Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/03/08
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]This is a repeat of the answer I gave to another with the same issues..... Here's the tradeoffs..... There are 4 lenses involved.... The F1.4 NON-ASPH and the ASPH; The F2 NON-ASPH and the ASPH. USED Costs..... from that auction place.....F1.4ASPH $1400-1600; F1.4 $900-1100; F2ASPH $900-1100; F2 $550-750 Filter Size... I forget the details, but the weight and filter sizes are in proportion.. the heaviest uses the biggest filters, the lightest, smaller filters. Weight from Heaviest to lightest..... 1.4ASPH; 2ASPH; 1.4; 2 ( Figure the F2 and 1.4 are almost the same weight. The ASPH versions are heavier, with the 1.4 much heavier than the F2 "Classic") You could look these weights up to be accurate.... Performance: The 2 ASPH lenses are incredible. Almost a match for each other. The classic F2 is a great lens, the classic 1.4 is less than these. Look in the archives for the "testing" I did to prove this to myself. OK.. confused yet? My precise ( ???) testing says the 1.4 classic lens is NOT as good wide open or at F2 as the Classic F2 lens. Stopped down, I doubt there is little difference... but I did not test this. The F2 is a really good lens. There is 1 issue I did not bring up.... the issue of lens clarity or haze. Make sure that any lens you buy is CLEAR. I am not talking about little spots of dust, but rather the haze from the lubricants that comes with lenses made in the 60 and 70's... roughly the serial number range of 2M to 2.6M. Haze is possible to remove, but why bother when if you look a little longer, you can find a clean lens...... Theses lenses are not rare.....thgere are "millions" of them out there...... Here is the REAL difference...... If you want the best performance on the planet, and to use the highest shutter speed you can, AND you shoot in dark places, get the 1.4 ASPH. If you are dollar challenged, get the F2 Classic, and never look back. If you want speed and light, the 1.4 classic is the lens for you. If you want incredible optical quality, but want a little less weight, and save a few bucks, get the F2ASPH. Bokeh... The ASPH lenses have basically none. They are technical lenses. The 3rd generation classic Summicron has lots of Bokeh. So does the first generation, but the price is higher, by a lot. the classic Lux does have bokeh, but wide open, it is just not as sharp. If you want a really high bokeh lens, get the classic Summicron. Frank Filippone red735i@earthlink.net I would like my "new" lens to have the smooth bokeh of the Summicron. Does the ASPH share the "look" or the non-ASPH Summicron? Does the Summilux (pre-ASPH) also have smooth bokeh? Does sharpness suffer because of the f/1.4 maximum aperture?