35mm - This is the way!

[pippy]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

8 minutes ago, Dennis said:

...(the) 12505 Leica hood is not screw on, right?

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 fall off.

First of all, no; the 12585 is a clip-on hood like the IROOA. It is similar in style to the hoods pictured above (i.e. vented reverse-conical) and was intended to be used with the 'f2 and slower' 35mm and 50mm lenses;

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/12585

The type pictured above is either a Leica 12504 hood or a copy thereof which is the one used with the 35mm Summilux v2. This - as you can see - unscrews in the middle to allow for the Series VII filters to be dropped in place and the hood clips on to the lens in the same way as does the IROOA. This hood is neccessary for the v2 Summilux as the lens does not have a filter thread!

12585 hoods are very good and, because so many have been manufactured over these last five decades, can usually be picked up on the used market for a very reasonable sum of money. The 12538 hood is almost the same as the 12585 except the front (non-clip) part is made from plastic instead of steel.

Philip.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Dennis]

26 minutes ago, pippy said:

First of all, no; the 12585 is a clip-on hood like the IROOA. It is similar in style to the hoods pictured above (i.e. vented reverse-conical) and was intended to be used with the 'f2 and slower' 35mm and 50mm lenses;

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/12585

The type pictured above is either a Leica 12504 hood or a copy thereof which is the one used with the 35mm Summilux v2. This - as you can see - unscrews in the middle to allow for the Series VII filters to be dropped in place and the hood clips on to the lens in the same way as does the IROOA. This hood is neccessary for the v2 Summilux as the lens does not have a filter thread!

12585 hoods are very good and, because so many have been manufactured over these last five decades, can usually be picked up on the used market for a very reasonable sum of money. The 12538 hood is almost the same as the 12585 except the front (non-clip) part is made from plastic instead of steel.

Philip.

Thank you Philip, It makes sense now.

[Dennis]

I didn't forget about you. I've just been busy the last days. I also shoot a wedding with M (as third photographer 🤣 but I learned/understood a lot how it feels like [hopefully pictures coming soon] ).

Later this afternoon I will go out and shoot some shots with the LLL 8-element, I will post here some photos and impressions. Of course!

Stay tuned 

[Dennis]

LLL 35/2 8-element

SOOC - jpgs exported from original DNG. Applied M10 profile in LR mobile, no crops, no editings.

at F2

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Dennis]

LLL At F2

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Dennis]

LLL at F2 at MFD

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Dennis]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

LLL at F2 at infinity (with lock )

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Dennis]

LLL at F4

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Dennis]

LLL at F8

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited February 22, 2022 by Dennis

[Dennis]

 (first) First impressions? Super Love it! It's an extraordinary lens. I'm so glad I bought it, just what I asked for. Thank you for your help 🙏 I will write a few more words soon 🙂  Meanwhile, I hope the photos are helpful.

Don't forget to click on the high-rez  

Edited February 22, 2022 by Dennis

[pippy]

10 hours ago, Dennis said:

 (first) First impressions? Super Love it! It's an extraordinary lens. I'm so glad I bought it, just what I asked for...

I'm relieved delighted to read that you like it, Dennis.

Out of curiosity; did the IROOA stay at home during your outing with the lens and are you considering getting a filter to protect the front element?

Philip.

[Dennis]

34 minutes ago, pippy said:

I'm relieved delighted to read that you like it, Dennis.

Out of curiosity; did the IROOA stay at home during your outing with the lens and are you considering getting a filter to protect the front element?

Philip.

Thank you Philip.

Correct. The IROOA stayed at home and used a high-quality UV filter instead... Like this, the camera/lens size is heaven 🙂 

Edited February 22, 2022 by Dennis

[Dennis]

@Jeff S The infinity lock on LLL is well done. It's easy to lock/unlock. Actually, the lens performance at infinity has exceeded my expectations.

@rscheffler I tested the lens at f4, and I didn't find any focus shift at all. So probably the last versions (including V6LC) are already corrected.

@IkarusJohn - @matted here, my "second" impressions:

This wonderful tiny lens has definitely surprised me. I have little experience with M-mount lenses, especially with "old" glasses. I see many pictures around the web with some rendering that I sometimes find very old or just not pleasant to my eyes. But the LLL has an attractive look and feel, and it performs well. I used it exclusively f2 + f4 + f8 for testing

• Size. More petite than my CV 35/1.4 II, very balanced and a joy to use 
• Build. again, no much experience with lenses, but so far, I would choose first. It's tiny but straightforward to handle, and the all brass material just feels like a premium quality lens.
• Infinity lock (IL). If there were two lens options (let's pretend) w/ or w/o the IL, I would probably take the lens with. It's super easy to unlock, and it totally makes sense when needed.
• Sharpening. Considering it's an old lens design (1958?) It deliveries terrific results. Of course, it's not as sharp as modern lenses, but enough for me. Always sharp in the center with lovely soft corner and vignette @f2. And at @f4 and @f8 is sharper but not so much more. Which I think is fine because I don't want (with this lens) super sharpening. 
• Choices. My modern 35mm default lens is my trusty Summicron Asph I. If I want a different render, but not so old or glowy, I think the LLL is my choice. It passes my CV 35/1.4 II. The latter is a lens I really like, two lenses in one, I would say. Wide-open is one thing. Stopped down is another world, but they work well together. I think the LLL (compared to Nokton) is more "coherent" at any aperture. It has a similar look, just different DoF and sharpening, but still very similar. Which is terrific, at least for me.
• Hood. I will hunt for a tiny lens hood. I definitely prefer to use the lens w/o hood; the IROOA it's so big for my taste.
• Focus tab. My copy is still a bit tight, which is the opposite of the loose of the Cron Asph I. Not sure if it will need extensive use or will remain like this. It reminds me the focus tab of the TT 35/1.4
• Black paint. It's beautiful and premium. Lovely aesthetics, it looks very good.

