28mm summilux vs 35 summilux FLE in regards to portraits

[exnihil0]

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I am currently in need of a versatile wide-angle lens that is also suitable for occasional portraits. I currently own the 50mm Summilux ASPH Black Chrome and the 75mm Summilux, both of which I love for their rendering and plan to keep forever. I started with the Q2 and its 28mm lens, which I used and loved, but it doesn't have the same character as the aforementioned lenses.

I've heard that the 28mm Summilux-M has a unique quality, as does the 35mm Summilux. For those with experience using both, which lens would you recommend for a walk-around, one-lens kit that can also handle portraits well? Ideally, I am looking for a wide-angle lens that combines the character of the 75mm Summilux with the modern smoothness of the 50mm Summilux. Which wide angle lens would best meet these criteria?

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[Ecar]

6 hours ago, exnihil0 said:

Ideally, I am looking for a wide-angle lens that combines the character of the 75mm Summilux with the modern smoothness of the 50mm Summilux. Which wide angle lens would best meet these criteria?

The 28/1.4. You may also want to consider the CV Nokton 28/1.5: I have no direct experience with it, but it may be what you are looking for - at a fraction of the cost.

[patrickcolpron]

Between those two, the 28 lux is the better lens, its rendering is much better than the 35 FLE. 

The 28 Lux is a better complement to the 50 Lux. 

3 hours ago, Al Brown said:

Check out the Voigtlander 35/1.2 (there are three series, but I and II are more or les same) ...

I'll second that, it is worth checking out. I have seen a few (many) sample images made with the Voigtlander 35/1.2 III to intrigues me enough, and be affordable enough to get one shortly soon. 

The 35 FLE is nice but nothing special, the 28 Lux is not only nice it is special due to its great rendering. 

[RexGig0]

Regarding “the modern smoothness of the Summilux,” well, if background blur is important, I will affirm that the 35 FLE has a different background character, with a quite “busy” bokeh, if things in the background are subject to that effect. Not smooth, at all. I do have, and love, the Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, and have test-shot a 35 FLE, which was a demonstrator lens at a Leica dealer. The 35 FLE performs well enough with human subjects, for that which is in-focus, and in the transition from in-focus to out-of-focus, so, I am not “hating” or “slamming” the FLE. If a portrait can be arranged so that the background cannot become a busy mess, the 35 FLE may do quite well. The FLE remains on my list of long-term, eventual contenders.

I have never even seen a Summilux-M 28mm, so, cannot be helpful with that part.

 

 

[exnihil0]

Thank you for the advice! I’ll check on those photographers you mentioned ! 

[costa43]

I much prefer the rendering of the 28mm Summilux to the fle but prefer the 35mm focal length for portraits over the 28mm. I would go for a vintage 35mm Summicron or Summilux over an fle, it’s a lens that doesn’t do it for me. As always, very subjective. 

[gotium]

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Prefer the 28 lux. The 35 lux gets busy and has a weird focal plane with unexpected things in sharp focus

Edited June 4, 2024 by gotium