What's your favorite 35mm lens on the M11? Any surprises compared to prior M bodies?

[eyeheartny]

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So I finally have my first M body on the way, picked up a black M11. I'm paring down my photo kit to one lens and one body to get used to rangefinder focus/handling/etc (and to let my poor wallet recover). Since I love the 35mm FoV and it matches how I see the world, I'll pick up one lens to start. 

I have a Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f2 II on the way, but may rent/explore a few other options once I get my feet under me: the Leica Summicron 35mm ASPH II, the Summilux 35 FLE, and *maybe* put in a pre-order for a 35 APO if I can get one from one of the international dealers that have better prices compared to the US (i.e., UK stores). I've seen some conflicting reports about each of those lenses on their own (i.e., that the Summicron isn't leaps and bounds better than the Ultron; that the FLE has had a higher than expected rate of issues on the M11, etc) with the exception of the 35 APO, but it may be a while before I can get one at a price point I can swallow. 

That said, what are your favorites 35s specifically on the M11? I know that the BSI sensor, different color science, and higher resolution is going coax slightly different looks/performances out of different lenses. I'm curious which ones have surprised you as being especially good or shockingly *not good* as compared to their performance on other M bodies? Any sleeper/under the radar hits I should consider-- in other words, great 35s (vintage or new, Leica or 3rd party) I may not have considered and that are either great value for money or just really special/unique lenses? 

Edited September 2, 2022 by eyeheartny

[lct]

My main 35mm lenses are Summilux 35/1.4 FLE, Summicron 35/2 asph v1 and 35/2 v4, Nokton 35/1.4 v2, Ultron 35/2 asph and Biogon 35/2.8. They work fine on the M11 the same way as they do on the M240. Differences coming from the BSI sensor are mainly visible on wider lenses like Super-Angulon 21/3.4 and Skopar 21/4 that don't produce red edges on the M11 contrary to the M240.

[eyeheartny]

20 minutes ago, lct said:

My main 35mm lenses are Summilux 35/1.4 FLE, Summicron 35/2 asph v1 and 35/2 v4, Nokton 35/1.4 v2, Ultron 35/2 asph and Biogon 35/2.8. They work fine on the M11 the same way as they do on the M240. Differences coming from the BSI sensor are mainly visible on wider lenses like Super-Angulon 21/3.4 and Skopar 21/4 that don't produce red edges on the M11 contrary to the M240.

How do you feel the FLE holds up in this era? I've seen comments that it needs an update (similar to the 50 Lux ASPH) and that some have speculated an update will be coming later this year for it. I've also seen various comments about it lacking sharpness compared to the 35 APO. I know sharpness isn't everything but am reluctant to spend that much on a lens that isn't outstanding. Curious what your thoughts are since you seem to be a true 35 person like me! 😀

[wdahab]

Imo, if the 35APO is within your range in the future (as you indicate), get something to bide your time and then get that when you get off the list. Went from the Summicron ASPH to the APO and I can't express how massive the difference in quality is. It's definitely not a "you need this lens" but it's definitely a "if you can afford this lens and *want* to afford this lens, it's amazing. Reviews don't do justice to it.

If not the 35APO, then all the lenses are great and you're just choosing price vs capabilities.

Edited September 2, 2022 by wdahab

[lct]

9 minutes ago, eyeheartny said:

[...] Curious what your thoughts are since you seem to be a true 35 person like me! 

Haha in fact I am a true 50 person with a couple of 35mm lenses to better convince me of their total inferiority . Just kidding but I'm more interested in the character of lenses than in their performance generally so i don't share the comments you are referring to. I have no experience with the 35/2 apo though.

[Guest]

2 hours ago, eyeheartny said:

So I finally have my first M body on the way, picked up a black M11. I'm paring down my photo kit to one lens and one body to get used to rangefinder focus/handling/etc (and to let my poor wallet recover). Since I love the 35mm FoV and it matches how I see the world, I'll pick up one lens to start. 

