schimmey Posted April 15, 2013 Share #1 Posted April 15, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi Everyone, Ok, I may be asking for the obvious answer but not quite. Please read on if you can help. I own a Canon 35mm f2 screw mounted lens and, by and large, happy with it, However, it is my intention to purchase a Leica 35mm f2. I will shortly be going on a once in a lifetime trip and so it has crept into my head whether to use this as an excuse to get the Leica lens. My question is. How much of an improvement to the quality of the image will I see (all else remaining constant)? Even better... does anyone have both lenses who can provide examples of the same subject etc but from the different lenses? You help is much appreciated. Kind regards, Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 15, 2013 Posted April 15, 2013 Hi schimmey, Take a look here Leica 35mm f2 v. Canon 35mm f2.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Bill W Posted April 15, 2013 Share #2 Posted April 15, 2013 I do not have either lens but any excuse is a good excuse. Leica glass has never been a bad investment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted April 15, 2013 Share #3 Posted April 15, 2013 Hi Everyone, Ok, I may be asking for the obvious answer but not quite. Please read on if you can help. I own a Canon 35mm f2 screw mounted lens and, by and large, happy with it, However, it is my intention to purchase a Leica 35mm f2. I will shortly be going on a once in a lifetime trip and so it has crept into my head whether to use this as an excuse to get the Leica lens. My question is. How much of an improvement to the quality of the image will I see (all else remaining constant)? Even better... does anyone have both lenses who can provide examples of the same subject etc but from the different lenses? You help is much appreciated. Kind regards, Paul Which 35mm f2 ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
schimmey Posted April 16, 2013 Author Share #4 Posted April 16, 2013 Hi, I am not sure whether you are asking which Canon or Leica, or both. I do not know which Canon and not sure how I would find out. I know that they are referred to as Mk1 or Mk2 but without it clearly marked on the lens I cannot say. In regard to which Leica lens I would be looking at the 35mm f2 ASPH which is the one currently available new (I am not sure whether it is worth looking at an older version?). Many thanks. Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 16, 2013 Share #5 Posted April 16, 2013 The Summicron ASPH is a much more modern design than the Canon, obviously, and will outperform it in terms of edge to edge sharpness, distortion, resolution and will be more contrasty. Note, none of the above make the Summicron 'better', just different. Some will prefer the rendering of one lens over another. As to whether you will notice much difference in the final results, that depends on you as a photographer, and how you will use the images i.e., small prints, large prints, web use etc. You can use the advanced search function here to search for images made by specific lenses (assuming the poster has stated the details) and Flickr is also a good source of examples of specific equipment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted April 16, 2013 Share #6 Posted April 16, 2013 If you are talking a Leica lens from the same era as the Canon I can only say that they (horror!!) tended to be as good as or better than the equivalent Leica offerings. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted April 16, 2013 Share #7 Posted April 16, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) The 35 f2 ASPH is very good, but I 'prefer' the Mk4 pre asph. I agree worth looking at Flickr. I did compare the 35 f2 to the Mk4 some time ago, if I have time I will try to find the post. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted April 16, 2013 Share #8 Posted April 16, 2013 Have both. Both are great, but render sufficiently differently that they are valuable to me. The Canon is not going to spoil your once in a lifetime trip - but you know that, don't you? The Summicron ASPH is a fantastic, modern lens. If you like the 35mm focal length and want a different, cleaner rendering, go for it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
schimmey Posted April 16, 2013 Author Share #9 Posted April 16, 2013 Thanks Ecar. Do you, by any chance, have the same subject taken with the different lenses to make a visual comparison? Many thanks, Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted April 16, 2013 Share #10 Posted April 16, 2013 Do you, by any chance, have the same subject taken with the different lenses to make a visual comparison? No, I don't think so. I'm currently on a business trip and there's a fairly long distance between me and those lenses. If you can wait a week or so, I will take some shots of the same subject and post them. When is your deadline? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
schimmey Posted April 16, 2013 Author Share #11 Posted April 16, 2013 Hi Ecar, That would be great if you can, thank you. I leave in the first week of May. Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted April 16, 2013 Share #12 Posted April 16, 2013 Paul, that's no problem. Should be able to do it by the middle of next week. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
furcafe Posted April 16, 2013 Share #13 Posted April 16, 2013 Well stated. I have both of these lenses & would say the thing that would probably leap out at you would be how much more contrast & less flare you get w/modern optics when shooting wide open. I think the difference is not as pronounced if you're going to be shooting at f/8 or smaller, so if you're more of a landscape or daylight street shooter, then you might want to spend more money on other travel expenses rather than new glass. The Summicron ASPH is a much more modern design than the Canon, obviously, and will outperform it in terms of edge to edge sharpness, distortion, resolution and will be more contrasty. Note, none of the above make the Summicron 'better', just different. Some will prefer the rendering of one lens over another. As to whether you will notice much difference in the final results, that depends on you as a photographer, and how you will use the images i.e., small prints, large prints, web use etc. You can use the advanced search function here to search for images made by specific lenses (assuming the poster has stated the details) and Flickr is also a good source of examples of specific equipment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
schimmey Posted April 17, 2013 Author Share #14 Posted April 17, 2013 Hi Ecaf and furcafe, Thanks. Funnily enough I was thinking more about this today in trying to describe what I use it for. Most, if not all, of my photography using the 35mm is at either full aperture (i.e. f2) or near to full aperture (f4) and only going down to f8 when the light dictates it (i.e. shooting at f2/f4 exceeds the maximum shutter speed). And although I feel the Canon is adequate I do believe it lacks punch/contrast when shooting as above which will probably go away at f8+. I look for forward to seeing the comparison. Thanks again, Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted April 24, 2013 Share #15 Posted April 24, 2013 As promised: first one is my 1966 (or thereabouts) Canon, second one the (2007) Summicron ASPH, both wide open at f/2 and both on the M240. This is quick and dirty (was in a hurry and couldn't get hold of my tripod - sorry), but should give you a good sense of the (quite substantial) differences in bokeh, sharpness and color rendering at the maximum aperture. Also, the Cron is 6-bit coded and therefore automatically corrected in camera, in particular for vignetting; this is not the case for the Canon. No processing whatsoever has been applied, other than RAW conversion and WB equalization in LR 4.4. Hope this helps. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/202728-leica-35mm-f2-v-canon-35mm-f2/?do=findComment&comment=2306331'>More sharing options...
schimmey Posted April 24, 2013 Author Share #16 Posted April 24, 2013 Hi Ecar, Thank you for the 2 shots and I have to say there really is quite a difference. That has made my mind up. Many thanks for helping out. Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted April 24, 2013 Share #17 Posted April 24, 2013 Paul, Always happy to help if/when I can. So, let me guess, you are going to get the Summicron, right? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
schimmey Posted April 25, 2013 Author Share #18 Posted April 25, 2013 Paul ...... So, let me guess, you are going to get the Summicron, right? Yep. :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted April 25, 2013 Share #19 Posted April 25, 2013 Enjoy the trip :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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