Well I'm on the brink of a Summilux 35 Asp. purchase. Wonder who has one and likes it, and who had one and sold it? And why of course :-)

Cheers.

-- Simon Wong (drsimonwong@hotmail.com), July 18, 2001

Answers

I've got one and I can't say enough great things about it. I used to have a Summicron-ASPH, but sold it for the LUX when I started using a Tri-Elmar, because the LUX has a 3-stop advantage. I only use it in low-light situations. I bought mine used, it wasn't that much more than the Cron is new, plus it shares filters with my 90/2.8. The performance of the Cron and Lux ASPH's is so similar that unless the money is the only consideration, the Lux is the definite way to go. Even in size and weight, there isn't much difference, not like comparing the Lux to a pre-ASPH Cron. I've still got my Canadian pre- ASPH if I need a really tiny lens.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), July 18, 2001.

The 35 Summilux ASPH is my primary M lens. It's the one I wouldn't do without. Performance in color & B&W are unsurpassed. It's a little larger than the Summicron, but the extra stop, and comparable performance wide open, are worth it. I often pair it with the Tri-Elmar, too, or a 21, 75, or 90 (get the idea it's a flexible lens?). For me the Summilux is the primary lens, and the others come along for the ride.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), July 18, 2001.

They are both GREAT LENSES! I sold my Summicron asph for a Summilux asph. 'Nuff said.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), July 18, 2001.

I've had mine for almost 4 years now & thinks it's the best lens I've used, by far! I recently added a .85 TTL and finding the viewfinder cutoff a pain, I'm using an accessory 35mm viewfinder. It's great, especially if you prefocus and set your exposure in advance.

Enjoy!

P.S.

This is my first contribution; the website is great!

-- Alan J. Simon (Al) (asimon@metisassoc.com), July 18, 2001.

Here's another vote for the Summilux ASPH. I bought the Summicron ASPH first (because it's all you really need, right?), then got the 'lux. Six months later the Summicron went on the block. Like many others here, it's my primary lens. I team it with a 3E and a 90 AA for most of my shooting.

I don't find it much heavier than the Summicron, and that extra stop is sooo useful.

It's a wonderful lens, pin-sharp at every stop, quite resistant to flare, fantastic colour rendition - a true general-purpose lens.

-- Paul Chefurka (paul_chefurka@pmc-sierra.com), July 18, 2001.

Hi Simon,

About the 35mm Summilux Asph, I'm seriously disapointed when I have to stop down to f/1.8 or f/2.

-- Eric Laurence (edgar1976@hotmail.com), July 19, 2001.

Thanks for all your responses guys! I think I'm going to take the plunge and join the club. It's the price that's won me over. My user lens is offered to me at $1250. Only fault are factory gluespot residue on the outside edge of the 2nd element-outside the light path. Can't loose here I think.

I'm curious about your post Martin. How is it possible 2 35mm lenses have different DOF at the same aperature?

Also Eric, what specifically are you disappointed about at F1.8 and F2 and compared to what?

Cheers.

-- Simon Wong (drsimonwong@hotmail.com), July 19, 2001.

Simon,

I really love the shallow depth of field wide open, 90% of my pictures are taken at f/1.4. Dont take my previous post as negative comment on lens performance. This is my desert island lens.

-- Eric Laurence (edgar1976@hotmail.com), July 19, 2001.

Can you be more specific Eric, I´m also interested in knowing more about this lens.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), July 19, 2001.

"I sold it because of the lack of depth of field at f2 compare to the summicron. it is heavy lens."

Martin, surely DOF field for the two lenses at the same aperture will be exactly the same?

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), July 19, 2001.

M. Watson,

I work with several formats (Mostly Leica and Hasselblad, I dont use the Linhof much lately). Each format as it limitation so what I do with one is always pretty different from the other. I use the Leica to take pictures the same way my eyes see the world. When I look at another person, I look at her in the eyes. At that moment, the only thing in focus his her eyes, that is why I always do wide open shot with fast lens in 35mm world (I do casual portrait of the people close to me and I keep a visual diary of my surrounding). The extra stop make a huge difference in DOF at close distance or for camera shake at low speed. I leave the "HyperfocalTripodCableReleaseSpiritLevel" (F/64 mentality) to the other format. Buy the Summilux only if you plan to use the extra stop (Heck, I slow Tri-X to 50asa E.I. to be able to use the lens at f/1.4 in sunny condition!).

-- Eric Laurence (edgar1976@hotmail.com), July 20, 2001.

I have had my 35 asph lux for about 5 years now. A great lens, many of my images taken with this lens have a nice glow about them.

Steve

-- Stephen Smith (smithdude@altavista.com), August 09, 2001.