Just wondering which of the 35 Summicrons is the most compact - ie. protrudes least from the body? Is the ASPH much bigger than previous models? I want as compact an M as possible!

Anywhere online that I can find this info for future reference would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

-- Nick Hillyer (nhillyer@fhcrc.org), March 13, 2002

Answers

Short of going to an older screw thread 35mm lens like the early Elmar F3.5 from the 1930's to 1950's the 4th generation pre- aspherical is the most compact, if you want even more compactness buy the Voigtlander Pancake 35mm.

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), March 13, 2002.

Leica Compact Street Shooter on Camerquest.

-- JM Woo (wooismyid@deletethis.yahoo.com), March 13, 2002.

check out the first version of the 35mm f1.4 -- not all that sharp but compact to be sure.

-- roger michel (michel@tcn.org), March 13, 2002.

If you can find one the last Canon 35/2 made until 1965 is an excellent and compact lens but not cheap around $300.

-- Gerry Widen (gwiden@alliancepartners.org), March 13, 2002.

the most compact lens in (nearly) this focal length is the 40mm summicron-c or the rokkor-m. the lens protrudes only 2.5cm from the body, is tack sharp and a pleasure to use (i have the rokkor-m). additionally it is one of the cheapest m-lenses to buy. if you have a problem with non-leica lenses on your M go for the summicron-c. otherwise the rokkor is a really good buy for less than half the price of the 35 summicron 4th gen.

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), March 14, 2002.