Summilux FLE or Summicron 35mm latest for a beginner?

[Pessoa1]

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Hello all,

 

So, what are your thoughts on a 35mm lens for a beginner? I've heard that the summicron can be more forgiving for a beginner than the 35mm FLE summilux.

 

I can afford either at a push though I want to make the right choice. I am referring to the most recent versions of both lenses.

 

Been going back and forwards between the two and D-day is fast approaching.

 

Share your thoughts!

[otto.f]

Forgiving??? What's the idea?

If you shoot at f5.6 or f8, any lens is more Forgiving than at 1.4 or 2.0. That's no reason to not invest in a Summilux 35 FLE, you can stop down if you want to learn

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[Pessoa1]

Forgiving??? What's the idea?

If you shoot at f5.6 or f8, any lens is more Forgiving than at 1.4 or 2.0. That's no reason to not invest in a Summilux 35 FLE, you can stop down if you want to learn

 

Yes, maybe it's a fear thing of the summilux - a hangover after reading that the pre-FLE version of the most recent summi had focus shift issues (subsequently cleared up in the FLE version.

 

So that's one vote for the summilux. Thanks.

[otto.f]

Oh but that's not forgiving. The photographer is not to blame for focus shift with a rangefinder and it can hardly be avoided

[k-hawinkler]

Hello all,

 

So, what are your thoughts on a 35mm lens for a beginner? I've heard that the summicron can be more forgiving for a beginner than the 35mm FLE summilux.

 

I can afford either at a push though I want to make the right choice. I am referring to the most recent versions of both lenses.

 

Been going back and forwards between the two and D-day is fast approaching.

 

Share your thoughts!

 

 

If you want to experience a 'tricky' field of focus get the 35mm F1.4 FLE.

Tim Ashley Photography | Leica M 240 with 35mm F1.4 FLE - some observations

[Pessoa1]

If you want to experience a 'tricky' field of focus get the 35mm F1.4 FLE.

Tim Ashley Photography | Leica M 240 with 35mm F1.4 FLE - some observations

 

Thanks for the indirect pointer K-hawinkler

 

I found this quote from Mr Puts:

"The new SX35FLE is a definite improvement over its predecessor. But the main advantages are to be found in the focusing range from 1 meter to 3 or even 4 meters. There the performance gain is visible and to be appreciated. If you already own an SX35 ASPH and work mainly at larger distances, you might not see much improvement. For closer range subjects it is a matter of critical distinction.'

 

That's another vote for the summi then.

[Pessoa1]

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If you want to experience a 'tricky' field of focus get the 35mm F1.4 FLE.

Tim Ashley Photography | Leica M 240 with 35mm F1.4 FLE - some observations

 

Reading the link to your article now. It seems 'tricky' was not irony after all!

 

Thanks.

[k-hawinkler]

I have the SX35 ASPH and am quite happy with it.

It's perfectly adjusted for f/1.4 by DAG.

By f/5.6 the increasing DOF has caught up with the focus shift.

Just in case, I also have the 35 mm Summicron-M ASPH.

[Pessoa1]

I have the SX35 ASPH and am quite happy with it.

It's perfectly adjusted for f/1.4 by DAG.

By f/5.6 the increasing DOF has caught up with the focus shift.

Just in case, I also have the 35 mm Summicron-M ASPH.

 

If you had to choose for consistency which would be it?

 

Best,

[k-hawinkler]

If you had to choose for consistency which would be it?

 

Best,

 

Consistency: Summicron

But I would stick with the Summilux because of the way it draws!

[XVarior]

if cost is no issue, I don't see why bother getting the Cron when down the road you'll wish you got the Lux. I'm not saying the Cron is not good, it's excellent, the Summarit is, leica just doesn't know how to make less than excellent lenses but the Lux is class apart, it's the lens that will sit probably 90% on your camera.

[wattsy]

If you want to experience a 'tricky' field of focus get the 35mm F1.4 FLE.

Tim Ashley Photography | Leica M 240 with 35mm F1.4 FLE - some observations

 

I've owned two copies of this lens and I can corroborate Tim Ashley's findings – his description of how the field of focus changes shape, depending upon aperture used and the focus distance, matches my experience very closely.

[IWC Doppel]

You can do a lot of reading and assume that test cards have more relevance to real world shooting than they often do. I have read about aberrations with lenses that I have never come across when owning and using.