@pippy and @shirubadanieru, again, thank you for your help.

I think I said it all for now. As long I use it more often, I'm sure I will discover it better. But if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

 

[Jeff S]

I’ve never had a need for an infinity lock. The one on my soon to be sold Summaron f2.8 is probably as well done as most, but still an unnecessary complication for me. The hard to obtain LLL, while well done overall, holds no interest, but the readily available and inexpensive Ultron II might still get a test.  CameraQuest has a 30 day, no questions asked return policy.

Jeff

[Dennis]

7 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

I’ve never had a need for an infinity lock. The one on my soon to be sold Summaron f2.8 is probably as well done as most, but still an unnecessary complication for me. The hard to obtain LLL, while well done overall, holds no interest, but the readily available and inexpensive Ultron II might still get a test.  CameraQuest has a 30 day, no questions asked return policy.

Jeff

Me too, I never had a need for an I.L. But because is there already, it could be a plus. It's very smooth to unlock it, easy.

If you have already the Summaron, and like it, it makes more sense if you get the Ultron II, absolutely.

[pippy]

2 hours ago, Dennis said:

...I think I said it all for now. As long I use it more often, I'm sure I will discover it better...

As it happens (but probably no surprise) your initial comments here pretty much match my own views on the LLL (apart from my not having the 35mm Nokton). Only differences being I like a hood () and, as I believe I mentioned in a PM, for 'Choices' I'd be very hard-put to choose between the 8-E and my v2 Summilux: so much so, in fact, that I regularly take out both...

FWIW mine has a focus-action which is as smooth as silk so hopefully yours will ease-up once it gets used a bit more.

Have fun with it, Dennis; they really are quite special little things to find in these days which, all too frequently, are stuffed-full with mass-produced mediocrity.

Philip.

[Jeff S]

14 minutes ago, Dennis said:

Me too, I never had a need for an I.L. But because is there already, it could be a plus. It's very smooth to unlock it, easy.

If you have already the Summaron, and like it, it makes more sense if you get the Ultron II, absolutely.

But you wrote regarding the infinity lock: “and it totally makes sense when needed.”  For me, that would be never.

As noted, my Summaron is soon to be sold.  I’ll be down to Summicron ASPH v.1 and Summilux FLE for 35’s. Each has pros and cons for me.  The Ultron might be a replacement, not an addition.  I prefer fewer lenses.  My only other M lenses these days are a single 28 and one 50. Everything else is covered with SL2 and SL lenses.

Jeff

[Dennis]

6 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

But you wrote regarding the infinity lock: “and it totally makes sense when needed.”  For me, that would be never.

As noted, my Summaron is soon to be sold.  I’ll be down to Summicron ASPH v.1 and Summilux FLE for 35’s. Each has pros and cons for me.  The Ultron might be a replacement, not an addition.  I prefer fewer lenses.  My only other M lenses these days are a single 28 and one 50. Everything else is covered with SL2 and SL lenses.

Jeff

I guess like me, you appreciate the magic of 28-50 M-focal range. 

Sell the Summaron and go for the Ultron II. And let us know 

 

4 minutes ago, pippy said:

As it happens (but probably no surprise) your initial comments here pretty much match my own views on the LLL (apart from my not having the 35mm Nokton). Only differences being I like a hood () and, as I believe I mentioned in a PM, for 'Choices' I'd be very hard-put to choose between the 8-E and my v2 Summilux: so much so, in fact, that I regularly take out both...

mine has a focus-action which is as smooth as silk so hopefully yours will ease-up once it gets used a bit more.

Have fun with it, Dennis; they really are quite special little things to find in these days which, all too frequently, are stuffed-full with mass-produced mediocrity.

Philip.

Glad you share some thoughts about the lens. And you understood my point about 'Choices': When I don't use my Summicron Asph, the CV 35/1.4 II was my second favorite. Now that I have the LLL, who knows. Grateful I can choose from. But with the lenses I have, I put the LLL in the same no-modern category. So, the LLL will be a reference. 
About focusing, it's correct. I hope it will ease up with use. But it's not a big deal. 

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Jeff S]

Just now, Dennis said:

I guess like me, you appreciate the magic of 28-50 M-focal range. 

 

 

 

For an M, yes. With the exception of brief runs with a 75 and 90, have stuck with 28/35/50 M lenses since the 80’s. These focal lengths best suit the RF experience IMO.
 

But since the 70’s, I’ve used formats ranging from 35mm to 8x10, covering 11 brands, with a host of lens focal length options. The Ultron, though, would be my first non-Leica M lens in 35+ years.

Jeff

[Dennis]

3 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

These focal lengths best suit the RF experience IMO.

+1

3 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

The Ultron, though, would be my first non-Leica M lens in 35+ years.

Go for it, and see how it feels like to shoot with a non-Leica M lens. Then you tell us