Leica 35mm f1.4 TL or Sigma 30mm f1.4 Contemporary Lens

[baretta]

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Which one is better? I know TL has more weight than Sigma, but in terms of IQ is it worth paying extra? Currently, I can get a new TL lens around USD1500 vs USD 285. And if using on SL3, there will be a difference with both lenses on IQ? 

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[tommonego@gmail.com]

If you are using it on an SL3 then you want a full frame lens both of these lenses are APS-C lenses. The SL3 will crop the image with at least the 35 TL and probably with the Sigma. The 35 SL asph is in another price category all togther. If you want a fast 35 for less money you may have to go to manual focus lenses, the Voigtlander 35 apo f2 is an excellent lens, that and a M to L mount adapter would be a little over $1000. If 35mm is more important than speed then a Zeiss 35mm f2.8 Biogon is one of the best 35mm lenses for Leica. If autifocus is essencial then you can look at Panasonic or Sigma lenses in L mount, just make sure they are full frame lenses. If you also have a TL(X) or CL they both work well with full frame lenses. 

Edited July 14, 2024 by tommonego@gmail.com

[dpitt]

I think the Summilux F1.4 35 TL is one of the best lenses Leica ever made for L mount.
It is made for APS-C sensors (the Sigma 30mm too), so your SL3 will switch to APS-C crop mode when you use this lens resulting in 50mm eq. and about 25 MP

I never compared it directly with the Leica SL APO lenses, but it seems to be very close in IQ. That is how good it is! It is a very compact and 'cheap' alternative to the expensive Leica  APO Summicron F2.0 50mm SL lens with about the same DOF.

I have used it on both my TL2 and SL with great results. So it would be a great small alternative to big full frame L mount lenses if you want to shoot 50mm - 25MP on the SL3 with top IQ.

Edited July 14, 2024 by dpitt

[KitW]

The Leica 35mm TL lens is probably the best lens I've ever owned. I've not tried the Sigma to compare. 

[TL3]

Also never tried the Sigma, but can highly vouch for the 35 mm TL.  I get a very high rate of keepers with this.  Also if you're shooting with Leica priced bodies anyway, the price of this lens isn't that bad in comparison for such a commonly used focal length as well.

I was watching a lecture by Peter Karbe, comparing the size of this lens relative to the sensor size.  The 35 TL is relatively larger than the 50 1.4 SL!  He also rated the performance of this lens quite highly, in keeping with my own experiences.

 

 

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[Steven Lane]

The TL 35 f1.4 is my favourite of the Leica lenses I own. I have several SL and TL lenses, including apo’s but there is something about the TL 35 that keeps me coming back to it. 

[dpitt]

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On 7/18/2024 at 8:56 PM, TL3 said:

Also never tried the Sigma, but can highly vouch for the 35 mm TL.  I get a very high rate of keepers with this.  Also if you're shooting with Leica priced bodies anyway, the price of this lens isn't that bad in comparison for such a commonly used focal length as well.

I was watching a lecture by Peter Karbe, comparing the size of this lens relative to the sensor size.  The 35 TL is relatively larger than the 50 1.4 SL!  He also rated the performance of this lens quite highly, in keeping with my own experiences.

 

Not only larger than the 50 1.4 SL but also on par in Image Performance with the 50 1.4 SL and the best M lenses. 
I did not really need the graphs to see that. Its quality shouted out from the first pictures that I took with it on my Leica SL. It was one of the reasons for me to look for an APSC body to pair it with (my TL2) because I wanted to see how it would perform on a body that was designed for it. In the end it is impressive on my TL2 but even more on my SL.

Edited July 24, 2024 by dpitt

[Torpille]

The TL 35 is a diamond that perfectly represents the summilux spirit. 
It's a little big for the CL, but it's perfect when you add the grip.  
The quality of the images produced is superb with the CL. 
Mounted on an SL, the level of images remains exceptional. 
It's a lens that makes you choose a system, and it's undoubtedly an interesting choice now, given the attractive second-hand prices.

Edited August 8, 2024 by Torpille

[An Nguyen]

Do not pair FF lens with Crop Body as it will drain the battery and make it difficult to focus