You know...make one comment like "Leica killer" in a forum, and a whole Leica vs. Contax parade starts rolling
I've shot both, and I like both. All I meant by "Leica Killer" is that the Contax lenses, like the Leica lenses, leave users desiring little more in terms of quality.
Leica M and Contax G lenses are the two lens systems in existence which, on the strength of their merits, across the lens lineup, at every working aperture, leave the user craving for nothing more.
That Contax managed their feat for 1/3rd to 1/5th the price, makes it a Leica killer.
There ARE differences, to be sure, and systems in different situations I would prefer, but both remain irreplacable.
However, I will say...
that if the Leica lens lineup was designed by Zeiss, you would not hear a single soul complaining about their lenses. They'd probably be snubbing all those poor saps, with those Contax G's claiming that their Leitz designed "Summicron" was as good as their tried and true "Planar" design, which consistently tests higher than any other lens on the planet.
I dare say they'd be happy as hell to own "the best lenses money can buy."
Subjectivism definitely comes into play, in such discussions
Changing the lens systems, wouldn't change that at all.
(Personally, I'd love to own a 21mm Biogon, 45mm Planar, and 90mm Sonnar in an M mount)
What's best, is always opinion. And, both sides have alot of "team pride" shall I say, but neither lens system shows a serious deficiency, based on the goals the manufacturer intended.
That's a rare feat, and as of yet, only Contax and Leica manage to pull it off.
Anyway, all I was trying to say, is that the 35mm Planar is one hell of a lens. It won't compete with Leica's aspherical Summicron, but it'll compete with damn near any other 35mm lens ever made.
What's better or worse, is a matter of opinion. The quality of this lens, however, is too often maligned and overblown, except by the people who own and use them.
When I look at my slides, I wonder how anyone (even a Leica user) can badmouth this lens.