Bokeh of Summicron 35 asph compared to Summilux 35 asph FLE

[wim.lon]

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I am currently using a Summicron 35 mm asph with my M9 and considering an exchange to a Summilux 35 mm asph FLE.

For my use f-stop and bokeh are the essential factors.

The bokeh of my Summicron 35 mm asph is fine. However, I like the bokeh of my Summilux 50 mm better.

My question goes to the owners of a Summilux 35 mm asph FLE: How do you rate the bokeh of this lens?

[IWC Doppel]

Which 50 Summilux do you have ?

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[IWC Doppel]

A few of threads worth a look through if you havent already

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/245636-35mm-summilux-asph-vd-35mm-summilux.html

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/244798-disappointed-summilux-35-fle.html

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/240778-35mm-f2-asph-vs-35mm-f2.html

[wim.lon]

Which 50 Summilux do you have ?

 

The current version.

[wim.lon]

A few of threads worth a look through if you havent already

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/245636-35mm-summilux-asph-vd-35mm-summilux.html

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/244798-disappointed-summilux-35-fle.html

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/240778-35mm-f2-asph-vs-35mm-f2.html

 

Great threads, thank you!

[algrove]

So wim.lon after reading those threads what do you say in answering your own question?

[wim.lon]

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So wim.lon after reading those threads what do you say in answering your own question?

 

It is difficult to say. I am a bit concerned that I might find the bokeh of the Summilux asph FLE too harsh and somewhat artificial. I have seen some pictures shot with the Summilux asph FLE at 1.4 where the object in focus in the foreground seems so much separated from the out of focus background, producing the impression that the object in focus has been fotoshopped into the picture (if you know what I mean...).

 

On the other hand I would really like to get the extra stop and the overall quality of the Summilux asph FLE (compared to the Summicron 325 asph). My dealer has one on sale just now, so I do probably not have much time to decide.

 

The favourite lens of my small collection (Elmarit 28, Summicron 35, Summilux 50, Elmarit 90) is the Summilux 50, because of the wonderful bokeh and colours it produces. I would like to have a Summilux 35 mm with similar qualities.

Edited August 20, 2012 by wim.lon

[IWC Doppel]

This is description does indeed encapsulate certain shots:

 

" I have seen some pictures shot with the Summilux asph FLE at 1.4 where the object in focus in the foreground seems so much separated from the out of focus background that it produces the impression that the object in focus has been fotoshopped into the picture (if you know what I mean...)."

 

If you can deal with focus shift (Largely overblown unless flat wallcharts are your subject matter) then the pre FLE is a stunner and the early 35mm summilux ASPHERICAL even better and has less focus shift.

 

By the way when I did measure the focus shift on my pre ash 50mm Summilux it was greater than my 35mm Summilux ASPH. and I don't see many complaining about that lens (Steve Huff - who needs him....)

 

I am not skilled enough to notice focus shift on most subjects in real life without wall charts, I did however notice misadjustment of my M9-P, this was nearly twice the shift of my 50 Summilux and in the same direction, this is what made me check..... The previous owner of my M9-P shot 1,200 pictures with his camera out by more than the worst lens and didnt notice !

 

I personally prefer the rendering of the 35mm Summilux ASPH. to the FLE, it is a matter of taste ofcourse and the FLE is technically better.

[IWC Doppel]

Oh, I forgot to mention the closest 35mm to your 50mm in terms of bokeh I think is the 35 Summilux ASPH. It is a little 'looser' and more classic but closer than the FLE to my eyes

[algrove]

This is description does indeed encapsulate certain shots:

 

" I have seen some pictures shot with the Summilux asph FLE at 1.4 where the object in focus in the foreground seems so much separated from the out of focus background that it produces the impression that the object in focus has been fotoshopped into the picture (if you know what I mean...)."

