28mm summicron asph v2 or 35mm summilux fle

[DwF]

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There is so much good input here, i will keep it simple. The 28mm is always a nice compliment especially if you own the 35 v4.  I say keep the little Summicron because when you want a nice compact package, there is nothing like it!  The 35mm Summicron v4 draws beautifully, and is wonderful on the street but also for environmental portraiture!   I have long felt that the framelines  and viewfinder are fundamental to the design of the M body (exception M3) and the smaller Summicron manages not to obscure the finder. The Barnack design was all about compactness and the M2 was the logical extension of this idea.

I had the 28mm v1 and loved that lens but sold it with an M9 to make that sale....my bad.  I currently have the 28mm Elmarit Pre-Asph and like it equally well for different reasons. And having the 28, I take it out just to mix things up visually/compositionally.

David

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[MarkP]

16 hours ago, colint544 said:

Jimmy - If I could only have two Leica M lenses, I wouldn't even need to think about it. It would be the 50 Summilux ASPH and the 28 Summicron ASPH. They render almost identically - modern sharpness where you focus (anywhere in the frame), with an old-school melting background close up, at full aperture. There's very little you can't accomplish with that duo.

If I could only have a single Leica M lens, it would be the 35 Summilux ASPH FLE. But, for me anyway, I prefer the above combination.

👍. Exactly my point earlier.

 

edit:  yes, 28+50

or. 35 Summilux solo

Edited August 29, 2020 by MarkP

[dkmoore]

32 minutes ago, MarkP said:

👍. Exactly my point earlier.

I also agree with both you and Colin. 
 

I’ve owned all of the leica lenses at one point or another (except the 90 1.5) but the three that remain unchanged are the 50 Lux, 28 Cron, and 35 Lux. And I handle travel and shoots similar as Colin describes even though I have all three. I either bring the 28 and 50 or the 35 alone. 
 

you really can’t go wrong with these all time greats. 

[Jeff S]

My three staples over many years have been the 28 Summicron ASPH v.1, the 35 Summicron ASPH v.1 and the 50 Summilux ASPH.  These are compact and superb optically, and meet my needs without switching to second iterations or to the FLE.  I also use the 50 APO and 35 Summaron f2.8, but could get along fine with just the first three.  The 28, however, gets the least use, but that's just my way of seeing.  On the cropped M8.2, the 28 was my go-to lens.  As Colin notes, it's a good match with the 50 Summilux ASPH.

Jeff

[DwF]

1 hour ago, Jeff S said:

My three staples over many years have been the 28 Summicron ASPH v.1, the 35 Summicron ASPH v.1 and the 50 Summilux ASPH.  These are compact and superb optically, and meet my needs without switching to second iterations or to the FLE.  I also use the 50 APO and 35 Summaron f2.8, but could get along fine with just the first three.  The 28, however, gets the least use, but that's just my way of seeing.  On the cropped M8.2, the 28 was my go-to lens.  As Colin notes, it's a good match with the 50 Summilux ASPH.

Jeff

I like the 35mm Summicron Asph, had one while shooting M6 and then my M8. And am tempted recently to try the 35 f2.8 Summaron, but I feel two 35 Summicrons is plenty for now!

[Ccoppola82]

I have way too many lenses and I agree it’s either a 28/50 combo or 35 single. I have the 28mm v1 Cron as well as the 35 FLE.  Tough call. I’ve shot with the 28 for a year or so now and find the focal length challenging. I have to get much closer, can’t see the frame lines as well, and if there’s strong verticals I think it’s more important to keep the camera level.  However, some of my favorite images come from it.  Odd, but that’s the truth. The FLE is fantastic so far for me though and more “comfortable.”  I likely won’t sell either though.  I think I would ask 2 questions. 
1. Do you need the speed? If so, FLE it is. 
2. Are you comfortable getting up close to people?  If so, the 28 Cron offers something different than any lens in your setup. 
 

Good luck!  

[JimmyCheng]

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38 minutes ago, Ccoppola82 said:

I have way too many lenses and I agree it’s either a 28/50 combo or 35 single. I have the 28mm v1 Cron as well as the 35 FLE.  Tough call. I’ve shot with the 28 for a year or so now and find the focal length challenging. I have to get much closer, can’t see the frame lines as well, and if there’s strong verticals I think it’s more important to keep the camera level.  However, some of my favorite images come from it.  Odd, but that’s the truth. The FLE is fantastic so far for me though and more “comfortable.”  I likely won’t sell either though.  I think I would ask 2 questions. 
1. Do you need the speed? If so, FLE it is. 
2. Are you comfortable getting up close to people?  If so, the 28 Cron offers something different than any lens in your setup. 
 

