fotolebrocq Posted May 19, 2011 Share #1 Posted May 19, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have a 35 cron asph and would be very interested in the opinion of those who have (or have had) both the cron asph and the new lux. I have read most reviews and on the strength of those (and my experience with the 50 lux) I have ordered one. As I will probably have 6 months to wait personal hands on experience from forum members would be appreciated. A few questions come to mind below:- Apart from the 1 stop advantage, are the pictures from the lux better, different or similar? Can you tell by looking at the pic which lens was used? Do you get more keepers with the lux? Was the upgrade to lux worth the extra money to you? Thanks Tony Flickr: fotoleica's Photostream Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 19, 2011 Posted May 19, 2011 Hi fotolebrocq, Take a look here New 35mm Summilux asph owners. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
richfx Posted May 19, 2011 Share #2 Posted May 19, 2011 The new 35mm Summilux FLE is a great lens, however my Zeiss 35mm Biogon 2.8 is equally or more amazing in terms of IQ with good light. The new 35 Lux FLE is somewhat clinical, as many have observed. I'm not knocking it; just a personal observation. I too have the new 50mm Summilux FLE, and find it to be in a class by itself for what it can achieve in terms of speed, image and painterly qualities (very close to the Nocti 1.0, which I owned briefly but traded due to its huge size and weight). I would also consider the CV 35mm Nokton 1.2, which is excellent in low light for a fraction of the new Summilux FLE price (it's no longer being produced, but Camera Quest sells them new for $1,199 if I recall correctly). Quite a bit larger and heavier than the new 35 Summilux, but it's a pretty cool lens in terms of pushing design parameters and performance for the price and not too big for the M body IMO. Happy hunting. Rich Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted May 19, 2011 Share #3 Posted May 19, 2011 The new 35mm Summilux FLE is a great lens, however my Zeiss 35mm Biogon 2.8 is equally or more amazing in terms of IQ with good light. The new 35 Lux FLE is somewhat clinical, as many have observed. I'm not knocking it; just a personal observation[ ... ]Happy hunting. Rich I exchanged my old 35mm Summilux ASPH for the new FLE version. The fingerprint is nearly identical (the FLE is slightly less sensitive to flare). How anybody can call any of these lenses 'clinical' is beyond me. All right, they are not fuzz lenses. Neither is the 50mm Summilux ASPH, which I also own. These two current lenses are my fave optics, period. Anyone who finds the SX FLE 'clinical' can go find a used 35mm SX pre-ASPH of 1961, and roll in coma, flare, veiling glare and general softness to his heart's content. – Below is a photo taken with the current 35 SX FLE. It demonstrates the degree of flare – very well controlled, but one might think it atmospheric. The old man from the Age of the 3.5cm Elmar 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/152102-new-35mm-summilux-asph-owners/?do=findComment&comment=1676762'>More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted May 19, 2011 Share #4 Posted May 19, 2011 The excuse proffered by people who take boring pictures is often that they have such boring lenses. The old man Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotolebrocq Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted May 19, 2011 Thank you Lars - interesting final comment. Whilst I'm sure that one will be highly debatable my favourite photos are almost exclusively with my 50mm summilux asph which supports your statement. This is why I have ordered the new 35 lux in the hope I experience the same jump in perceptual image quality But back to my initial question, how does it compare to your 35 cron asph (if you have/had one)? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
matlep Posted May 19, 2011 Share #6 Posted May 19, 2011 Thank you Lars - interesting final comment. Whilst I'm sure that one will be highly debatable my favourite photos are almost exclusively with my 50mm summilux asph which supports your statement. This is why I have ordered the new 35 lux in the hope I experience the same jump in perceptual image quality But back to my initial question, how does it compare to your 35 cron asph (if you have/had one)? The Summilux is better in a few ways and worse in a few ways. It has one stop advantage but weighs twice (or even more) as much. It is considerably larger than the summicron. I know Lars is going to remark on this, but, from my experience with both lenses, the new summilux has a bit more "busy" boké the the Summicron. But that might just be personal taste. The Summilux 35 is a fantastic lens, if you buy the Summicron you will always wonder. And it will eventually drive you crazy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
