Any reason to keep more than one Summilux 35 ?

[seekwul]

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Hi

Back in 1998, I bought a brand new Leica Summilux-M 35 1.4. I instantly regretting spending what was an enormous sum to me at the time, but over time it became my favorite lens, and has stuck with me from my M6 through to my M9-P today. Sometime around 2010, I helped arrange the sale of a friend's M collection and somehow wound up with the 2010 model of the same lens (with floating element). I've been holding onto both of them because I don't want to regret selling one later... but I'm thinking maybe I should sell the older one.

 

Any one have an opinion on keeping vs selling the older lens ?

[IWC Doppel]

I'd see which you prefer then choose as apart from rendering differences they offer the same, is size and speed. You might want another 35 that offers something different

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[otto.f]

Of course you sell the focus-shifter. I own a Summaron, Summicron IV and the FLE. That's already one too much although / but the Summaron is so special that I can't sell. But It's cheap so why should I, that's different with the pre-FLE

[IWC Doppel]

A similar recipe for me an Aspherical Summilux, mkIV Summicron, and a Summaron f2.8.

 

Personally I prefer the ASPH. to the FLE, the Aspheical is particularly special

[Stealth3kpl]

It's difficult isn't it? I had two 35 Summicron Asphs; identicle condition eventually selling the one that had come to me more recently. It was difficult at the time but I don't regret it now. I keep my Mk 4 because it was my first ever leica lens, my Summaron 2.8 because it looks so nice, my remaining 35 Summicron Asph because it's an excellent all-rounder, and my 35 Summilux FLE because it's the 35 Summilux FLE. My name is Peter and I have Leica acquisition syndrome.

Pete

[rirakuma]

I think its a very personal choice but if it were me I would sell one and add something different. Some people swear by the FLE but I personally like the pre FLE, I recently added an 8 element cron for a different rendering and it's quite a delight. Very different lenses and I can always appreciate the smaller size when I feel like something light.

[Michael Geschlecht]

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Hello Seekwul,

 

Welcome to the Forum,

 

It is unclear to me from what you have written exactly which versions of the Summilux you have to choose from.

 

This is relevant because each different version has different characteistics.

 

What is written on the rings circling the front elements of the 2 lenses?

 

Summilux, Summilux-M, Summilux Aspherical, Summilux Asph, Summilux Asph-fle? Or, is there something else?

 

All are good lenses. Each has its own +'s & -'s to choose from.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[seekwul]

Hi, Michael

Thanks !

The older 35 says E46 (serial) Leica Summilux-M 1:1.4/35 Asph. And says Lens Made in Germany on the barrel

The newer one is a little bit shorter and says e46 (serial) Leica Summilux-M 1:1.4/35 Asph. Also (same thing actually) but says lens made in Germany 11663 on the barrel.

 

Both have the same 6 bit coding inside (the older one I sent to be coded as part of the original m8 warranty deal, the newer one came coded)

 

Thanks in advance for your help !

 

Brad

 

Hello Seekwul,

 

Welcome to the Forum,

 

It is unclear to me from what you have written exactly which versions of the Summilux you have to choose from.

 

This is relevant because each different version has different characteistics.

 

What is written on the rings circling the front elements of the 2 lenses?

 

Summilux, Summilux-M, Summilux Aspherical, Summilux Asph, Summilux Asph-fle? Or, is there something else?

 

All are good lenses. Each has its own +'s & -'s to choose from.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[Herr Barnack]

Keep 'em both. JMHO.

[MarkP]

Peter and I have Leica acquisition syndrome.

Pete

 

aLAS, poor Pete! I knew him,

 

 

 

....well at least I know his syndrome by another name - Alas GAS.

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Seekwul,

 

What you wrote helps but without pictures of the 2 lenses the determination of which is which is still somewhat unclear to me.

 

Looking at the focussing barrels: Does the focuussing sequence in METERS on the barrel go:

 

3 then 5 then 10 then Infinity?

 

Or does it go 3 then 7 then Infinity?

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[Stein K S]

Hi

My story is that I aquired the 35 cron v4 as my first M-lens. A chrome copy ;-) This was two years after the asph was released (the shop sold me an old shelf item...and at the time I was not aware of this myself). When this came to my attention after a couple of years, I actually felt somewhat cheated!

 

However, while this lens is close to "awful" in the corners wide open, I still find it charming and I have learned to love the size of it. So... obviously I hang on to this lens.

 

Now accompanied with the Lux pre-FLE I really feel I can not ask for anything more concerning 35mms... However, if had more versions though, I guess I would hang to those too... so GAS is close... ;-)

 

 

 

Regards, Stein Kjetil

Edited November 14, 2014 by Stein K S

[seekwul]

Michael

On the newer lens (the one marked 11663), the meters focusing scale goes .7,.8,1,1.2,1.5,2,3,7,infinity

On the older lens, the meters focusing scale goes .7,.8,1,1.2,1.5,2,3,5,10,infinity.

 

Hope is helps - I can also upload pics.

Seekwul

[otto.f]

... I actually felt somewhat cheated!

 

:D:D

In the period of the Summicron 35 IV and also the lux75 for instance, Mandler's era, it was quite normal, or even a philosophy of Leitz, to have some unsharp edges

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Seekwul,

 

Photos are often helpful.

 

It would appear that your first lens is a first generation Asph & the second is an Asph-fle. Photos will tell more.

 

The 2 lenses were compared recently in the Thread "35mm1.4 floating vs. non floating element" in this Lens Section of this Forum.

 

After reading the above you might be better able to tell if their differences are enough for you to keep both. A lot depends on the type of photography you do.

 

If most of your photos are taken @ F's of 4, 5.6 & 8 then it doesn't matter very much which you choose.

 

If focus shift @ large apertures is an issue then the fle might be better for you.

 

If collecting for collecting's sake is the issue your circumstances will tell you what your options are.

 

You might read thru the other Thread & consider all of the above. If there are more questions ask. Then let us know how things fit together for you.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

Edited November 15, 2014 by Michael Geschlecht

[Stein K S]

:D:D

In the period of the Summicron 35 IV and also the lux75 for instance, Mandler's era, it was quite normal, or even a philosophy of Leitz, to have some unsharp edges

 

Hi again

 

I know... and I do find Mandler lenses to be beautiful. I never felt "cheated" by the lens so to say... but by the store not notifying this "rookie" (me) about the 35 cron asph afterall being an option at the time...

 

PS... Today, however, I would never trade the v4 chrome for the asph...

 

The very best from Stein Kjetil

[otto.f]

Hi again

 

 

 

PS... Today, however, I would never trade the v4 chrome for the asph...

 

The very best from Stein Kjetil

 

Exactly the same here, that's why I found it so funny