Summilux 35 decision

[flyboy]

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I am about to purchase a Summilux M 35 1.4 and I am not sure if I should buy the FLE or the older Asph version, because some user say it has got a more beautiful bokeh.

What is your opinion?

Thx , Christof

[dkmoore]

Latest version has few things I like better:

 

1. Better hood

2. Flatter field

3. Less focus shift (none that I ever noticed)

4. Slightly better wide open

 

I feel the FLE retains the moody character at 1.4 that the pre exhibits (best way I can explain it)

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[dkmoore]

To clarify before I get attacked:

 

Slightly better = sharpness across the frame

[jaapv]

Latest version has few things I like better:

 

1. Better hood

2. Flatter field

3. Less focus shift (none that I ever noticed)

4. Slightly better wide open

 

I feel the FLE retains the moody character at 1.4 that the pre exhibits (best way I can explain it)

Focus shift can be avoided by focussing stopped down.

[-Lss-]

Focus shift can be avoided by focussing stopped down.

Of course, this does not apply to most Leica M bodies.

[Mr.Q]

My vote is the 35 cron asph at this focal length. Less focus shift, less field curvature, less headaches.

Edited September 20, 2018 by Mr.Q

[UliWer]

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Focus shift can be avoided by focussing stopped down.

Yes - if you can stop down the rangefinder.

[derleicaman]

I have the pre FLE version purchased new when it was first introduced. It has always performed quite well for me and I never saw any reason to "upgrade" to the FLE version.

 

I have the 35/2 ASPH as well, but I still prefer the Summilux.

 

Having said that, I have started using my old 35/1.4 Summilux again. This one was purchased new back in 1972, and it is such a wonderful, compact lens. Easier to carry with my other lenses, much lighter and smaller. Or maybe, I am just getting older!

[Ecar]

I'd go for the pre-FLE.

OOF areas look better to me and pictures have more 'character' - especially @ f/1.4.

My copy exhibits no focus shift that I can detect (or that bothers me).

FWIW, I planned to 'upgrade' when the FLE came out and tested both side by side.

Differences were small but sufficient for me to decide to keep the pre-FLE.

[Gregm61]

I am about to purchase a Summilux M 35 1.4 and I am not sure if I should buy the FLE or the older Asph version, because some user say it has got a more beautiful bokeh.

What is your opinion?

Thx , Christof

 

Pick whichever one will keep you from regretting your decision 6 months down the road.

 

Focus-shift issues or not aside, and we'll assume here the price either way is not an issue if you are considering both, if you use lens hoods the FLE's lens hood is a much better design and minimizes finder blockage. The prior version could be optimized for up close and wide open or stopped down to deal with the focus shift so if you go that way you should make certain you wind up with what you want.

 

I have a hard enough time making these decisions for myself, much less someone else. In the end I bought the FLE and don't regret it. At Leica prices, I'll take sharpness over "character" every time.

Edited September 20, 2018 by Gregm61

[lct]

Focus shift is an issue on digital Ms in RF mode but neither on film Ms nor digital Ms in LV mode when focusing stop down. No problem either on mirrorless cameras when focusing the same way.

[Eoin]

Had the pre FLE and loved it, moved away from Leica for many years and returned a year ago.

First on my shopping list was a Summilux 35 and I opted for the FLE this time round.

 

To be honest, I can't tell any real world difference in operation or results, I love the FLE as well.

Yes if I nit pick I can name a few flaws in either lens, but there is really no purpose, either is a good choice.

Best to choose FLE for modern sharp rendering and pre for a very slightly more subdued/softer rendering.

[SMAL]

Focus shift is an issue on digital Ms in RF mode but neither on film Ms nor digital Ms in LV mode when focusing stop down. No problem either on mirrorless cameras when focusing the same way.

How does one encounter the focus shift? I shoot a lot at f1.4 with the 35FLE and didn’t have any issues so far.

[steamboat]

The pre-FLE is a stunning lens. It's excellent at all f-stops. I like it so well I own both a black one and a chrome one. I cannot imagine it was improved upon by the FLE. Neither of my lenses exhibit focus-shift. Good luck with your photography.

[Gregm61]

How does one encounter the focus shift? I shoot a lot at f1.4 with the 35FLE and didn’t have any issues so far.

 

With the FLE you shouldn't, as the floating group was put there to solve the issue. Prior versions do no have the floating group and the focus plane can "shift", dependent on the set up of the particular unit. Some had their Summilux adjusted to focus more accurately at f1.4 and some had it set to f8. At longer distances depth of field will cover the shift. It's up close where the "worst" cases should occur.

[a.noctilux]

The pre-FLE is a stunning lens. It's excellent at all f-stops. I like it so well I own both a black one and a chrome one. I cannot imagine it was improved upon by the FLE. Neither of my lenses exhibit focus-shift. Good luck with your photography.

 

Funny, I'm very surprised by what you wrote here.

I thought I was only one fool to own two Summilux-M 35mm asph. at same time.

They are so good .

 

First I use the "Ti" 35 Lux asph. version, and found that with M it was front-heavy and not well balancing.

So I purchased black one much lighter, and use them along happily for some years.

Then I only use the black before selling the beautiful Ti 35 Lux Asph.

 

Never noticed focus shift in years of use those two pre-FLE lenses.

Edited September 20, 2018 by a.noctilux

[pico]

I am about to purchase a Summilux M 35 1.4 and I am not sure if I should buy [[...]

 

Ignore  any 35mm lens so-called ASPH.

Edited September 20, 2018 by pico

[lct]

The Summilux 35/1.4 asph FLE has fixed the focus shift issue of the pre-FLE but its bokeh remains similar so i did not hesitate to choose the FLE personally. Now bokeh king it is not, especially around f/2.8 where it can be rather harsh or softer depending if there are highlights in the background or not. Couple of samples at f/2.8 here:

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-dLGmqPN/0/16f885fd/L/i-dLGmqPN-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-JQxM5mN/0/c7792a09/L/i-JQxM5mN-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-gx3pt8Q/0/9195d5ee/L/i-gx3pt8Q-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-FSHs5NP/0/4157fcd1/L/i-FSHs5NP-L.jpg

 

 

 

[easy_action]

I once had both at the same time, and I didn't really notice much difference in image quality.

 

The FLE was perhaps a shade sharper around the periphery of the frame at close distances - 2 to 3 meters.  The floating group doing it's thing perhaps.

 

I tended to shoot them either wide open or stopped down, so can't say that I encountered any focus shift with the pre-FLE version.  Didn't notice much difference in out-of-focus areas.

 

In the end I let the pre-FLE go and continued to use the FLE for another couple of years (before changing to a 50).  I reasoned that the more modern version was the sensible choice, but in some ways I regretted my decision.  The FLE always seemed slightly bulkier between my fingers - weird as the difference can only have been a few mm at most.  With the lens hoods removed (and the protection ring fitted to the FLE), the pre-FLE definitely seemed a bit less intrusive on the front of the camera.  A small point, but I guess that's all it boiled down to!

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[steamboat]

Funny, I'm very surprised by what you wrote here.

I thought I was only one fool to own two Summilux-M 35mm asph. at same time.

They are so good .

 

First I use the "Ti" 35 Lux asph. version, and found that with M it was front-heavy and not well balancing.

So I purchased black one much lighter, and use them along happily for some years.

Then I only use the black before selling the beautiful Ti 35 Lux Asph.

 

Never noticed focus shift in years of use those two pre-FLE lenses.

 

 

Haha. That is EXACTLY what happened with me. I bought the chrome version and -- jeez -- it is heavy. So I eventually got the black version. Much better balanced.