 

I'd start by assuming that any 35 Leica makes will be more than good enough, that holds true for me to lenses like the 35 Summaron f2.8 from the mid 60's. The decision then is at least for me more about how you bond with the rendering, look and use.

 

If your like most you will probably end up living with a few different 35's as you start to appreciate the differences. As it happens I am not a huge fan of the Summicron ASPH, I have had two and can't fault it but don't love it.

 

In your situation I'd get the FLE and then experiment with used older 35's, that way you can try, experiment, keep or sell on with a solid benchmark.

 

My 35 benchmarks are the Summicron MkIV at f4, the Summilux Aspherical wide open and the Summaron at f5.6. All different but all special to me

[Pessoa1]

Thanks all for the replies. I have read so much about these two lenses my eyeballs are bleeding. Choosing the other 2 lenses for my first rangefinder kit was a walk in the park.

 

From the looks of things at the moment, x-varior and Doppel seem to be reading my mind. If I'm gonna blow a good wedge on something and can spare the dough I might have to make the jump for the summilux. Indeed, I'll always be wondering 'what if' if I don't.

 

Re Wattsy and k-hawinkler and Ashley's tests - this is what's worrying me - being a beginner I want relatively hassle free shooting - don't want the nightmare of looking at something and thinking 'what is that??!!!'. Has anyone gone back to the cron or regretted getting the FLE?

 

Might just have to flip a coin when I'm in the store on Friday.

[Numbers]

Thanks all for the replies. I have read so much about these two lenses my eyeballs are bleeding. Choosing the other 2 lenses for my first rangefinder kit was a walk in the park.

 

From the looks of things at the moment, x-varior and Doppel seem to be reading my mind. If I'm gonna blow a good wedge on something and can spare the dough I might have to make the jump for the summilux. Indeed, I'll always be wondering 'what if' if I don't.

 

Re Wattsy and k-hawinkler and Ashley's tests - this is what's worrying me - being a beginner I want relatively hassle free shooting - don't want the nightmare of looking at something and thinking 'what is that??!!!'. Has anyone gone back to the cron or regretted getting the FLE?

 

Might just have to flip a coin when I'm in the store on Friday.

 

 

The Lux was my first Leica lens and I have no regrets - on the contrary. Im glad i chose that one. If I could have only one lens, its what I would chose.

[IWC Doppel]

You might be able to take both home if they have them on demo (Mayfair might) perhaps over a Sunday and see how you get on.

 

If you bond with your new Leica, which you will ;-) then you may well have both at some point.

 

First off to buy new is a good idea, a nice experience. If you do want to explore more lenses as you get the bug, the forum is a good place to buy and sell, I've done it many times along with some of the dealers that specialise in used like Aperture, Ffordes, Red Dot, and a number of others

 

I did want to keep to three lenses, then five, then less than 10. Now it's less than 15....

[james.liam]

I've got the 'cron ASPH and despite lots of bad press (from the likes of Lloyd Chambers and others), it's a great lens. However, focus shift is demostrable on digital sensors where it was not on film (at least in a meaningful way). You might consider the new ZM 1,4/35 too as it is due out in weeks; 1/2 the price of the FLE and from early reviewers, superior to the Leica in terms of resolution, bokeh and free of shift or much curvature of field.

[semi-ambivalent]

If someone or something has given you permission to buy any one additional lens get the 'lux FLE, and buy it new. It's a terribly complicated lens and you'll want that warrentee in case there's a fluke problem. It's easy to sell it and move to the 'cron, not so the other way ($-wise). From what I've read both lenses have less than flat fields at some distance/aperture or another. I shoot film so can't speak to any digital-ish differences, I bought the 'cron because finances at the time said to. I love its size and look and have never, except twice, been stymied by the lack of the extra stop. I really do want a 'lux though, but the only reason I have is here (taps finger on head). Your head might vary. A final point is, as mentioned above, if you get the 'cron you might always wonder 'what if', that the 'lux is 'better', somehow. So get the 'lux, that way when your (a beginner's) images truly stink (and some will, maybe a lot of them, maybe like a flood of them) you won't be able to blame your equipment. Not that you can anyway.

 

Enjoy!

s-a

Edited November 18, 2014 by semi-ambivalent
Truth-y-ness

[Stealth3kpl]

My 35 benchmarks are the Summicron MkIV at f4, the Summilux Aspherical wide open and the Summaron at f5.6.

 

I'd like to see some images that illustrate this.

Thanks.

Pete

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[otto.f]

The Summaron is already lovely at 2.8, talking about smooth bokeh and naturalist rendering