35mm ASPH lux, pre FLE or FLE on SL?

[ymc226]

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I am likely getting a SL soon (have M9-P, MM original, M240 and Q).  I've read that the bokeh was more pleasing on the pre-FLE version and since the SL EVF can easily focus manual M lenses, would one look for the pre-FLE version over the current one?

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[LD_50]

I am pleased with the FLE version on the SL and the M-P 240.

[Guest roey]

The most precise way to focus wider angle manual lenses on the SL is to focus wide open (utilizing magnification and/or focus peaking) and then stop down before releasing the shutter. This obviously doesn't work that well with lenses that exhibit focus shift.

[kikouyou]

Non Asph lenses have a better bokeh in principle as the Asph lenses help a lot in some areas but not for the bokeh...

[steppenw0lf]

The most precise way to focus wider angle manual lenses on the SL is to focus wide open (utilizing magnification and/or focus peaking) and then stop down before releasing the shutter. This obviously doesn't work that well with lenses that exhibit focus shift.

 

As the EVF offers WYSIWYG with a high resolution and even 10x zoom you can see exactly what is in focus. So your procedure is possible but simply not necessary - i would even say not recommended.

I definitely never used the SL in this way.   

[ymc226]

As the EVF offers WYSIWYG with a high resolution and even 10x zoom you can see exactly what is in focus. So your procedure is possible but simply not necessary - i would even say not recommended.

I definitely never used the SL in this way.   

 

Thanks.  I will use both Nocti (0.95 and 1.0)  wide open to test and see how it goes.  

[Guest roey]

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As the EVF offers WYSIWYG with a high resolution and even 10x zoom you can see exactly what is in focus. So your procedure is possible but simply not necessary - i would even say not recommended.

I definitely never used the SL in this way.   

Well, it depends on the subject matter and your eyesight.

[deep_blue]

I am absolutely happy with my pre FLE // it has the better bokeh and it is much cheaper than the FLE-version

[MT0227]

If you are shooting film I'd say the FLE may not be all that necessary.  If you are shooting digital and razor tight sharpness is your desire, FLE is the way to go.

[John Black]

Having owned both and used the pre-FLE for ~3 years, then followed by FLE for ~4 years now, the FLE is amazing sharp with very nice colors.  If I "test" the 35 FLE and try to provoke busy bokeh, it's easy enough to do.  But let's be fair, the 35 Lux ASPH pre FLE didn't have great bokeh either.  There's an example here comparing the two lenses side by side with the same subject matter - http://www.pebbleplace.com/reviews/rangefinder/leica_35mm_summilux_fle/index.html

 

I wouldn't go back to the pre-FLE at this point, I much prefer having a 35 FLE that I can shoot wide open with very sharp results.  If I'm shooting in a situation where I want bokeh, a 35mm lens in general is not my "go to" lens.  I'd use a 50mm or 75mm in that case.  I'm not trying to bad-mouth the 35 Lux ASPH, but all things being equal, I'd take the FLE over the non FLE.

[EoinC]

Well, it depends on the subject matter and your eyesight.

How so? Your eyesight remains the same either way. In the SL, the EVF is displaying (an interpretation of) what the sensor is receiving. Focusing with 10x magnification is likely to produce less error / shift than focusing and then stopping down before shooting.

Your method works well for OVF's, but that advantage (in my experience) is negated in an EVF with magnification.

[rpittal]

with my new SL and 35 ASPH preFLE, I find stopping down to focus can result in an ambiguous best focus point if at small f stops, even at 10X (and worsens if high ISO due to grainy appearance). However, in most cases, it works well to stop down to focus (esp. with focus shift issues). My 21/1.4 has no noticeable focus shift to me, and I focus stopped down most of the time anyways to see the huge DOF directly (esp. to confirm object separation).