My 35mm journey

[evikne]

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My first 35mm Leica lens was a used 35 Summilux FLE. It was great, but after a while, I sold it and purchased a 35 Summicron v.4 instead, because I was so excited about the newly discovered "Mandler look".

I loved the little lens, but after a while, I started to miss an f/1.4 aperture again, so I swapped it for a 35 Summilux pre-ASPH. I was hoping it could fill the gap between the modern Summilux and the old Summicron. From f/2.0 it was very similar to the Summicron. Wide open it was a little soft for my liking, but the biggest problem turned out to be the 1 m focus limit. To me, some of the purpose with a 35mm lens is the ability to make exciting perspectives, and that often requires going closer than 1 meter. 

So after a while, I swapped it for the new Voigtländer 35/1.4 v.2, which I hoped could combine the best from all the Leica lenses: a large f/1.4 aperture, sufficiently sharp wide open, a classic look and 0.7 m close focus. The build quality was excellent, the wide open sharpness was good, and there was actually nothing wrong with the lens. But nevertheless, something was missing: I quickly realized it was because I would never be able to love something else than a "real" Leica lens.

Thus, only 74 pictures later, I swapped it for a used 35 Summilux FLE again, to be able to take sharp, wide open pictures. It was in mint condition and very affordable. – And today, I also got another nearly mint 35 Summicron v.4, because I've missed it so much!

So I believe this is where my 35mm journey ends – back to where I started. But I've realized I cannot have everything I want in one lens, so now I have one modern and one classic. Together they have the best from both eras. I obviously can never agree with myself about what I prefer, but now I always have a lens that suits my need or mood.

[newnew]

I always appreciated your pictures with the 50mm. To me after several trials with a brand new 35FLE , I have still not fully warmed up to it. I had a 35 Summicron before and replaced it with the 35 FLE. For some of us 35 may not be the most exciting way the world appears to us. I am currently in the process of trading my FLE against a 24 Summilux. Maybe 35 is simply just not your favorite view perspective.

 

[evikne]

24 minutes ago, newnew said:

Maybe 35 is simply just not your favorite view perspective.

My favorite perspective is still 50mm. So I have already done the same thing with my 50's: combining both classic and modern. 😉

[jdlaing]

1 hour ago, evikne said:

My first 35mm Leica lens was a used 35 Summilux FLE. It was great, but after a while, I sold it and purchased a 35 Summicron v.4 instead, because I was so excited about the newly discovered "Mandler look".

I loved the little lens, but after a while, I started to miss an f/1.4 aperture again, so I swapped it for a 35 Summilux pre-ASPH. I was hoping it could fill the gap between the modern Summilux and the old Summicron. From f/2.0 it was very similar to the Summicron. Wide open it was a little soft for my liking, but the biggest problem turned out to be the 1 m focus limit. To me, some of the purpose with a 35mm lens is the ability to make exciting perspectives, and that often requires going closer than 1 meter. 

So after a while, I swapped it for the new Voigtländer 35/1.4 v.2, which I hoped could combine the best from all the Leica lenses: a large f/1.4 aperture, sufficiently sharp wide open, a classic look and 0.7 m close focus. The build quality was excellent, the wide open sharpness was good, and there was actually nothing wrong with the lens. But nevertheless, something was missing: I quickly realized it was because I would never be able to love something else than a "real" Leica lens.

Thus, only 74 pictures later, I swapped it for a used 35 Summilux FLE again, to be able to take sharp, wide open pictures. It was in mint condition and very affordable. – And today, I also got another nearly mint 35 Summicron v.4, because I've missed it so much!

So I believe this is where my 35mm journey ends – back to where I started. But I've realized I cannot have everything I want in one lens, so now I have one modern and one classic. Together they have the best from both eras. I obviously can never agree with myself about what I prefer, but now I always have a lens that suits my need or mood.

The journey never ends. It just has pauses. So many 35’s to choose from.

[a5m]

Thanks for sharing. Having a similar ‘taste’ for Leica glass I imagine I would’ve had a similar journey. My only experience with 35mm was short lived and with the Pre-ASPH Summilux of which I had 3 copies; the first two German but with haze and poor prior service evidenced by internal cleaning marks. Last one was a bargain Canadian lens that needed significant repair and the glass wasn’t mint so I moved it on.
 

Have you considered the Pre-FLE? Aside from the reported focus shift its rendering seems different enough that some prefer it over the FLE. There’s also the 35 AA, but, you know...

[Guest]

I got a 35mm f2.4 summarit because it was the only "leica" 35mm lens that i could afford to buy nearly new.

Thing is its so bloody wonderful that i would not swap it for anything.

my plan is to keep it as my main lens for the rest of my life.

I also have a zeiss 25mm f2.8 and summarit 50mm f2.4 ,

 

 

I

[evikne]

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6 hours ago, a5m said:

Have you considered the Pre-FLE?

I was strongly considering the pre-FLE not long ago, but I couldn’t find any at that time, and the focus shift problems scared me a bit. But only a few days after I had bought my second FLE, a very affordable mint pre-FLE appeared for sale (I think it’s still there). The seller even claimed it was newly 6-bit coded and calibrated, so the focus shift was gone. 

If I had seen that ad some days earlier, my journey could easily have taken another path …

[Ko.Fe.]

On the day I could afford FLE, my 35 journey will finalize. For now I have Nokton 35 1.4 II and Summarit 35 2.5

[Lelmer]

10 hours ago, evikne said:

.......

Thus, only 74 pictures later, I swapped it for a used 35 Summilux FLE again, to be able to take sharp, wide open pictures. It was in mint condition and very affordable. – And today, I also got another nearly mint 35 Summicron v.4, because I've missed it so much!

