Ron is right Katie, the 50ASPH Lux does have an issue with focusing and recomposing. It's one of the main reasons I stopped using it for so long. I found the Noctilux easier to focus at times And yes the 50APO addresses and solves a lot of lens issues, at a crazy stupid price (not to mention you lose light).. But it has flare issues I don't wanna get into.
The 50ASPH is still IMHO worth the hassle. Would I give up MFD gear, maybe if I didn't have a darkroom. Since you do, I think it's a bit crazy to give it all up for a lens. Maybe what you should do is host little Sunday classes where people learn the darkroom/photography from you. Then you can go out and buy the lens without sacrifice
As far as the car is concern, when I was in high school all I wanted was a fast muscle car.. Now that I'm a slightly older, all I'm interested in are luxury cars that drive smooth and have good suspension. That might change when I'm back in America however.
As for the 35 Biogon f/2 ZM, I like the bokeh 90% of the time. The 35cron-asph's bokeh is the reason I don't like it. I find I have a really hard time coaxing nice bokeh out of the 35cron-asph. I spent more time trying to get good bokeh then I did trying to figure out how to best frame a 35 FOV shot.
I'm shocked that most peoples experiences have been different to mine. And although I remember that shot of Luka's. I've never been able to replicate bokeh like that from the 35/2 ZM.
And as for the V4 Cron. Also tried that, but I found that the subject (in focus) didn't have anything special going for it. Although I've seen some great shots with the V4 cron on the internet.
One last thing, not sure what lenses you have as a reference point but.. If you compare say a 28cron to a 28elmarit-asph. The 35/2.8ZM is similar to the elmarit-asph in it's colour pop or like the 21SEM. But the 35/2ZM is similar to the 28cron in mood, but with more subject pop.
Anyway knowing what I know now, and having used all the lenses, I'd stick with the 35/2 ZM.
I use my 35 Biogon f/2 ZM mostly for landscape with f/8 and focus at infinity. But I found that 35 Summicron ASPH is more versatile in everything else, especially in close focus distances and large f/stop. I keep both copies although I use 35 Summicron ASPH more often.
Here are few images taken from yesterday's morning walk in Manassas National Battlefield Park.
Great input on the 35 debate from everyone. Sebboh, TY for digging up that shot.
I think I will try the zm 35/2 and see what happens. If it's good I would sell my other 35s and rokkor 40/2, except the CV 35/1.2, which I'd keep for low light.
I just found out today I was selected for this exhibit at the Soho Gallery in New York. It was a juried show and only 40 images were chosen from over 2000. The opening is July 1 if you are in New York.
And yes the 50APO addresses and solves a lot of lens issues, at a crazy stupid price (not to mention you lose light).. But it has flare issues I don't wanna get into. 
