35 summilux FLE or not, for film M camera

[cesc]

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I've been trying to find some reviews and opinions on this, but no luck so far. That's why I'm asking here.

I'm on the lookout for a 35mm Leica lens to be my main one for everyday use on my MP. I used to have the 35 FLE with my M10, and I really liked the results. But now that I'm shooting film exclusively (about 90% of the time), I'm wondering if the FLE might be overkill for film resolution. I'm kinda into the smaller size of the pre-asph or the reissued steel rim.

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and advice!

 

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[Jewl]

I am quite happy with the FLE on my MP as it is quite sharp wide open and on film I often have to rely on as much light as I can get. Especially in darker situations! But I also use it on my M11 and therefore idk whether this would have been my first choice if I only had an analog M. Believe the older 35mm Summiluxes are also great options / good enough!

[williamj]

Around here the advice is to never sell a Leica lens, you're always going to buy it back at a higher price :). Irwin Puts called this one of the best lenses Leica ever produced.

Ok, that to one side, I assume you've tested it on the film stocks you're going to use and you like or do not like the colours produced after the film was inverted and scanned by your lab or by yourself? But colours can be fixed.

Some film is equivalent to 24 Megapixels in resolution. If you're planning to shoot Tri-X or HP5+, that might be like 6 MPx but you might like everything else about the images so I wouldn't worry.

If you want some of the optical defects of older lenses [ahem character] then you'll have to try a lot of lenses to find the defects you like that gel with the images you are producing. No one can help you with that, only you know :). Although, if you are mainly shooting at F8 or F11 then it doesn't matter. Cheers.

Edited January 22, 2024 by williamj

[archive_all]

I use the FLE on color and bw film and love it, actually I prefer it on film over digital. Mine renders a little smoother on film wide open and stopped down it looks nice, in my opinion.

[Warton]

I have been using 35 'lux FLE on M-A for the last 5 month or so, with TMax400, Tri-X, HP5+, all look good. Not sure what your concerns are.