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What does the "FLE" in the 35 Summilux.....


jdlaing

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I guess I've been lucky with my 35mm Summilux ASPH (vers. IV) I mostly use the lens either wide open @ f1.4 or then @ f5.6. On the odd occasion that I've used the in between apertures, I've had no noticeable focus shift issues.

 

My dealer keeps trying to sell me a vers. V with the FLE, I see no compelling reason to buy it.

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Mine does not rattle. It gives me better definition at close focusing ranges. It is less sensitive to stray light than its predecessor. And yes, it removes that nagging fear of the focus shift at apertures of 2 to 5.6.

 

I sold my old lens already before the 'FLE' was officially announced and this is now my mainstay lens, period. Admittedly, unless you are very deep into 'available darkness' you would be equally well served by the corresponding Summicron, and the screams of your piggybank would be somehat more muted.

 

The old man from the Kodachrome Age

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Mine does not rattle. It gives me better definition at close focusing ranges. It is less sensitive to stray light than its predecessor. And yes, it removes that nagging fear of the focus shift at apertures of 2 to 5.6.

 

I sold my old lens already before the 'FLE' was officially announced and this is now my mainstay lens, period. Admittedly, unless you are very deep into 'available darkness' you would be equally well served by the corresponding Summicron, and the screams of your piggybank would be somehat more muted.

 

The old man from the Kodachrome Age

 

Thank you.

I appreciate your answers.

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FLE, or "Floating Lens Elements." They generally improve the lens' performance at closer ranges in part by correcting spherical aberrations which has the effect of reducing, if not eliminating focus shift. Something the non-FLE version struggled with.

 

Some might lead you to believe that "their copy doesn't have focus shift." Which is rubbish, it's part of the design - they ALL have it. Exactly how it's calbibrated and how you shoot it makes a big difference (e.g. shooting outside of the "trouble zone"). It's quite possible that the lens' calibration and your shooting habits all but hide the issue effectively. Nevertheless, it's still an awesome lens.

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All these answers help me.

I do not think I need the FLE.

I'll seek out a previous version.

I'll put the saved funds in a class to learn how not to get focus shift!

:D

 

I have the FLE, but my good friend Swamiji has the previous version ASPH version and produces stunning images with it. He has no plans to change, and after seeing his images I can understand. Perhaps he has adapted his style to work around the focus shift, or perhaps his style of shooting is such that he never runs into any problems.

 

Good luck!!!

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"Focus shift" has taken on a more negative connotation ever since digital allowed us to zoom in to ridiculous levels. With film it wasn't so much a big deal... And you can totally "adapt" to it (case in point, the Zeiss C Sonnar T* 1,5/50 ZM, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM, many new Voigtländer lenses...). On the bright side, think of it as "additional un(der)corrected spherical aberrations" which is good for bokeh. :p

 

There's no class to take on it. Just get to know your gear (i.e. USE it).

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I had a pre-FLE version that was optimized around 2.0. and I like to shoot close. Focus shift was definitely a personal nagging issue with me. I sold mine (which was no worse or better than others) well before the new lens came out.

 

The new FLE lens, as all lenses, still has focus shift, it is just much better controlled and has not been an issue to date (along with a few other minor improvements and a considerable additional amount of cash). If you have a previous version of the lens and it has not been an issue for you, I would highly recommend you keep the lens, especially if it is well calibrated to your current camera. Many feel the previous version had better boken, but in real life I have seen little difference except if I wish to engaged in pixel peeping, which I rarely do. Just haven't printed that 48" wide photo yet :D

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