Gosh not sure this was the right move, I was thinking of buying the older 1960-1995 version of this Leica 35mm 1.4 lens for $2029 USD at KEH.COM but then I saw this new version 35mm 1.4 lens which is bigger and heavier but also sharper at F1.4, F2, F2.8 and F4 than the older lens. I decided to do limited bidding on it as it was in very good condition and there seemed to be not much interest. Their was a bidding war between myself and 2 other people in the last 15 seconds of the auction. In the end I paid more for this lens than any other lens in my life $3250 USD, WOW! This lens beat out my old record of $2800 for the 28mm F2 Leica lens (a lens I love!). I hope I chose the right version, the older model is smaller and lighter, this lens is longer-heavier but sharper and cost $1231 more. I guess sharpness is the most important thing, now I can have confidence shooting at the wider apertures. Another advantage is this lens focuses closer than the older version 25 inches as compared to 39 inches, focusing closer is a big big bonus.
The good news is the beat up versions of this lens sell for around $3200-$3500 and the nicer versions sell for $3900-$4700 USD so I got it at a decent price as mine is in very good condition. I now have one of Leica's top lens, and also one of its fastest, I can use it in Asia in October. Leica lens hold much of their value, if I resell the 35mm someday I should get most of my money back. I always preach (sermonize) to my friends to get the best most reliable equipment and that is what I have done here. I paid a lot for it but I got a world class piece of glass which I will use for the rest of my life, I am starting to feel better about this decision.
I now need to decide to go with 3 or 4 bodies at the dump in Asia in October, I think at this point I will go with 2 M6 bodies, 1 M4P body and 4 lens, the 21mm, 28mm, 35mm and 50mm.
I am really drained of cash right now, I will put the gearing buying behind me now. I wanted to get a Gitzo center column geared tripod to use with the Linhof but that will probably have to wait until 2014. I will have to use my cheap Chinese carbon fiber copy tripod for at least 1 more year, hope it does not break down again, I have the thing super glued together.
Here is the beautiful Leica 35mm F1.4, I hope I can make some strong images with it next trip.
From Ken Rockwell's review of the lens.
The LEICA 35mm f/1.4 SUMMILUX-M is a super-sharp, super-fast general-purpose lens intended for journalists. Shoot it at f/1.4 and it's sharper than most other brand 35mm lenses at any aperture. I can shoot ISO 50 Velvia at night at 1/3 of a second hand-held at f/1.4, and get great results.
Note* I got an email from the seller saying he will ship on Tuesday. The lens is coming in from New Zealand so hopefully in 2-3 weeks I will have the lens and be testing it. Now if I can just manage not to drop it (like I did my Leica 28mm F2 and my Leica 50mm F1.4), I'm sitting pretty! Hopefully my tax refund check comes soon.
The good news is the beat up versions of this lens sell for around $3200-$3500 and the nicer versions sell for $3900-$4700 USD so I got it at a decent price as mine is in very good condition. I now have one of Leica's top lens, and also one of its fastest, I can use it in Asia in October. Leica lens hold much of their value, if I resell the 35mm someday I should get most of my money back. I always preach (sermonize) to my friends to get the best most reliable equipment and that is what I have done here. I paid a lot for it but I got a world class piece of glass which I will use for the rest of my life, I am starting to feel better about this decision.
I now need to decide to go with 3 or 4 bodies at the dump in Asia in October, I think at this point I will go with 2 M6 bodies, 1 M4P body and 4 lens, the 21mm, 28mm, 35mm and 50mm.
I am really drained of cash right now, I will put the gearing buying behind me now. I wanted to get a Gitzo center column geared tripod to use with the Linhof but that will probably have to wait until 2014. I will have to use my cheap Chinese carbon fiber copy tripod for at least 1 more year, hope it does not break down again, I have the thing super glued together.
Here is the beautiful Leica 35mm F1.4, I hope I can make some strong images with it next trip.
The LEICA 35mm f/1.4 SUMMILUX-M is a super-sharp, super-fast general-purpose lens intended for journalists. Shoot it at f/1.4 and it's sharper than most other brand 35mm lenses at any aperture. I can shoot ISO 50 Velvia at night at 1/3 of a second hand-held at f/1.4, and get great results.
Note* I got an email from the seller saying he will ship on Tuesday. The lens is coming in from New Zealand so hopefully in 2-3 weeks I will have the lens and be testing it. Now if I can just manage not to drop it (like I did my Leica 28mm F2 and my Leica 50mm F1.4), I'm sitting pretty! Hopefully my tax refund check comes soon.