epand56 Posted May 19, 2011 Share #7 Posted May 19, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Tony, I would try both, the old Lux 35 Asph and the new FLE version before taking your decision. I hava couple friend that were quite disappointed with the new version and switched back to the old one. I know nothing about the Summicron since i never had one. But agree with the final sentence of Matlep and with Lars about the wonderful performance of the Summiluxes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richfx Posted May 19, 2011 Share #8 Posted May 19, 2011 Lars - take a chill pill. I'm puzzled that you apparently feel threatened by others expressing their opinions. This is a forum, after all. If you already know everything about everything and opinions and others' perspectives are not to be brooked, there's no need to participate. You'll only bum yourself out. Cheers, Rich Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted May 19, 2011 Share #9 Posted May 19, 2011 Lars - take a chill pill. I'm puzzled that you apparently feel threatened by others expressing their opinions. This is a forum, after all. If you already know everything about everything and opinions and others' perspectives are not to be brooked, there's no need to participate. You'll only bum yourself out.Cheers, Rich Hi Rick I'm with Lars & you are on the wrong forum, lens signatures are different, pistols or swords at dawn. Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted May 19, 2011 Share #10 Posted May 19, 2011 I'm also interested in this question. Thank you for your comments Lars. Surely there are others who have owned or used the current 35 Summicron & Summilux who can comment? Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted May 19, 2011 Share #11 Posted May 19, 2011 Hi If you go to the Leica site the MTF for each lens is avialable for a IQ comparison, in a sterile environment. The f/2.5 summarit may be a better lens, its MTF is also available. If you like weasel words lots of people will weasel... Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted May 19, 2011 Share #12 Posted May 19, 2011 Tony, I have previously owned the 35 Summicron ASPH and now have had the new Summilux for 10 months. Both are capable of superb results of course. If you enjoy the characteristics of the Summilux 50 ASPH then you ought to be equally happy with the new 35. The objective ( ) characteristics of the Summicron and the Summilux 35's are easily measurable and comparable. (eg. price, lens speed, availability, focus shift, form factor). In my opinion personal preferences and priorities are more likely to influence your decision. As an indication of my preferences and priorities, I never got the old Summilux 35 ASPH because I did not want to have to deal with the acknowledged focus shift when stopping down a little. I value the extra stop over the Summicron and I prefer the more accurate rendering that comes from the higher level of aberration correction in the most modern designs. I also enjoy its ability to isolate the subject so well wide open. My example is faultless in every respect and superbly accurate to focus too. It is also the most expensive lens I have ever owned but I would not now willingly part with it under any circumstances. I use it for scenics including stitched panoramas but also full length people shots or groups. Terms like "clinical, painterly, creamy" or even "Leica glow" for example are really expressing a preference. Nothing wrong with that but they reflect value judgements rather than necessarily fixed characteristics. Bo-ke is perhaps the most contentious of all. It is not a fixed characteristic that can be expected to affect every photograph identically. Its appearance varies according to your subject types,detail, distance, aperture in use, exposure decisions and developing decisions. In the end of course it is about what you like as well as what you accept in return for other characteristics too. For her personal project on young women's self images photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com Surfers day Pano photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com Grass tree flower stems illuminated in foreground photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com Dawn light advancing to Wilpena Pound photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com Just for fun I include one recent subject directly in the thread rather than just as a link provided. Plenty of detail to look at. Anyone looking at the bo-ke first is in the wrong forum 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/152102-new-35mm-summilux-asph-owners/?do=findComment&comment=1677218'>More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted May 20, 2011 Share #13 Posted May 20, 2011 Nice cocktail table. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thompsonkirk Posted May 20, 2011 Share #14 Posted May 20, 2011 I'm like Geoff – certainly not in my Leica shareholdings, only in having skipped the previous 35 Lux Asph because of focus-shift concerns. I like a light lens because I do a lot of street photography where I carry the camera for a long time in one hand (with a wrist strap). So I always used older & newer Summicrons, a pre-a Lux, & occasionally a Nokton 1.2 when I anticipated low light levels. I was never comfortable with the bulk of the Nokton, though I had a really outstanding copy that DAG coded for me. When I got the new Lux, I found it to be heavy, not like the Nokton but heavy enough that I just don't enjoy carrying it very much. I don't think HCB would have traded his Cron for one, & I occasionally wish I'd saved the $5K & kept what I had. I use the new Lux only when I'm called upon to be both flexible re: light levels, & reliable in my results (focus is always spot-on). So my suggestion, if you do a lot of street stuff, would be to stick with your Cron & use a 1.2 Nokton for the occasions – mostly