Good luck!  

I might occasionally need the speed. As for 28mm, I intend to shoot it indoors wide open, as I found my 35mm a bit narrow sometimes. Out on the street, I use my 50 most of the time, as I am super uncomfortable getting into ppl's face and take their pictures.

[FrozenInTime]

Also lend weight to the 35 single or 28+50 combination; have been there for many years.

For the last 18 months, I'm finding 28 + 40 even more optimum ; that little extra width over the 50 allows the 40 to stay on the camera 75% of the time.

[CosmoM3]

I feel like you and I are in the same boat as I couldn’t decide, therefore over time I’ve consolidated my kit to just three lenses:

• Lux 50 ASPH (M10-P)
  • The Lux 50 ASPH is my specialized lens for portraits or when I need a little bit more reach. I barely use it, but when I need it, I’m glad I have it.
• Lux 35 FLE (M10-P)
  • This is attached to my M10-P 99% of the time as my primary one lens/one camera setup if I’m out on a trip or an event.
• Cron 28 ASPH II (M-D)
  • This is my “go to” kit as my “everyday” camera for all occasions, therefore the 28mm works perfectly here for indoor (when things get too tight) and outdoors (when getting too close doesn’t bother you when you’re around people you know) and the f/2 aperture is absolutely essential as I bounce off the limits of the ISO frequently indoors. For outdoors, it has more DoF compared to the Lux 35 FLE that I’m fine just zone focusing at f/8+. Also remember that the 28mm at f/2 has a wider DoF than the 35mm at f/2 given the design.

If this kit had taught me anything, 28-35-50 combo really does cover pretty much anything life throws at you.

Edited August 29, 2020 by CosmoM3

[JimmyCheng]

6 hours ago, CosmoM3 said:

I feel like you and I are in the same boat as I couldn’t decide, therefore over time I’ve consolidated my kit to just three lenses:

• Lux 50 ASPH (M10-P)
  • The Lux 50 ASPH is my specialized lens for portraits or when I need a little bit more reach. I barely use it, but when I need it, I’m glad I have it.
• Lux 35 FLE (M10-P)
  • This is attached to my M10-P 99% of the time as my primary one lens/one camera setup if I’m out on a trip or an event.
• Cron 28 ASPH II (M-D)
  • This is my “go to” kit as my “everyday” camera for all occasions, therefore the 28mm works perfectly here for indoor (when things get too tight) and outdoors (when getting too close doesn’t bother you when you’re around people you know) and the f/2 aperture is absolutely essential as I bounce off the limits of the ISO frequently indoors. For outdoors, it has more DoF compared to the Lux 35 FLE that I’m fine just zone focusing at f/8+. Also remember that the 28mm at f/2 has a wider DoF than the 35mm at f/2 given the design.

If this kit had taught me anything, 28-35-50 combo really does cover pretty much anything life throws at you.

Dude, that's what I am aiming for, good to hear that it worked out really well for you. 

I would like to throw the 90 into the combo as I found I use my 90 quite a bit for portraits and animals out in the wild (that's all we get to shoot these days given the circumstances lol)

[gotium]

Of all the M lenses I have used, those are the two that I have just not liked at all. The 35 FLE because of the strange focal plane and a little focus shift, and the 28 cron because of just terribly poor detail/contrast and an enormous focus shift (which some users report, others refute). I’d put my money elsewhere. 

[JimmyCheng]

49 minutes ago, gotium said:

Of all the M lenses I have used, those are the two that I have just not liked at all. The 35 FLE because of the strange focal plane and a little focus shift, and the 28 cron because of just terribly poor detail/contrast and an enormous focus shift (which some users report, others refute). I’d put my money elsewhere. 

I agree with you that the 35 fle has a somewhat curved focal plane, but it is not that noticable. As for the 28 cron, are you referring to the asph v2 version? I thought it was plenty sharp and contrasty. In that case, which lenses do you recomand? 

[Jeff S]

I find that the 28 Summicron ASPH v.1 renders similarly to my 50 Summilux ASPH (and without the sometimes nervous bokeh of the 35 FLE).  No complaints about contrast or detail in my moderately sized prints (using M10 and M Monochrom and personal editing workflow). My 28 sample exhibits no significant focus shift.

