35 mm Summilux ASPH (pre-FLE)

[Carduelis]

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I have noticed a number of used 35 mm Summilux ASPH lenses appearing lately and was interested in finding out if the versions such as the vIV preceding the current FLE version were optically about the same, and whether it was just a question of the focus shift issues. I was wondering whether Live View and the focus aids (such as the red lines) on the M240 will now make these lenses more of an attractive proposition?

[UliWer]

If you compare the MTF-graphs published by Leica on their website the new version is a little bit better - due to the floating elements it should be considerably better on short distances which does not show in the MTF-graphs. The older version is also rather sensitive to flare.

 

Many say that the older version had a much more pleasant bokeh - I am not sure about this since sometimes those statements read like advertising by people who want to sell it.

 

The possibilities of live view might cope with focus shift though I don't think that will be a practical way to use the M with a 35mm lens.

 

I think the lens works best for those who keep and just use it.

[IWC Doppel]

I have a great fondness for the pre FLE, very sharp and a wonderful bokeh, less 'distracting' and 'disjointed' than the FLE, I only sold mine as I located a rare double aspherical, which is sublime

 

IMO the FLE has the occasional tendency to look a little 'cut out' with images where it has some unnaturalness to dimensionality, almost like superimposing the in focus area. I know I'll get shot down in flames for saying so. I suspect its from the abrupt transition for in focus to out of focus.

 

I preferred the 35 pre FLE personally and think it's a wonderful lens

 

I'm about to have a quick brandy then off to bed, I'll read the flack in the morning

[lct]

Both FLE and pre-FLE 35/1.4 asph have a rather busy bokeh i feel. Too sharp for my tastes but i can live with it personally as i use my FLE in low light essentially.

[firstlight]

IMO the FLE has the occasional tendency to look a little 'cut out' with images where it has some unnaturalness to dimensionality, almost like superimposing the in focus area. I know I'll get shot down in flames for saying so. I suspect its from the abrupt transition for in focus to out of focus.

 

Can you show some examples in regards to the unnatural dimensionality and transisiton?

I really like image rendering and that "transition" style of the FLE, but thats just me .

That should not be a flame, I'm just curious about your opinion and experiene..

[IWC Doppel]

I have tidied up my lightroom and deleted a whole heap of test shots, so unfortunately I don't have any direct comparisons, the question recently regarding bokeh shows this effect a little

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m-lenses/302989-asph-trait.html

 

Thorsten's review shows a chap on a set of stairs and this again to some extent shows this effect. To my eyes it looks like there is a 'spotlight of sharpness' as opposed to a more gradual transition. leica.overgaard.dk - Thorsten Overgaard's Leica Pages - Leica Leica 35mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4 Version V samples and article

It seems noticeable looking at the stair railings which seem very quickly out of focus, compare to a close picture below with a pre FLE and the bokeh is a little more gradual and less 'strange' at the extremes. The FLE a little sharper, its a trade off with Bokeh diiferences and the pre FLE is still very sharp. Whilst the back of the shot below is not as soft as some lenses for Bokeh it is to my eyes less 'modern' with the out of focus rendering as the FLE. It is only my observations and experiences of course

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[Carduelis]

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Thank you for providing the image of a lady in the restaurant. I think your response does show interesting transitions between subject focus and out of focus areas. Some aspherical traits seem a bit like artefacts associated with over-sharpening. The more gradual bokeh of the pre-FLE seems very appealing especially if the lens is retaining a high degree of sharpness. What aperture setting was used in the attached photograph?

[IWC Doppel]

The picture of Jane (The Lady) is f1.4 ISO 1000, I did add a tiny bit of noise reduction and sharpening (only to contra the noise)

 

I also attach ISO 640, no sharpening or NR f1.4 with a close up of the point of focus

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[firstlight]

I get your point, thanks a lot for sharing. I totally agree on that this distracting bokeh can occur, but these are my two cents:

 

There might be lenses out there who can convert every crap of background into smooth bokeh (50 lux ASPH), there are exceptions as well, but they are very rare with this one.

 

With the FLE one should think a bit more about OOF composition, changing the f-stop a bit or the distance could change a lot. We don't buy leica for a point&shoot experience do we?

 

In the end it's a mather of taste, I really like the sharpness, the bokeh transition and the rendering of this lense. Oh boy and the contrast :-).

 

On the other side, the classical dreamy rendering is amazing as well, I experienced that with the Zeiss C-Sonar.

Next year the 50mm has his turn, so I really want a such a lense for this focal length, it's either the 50 ASPH lux, or the Zeiss C-Sonnar.

[Carduelis]

Thanks for the additional images. I think the subject detail at f1.4 is excellent and you have helped me make up my mind that a used vIV 35 mm Summilux ASPH is worth pursuing if I decide to change my current 35 mm Summarit lens which is my most widely used lens in terms of doubling as a 50 mm lens on my Ricoh GXR as well as the 35 mm lens on my Leica M240. From the MTF profiles, the 35 Summilux does appear sharper particularly towards the edges and f1.4 may come in handy one day.

[Stein K S]

Hi

I can not possibly ad any better advice than what you got above. I just would like to comment that... while keeping a number of Very good M-lenses for some years, my rather newly aquired 35 lux asph pre-FLE has become my absolute favourite in a very short while. In my honest opinion, you can not go wrong... more or less all "tastes" taken into consideration. Just beautiful in my eyes!

 

Regards, Stein

[Carduelis]

Hi

I can not possibly ad any better advice than what you got above. I just would like to comment that... while keeping a number of Very good M-lenses for some years, my rather newly aquired 35 lux asph pre-FLE has become my absolute favourite in a very short while. In my honest opinion, you can not go wrong... more or less all "tastes" taken into consideration. Just beautiful in my eyes!

 

Regards, Stein

 

After trying out a rather recent 35 lux asph pre-FLE (408****) on my M240, I also have acquired one. I too think it could well turn out to be an absolute favourite from what I have experienced with it so far.

[Carduelis]

Just discovered this interesting comparison of Leica 35 mm ASPH lenses. Perhaps forum members who have never seen the article might have a go at Ashwin Rao's identity challenge.

 

The Three 35 mm f/1.4 Summilux Asph lenses (AA, FLE, Asph)... - The GetDPI Photography Forums

[IWC Doppel]

Just discovered this interesting comparison of Leica 35 mm ASPH lenses. Perhaps forum members who have never seen the article might have a go at Ashwin Rao's identity challenge.

 

The Three 35 mm f/1.4 Summilux Asph lenses (AA, FLE, Asph)... - The GetDPI Photography Forums

 

As a lucky owner of an AA, I did post on that thread The AA is a stellar lens, but very expensive

[Carduelis]

As a lucky owner of an AA, I did post on that thread The AA is a stellar lens, but very expensive

 

I noticed your post after the results. Besides being a stellar lens, I am sure the AA will be an excellent investment judging by the prices I observed whilst researching the ASPH (pre-FLE) lens.