Was the pre aspheric 35 Summicron (4th version) manufactured in both Canada and Germany? Is there any other reason to buy the German version over the Canadian other than that it is newer? I've read Puts's paper on the 35s but I wonder what do some of you think of this lens compared to the aspheric summicron and summilux? Thanks.

-- Don (wgpinc@yahoo.com), November 27, 2001

Answers

I believe the 4th version was manufactured in Midland, Ontario at one point. Buy Canadian. No difference in quality but difference in $hell-$hock.

-- John Chan (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), November 27, 2001.

I have a German version serial# 3466xxx with round lettering, not with the currant squarish lettering.

-- Bert Keuken (bkkn@wanadoo.nl), November 27, 2001.

The vast majority of the 4th generation 35/2 was made in Canada. The last of the lenses were marked Made in Germany. I suspect that the "parts" were still made in Canada but "final assembly" was in Germany. Somewhat similar to the "made in Germany" R8 cameras. The 35/2 Asph is manufactured and assembled in Germany. My late "German" 35/2 pre-asph model was a wonderful performer but only went to f/2 so I sold it and bought a 35/1.4A. I have no regrets.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), November 27, 2001.

I owned a Canadian pre-Asph 35 Cron. It was razor sharp with perfect color transmission. I think the Leitz Company of Canada brought over Germans to staff the facility there. So a Canadian lens would still be quite Teutonic. At half the price of the new Asph, I'd go for it!

-- Frank Horn (owlhoot45@hotmail.com), November 27, 2001.

I have a late german 4th version, and agree that it is an excellent performer, I prefer it to the Asph version.

-- Richard (richard@designblue.co.uk), November 28, 2001.

4th version was made under both labels (but mostly Canada). Newness within this line won't make an optical difference, but obviously a newer lens MAY be in better shape overall.

The 1.4 ASPH is roughly comparable to the pre-ASPH f/2, but at a full stop faster. The ASPH f/2 at f/2 has more contrast and better corner sharpness, but is mostly indistiguishable below f/4. It is also substantially larger and heavier.

I like my Canadian pre-ASPH and wouldn't trade up to the newer f/2, but might sometime ADD the ASPH 1.4 if I decide I really need the speed.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), November 28, 2001.