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Looking for a 35mm with similar rendering than 50mm Summilux v2 (pre-asph)


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Title says it all... I've got a version 2 50mm Summilux (pre-asph) and I really like the way it renders. It is sharp wide open, but not biting sharp. And more importantly (for me): out of focus areas are smooth.

I have tried several 35mm: Summilux FLE, Summicron Asph v2 and Summicron v4,. To my eyes, the Cron v4 has similar in-focus sharpness than the 50mm Summilux v2, but I don't like much its out of focus rendering... I'd say: too busy. The Cron Asph v2 is slightly better at that, but not much, and I'm more after a classic look...
Any recommendations?

Alain.

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Summilux 50mm v2 is really apart, even when they are of different period, the renderings are quite different (not much and difficult to describe).

I have tried some 35mm to have same (well not too far...) rendering, but I failed.

Those 35mm are Summilux pre-asph , Summicron I (8 elements), II , IV , asph. v I .

 

Curiously, the  "closest" (in 35mm for me ) is v 1 Summilux asph. ( only "asph." that I keep in 35mm, now ) in most cases with Monochrom.

Alain, I invite you to use the pre-asph 50mm along with the Summilux asph 35mm for a while, then decide by yourself.

 

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I use the 50mm Summilux pre-ASPH v.3 (optically the same as v.2) together with the 35mm Summilux pre-ASPH v.2, and I think they are a perfect duo. I have also had the 35mm Summicron v.4, but I think the 35mm Summilux has a little smoother OOF rendering, more similar to the 50mm.

Edited by evikne
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1 hour ago, shirubadanieru said:

But if you don’t like the OOF of the V4 I’m not sure if any other Leica 35mm will be to your taste to be honest.

Even the guy who hastily dubbed it ‘king of bokeh’ has since written that its out of focus blur is not very nice wide open or close distance.

Jeff

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2 hours ago, Jeff S said:

Even the guy who hastily dubbed it ‘king of bokeh’ has since written that its out of focus blur is not very nice wide open or close distance.

Jeff

Maybe the tastes of this guy have changed. Only fools never change their minds ;).

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12 minutes ago, lct said:

Maybe the tastes of this guy have changed. Only fools never change their minds ;).

No, Michael Johnston said he regretted that he didn't adequately test the lens before captioning a magazine photo with the term.  He has written extensively on the subject, especially after the description took off.  Easy to search The Online Photographer for various background stories.  BTW, he was also the guy who first published the term 'bokeh' (to help pronunciation of the Japanese boke) in the same magazine.  Many stories on that, too.

Jeff

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5 hours ago, evikne said:

I use the 50mm Summilux pre-ASPH v.3 (optically the same as v.2) together with the 35mm Summilux pre-ASPH v.2, and I think they are a perfect duo. I have also had the 35mm Summicron v.4, but I think the 35mm Summilux has a little smoother OOF rendering, more similar to the 50mm.

FYR.

P1 -- Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 , V3

 

P2 -- Summicron-M 35mm f/2, V4

 

P3 -- Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 , V3

 

P4 -- Summicron-M 35mm f/2, V4

 

 

P5 -- Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 , V3

 

P6 -- Summicron-M 35mm f/2, V4

 

P7 -- Summicron 50mm F2 Rigid V2 Type II

 

P8 --  APO-Summicron-M 50 f/2 ASPH.

 

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Good luck on your quest. Lol. I’ve been down the same road. To ME, the 50 Lux v2/3 is the best rendering Lens I’ve ever owned. I think when it comes to many cream of the crop lenses, the subtle nuances are almost too difficult to describe.  We just know when we like them.  I honestly have not found a 35 that does what that lens does, so I’ve resigned myself to generally use a Summaron 2.8 or FLE if I need the speed or something more modern.  If possible I just take a few steps back and use the 50 Lux.  It is interesting how people’s tastes are so vastly different. I like the 50 v2 much more than the asph but sometimes I think there’s something wrong with me after reading and looking at photos from the 50 asph. It’s good, but doesn’t have that magic for me. 

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6 hours ago, Jeff S said:

No, Michael Johnston said he regretted that he didn't adequately test the lens before captioning a magazine photo with the term.  He has written extensively on the subject, especially after the description took off.  Easy to search The Online Photographer for various background stories.  BTW, he was also the guy who first published the term 'bokeh' (to help pronunciation of the Japanese boke) in the same magazine.  Many stories on that, too.

Jeff

Those are subjective matters Jeff. I'm sure Mr Johnson is a good photographer or reviewer but his tastes are not necessarily mine and can change like anybody else. As far as my own tastes are concerned, i would not say that the 35/2 v4 is a king or queen of bokeh but i prefer its OoF rendering to that of some modern lenses with gaussian blur aka "creamy" bokeh. YMMV as always :cool:.