predictable? – when the light level will be low & the aperture / bulk tradeoff is worthwhile. But YMMV, if you mostly do other kinds of shooting. Kirk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWW Posted May 20, 2011 Share #15 Posted May 20, 2011 I used to have both the 35mm Summicron ASPH and version 4. When I received the new 35mm Summilux I sold the cron ASPH since the weight of two were close enough and the size of the lux was not much bigger (it is wider in diameter). It was nice having the wide open sharp image and taking advantage of the extra stop. I kept the version 4 since it's noticeably lighter in weight and smaller and the rendering is different enough that it was worth keeping it for those occasions that I may prefer those characteristics. The 35mm lux ASPH FLE is now my most used lens and stays on the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted May 20, 2011 Share #16 Posted May 20, 2011 But back to my initial question, how does it compare to your 35 cron asph (if you have/had one)? Haven't! I went from the v.4 Summicron (which I still own) to the pre-ASPH Summilux, to the first version Summilux ASPH, to the current model. All testers and those users/reviewers I respect because of their respect for evidence, agree however that the fingerprints of the 'cron ASPH and the 'lux ASPH are pretty identical from f:2 on. So unless you are deep into unavailable light (and especially with a digital platform) the 'cron ASPH may well do all that needs to be done, and in a manner you like. I should add that the reason why I went to the new FLE model was that the focus shift of the old model really bothered me. But the lowered flare propensity of the FLE was also a real bonus. I love the new lens. The old man from the Age of the 3.5mm Elmar Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted May 20, 2011 Share #17 Posted May 20, 2011 Lars - take a chill pill. I'm puzzled that you apparently feel threatened by others expressing their opinions. This is a forum, after all. If you already know everything about everything and opinions and others' perspectives are not to be brooked, there's no need to participate. You'll only bum yourself out.Cheers, Rich I don't. Exemplify, please! OK, my literary taste runs to the slightly drastic, but in a friendly mood. I have never hit anybody with a camera, not even when I used a Mamiya 23, when the results might have been fatal ... I just call the shots as I see them. Used to be cal. 357. The old man in his rocking chair Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted May 20, 2011 Share #18 Posted May 20, 2011 Dear Geoff – you seem to collect Leica gear like Imelda Marcos collected shoes ... [ ... ] I value the extra stop over the Summicron and I prefer the more accurate rendering that comes from the higher level of aberration correction in the most modern designs.I also enjoy its ability to isolate the subject so well wide open. My example is faultless in every respect and superbly accurate to focus too. It is also the most expensive lens I have ever owned but I would not now willingly part with it under any circumstances[ ...] I am completely with you in this. High fidelity lenses are preferable to crank gramophones with a horn. Terms like "clinical, painterly, creamy" or even "Leica glow" for example are really expressing a preference. Nothing wrong with that but they reflect value judgements rather than necessarily fixed characteristics. Bo-ke is perhaps the most contentious of all. It is not a fixed characteristic that can be expected to affect every photograph identically. Its appearance varies according to your subject types,detail, distance, aperture in use, exposure decisions and developing decisions. In the end of course it is about what you like as well as what you accept in return for other characteristics too. Again, I agree completely. It's all a matter of taste, and de gustibus non est disputandum. Now in this specific case: Bokeh characteristics are largely a matter of residual spherical aberration, how much there is, if it's over- or undercorrected etc. Now the FLE does indeed have less SA than the predecessor. Not because the floating group directly corrects for it, but because the designer has got more degrees of freedom, and can spend more of the total freedom on correcting spherical! So, SA effects on bokeh in the new lens can indeed be expected to be less, and they are. What one thinks of that is one's own problem. I can only say that both lenses have in fact a calmer and more reliable bokeh than my old v.4 'cron, the previous 'bokeh king'. And that's OK with me. The contented old man in his rocking chair Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotolebrocq Posted May 20, 2011 Author Share #19 Posted May 20, 2011 Thanks everyone who added their thoughts and experiences to this thread - very interesting and very much appreciated. On balance I think I will keep my order for the new FLE lens based on the comments of those that own one but also keep the silver cron for the time being. Cheers, Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted May 20, 2011 Share #20 Posted May 20, 2011 Anyone looking at the bo-ke first is in the wrong forum [ATTACH]258545[/ATTACH] Geoff, I'm VERY disappointed with the Bokeh in your photo Worse than my 35Lux FLE Mark ps: nice toys though Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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