Hi Roger,
regarding your original post. I have used a Summicron35mm for many years on my M6. I dont know which version it was-a very small lens and one that can not be coded. I allways liked it on the M6, but once I had a 35/1.4asph available and comparing the images form the 2 I never saw a reason to use the small Summicron instead of the 35/1.4asph.
Also some years ago I compared some older and some newer 50mm lenses (Old Summicron, new Summicron, 1.0 Nocti and 1.4asph) and besides the Noctilux, which is a special/different lens I have to say I didnt find the images from the older lenses more appealing.
I am one of those guys who really likes the newer Leica lenses, and someone who is not finding them "clinical" or anything like that.
I have not tried all kinds of classic Leica lenses - so I can only talk about the few ones I have tried.
I could see how some flare or the famous glow or a squarely bokeh can produce an interesting effect. I can also see that one ownes maybe one or even a few lenses of this kind. But for general shooting I prefer lenses, where I know I can use them reliable at all kinds of f-stops, I prefer sharp images and powerful colors combined with a "nice" bokeh, I prefer to not have to deal with focus shift and things like that - and I generally find it in the newer lenses. I find many modern Leica lenses do NOT lack any character.