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13 hours ago, spydrxx said:

I'd suggest looking at the 35/2.8 Summaron...you might be pleasantly surprised.

I agree. I own the 50 lux V2 and the 35 Summaron 2.8. The best 35mm match that I add is the Summicorn 35mm 8 elements, but also the summaron is very good and the look matches the lux 50 v2.

Edited by MaDeVa
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2 hours ago, lct said:

Those are subjective matters Jeff. I'm sure Mr Johnson is a good photographer or reviewer but his tastes are not necessarily mine and can change like anybody else. As far as my own tastes are concerned, i would not say that the 35/2 v4 is a king or queen of bokeh but i prefer its OoF rendering to that of some modern lenses with gaussian blur aka "creamy" bokeh. YMMV as always :cool:.

Of course, he writes only his own opinions, and always mentions that.  His readers post contrary thoughts all the time, which he publishes and discusses. You can read his intelligent writings, on his free site, if you wish.

I only commented here because, ironically, another member commented as if virtually everyone likes the v.4 bokeh, when in fact these ARE personal tastes, AND (as Johnston now makes clear), a lens’ bokeh can vary greatly depending on conditions (aperture, distance, and more). 

I have zero personal opinion on the this lens, as I’ve never tried it, let alone owned it. 
 

Jeff

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4 hours ago, MaDeVa said:

I agree. I own the 50 lux V2 and the 35 Summaron 2.8. The best 35mm match that I add is the Summicorn 35mm 8 elements, but also the summaron is very good and the look matches the lux 50 v2.

Thank you all for the suggestions...

Is there any reason to prefer a  Summaron over a Summicron v1 8-elements? (for black and white on an M10 Monochrom)
I am having a hard time finding any thread comparing the two...

Alain.

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8 hours ago, alainD said:

Thank you all for the suggestions...

Is there any reason to prefer a  Summaron over a Summicron v1 8-elements? (for black and white on an M10 Monochrom)
I am having a hard time finding any thread comparing the two...

Alain.

Price mainly... the Summaron is beautiful even on digital monochrome. On my m246 I use it with a yellow K2 filter and I hardly have to process anything at all. It’s my best built lens next to my rigid 50 cron. If you can live with 2.8, it’s the one to get. Another perhaps unpopular answer would be to look into a light lens lab copy of the original 8 element. I paid $500 for mine and I have to say, it’s beautiful and built seemingly just as well as my summaron 2.8. Black enamel on brass.  They may go for more Than $500 now, but it’s a faithful reproduction to the 8 element from the comparisons I’ve seen.  If I had to get rid of one between the Cron Copy and the Summaron, Leica snobbery aside...I genuinely don’t know which I would keep for pure image quality aesthetic.  Back to the original point of the thread...I’d take my 50 Lux any day over either one. 

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8-Elements on M10-P, FYR. 
On a side note, the color rendition is not the same as Lux V2/V3. But it is outstanding for a vintage lens with a cine look(colors).
BTW, 8-Elements mounted on the M10M would be so much better on the same object while comparing with this image.
I'd get it online and share it with you guys sometime next week.

P1

 

P2

 

P3

Edited by Erato
adding more references
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vor 18 Stunden schrieb alainD:

Thank you all for the suggestions...

Is there any reason to prefer a  Summaron over a Summicron v1 8-elements? (for black and white on an M10 Monochrom)
I am having a hard time finding any thread comparing the two...

Alain.

A long time ago I did a non-scientific comparison of some Leica 35mm lenses including the Summaron and the Summicron V1. It's not on a Monochrom and not black and white but still might give you an idea.

 

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2 hours ago, Erato said:

8-Elements on M10-P, FYR. 
On a side note, the color rendition is not the same as Lux V2/V3. But it is outstanding for a vintage lens with a cine look(colors).
BTW, 8-Elements mounted on the M10M would be so much better on the same object while comparing with this image.
I'd get it online and share it with you guys sometime next week.

P1

 

P2

 

P3

Pretty nice car you have got there...I am ready for the P4 😄

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2 hours ago, Erato said:

8-Elements on M10-P, FYR. 
On a side note, the color rendition is not the same as Lux V2/V3. But it is outstanding for a vintage lens with a cine look(colors).
BTW, 8-Elements mounted on the M10M would be so much better on the same object while comparing with this image.
I'd get it online and share it with you guys sometime next week.

P1

 

P2

 

P3

Interesting images.  The Ferrari looks much better in B&W, which surprised me.

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