So I believe this is where my 35mm journey ends – back to where I started. But I've realized I cannot have everything I want in one lens, so now I have one modern and one classic. Together they have the best from both eras. I obviously can never agree with myself about what I prefer, but now I always have a lens that suits my need or mood.

Same conclusion on my side...but the day I bought and tried the the 35 summicron v4 and the FLE, I knew I'd never sell them 😊

[Lelmer]

9 hours ago, evikne said:

My favorite perspective is still 50mm. So I have already done the same thing with my 50's: combining both classic and modern. 😉

I also have a preference for the 50mm... I ended up with the 50 summicron v1 and the summilux asph to complement the 35's 😀 

[Stein K S]

35 has been my preferred ¨normal¨ since the late 75ˋs 😉

[Stein K S]

Hi and sorry about by very incomplete comment above. It should go like this.

I am clearly a 35 guy. 35 has been my preferred ¨normal¨ since the late 70ˋs. So when I got my first Leica late 90´s I purchased a new 35 cron v4 silver to go along with it. I have added a 35 lux pre-FLE since then. And I can currently see absolutely no reason to or wish or want for any other 35´s...

(...except... maybe evikne could convince me to stop looking at the 35 lux pre-asph since you really have exploited that route 😉)

 

[a5m]

12 hours ago, evikne said:

I was strongly considering the pre-FLE not long ago, but I couldn’t find any at that time, and the focus shift problems scared me a bit. But only a few days after I had bought my second FLE, a very affordable mint pre-FLE appeared for sale (I think it’s still there). The seller even claimed it was newly 6-bit coded and calibrated, so the focus shift was gone. 

If I had seen that ad some days earlier, my journey could easily have taken another path …

Wonder where this is. I’m interested now 😄

Things always happen for a reason. Maybe some day you’ll end up trying one, but perhaps the FLE is the right lens for you. It sure has its share of fans.

[evikne]

1 hour ago, a5m said:

Wonder where this is. I’m interested now 😄

I just sent you a P.M.

[dkmoore]

15 hours ago, evikne said:

I was strongly considering the pre-FLE not long ago, but I couldn’t find any at that time, and the focus shift problems scared me a bit. But only a few days after I had bought my second FLE, a very affordable mint pre-FLE appeared for sale (I think it’s still there). The seller even claimed it was newly 6-bit coded and calibrated, so the focus shift was gone. 

If I had seen that ad some days earlier, my journey could easily have taken another path …

Unfortunately I’ve made similar (and costly) journeys throughout my time with Leica. 
 

Even though the 35 pre-FLE showed up, I think you still got the right lens. The pre is a little moodier but the FLE is the better lens in all regards and still has its own awesome style wide open. Really can’t go wrong though! 
 

[Dennis]

On 5/31/2020 at 12:16 AM, Ko.Fe. said:

On the day I could afford FLE, my 35 journey will finalize. For now I have Nokton 35 1.4 II and Summarit 35 2.5

+1 😃

I have a Biogon 2.8/35 and I'm happy so far. But many of you talk about the 35 FLE as the quintessence of the lenses, one of the best and favorite of Leica passionate shooters.

Without to know what you are talking about, I would love to try one of this one day

On 5/30/2020 at 2:00 PM, evikne said:

So I believe this is where my 35mm journey ends

You believe ... 🤔 Considering your changes and the reason why, I doubt it it ended. But I wish you the best for the end of your journey, for now 🤣

Edited June 2, 2020 by Dennis

[Ko.Fe.]

1 hour ago, Dennis said:

+1 😃

I have a Biogon 2.8/35 and I'm happy so far. But many of you talk about the 35 FLE as the quintessence of the lenses, one of the best and favorite of Leica passionate shooters.

Without to know what you are talking about, I would love to try one of this one day

You believe ... 🤔 Considering your changes and the reason why, I doubt it it ended. But I wish you the best for the end of your journey, for now 🤣

I'm not glorifying FLE. It just sharp, not very big, made like I prefer - with normal focus tab and it seems one of the RF 35mm 1.4 lenses with not harsh bokeh wide open. Honestly, TTartisans 35 1.4 does the same, but it's size is too big for me and my two M's VFs. I let go of all honking RF lenses. I have DSLRs, SLRs for it.

[evikne]

1 hour ago, Dennis said:

But many of you talk about the 35 FLE as the quintessence of the lenses, one of the best and favorite of Leica passionate shooters.

To me, the 35 Cron v.4 is a far more exciting and enjoyable lens, and I consider it as my main 35. The FLE is mainly to complement when I want sharp, wide open pictures.

[Dennis]

1 hour ago, Ko.Fe. said:

I'm not glorifying FLE. It just sharp, not very big, made like I prefer - with normal focus tab and it seems one of the RF 35mm 1.4 lenses with not harsh bokeh wide open. Honestly, TTartisans 35 1.4 does the same,

I heard today about the 35 1.4 TTartisan. Is this one? https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1562296-REG/ttartisan_a01b_35mm_f_1_4_lens_for.html

 

 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[LeicaR10]

Evikne,  The Lux 35mm FLE will certainly do that for you in spades as you well know.   My experience with Leica M lenses of all kinds over 3 decades of use, the best lens is the one on the camera right now.  I learned early on, mastering the camera and lens at hand although important, it is the content of the photograph that remains paramount.  How the lens renders and helps you create the photograph is just a part of the artistic equation.  As I have mentioned before in other posts, the separation between a mere photo and that of a superb photograph is Content that makes the viewer;  Stop, Look, Think and if possible Feel something about that moment in time.  A photographer that masters his photographs content...is just that, a master of photography.  I know with your 35 Lux FLE and 50 Noctilux...you do that very well.  r/ Mark