Ready to go 35mm route - torning between ASPH, Biogon or 'Lux ?

[alexz]

Well, I'm on teh market for a good 35mm lens to fit my M6.
Got over endless 'Cron ASPH vs. Biogon discussions, tests, reviews, still cannot make up my mind for 100%.
For my steet work I used to lug two cameras on me (M6 and M3) each with its lens (currently 50mm on M6, 90mm on M3). Now, once will get 35mm, it naturally will be slapped on M6 while 50mm will migrate to M3. That approach taught me to appreciate small size and weight.
I was almost set for Biogon, unless realized it may probably be noticeably larger then 'Cron ASPH, however, latest X'ray's thread may prove that the size difference isn't that great deal. Having said that, I always use my lenses with their respective hoods, so more relevant comparison for me would be Biogon with its hood attached.
What also may sway me towards 'Cron is its 39mm filter size which is the match for my 50mm 'Cron.
Lots have been discussed in their optical comparison, opinions vary, but I tend to leave that aside believing that their performance is close to each other (sharpness over the field, contrast, color...), however what is still not clear for me is their OOF rendition.
I figured some amateur comparison in that respect of v4 35mm 'Cron vs. it ASPH "brother":
http://www.jimarnold.org/galleries/leica_35_test/
and there it is clear that at the same apertures, the ASPH renders much shallower DOF which looks flattering in many situations and looks good to me. However, I didn't see that kind of comparison to Biogon.
Also, it seems ASPH is more contrasty one then the v4 version (not sure this is positive side for me, I'd purhaps prefer slightly lower contrast). Whatabout Biogon in this respect ?

Another aspect is 'Lux ASPH. Obviously, this one is larger then 'Cron, probaly he size of my 50mm 'Cron, but then gains one full stop...
Besides it seems to be priced (used) just about 20-25% higher then used 'Crons ASPH, that is temping....

If I'll make up my mind for 'Cron ASPH (or 'Lux ?) I'll post WTB ad in the forum.

Thanks for listening to my rant, will appreciate your comments..

Alex

[waileong]

You worry too much. Just buy one and see if you like it, sell it here if you don't and get another.

You wouldn't buy a car just by reading reviews or opinions, would you? In the same way, you can't buy a lens on paper comparison, you need to test it out. With RFF and eBay, the cost of the test (ie buying and reselling) is minimal. If you don't damage the lens, at most you might lose $50-100 when reselling.

That's not much, is it?

[peter_n]

The lenses are all very good so unless you have a preference for one that renders in a more pleasing fashion to your eye than another I would look at how comfortable each lens is to use. Ergonomics is important to me and I generally much prefer lenses that have regular focusing rings rather than tabs. The one tabbed lens that I (amazingly) find really comfortable to use is the Leica 35mm Summilux ASPH. I've figured out a way to use it that works for me and now it is my standard 35mm lens. I've never handled or even seen a Zeiss M lens but I'm a bit leery of the bump in the focusing rings on those lenses. Also I think I would find the 1/3 aperture stops annoying - why Zeiss did that is beyond me. YMMV on all of this but I think you do need to use a lens before you can get comfortable with it. I wouldn't expect to be able to choose a lens based on internet chat - I have to use it and see if I like the pictures from it before I can make my own mind up. FWIW it has taken me 4 years to settle on an extensive RF kit after giving up on SLRs. I've bought, sold, and re-bought a few cameras and lenses in that time but now I have a stable basic kit that I like and that seems to be reliable so I've stopped trading gear and can focus on the pictures. You may also find that it takes a while to put together a decent kit, as the poster above says, make the best choice you can and get one and try it for a while and if it doesn't work for you sell it and move on to the next choice. I don't think you can expect to make an infallible choice every time.

[Ken Ford]

I fell into a Summicron ASPH and haven't regretted it one bit. It's great having a lens that excels wide open!

[colinh]

I'd say get the ASPH, if you can afford it, as otherwise Leica will get sad. If not, get the Biogon. You can't really go wrong at this focal length

colin

[ampguy]

Haven't used the Biogon, but a note on the test - I have both of these lenses, and from very limited testing, they have the same DOF ranges, so I think the tester may have a slightly mis-aligned v4 or ASPH (or just focused minutely off) on the images showing one 'cron to have further DOF. IMHO.

[alexz]

Thank you all for your opinions, all are valuable for me. I'll see what will come available ...

[BigSteveG]

Have you considered the UC Hexanon? Images on flickr from this lens are sweet....check it out....Noriaki at the Matsuiya store has access to them (aprrox 10-12) and will sell NEW for $870....

[alexz]

Thanks Steve, indeed, that HC Hexanon has flashed through my mind when I recently saw he has ben mentioned in few recent 35mm threads. I checked the average prices it does - appears to be in the ballpark of new Biogon. At that price point I'd probably prefer Biogon though...

[Xmas]

For street shooting nothing beats a J12, you dont need to worry, if a dog licks the optic or a loon pokes it with a stick, or a tea leaf runs off with it.

Noel