Reviews and samples for new (2010) 35 Summilux ASPH?

[coup de foudre]

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what examples are people looking for on an older 35 Lux Asph (so as to compare it to the new one)?

 

it's the lens i use most and is typically on my camera when i walk out the door unless it's dark... i may have a shot that people are looking for and/or be able to take one.

 

i only have an M8, though, and i don't know if comparisons on it would make the point moot.

[MarkP]

Hi Coup,

 

the background OOF areas in my image in post #2 shot at f1.4 (35mm f1.4 Asph 2010 model), esp upper left hand side are somewhat harsh, rather than the 'creamy Bokeh' that is so prized (!!!)

To some extent I think it may be that this area in the image is particularly demanding due to the very bright small points of light between dark small branches & foliage.

 

For Forum members who are deciding whether to buy this lens, the question is whether other lenses (esp. faster 35mm's) will perform better under such circumstances

 

We are looking for images with similar light conditions. M8 shouldn't be an issue, except can't compare the edges.

RickLeica is also working on this.

 

I've just arranged a long-term loan of a Noctilux 50 f1.0 from a friend. I'll trial it under similar circumstances as soon as I get a chance.

 

Mark

[coup de foudre]

Mark,

 

okay... understand... i will see what i have.

 

the only ones i can think of at the top of my head with branches, similar light and such is some from the R-D1 shot with the v.1 8 element Cron (here are two examples: one & two). i just don't get into the forest much

 

as somebody who shoots most of the time with the older 35mm Lux Asph (and before that the pre), i can say that it is definitely capable of harsh bokeh some of the time. i say some of the time, because at other times it is beautiful and creamy and melts in your mouth.

 

it's really a matter of getting to know the lens! also, how to frame your subjects to best effect (more difficult in the street) and working with the light... while i hate harsh bokeh, i think the 35 Lux is worth the occasional misstep as it is usually quite stunning.

 

the Noctilux f/1, imo, is in another league altogether however. i think the bokeh is luscious always whilst others find it capable of inducing nausea... i really only shoot it at night, though (too long on cropped sensor), so i know for a fact i have nothing remotely like these conditions with it.

 

i honestly think the 35 Lux in any incarnation is one of the most perfect M lenses, warts and all. not my favourite (that goes to the 75 Lux or Nocti), but the all-around most useful lens because of focal length and speed. (i have actually been looking for an affordable v.1 Aspherical as, to me, that is the best of the bunch.)

 

cheers,

cam

[Bo_Lorentzen]

I'm very uncomfortable with lenses that have this 'clinical' look (my 75mm Summicron can be another example) & seem to go beyond 'normal' vision into a magnifying-glass level of detail.

 

Or perhaps this is a 'normal' image for a sensor & a good lens to record, & my judgment is skewed by too many years looking at the slightly softer images made with the relatively thick & somewhat diffusing emulsion of film, sent to the paper through an enlarging lens?

 

Kirk,

 

Almost spilled my beer over that one... (clear case of alcohol abuse)

 

Yes - your judgement are skewed, but possible in a good way, there is no doubt the new lux is clinical sharp, prepare for finely rendered nose hairs.

 

What you get for the money is frustration free lux, which nails the focus every time, my biggest problem with other fast lenses is wondering if I simply suck at focusing, I was scared to start using the 35lux because I would feel so stupid if I still could not nail the focus...... But it's nailing it, I'm less frustrated and when stuff is not in focus I know when, and it is not because of the lens.

 

You could always purchase a expensive lens and then habitually apply a little blur to the images, call it the film look filter. LR can apply the profile when you import the files.

 

My biggest observation is that the focus is where I expect it to be, not a little in front or a little behind. As far as I'm concerned that is something awesome.

 

Using the lens on the street

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/people/146991-nathan-road-impressions.html

 

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[coup de foudre]

Almost spilled my beer over that one... (clear case of alcohol abuse)

.

Bo,

 

if i ply you with champagne at our favourite watering hole, can i play with yours?

 

at f/1.4 or f/8 i know i have no issues... it's the in-betweeners that i'm not so sure of anymore...

 

cheers!

[Bo_Lorentzen]

Cam, its no befitting to sound that desperate, a latte will do just fine, want me to pick you up? Email me when you are in the area.

 

The in between is exactly what this lens nails like it's nobodies business. Aside from being freaking clinically sharp if you can hold the camera still.

 

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[coup de foudre]

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Cam, its no befitting to sound that desperate, a latte will do just fine, want me to pick you up? Email me when you are in the area.

 

The in between is exactly what this lens nails like it's nobodies business. Aside from being freaking clinically sharp if you can hold the camera still.

 

.

desperate, me?

 

(i'll drop you a line when i get in: 21 november to 12 december and, yes, i would adore to ride in your trusty steed!)

 

okay, the clinically sharp part is now scaring me! i had enough of a fright going from the pre-asph to the asph... but having the tweeners would be nice (and i'm not positive of the shift, mostly because the light i shoot in is either so low or bright that i typically don't go there...)

 

i have one bite-your-bum lens coming to me (90 APO Asph) because it is so unlike anything else i own... not sure if i can handle wicked sharp as my everyday lens

[MarkP]

Kirk,

 

What you get for the money is frustration free lux, which nails the focus every time, my biggest problem with other fast lenses is wondering if I simply suck at focusing, I was scared to start using the 35lux because I would feel so stupid if I still could not nail the focus...... But it's nailing it, I'm less frustrated and when stuff is not in focus I know when, and it is not because of the lens.

 

My biggest observation is that the focus is where I expect it to be, not a little in front or a little behind. As far as I'm concerned that is something awesome.

 

.

 

Bo,

 

I completely agree with you regarding the spot-on focus which is why the lens lives on my camera.

 

Mark

[hoppyman]

I completely agree that prints are the best way to make your own judgement.

The shot (of me!) has been affected by my post processing, higher ISO with underexposure and has a lot of noise (adding grit to skin texture) owing to the shadows being opened considerably too. All in all not a great portrait nor sample, not to mention my lack of Brad Pittness. No in camera sharpening though (I only shoot DNG). Mainly I was trying to show some out of focus highlights that were not small points and lines (the high frequency I mentioned)

 

It sounds like the preferences that we are discussing coalesce into two groups. Those preferring the older 'look' of lenses like the ealier designs and and those who prefer the most recent designs. Nothing surprising in there. Advantages, limitations, priorities and preferences. Shooting scenery with foliage is very different to people naturally too and each tool confers unique properties.

I am convinced that the bokeh effect does vary based on aperture and content as well as your focus decisions and composition too.

So far I have mainly been using my lens for some scenics and panoramas as shown separately. Here's a shot well stopped down for deep DoF in some nice light.

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I never got the earlier Summilux 35 ASPH. specifically because of the focus shift limitation. I had the little Summicron ASPH but actually didn't really 'bond' with it much for no logical reason. I guess I liked to have the f1.4 option and tended to have my 50 on as a default.

I am just now finding with the new 35 just why that focal length is so classically useful.

 

anyone wanting a file to print or play with is welcome to send me a PM

[MarkP]

In the Best for Bokeh thread #12 the first few images are relevant to what we're discussing.

 

Some of the OOF foliage in these images show points of very bright light: but there are less of them in the image, they are larger as is the foliage itself with less OOF muddling, and there less contrast between the light points and surrounding foliage.

 

Below is the colour version of my original image :

 

 

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