In article <53p3ls$96i@usenet4.interramp.com>, ir002421@interramp.com says...

>In need of your assessment of the Leica 35mm f1.4 ASPH lens (current model).
>Perhaps it's herecy, but is it any good, optical-performance wise? Does
>anyone make a better 35mm lens? Many thanks for the info.

This is not a direct answer to your question, but I did have a chance to
make a rough comparison between the early Leitz double-aspheric 35mm f1.4
for rangefinder cameras, and a Nikkor 35mm f1.4. My conclusion was that
the Leitz was a fine lens at all stops checked, as was the Nikkor, but
the Leitz was somewhat better at the widest three stops. The Leitz showed
a bit of optical misalignment, though, and neither lens could be said to be
crisp in the far corners at the widest apertures (where a selected Nikkor 35-105 MF zoom beat them at f4). Better than either f1.4 lens was the
latest version of the Nikkor 35mm PC lens, which produced more even
center-to-corner sharpness at wider stops (though the preset-type
diaphragm is not as convenient to use as the alternatives). I find a
selected sample of the Nikkor AIS 35mm f2 excellent for a speed 35mm
(though the illumination evenness wide-open isn't very good compared
with the lenses above). If you can stand an f2.8 maximum aperture and
using a preset diaphragm, the Nikkor PC may be the best of the bunch....
Hope This Helps