21SEM - 35FLE - 50LUX | Top choice?

[Dennis]

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40 minutes ago, steve 1959 said:

I have voigtlander 21mm f1.4  ---  zeiss 35mm f1.4 distagon  ---- leica summicrom 50mm V5 ...

Very powerful trio, love it. Very modern, clinical sometimes, extremely effective.

How is to use the CV 1.4 with the external VF? Is there blockage inside the frame lines?

There were times when I thought ... 🤔 ... 21SEM for $3.3k Vs CV 21/3.5 + CV21/1.4 for $1,800 ... 🤔 I know your 21 is fantastic even wide open.

[Guest]

7 minutes ago, Dennis said:

Very powerful trio, love it. Very modern, clinical sometimes, extremely effective.

How is to use the CV 1.4 with the external VF? Is there blockage inside the frame lines?

There were times when I thought ... 🤔 ... 21SEM for $3.3k Vs CV 21/3.5 + CV21/1.4 for $1,800 ... 🤔 I know your 21 is fantastic even wide open.

Regarding "clinical" its very subjective and i find the distagon painfully beautiful in how it renders people/children.

I use the voigtlander 21/25 external viewfinder with the CV 1.4 and its a very capable accessory so VF blockage not relevant.

I like my summicrom V5 because its very sharp but also has a slightly retro feel in its rendering.

I read all about leica's when i was 20 and finally could afford one 3 years ago aged 59 and i love it with no disrespect to my amazing minolta SLR cameras/lenses.

[Dennis]

18 minutes ago, steve 1959 said:

I like my summicrom V5 because its very sharp but also has a slightly retro feel in its rendering.

agree. feel the same.

 

[Mark T]

35mm first choice for one lens. Especially on a Leica.

[newtoleica]

12 hours ago, Dennis said:

 

Did you try the FLE? What do you think?

I looked very carefully at all the posted samples. It renders differently to the ASPH non FLE with quite harsh 'tramline' bokeh in middle distances at f2.8. This is a problem when lenses are corrected for focus shift, it damages the rendering. Its why I have the 50 APO cron rather than the Summilux. For me its one of the biggest issues with a. lens and a major reason for having the Leica system - some lenses are fabulous, some a bit flawed (for my personal intent).

12 hours ago, Dennis said:

 

 

 

 

[junix]

My current 3 lens setup: 28 Summaron | 35 Lux FLE | 50 Lux

I wanted to buy the 28 Lux but when I saw the Summaron in person, I mounted it on my M-A and I was sold.. a faster wide angle can wait.

Of the 3 lenses I own if I had to choose only 1 I would definitely go with the 35 FLE, amazing lens that can do almost everything. If I leave the house with just one camera and one lens it is 95% of the time the 35 FLE. If you're close enough to your subject you get nice bokeh, stopped down it is really sharp and with 1.4 you can shoot in almost any light condition.

Quoting Ken Rockwell: "This LEICA SUMMILUX-M 35/1.4 ASPH (moving element group) is a landmark lens, optically and mechanically. It is the only 35mm lens one will ever need, offering practical optical perfection, and ergonomic brilliance."

[Dennis]

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5 hours ago, junix said:

Of the 3 lenses I own if I had to choose only 1 I would definitely go with the 35 FLE, amazing lens that can do almost everything. If I leave the house with just one camera and one lens it is 95% of the time the 35 FLE. If you're close enough to your subject you get nice bokeh, stopped down it is really sharp and with 1.4 you can shoot in almost any light condition.

Thanks for sharing. One more vote for FLE

The difference with the SEM, it's that the FLE it could easily be, as you say, one-lens-only solution.  

Edited March 4, 2021 by Dennis

[Ko.Fe.]

I have 21, 35 and 50 at this moment. To me focal length, compactness and handling is more important than brands, models. 

My most universal RF lens is 35mm. 21 and 50 are only optional.  I looked at FLE and just see no reason in it. Bit bulky for my preferences and f1.4 is not something I need to pay such price. I'm OK with 35 1.4 II Nokton and 35 2.5 Summarit-M combo. With J-12 35 2.8. So I could have M-E 220, M4-2 and IIIc with 35mm at the same time

 

[Dennis]

14 minutes ago, Ko.Fe. said:

My most universal RF lens is 35mm. 21 and 50 are only optional. 

