35mm Comparison - setting aside the price difference

I realize this question is a moot point, but I'm curious. At B&H, the 35/2.5

Summarit-M sells for $1495, while the 35/2 ZM Biogon sells for $877.

 

If pricing was the same?

 

1) @ $877, which one would you buy? Why?

 

2) @ $1495, which one would you buy? Why?

Wouldn't the answer be the same, since price is not in the equation?

Evan - not necessarily.

Biogon

I'd buy the Biogon even if it was more expensive than the Summarit.

I've not tried the Summarit, but own the Biogon and love it. Got rid of a 35mm Asph. Summicron as it was a little to harsh for my tastes. Too each his/her own.

Price never entered into it, what I like in an image was the main reason I finally ended up with the Zeiss.

If you have a good dealer close by, take your camera in and snap a few with each one. If not, search the web for images shot with each. It becomes a personal choice that you and you alone have to make.

In between the two is the Summicron V4. I'd choose the Summicron V4 if we are talking film. On the other hand the Biogons are terrifically sharp lenses & with the exception of the 28mm (which may be better than the Leica 28mm) just a "hair" under the Summicrons. The issue is not so much the quality but the retention of value. Leica has & will continue to retain their value. This is an issue that needs to be stated. I, for one, do not make it a consideration when purchasing a lens (or any camera) as I intend to keep and photograph with it and not put it on my shelf.

Erik, why? I am not in the market for either, but I am interested in why that is your opinion.

 

Cheers-md

<i>An educated (read well raised) response would be "Ronald, could you explain that? It doesn't sound right.</i><p>Why? It was a total non-sequitor that had nothing to do with the question. There was no discussion of "Chinese" or "Japanese" in the question or the followup before that comment. It has to be interpreted for what it is, a comment about Chinese and Japanese people, not anything to do with cameras.

Keith and Rob, my sincere apologies for participating in the destruction of a good thread.

Bill, I'm a fan of the Biogon formula, using it in a G2 (21, 28 and a IIIa with the 21/4.5 and 35/2.8). Why do you prefer it over the Cron?

Neither, I'd buy a used cron, but between the two, Biogon because its faster.

I'd go with the brand new and very compact ZEISS T* C Biogon 2,8/35mm ZM with is offered in Germany for 699 Euro incl. 19%VAT.

 

This new Zeiss lens is promising an excellent optical and mechanical quality and is excellent for travel together with the very compact Biogon C 4,5/21mm!

 

Cheers

 

Wolf

The Biogon has a great rep. And it has the f2. Biogon.

From the day another member (Kevin Parratt) first showed me an article in 'Photo Techniques' years ago about 'Bokeh', the out-of-focus qualities, it has completely changed the way I view images, and select a lens to purchase. It answered questions as to why some wedding photos in a photography studio window, taken with famously sharp Mamiya lenses, were repulsive to my senses. (I don't remember the particular Mamiya lens, but I knew the photographer and that he uses Mamiya exclusively) However, the 50x60cm enlarged print of the proud and happy couple had a very disturbing background. Having seen the image, I had the discussion with Kevin the next day, and went back to see the photograph on display.

 

What I'm coming to now, is to ask anyone, have you actually compared the Bokeh of the two lenses that Keith is asking about? Do they compare with the W. Mandler 35mm Summicron in this respect? Even the 35mm f/2.8 Summaron is a gem, although I can imagine it may be no match for the Biogon in other ways.

 

I would value your experience on this point.

 

Thanks, Jenny

 

PS. Noted in the article was the comment that we in the West have been so pre-occupied with sharpness, resolution, accutance etc., but when a new lens is reviewed in the Japanese media, as much if not more space is given to discussing the areas of the image which are outside sharpness.

 

The Inuit and Sami peoples of the far North, have extensive vocabularies just for the description of snow, and we may have the same for discussing the fineries of wine. But I really wish I could read Japanese, simply to benefit from their knowledge and appreciation of Bokeh, ( ..which has not even been mentioned in this thread.)

DO try the Summicron V4 (just before asph) it's really good compromise sharpness out of focus appearance and it is small!

I love it