Biogon Versus Asph Cron....

[david.elliott]

Originally Posted by lawrence

The smoothness of BW400CN suits the plasticity of the Biogon very well...

Huh? What does that mean?

[kipkeston]

Originally Posted by david.elliott

Huh? What does that mean?

It just means that the the CN film is very low grain and that the biogon produces an unquestionable plastic like coat to the image.

[Nando]

Where I come from, plasticity is a term that usually refers to something's ability to adapt to different environments. So perhaps in the case of a lens - I guess it deals with different lighting conditions, flare resistance, speed, etc.

[lawrence]

Originally Posted by david.elliott

Huh? What does that mean?

I meant that the lens gives a very smooth and three dimensional look, as opposed to a harsh or flat look. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

[semilog]

Originally Posted by kipkeston

It just means that the the CN film is very low grain and that the biogon produces an unquestionable plastic like coat to the image.

It makes images that look plastic because they look plastic-coated?

Well. I think the Biogon smells fresh as a spring morning, then, while the Summicron-ASPH has the unmistakeable scent of lime Jell-O. And the Biogon-C smells like a fir forest on a warm afternoon. And the Summilux-ASPH smells like cordite.

So there.

[Doug]

There is a visual language and a verbal language that makes it difficult to "draw a verbal picture" or verbally describe an image. So words may be adapted away from their most common meaning in an attempt to bridge the gap.

From my computer's dictionary; see meanings in category 2:
plastic |?plastik|
...
adjective
1 made of plastic : plastic bags.
• looking or tasting artificial : long-distance flights with their plastic food | she smiled a little plastic smile.
2 (of substances or materials) easily shaped or molded : rendering the material more plastic.
• (in art) of or relating to molding or modeling in three dimensions, or producing three-dimensional effects.
• (in science and technology) of or relating to the permanent deformation of a solid without fracture by the temporary application of force.
• offering scope for creativity : the writer is drawn to words as a plastic medium.
• Biology exhibiting adaptability to change or variety in the environment.

[rover]

how did you get 4 billion posts? Are you a government accountant by any chance?

[axiom]

I can imagine it must be very VERY safe to buy stuff from you.

Originally Posted by JSU

I pay my taxes, and vote, that is about all I have to do with the govt.

I've gotten this question before, but never from a mod.

No, I haven't posted once per second of every minute of every day for the last 136+ years. I do take time for personal necessities such as processing my own film.

I heven't met Alexander Gardner, Timothy O'Sullivan, Matthew Brady or Louis Daguerre. I have used Nikon SP's & F's. I have a Kodak Medalist, but the newer model II, I shot and processed 3 rolls with it yesterday. It may be quicker to use a M8.2 but I still enjoy my M4 & M6's.

My former coworkers called me "Old School."

[rover]

Originally Posted by JSU

Why not a choice for neither?

What impresses me most is that over such an extended period this poll is almost even. So neither? What would be your choice?

[semilog]

Originally Posted by rover

What impresses me most is that over such an extended period this poll is almost even. So neither? What would be your choice?

Neither? that's my current choice. I am using, and absolutely loving, the 35/2.8 Biogon-C. If you can live without f/2, I think it's a better lens than either the Summicron-ASPH or the Biogon-C. The only other advantage of the f/2 Biogon is that it has almost exactly zero distortion, while the Biogon-C has negligible barrel distortion (-0.6%). But the Biogon-C's resolution and contrast are equivalent to the other two lenses and -- just my opinion -- its bokeh is better than either one of them.

The only 35 that I like as much as the Biogon-C (though it's a different beast entirely) is the Summilux ASPH.

[35mmdelux]

Originally Posted by lic4

I had been shooting with a Biogon for a year and got rid of it because I found the images at f2 unusable. I don't know what the reason is, but they looked slightly washed out. Did I have a bad sample? At f2.8, the problem would disappear. From what I understand, the ASPH doesn't suffer from this problem, and b/c of its size, I think it's a better lens. But maybe the point is that I don't own the ASPH because of how much it costs!