I have a Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f2 II on the way, but may rent/explore a few other options once I get my feet under me: the Leica Summicron 35mm ASPH II, the Summilux 35 FLE, and *maybe* put in a pre-order for a 35 APO if I can get one from one of the international dealers that have better prices compared to the US (i.e., UK stores). I've seen some conflicting reports about each of those lenses on their own (i.e., that the Summicron isn't leaps and bounds better than the Ultron; that the FLE has had a higher than expected rate of issues on the M11, etc) with the exception of the 35 APO, but it may be a while before I can get one at a price point I can swallow. 

That said, what are your favorites 35s specifically on the M11? I know that the BSI sensor, different color science, and higher resolution is going coax slightly different looks/performances out of different lenses. I'm curious which ones have surprised you as being especially good or shockingly *not good* as compared to their performance on other M bodies? Any sleeper/under the radar hits I should consider-- in other words, great 35s (vintage or new, Leica or 3rd party) I may not have considered and that are either great value for money or just really special/unique lenses? 

The ZEISS Distagon T* 35mm f/1.4 ZM is an outstanding performer on the M11. Biggest drawback IMHO is its length, with more viewfinder blockage compared to the 35mm APO Summicron. Image quality is superb under all conditions, and f/1.4 for me is non-negotiable for a 35mm (I looked at my inventory of 28mm and 35mm Lightroom pictures over the years and the majority are shot at apertures f/1.x).

[eyeheartny]

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1 hour ago, wdahab said:

Imo, if the 35APO is within your range in the future (as you indicate), get something to bide your time and then get that when you get off the list. Went from the Summicron ASPH to the APO and I can't express how massive the difference in quality is. It's definitely not a "you need this lens" but it's definitely a "if you can afford this lens and *want* to afford this lens, it's amazing. Reviews don't do justice to it.

If not the 35APO, then all the lenses are great and you're just choosing price vs capabilities.

I’m not sure how long the waiting lists are in Europe. I’m in the US but the price difference with EU sellers is massive. So if I can find one at those ex-VAT prices I’d buy it today, I just can’t find one at those prices. The Hong Kong dealers are charging a markup. 
 

Great to hear that you are liking the APO though. Everything I’ve seen makes it seem like it is an astounding lens. As a 35mm fan it seems like a true “one and done” lens. 

[eyeheartny]

11 minutes ago, mzbe said:

The ZEISS Distagon T* 35mm f/1.4 ZM is an outstanding performer on the M11. Biggest drawback IMHO is its length, with more viewfinder blockage compared to the 35mm APO Summicron. Image quality is superb under all conditions, and f/1.4 for me is non-negotiable for a 35mm (I looked at my inventory of 28mm and 35mm Lightroom pictures over the years and the majority are shot at apertures f/1.x).

yeah it’s just too big for me. One of the key reasons for coming to the M system is the small size and that lens is…robust. Just too big for me. 

[jakontil]

I used to have the zeiss distagon and loved every bit of images it made, but size wise is a big stumbling block, even my noct 0.95 wont get the privilege in my bag

[eyeheartny]

5 hours ago, jakontil said:

I used to have the zeiss distagon and loved every bit of images it made, but size wise is a big stumbling block, even my noct 0.95 wont get the privilege in my bag

So what did you end up with at 35 or 50 that you actually use regularly and are happy with?

[jakontil]

49 minutes ago, eyeheartny said:

So what did you end up with at 35 or 50 that you actually use regularly and are happy with?

The 50 im very much in limbo, when travelling or going one lens im divided between the apo or 50 noctilux 1.2, but for photo sessions, i might go with the lux asph and the 0.95noct 

for 35 im solely depending on f2 summicron and i have the 28 summaron too

may be im not the guy who comfortably shoot outside the 50 focal length but one thing certain i always prefer the more compact lens, the FLE was nice and more preferred than the ziess but that’s bcoz it was more compact

now im starting to think if i should get that back 😂

[Photoworks]

you have many lenses in this list and don't think you can make a group statement .

traditionally  the 35 FLE was better then the summicron, but not that the APO35 is out that can be better in some cases.