Jeff

Edited August 30, 2020 by Jeff S

[gotium]

1 hour ago, JimmyCheng said:

I agree with you that the 35 fle has a somewhat curved focal plane, but it is not that noticable. As for the 28 cron, are you referring to the asph v2 version? I thought it was plenty sharp and contrasty. In that case, which lenses do you recomand? 

I found the focal plane on the 35 FLE unpredictable - sometimes I didn’t notice it, sometimes it was really strange. 

Interesting question on the 28 cron - I bought it brand new in late 2015. Is there an update since that time? Comparing it to my 24/3.8 elmar was remarkable - it was nowhere near the 24 elmar in terms of resolution or contrast and, as I say, it had a ridiculous focus shift. I went through two new copies, same results. 

For a 28 mm lens I love the lux (depite the size, and now it is really $$$) and the summaron (which is of course limited by its aperture). The elmarit is also apparently excellent. 

For a 35 I would get a Zeiss. The distagon 1.4 is just incredible (but large) and the biogon 2.8 is apparently also great. I don’t think Leica makes a 35 that can match either of them.

Edited August 30, 2020 by gotium

[gotium]

1 hour ago, Jeff S said:

My 28 sample exhibits no significant focus shift.

Jeff

I’ve heard this from other users, and don’t know what to think. For the samples I tried it was not subtle. 

I’d forgotten about the bokeh on the 35 FLE. Agree that it can be “nervous.”

[otto.f]

On 8/28/2020 at 11:24 AM, JimmyCheng said:

that's actually not a bad idea. But considering the v4 is the smallest and lightest 35mm with decent opticals, I am really reluctant to sell. I just bought it last year for a fair bit of coins : |

Whatever you choose, it’s a very bad idea to sell your 35 v4, period. I own both v4 and FLE. On travels I mostly take both, because the v4 weighs practically nothing. I use the v4 more often for B&W. The colors from the FLE are the most important reason to choose it over the v4, but it is also more versatile and very good for a one lens walk through a city, going in- and outside. I also own the Summicron 28 but I mostly leave it at home on big travels in favor of the FLE. I prefer it for B&W film, and for more ‘studied’ subjects around my home. On digital I find it a bit too contrasty sometimes whereas on film this gives an extra spark compared to other lenses. I find it suits very well with my Elmar 50 in character. 

Edited August 30, 2020 by otto.f

[JimmyCheng]

1 hour ago, gotium said:

I found the focal plane on the 35 FLE unpredictable - sometimes I didn’t notice it, sometimes it was really strange. 

Interesting question on the 28 cron - I bought it brand new in late 2015. Is there an update since that time? Comparing it to my 24/3.8 elmar was remarkable - it was nowhere near the 24 elmar in terms of resolution or contrast and, as I say, it had a ridiculous focus shift. I went through two new copies, same results. 

For a 28 mm lens I love the lux (depite the size, and now it is really $$$) and the summaron (which is of course limited by its aperture). The elmarit is also apparently excellent. 

For a 35 I would get a Zeiss. The distagon 1.4 is just incredible (but large) and the biogon 2.8 is apparently also great. I don’t think Leica makes a 35 that can match either of them.

I actually have the 35mm c-biogon f2.8. While I really like the rich color and high contrast out if it, I really hate its handling. I gave up on Zeiss lenses since. 

[evikne]

44 minutes ago, otto.f said:

Whatever you choose, it’s a very bad idea to sell your 35 v4, period. I own both v4 and FLE. On travels I mostly take both, because the v4 weighs practically nothing. I use the v4 more often for B&W. The colors from the FLE are the most important reason to choose it over the v4, but it is also more versatile and very good for a one lens walk through a city, going in- and outside.

I agree, except that I also like the cool and clear colors from the v4 very much. 

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[otto.f]

5 minutes ago, evikne said:

I agree, except that I also like the cool and clear colors from the v4 very much. 

Yes, I did not mean to say the v4 is not good in colors indeed. 

[gotium]

10 hours ago, JimmyCheng said:

I actually have the 35mm c-biogon f2.8. While I really like the rich color and high contrast out if it, I really hate its handling. I gave up on Zeiss lenses since. 

How so? The focus knob? I would agree if you don’t like the lens cap - I replace those with leica caps.