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35mm Summilux vs Summicron ASPH comparison

PeterKKB

By PeterKKB
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Huss
Huss

I did not find my Summicron 35 Asph v1 harsh or clinical.

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Huss

Huss

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11 hours ago, anickpick said:

1. Zeiss (highest resolution in the plane of focus, smooth, modern oof rendering)

2. CV (lowest resolution, a bit of glow, classic oof rendering)

3. FLE (typical modern Summilux drawing - best impression of three-dimensionality)

Incorrect!  The opposite.

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Huss

Huss

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11 hours ago, Al Brown said:

I did the same.

I took 3 representative images with my three 35mm lenses - 35 lux FLE, 35 summicron and 35 Old Delft all wide open. I was careful to pick the proper subject so the difference can clearly be seen, just like the poster above. The images were shot from the couch in my cellar. Lights off. At night.

Can you tell which is which? No cheating with the EXIF!

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Nice work!  I see how you appreciate 'that magic' at 1.4

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Huss

Huss

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The give-away, shooting at 1.4, is the CV has harsh outlines in the OOF circles in the background.  And the Zeiss image is cooler than the FLE image.

Also pixel peeping at 1.4 - which you couldn't do with these pics as posted - the CV is much softer in the center.  The Zeiss and FLE are about the same, but the Zeiss is contrastier.  These are things that can be adjusted in post.

Now some people on Fredmiranda - Fred in particular! - do the most incredible, intensive comparison tests, at all apertures, at different distances, from the corners across the entire field. When you do this, I have been told the ZM is the tops as it also shows a very flat focus field, while apparently the FLE is wavy etc.  Also tests for flare  and a bunch of other stuff.

Downsides with the ZM?  Obviously the size, I find the focus feel to feel very sticky, as if it is lubricated with molasses, and the aperture clicks area kinda harsh feeling and at 1/3 stops.  Downsides with the FLE?  I guess price.  Downsides with the CV?  Well, not as sharp as the other two, has smeary OOF shapes towards the sides wide open.  But the size and price is killer and still can make super pics in actual use.

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PeterKKB

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On 12/15/2022 at 6:17 PM, maxfairclough said:

I cannot speak for everyone, but a few years ago when I was looking at entering the Leica world for the first time, Leica had loaned me an M10 with a 35mm Summilux 1.4 FLE. 

I shot with it for a month. I loved how it rendered everything. 

I purchased a Leica M10 but ended up buying a Summicron (deal with the M10). I had read a lot about how contrasty it is, which is what I prefer over sharpness. I have a few Summicrons now and in love with them, but one thing I remember about the 35 Lux is how clinically sharp it felt at 1.4. 

You can't go wrong with either. Having both, I do prefer the cron for my own reasons. But the Lux is brilliant and sharp, Tthat's all I remember about that lens and the only experience I can compare it too. Oh and it felt slightly bigger/loner than the Cron, and I prefer a smaller lens.

Anyway photo of my brother shot at 1.4 with the Lux. It is nice. I agree you are probably splitting hairs between them if shot at f/4 etc.

 

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Thanks for the perspective. If I may ask: why do you prefer the Summicron? 

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PeterKKB

PeterKKB

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I decided and gotten the Summilux, somehow from reviews, comments, sample shots etc I felt it's what would work better for me. Thanks a lot for all the comments and thoughts you've shared, they were really helpful. I still have on the back of my mind the Summicron and plan to borrow and shoot with it to get a sense for it - has a lot going for it - but can't justify 2 35mm Leica lenses. 

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archive_all

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3 hours ago, PeterKKB said:

I decided and gotten the Summilux, somehow from reviews, comments, sample shots etc I felt it's what would work better for me. Thanks a lot for all the comments and thoughts you've shared, they were really helpful. I still have on the back of my mind the Summicron and plan to borrow and shoot with it to get a sense for it - has a lot going for it - but can't justify 2 35mm Leica lenses. 

Congrats on your lens. Did you buy the Summilux FLE v1? I've had mine for a few years and really like the mix of modern sharpness, moderate contrast and a little bit of classic rendering when wide open. I find it's a good blend and not too bland. I had a series of Summicrons from the V4 to the Asph 1 and Asph 2 but the V4 was my favorite and I only moved on because of the occasional veiling/ghosting flare. The Cron Asph 2 took care of that (not the Asph 1) but had the urge to go with the Summilux and despite the size it's such a nice single all around lens.