A litely used cron would cost a few hundred schillings more over the Biogon and worth it. It is a workhorse.

[thomasw_]

Originally Posted by rover

What impresses me most is that over such an extended period this poll is almost even. So neither? What would be your choice?

Originally Posted by semilog

Neither? that's my current choice....The only 35 that I like as much as the Biogon-C (though it's a different beast entirely) is the Summilux ASPH.

Put me down for neither, too. I have a summicron asph and I do prefer it over the rendering of the biogon, as I found the ZM 35/2 to lend a gloss to textures that annoyed me. But I prefer the rendering of the w-nikkor 35/1,8 2005 re-issue over any 35 I have used, even the lux asph 35! I think there are others who might share my preference for this reliable, versatile and exquisite little lens.

[maddoc]

Originally Posted by thomasw_

But I prefer the rendering of the w-nikkor 35/1,8 2005 re-issue over any 35 I have used, even the lux asph 35! I think there are others who might share my preference for this reliable, versatile and exquisite little lens.

+1 here. I have only used it shortly one time when jonmanjiro was so kind to let me play with his Nikon SP2005 and this lens but the results where stunning, especially at f/1.8 and compared to my 35mm Summilux-M pre-ASPH that I really like.

[chrismoret]

Got the Biogon-T last June. And it's a great lens, feels great! And a €1272 price gap can't be ignored. Sorry all you Leica-hardliners

[sirius]

Don't you know the best lens is the one you have!

[leicashot]

While speed of focus and build quality go to the Summicron...I'd take the Biogon for the lack of distortion, flat field and evenness of sharpness wide open.

[NLewis]

Originally Posted by kinok1

I just bought an asph 35 cron in silver. As im sure there is little difference in the photographs taken by these two lenses, there is something to be said for the build quality of leica lenses. I own some of the zf zeiss lenses. Great pieces of glass for sure, but they feel a little light. at least compared to the leica glass i have.

Although I respect "build quality" as an enjoyable aspect in itself, even if there is no relation to reliability or image quality -- I prefer a Rolex to a Seiko too -- I have to wonder if "build quality" means nothing more than "heavier" these days. Today's aluminum alloys are worlds better than yesteryear's brass in terms of technical characteristics, but Zeiss still gets a bad rap for "build quality" while people fawn over the brass Summicrons from the 1960s.

In the audiophile world, which is a lot like the premium camera world in some ways, some manufacturers figured out that people were judging the value of their amplifiers by their weight. Some manufacturers actually started putting lead weights into their amplifiers. Others used huge, wildly over-speced transformers (a cheap way to add a lot of weight), and others started adding a bunch of power transistors that weren't actually connected to anything (not heavy but looks cool, like a V12 engine).

[steveyork]

I own a summicron asph, but if I were buying new today I would get the Zeiss. Leica is too crazy expensive now. I got mine new when it was much less expensive.

[kbg32]

I love my Summilux!

[barnwulf]

I am sure Leica glass is absolutely excellent but it's just a bit out of my financial reach. I shoot with several lenses and most all of my lenses are Zeiss. I love the way they preform. No complaints. Jim

[John Lawrence]

I still love my Summicron Asph.

John

[semordnilap]

Originally Posted by sirius

Don't you know the best lens is the one you have!

I thought the best lens was the one you're about to buy...

[PMCC]

Or, with crocodile tears of regret, about to sell. Sniff.

[jsrockit]

Wow... a tie after over 500 votes?

[semilog]

Originally Posted by 35mmdelux

A litely used cron would cost a few hundred schillings more over the Biogon and worth it. It is a workhorse.

Depends on what you're shooting. Lloyd Chambers shoots landscapes, and he chooses the Biogon, rather definitively. His review of the Summicron ASPH and careful comparison to the Biogon — how shall I put this? — dwells on the Summicron's limitations. But not everyone shoots the same stuff, and for other purposes the Summicron might be preferred.

His reviews are definitely worth the subscription cost, IMO.