop, get the f2 over the f1.4. The f2 is acutally sharper than the f1.4 @ f2 and above.
Strengths: Sharpness.
Contrast.
Size.
Speed.
Like no other 35mm prime out there.
Weaknesses: None
(Yes, photo gear is expensive....save up and get over it)
Similar Products Used: Leica 90mm f2 APO/ASPH (Wow!)
Nikon, Canon.
Summary: The 35 Summicron Asph is my 4th 35 Summicron in over 30 years. Fantastic performer! I shoot quite a bit in low light, so welcome the extra sharpness at the wide open aperture. I'll keep my early one, an old friend, but this one is the best. Now to get picky:
a.My new black lens has the "feet" scale markings painted in red, and the meter markings in white. The red markings show poorly in very dim light; My older lens has yellow "feet" markings, a better choice in my opinion.
b. With the supplied hood in place, it is difficult to see the recessed white dot that marks the aperture setting. I may paint an additional white dot on the lens barrel closer to the camera body.
Strengths: Sharpness, contrast, and build quality.
Weaknesses: legibility of markings. size increase over the earlier versions (I know the glass design likely dictated this; Those smaller pre-Asph 35 Summicrons are the perfect size, IMO)
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