Hey Huss - thanks for all the great info! I had done my research, but always good to hear a real-world take and see some pics. Love that vented hood!
Honestly, I MOSTLY want it because it's so cool looking! haha! I too would prefer the rangefinder enabled 1535 over the zone focus 1035, but 1535's seem to be SUPER-DUPER rare. Only one I could find is in Bulgaria, and the guy wants $450 US for it, which I think is a bit steep. (Though it comes with everything as new, including the bubble box and strap. If it was in the US I'd be more tempted.)
Last question. A 40mm f/2.8 is not my dream lens. Prefer faster, and prefer to shoot wide open for shallowest DOF. I know the Optima's are completely "auto", with no way to select f-stop or shutter speed (except in flash mode), but do you think I could "trick it" to shoot wide open by using an ND? Maybe even a variable ND which I can adjust until I get a green light. (I know it can also be tricked by putting on a hotshoe cover, but then shutter speed is locked at 1/30, which is slow...)
And yeah, IF I end up getting one (big IF), the obvious next step in camera-crack would be a big bother Plaubel! (Which is #1 top of the cameras-I-want-but-don't-need wish list, but they are too expensive for me right now...)
-John