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PeterKKB

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19 hours ago, archive_all said:

Congrats on your lens. Did you buy the Summilux FLE v1? I've had mine for a few years and really like the mix of modern sharpness, moderate contrast and a little bit of classic rendering when wide open. I find it's a good blend and not too bland. I had a series of Summicrons from the V4 to the Asph 1 and Asph 2 but the V4 was my favorite and I only moved on because of the occasional veiling/ghosting flare. The Cron Asph 2 took care of that (not the Asph 1) but had the urge to go with the Summilux and despite the size it's such a nice single all around lens.

Thanks, I'm really excited about it waiting for it to arrive! I've gotten the ASPH (non-FLE) version. I debated a lot vs buying a new FLE but focus shift is not a big problem for me so at the end went with the ASPH. The Summicron v4 was also on my list with the ASPH and I hope I get the chance to shoot them both. I've handled the Summilux ASPH before buying and I'm OK with the size (although clearly Summicron is smaller). 

 

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8 hours ago, PeterKKB said:

Thanks, I'm really excited about it waiting for it to arrive! I've gotten the ASPH (non-FLE) version. I debated a lot vs buying a new FLE but focus shift is not a big problem for me so at the end went with the ASPH. The Summicron v4 was also on my list with the ASPH and I hope I get the chance to shoot them both. I've handled the Summilux ASPH before buying and I'm OK with the size (although clearly Summicron is smaller). 

 

I've heard that the non-FLE is a great lens. I haven't tried it myself but there seems to be many who prefer it over the FLE.

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shinobi2012

shinobi2012

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Am 19.12.2022 um 02:23 schrieb archive_all:

I've heard that the non-FLE is a great lens. I haven't tried it myself but there seems to be many who prefer it over the FLE.

yes it is...OOF is smoother and  more gently. I posted a comparison somewhere in the forum, I think "pre fee vs Fle"...People are so afraid of the Fokus shift.

I tested Fleagainst Pre fee at all distances...no Fokus shift , except the FLE is warmer and more contrast, pre FLE cooler

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shinobi2012

shinobi2012

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Posted (edited)
Am 12.12.2022 um 03:00 schrieb Huss:

I did not find my Summicron 35 Asph v1 harsh or clinical.

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in this kind of lightening, yes, it can be beautiful. But go out in daylight etc...it gets really harsh..used it for many years and never warmed up. I like the Summilux ASPH (pre fle) or the pre ASPh v2

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shinobi2012

shinobi2012

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Summilux ASPH Pre FLE on Monochrom CCD, all at 1.4 except the last (5.6)

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Huss

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26 minutes ago, shinobi2012 said:

in this kind of lightening, yes, it can be beautiful. But go out in daylight etc...it get rally harsh..used it for many years and never warmed up. I lie the Summilux ASPH or the pre ASPh v2

So in harsh lighting the lens gets harsh?  I dunno, I now have the 35 FLE and I've never encountered a situation where I think I'm glad I had it because with that daylight the shot would have been ruined with a Cron.

This pic came out ok in daylight with my Cron Asph v1.

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PeterKKB

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On 12/23/2022 at 8:48 PM, shinobi2012 said:

check here ... I posted some comparisons ...

 

Thanks for sharing, interesting, indeed more contrast. So far I like what I'm seeing from the the ASPH non-FLE version in the first few days - happy with the decision I've made!

 

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shinobi2012

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vor 13 Stunden schrieb PeterKKB:

Thanks for sharing, interesting, indeed more contrast. So far I like what I'm seeing from the the ASPH non-FLE version in the first few days - happy with the decision I've made!

 

yes, it is subtle, but I used the FLE and Pre fle in various conditions, and the pre FLE is more pleasing. this matters for film more than digital of course. in B&W pre fle somehow renders more tonality.

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ola.fiske

ola.fiske

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Interesting thread. I have four different 35mm leica lenses.

They are: 35mm summaron 3.5, 35mm summicron v3, 35mm summicron asph v1, 35mm summilux asph fle v1

Here are pictures taken with three of them. All taken at fully open aperture. Which photos/ lens can u guess?

 

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