As an owner of a Leica M2 camera with 50mm f/2 Summicron lens (second version), I was thinking to get a wide angle lens. I need professional opinions about the optical quality, the working comfort and other diffrences of my two choices: a new Leica M 35/2 Summicron lens Asph (1000$) vs. Hexar Silver 35/f2 Camera & Lens (550$). Thank you Dubi Roman http;//www.dubiroman.com

-- Dubi Roman (dubir@zahav.net.il), December 23, 2001

Answers

The pros that post here can best advise you, but I just wanted to say that I enjoyed your website very much!

-- Steve Hoffman (shoffman2@socal.rr.con), December 23, 2001.

Dubi:

I have never owned the Hexar, so I cannot comment on it. FWIW, I do own the 35asph 'Cron and think it is a superb optic.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), December 23, 2001.

I will choose Leica 35 'cron asph over the Hexar silver. The reason is that I like to use 50 mm lens more. I cannot hardly complete a roll of film only with 35 mm lens. It is my case and your may different. I will probably keep Hexar silver if it has 50 mm lens. Also 35 'cron asph is better lens than that on Hexar silver. Some people said that the AF is hard to use since there is no way to verify the focus before you see the photo.

-- kenny chiu (amchiu@amat.com), December 23, 2001.

The 35/2 on the Hexar (not the RF with interchangeable lenses) is the same design as the Leica 35/2 pre-Asph lens. An excellent lens.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), December 23, 2001.

Optically the 35/2ASPH is more even throughout the aperture and focus range than the Hexar but unless you're shooting critical subject matter like architecture tripod-mounted on fine-grained slide film the optics aren't the biggest issue you'll face. Buying the Hexar Silver you'll need to carry 2 cameras to have both focal lengths, and operationally they are quite different so switching back and forth won't be totally fluid. As John pointed out the Hexar's lens is a ringer for the pre-ASPH Leica 35/2. You can get one of those for somewhat less than the ASPH. It might be a good compromise bewteen optics and convenience.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), December 23, 2001.

Dubi, ask yourself if you want a camera with a non-interchangable lens? If so, the Konica Hexar is a great way to go. I may at some time purchase the Hexar, but not to replace my Leica equipment. I have a 35 Summicron ASPH lens and it is superb wide open. Amazing really. I would not look at the Hexar and lens as a replacement for my interchangable Leica lenses. FWIW

-- David (pagedt@chartertn.net), December 23, 2001.

Why not the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.7 Ultron?

-- Anthony Oresteen (aoresteen@mindspring.com), December 23, 2001.

Dubi: I owned a Hexar (original black version) for 5 years and loved it as a high quality point and shoot. Got rid of it a few years back and have regretted it as it made a good AUXILLIARY camera for my Leica. The reason I sold it was because there were just too many times that I missed the focus (ears tack sharp - eyes soft) because you have no way to really verify where you've focused until you get the film back. I replaced it with the Summicron 35 Asph and at anything other than wide open the Hexar was just as sharp (with great bokeh to boot). WHEN IT FOCUSED WHERE I WANTED IT TO.

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), December 23, 2001.

I too had focus problems with my black Hexar AF. But when it worked, it was VERY sharp. I just got too annoyed with it. Too bad thought, because it was a great camera in many ways.

-- Josh Root (rootj@att.net), December 23, 2001.

Actually I am quite like the AF on an Hexar Silver. It is so quiet and fast. I think the AF is consistent better than that I can do manually. There could be manual focus error if I do manually and there are many times I just forget to focus at all when using a M6.

-- kenny chiu (amchiu@worlnet.att.net), December 24, 2001.

Dubi

I don't know who (in the USA) is selling a new 35/2.0 Summicron-M ASPH for $ 1000. Don Chatterton, whose prices are as low as anyone in this country, offers an unused boxed 35/2 ASPH for $ 1200 (no warranty) and for $ 1500 new in box with USA warranty. Maybe you are quoting a used (mint) sample or from a Hong Kong price, but $ 1000 sounds optimistic.

In my opinion, the 35/2.0-ASPH M lens is a better choice in terms of optical quality. In addition, the Hexar's top shutter speed is low, so the Hexar 35/2 fixed lens system has some limitations.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), December 24, 2001.

I was going to suggest the ultron, too, but I hate the way it handles. In terms of quality, it's one of my best lenses.

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), December 25, 2001.