 

If you can deal with focus shift (Largely overblown unless flat wallcharts are your subject matter) then the pre FLE is a stunner and the early 35mm summilux ASPHERICAL even better and has less focus shift.

 

By the way when I did measure the focus shift on my pre ash 50mm Summilux it was greater than my 35mm Summilux ASPH. and I don't see many complaining about that lens (Steve Huff - who needs him....)

 

I am not skilled enough to notice focus shift on most subjects in real life without wall charts, I did however notice misadjustment of my M9-P, this was nearly twice the shift of my 50 Summilux and in the same direction, this is what made me check..... The previous owner of my M9-P shot 1,200 pictures with his camera out by more than the worst lens and didnt notice !

 

I personally prefer the rendering of the 35mm Summilux ASPH. to the FLE, it is a matter of taste ofcourse and the FLE is technically better.

 

I always get confused without knowing part numbers, please. Is the older lux a Mandler lens?

Edited August 20, 2012 by algrove

[wim.lon]

This is description does indeed encapsulate certain shots:

 

" I have seen some pictures shot with the Summilux asph FLE at 1.4 where the object in focus in the foreground seems so much separated from the out of focus background that it produces the impression that the object in focus has been fotoshopped into the picture (if you know what I mean...)."

 

If you can deal with focus shift (Largely overblown unless flat wallcharts are your subject matter) then the pre FLE is a stunner and the early 35mm summilux ASPHERICAL even better and has less focus shift.

 

By the way when I did measure the focus shift on my pre ash 50mm Summilux it was greater than my 35mm Summilux ASPH. and I don't see many complaining about that lens (Steve Huff - who needs him....)

 

I am not skilled enough to notice focus shift on most subjects in real life without wall charts, I did however notice misadjustment of my M9-P, this was nearly twice the shift of my 50 Summilux and in the same direction, this is what made me check..... The previous owner of my M9-P shot 1,200 pictures with his camera out by more than the worst lens and didnt notice !

 

I personally prefer the rendering of the 35mm Summilux ASPH. to the FLE, it is a matter of taste ofcourse and the FLE is technically better.

 

Thank you very much for these helpful statements and comments. Concerning colour rendering and bokeh, which lens do you think would be closer to my Summilux 50 asph (current version): the Summilux 35 asph FLE or the Summicron 35 asph (current version)?

[proy]

I have both lenses and much prefer the Summilux FLE.

 

In fact, I think the 35 Summilux FLE is the single finest lens in the entire Leica lienup (and I have the 0.95 Noctilux).

 

I could pretty happily live with the 35 Summilux FLE as my only lens.

[bybrett]

The bokeh of my Summicron 35 mm asph is fine. However, I like the bokeh of my Summilux 50 mm better.

My question goes to the owners of a Summilux 35 mm asph FLE: How do you rate the bokeh of this lens?

 

Messy. I love it.

[bybrett]

Thank you very much for these helpful statements and comments. Concerning colour rendering and bokeh, which lens do you think would be closer to my Summilux 50 asph (current version): the Summilux 35 asph FLE or the Summicron 35 asph (current version)?

 

The Summicron 35, or indeed the Summarit 35... The Summilux (current) is something very different especially wide open.

[IWC Doppel]

I always get confused without knowing part numbers, please. Is the older lux a Mandler lens?

 

The lenses I have in f1.4 35mm are the ASPH. 11874 and the ASPHERICAL 11873, the FLE is 11663

 

My Summilux VII 50mm is 11114 with a 43mm filter thread. Sorry for any confusion.

[IWC Doppel]

Regarding colour I found the 35 summicron ASPH a little 'pink' and warmer than some of the older glass, the ASPHERICAL is warm but with a hint of yellow and I find that more pleasing. To be honest without doing a side by side with a MKIV summicron I would not have really seen the hint of colour that the 35 summicron ASPH has.

 

I really like the colour if my 50 Summilux (11114) and my 35 Summilux ASPHERICAL (11873)