Not so much like you (I mean optional) but I think the same. The 35mm is my main and most used lens, then I want more information, I goes w/ the 21. If I want less information, more 2d look or shallow DoF, the 50 is my guy.

16 minutes ago, Ko.Fe. said:

I looked at FLE and just see no reason in it.

+1

I know this lens in outstanding, but $5.9K is a lot for me. I would probably buy soon the new CV 35/2 Ultron II (because of the new focus tab). mall, like, and effective. Don't you think?

[Ko.Fe.]

1 hour ago, Dennis said:

Not so much like you (I mean optional) but I think the same. The 35mm is my main and most used lens, then I want more information, I goes w/ the 21. If I want less information, more 2d look or shallow DoF, the 50 is my guy.

+1

I know this lens in outstanding, but $5.9K is a lot for me. I would probably buy soon the new CV 35/2 Ultron II (because of the new focus tab). mall, like, and effective. Don't you think?

I'm moved by surroundings for focal length.  21 for crowds, 35 for in-between and 50 for suburbs.

Once I'm into the DOF it means here is not much to photograph. :).  

This new CV 35/2 is aimed, made like 35 Cron. Which is good thing. Their previous 35 1.7 VM was not good for handling at all and this retro handle on previous 35/2 was too Cosina's retro. It is OK to have stick like this on their older 21/28, but on the modern 35 lens it is just wrong, IMO. 

CV lenses like this 35/2 ASPH II I had (Color Skopars 35, 25 in M mount) and Nokton 35 1.4 II I have now aren't as smooth in focusing as Summarit-M 35 2.5. But not to the point it is gets bad. IMO, this new Ultron is one of the best 35mm RF lenses from practical POV. Normal build, refined optics, perfect size.

Edited March 4, 2021 by Ko.Fe.

[Lelmer]

1 hour ago, Dennis said:

.... One more vote for FLE

.... 

I am afraid you'll have to consider the new 35 Apo summicron very soon...😄

[Anakronox]

So my regular kit as of late has been 21-35-50.   I carry the 21 Ultron f/1.8, Summilux 34 FLE, and the Summilux 50 ASPH.  I like 28, but it’s not as dramatic as getting in close with a 21!  I started with the 35 Nokton v2 as my fast 35 and I just didn’t like the dreaminess when combined with the 50 Lux.  So I upgraded a year ago and haven’t regretted the 35 FLE yet!  It’s my favorite and most-used lens, no exaggeration.  I love how it vignettes wide open, especially when shooting at night. It just punches up the atmosphere.

if you had to have one fast 35 and your budget accommodated, the Summilux FLE should be it.

[Dennis]

1 hour ago, Ko.Fe. said:

I'm moved by surroundings for focal length.  21 for crowds, 35 for in-between and 50 for suburbs.

ah, interesting 

1 hour ago, Ko.Fe. said:

This new CV 35/2 is aimed, made like 35 Cron. Which is good thing. IMO, this new Ultron is one of the best 35mm RF lenses from practical POV. Normal build, refined optics, perfect size.

+1

Never tried, but if one wants to live full "balanced" experience to shoot RF, with superb IQ, light and small, and interesting price, come on ...FWIS It totally make sense to me.

1 hour ago, Lelmer said:

I am afraid you'll have to consider the new 35 Apo summicron very soon...😄

If Leica, in a random raffle or because I'm a nice guy, wants to give me one copy of the lens, I would accept it. 🙂 But I don't see me spending that much for a lens. I prefer 10 times a less expensive lens, with (only) a 90% IQ. My photography doesn't need the 10% extra; I'm okay with 90%; thank you. If it happens, I will enjoy the APO lens, of course. 

Meanwhile, I also want to hear soon about the new CV 35/2 APO. In this case, I can justify spending money for another 35. The new Ultron and the new APO together, it's no bad at all 🙂

1 hour ago, Anakronox said:

So I upgraded a year ago and haven’t regretted the 35 FLE yet!  It’s my favorite and most-used lens, no exaggeration.  I love how it vignettes wide open, especially when shooting at night. It just punches up the atmosphere.

One more vote for the FLE

I get it. It's not the perfect lens, but well, it has a strong character and unique rendering I guess. Anyway, i would to try a FLE for a while 🙂

Edited March 4, 2021 by Dennis