I think the decision would be on the look a lens can give you. that is the reason many have multiple versions of the same focal length.

for the the ultimate look is the 1.4 from the 35 FLE. I shoot it often at 1.4 for portraits, even on the SL2, almost never use the SL 35 Apo.

For many people that start looking at lenses, performance is associated with sharpness. Not to me. If I need sharpness I just got to f8 and I got it in most lenses.

If sharpness and micro contrast is you primary concern, go for the 35APO, or the 35 APO lanthar.

I was talking to a dealer about the 35 APO, he was saying that they not even taking preorders, they have already preorders for 2 years. apparently they are complicated to make and they send them often back for calibration from the stores after they have taking a plane ride to the store.

I am super happy with the 35 FLE and it is my lens choice if only one lens is allowed.

[bourne]

35 Summicron is a winner on all counts..... small, sharp, always a pleasure to have on the camera!

[Photoworks]

here is a review of the FLE

https://jacktaka.com/leica-35mm-f14-summilux-fle

good read

[S Maclean]

The cron asph 2. works well for me.  I have traditionally been a 50 rather than a 35 so I have the APO 50 and the Lux 50.

This said I have been exploring the 35 more seriously and am slowly getting better with it.  Just have to be deliberate and disciplined enough to commit to it and not bring another lens out for a few days.

I am getting good results, and the 35 has some specific advantages over the 50 to bring more context and character to the picture as a whole.  So maybe I'll explore the 35 lux later on. I don't think I'll need the APO having the Cron.

[sdk]

I have been using the Zeiss 35mm/1.4 Distagon ZM on my new M11, and the results are astonishingly good so far. The only issue with 3rd party or uncoded lenses is that the M11 does not always keep auto lens detection off. If you swap lenses, it can default back to auto lens detection, and if it sees a coded lens, then an uncoded lens it defaults to a 21mm/2.8 profile, which does not seem to negatively impact image quality, but is annoying. I can fire this in Lightroom with the LensTagger plugin, so it's not a huge deal. I am getting into the habit of resetting lens coding detection to off when I use the lens after a Leica one.

I bet the new 35mm/2 Apo Summicron-M ASPH is really good on this camera, but the price is prohibitive, and it does not make sense for someone who already has an amazing 35mm/1.4.

[sdk]

I have the Voigtländer 35mm/2 Apo Lanthar too, but have not yet tried it on the M11. It is a tricky lens on my Leica M-P typ 240 due to focus shift issues (focus zone shifts away from the camera when stopping down). I will be trying the M11 / 35mm Apo Lanthar combo out in the field some time soon.

[lct]

1 hour ago, sdk said:

I have been using the Zeiss 35mm/1.4 Distagon ZM on my new M11, and the results are astonishingly good so far. The only issue with 3rd party or uncoded lenses is that the M11 does not always keep auto lens detection off. If you swap lenses, it can default back to auto lens detection, and if it sees a coded lens, then an uncoded lens it defaults to a 21mm/2.8 profile, which does not seem to negatively impact image quality, but is annoying. I can fire this in Lightroom with the LensTagger plugin, so it's not a huge deal. I am getting into the habit of resetting lens coding detection to off when I use the lens after a Leica one.

Why don't you hand code your Zeiss 35/1.4? Just curious.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, lct said:

Why don't you hand code your Zeiss 35/1.4? Just curious.

If you decide to hand code the Zeiss, I saw a supposed recommendation from Leica to select it as a Summicron-M 1:2/28 ASPH, not (as I initially would have thought) as a 35mm Summilux.

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[eyeheartny]

8 hours ago, Photoworks said:

here is a review of the FLE

https://jacktaka.com/leica-35mm-f14-summilux-fle

good read

Yes, thanks—I’ve seen Jack’s reviews and know he’s a huge fan of the FLE. I think I’ll rent it along with the 35 Cron once my M11 and 35 Ultron arrive. Will be good to do some basic comparisons.