35mm: Have Steel Rim Re-Issue. Sell my FLE for the APO?

[ELAN]

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2 hours ago, Mr.Kite said:

Which model is this exactly?

Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron-M IV model 11311

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/35mm_f/2_Summicron-M_IV

Edited September 5, 2024 by ELAN

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[Mr.Kite]

vor 1 Stunde schrieb ELAN:

Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron-M IV model 11311

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/35mm_f/2_Summicron-M_IV

Thanks!

[TheEyesHaveIt]

Well found an APO 35mm for a great price, so now I own all three...🫠

Need to spend some time comparing them to see how they fit with my photography. I am still drawn to the unique character of the SR (and the size). The APO is very clearly the sharpest corner to corner from f2 (even at f8 it just has better resolving power it seems) in my initial tests. Way less CA of course as well. The FLE is sort of in the middle - doesn't have the glow of the SR at 1.4 and doesn't have the sharpness of the APO corner to corner either. It's also the largest and heaviest of the three, but a good middle ground as well.

[darlesch]

In my opinion you should sell the FLE,

You have all the optical perfection you need in the 35 APO,

The 35 Steelrim complements that very well with its imperfections and its light weight.

The 35 FLE is a difficult grey zone.

I have the APO and SR and I sold the FLE. Don’t miss it.

[TheEyesHaveIt]

My bokeh test proved interesting - prefer the out of focus rendering of the FLE at 1.4 to everything else, but prefer the APO at f2 to both the FLE and the SR at f2. Though...I don't tend to shoot much at 1.4 with the Summilux lenses.

[darlesch]

Yes for sure, f1.4 FLE is nice. Matter of taste. I find SR wide open good enough for me to let go of FLE. On the topic of bokeh, take note that the bokeh balls at f2 for the FLE is hexagonal versus the APO which is perfectly round. Interesting right? 

[TheEyesHaveIt]

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2 hours ago, darlesch said:

Yes for sure, f1.4 FLE is nice. Matter of taste. I find SR wide open good enough for me to let go of FLE. On the topic of bokeh, take note that the bokeh balls at f2 for the FLE is hexagonal versus the APO which is perfectly round. Interesting right? 

Yes - that’s where I preferred the APO from f2 onwards. The SR is quite noisy and swirly in comparison to the smooth rendering of the other two - but another reason why the SR isn’t duplicative.

[tom0511]

now after some time with the lenses...whats your experience?

Personally I haven't used my FLE after getting the APO. But instead of a steel rim I got a cv35/1.4. Overall I really love the APO, use the CV when I want more  old style rendering.

[hansvons]

17 hours ago, tom0511 said:

Overall I really love the APO, use the CV when I want more  old style rendering.

Good choice!! This is basically the setup I’d buy, if money (almost) wasn't an objection and the Steel Rim were a 10% lens for special applications which would not warrant the original. The CV 35mm Nokton f/1.4 SC is a sleeper in Leicaristi circles, resembling to 90% the SR; so is the 35mm Summarit (approx 90% of the 35mm APO at f/4 and above).

The APO and the SR/Nokton show their highly different personality on high-acutance B&W film fullest with gorgeous images at full aperture in a night-to-day scenario when the subject is in a close to medium distance (on digital, I find the SR/Nokton too mushy at full aperture). On a digital M, the APO is certainly also a gem for landscape shots between f/2 and f2.8 at far distances and for environmental portraits at full aperture. Above f/2.8, the Summarit is closing in, and the APO loses its uniqueness.

If I had the budget I’d add the APO without further thinking. It’s a specialist lens in its own right when used appropriately at full aperture. But for my photography, which consists mostly of analogue-shot landscapes and people in B&W (also on film), and often printed large, I have no use case for the APO that the Summarit can't do. 

(That said, there are many other reasons and use cases why 35mm Summiluxes from V2 to FLE or the Summicrons from 8 Elements to ASPH (me) have their place. Only the difference between the SR and the APO is the starkest of all 35mm M lenses, and insofar a remarkable combination.)

[steve edmunds]

i like the thread for the sheer enthusiasm and passion showed , its great to see and without any snarky negativity,,

I mostly use the zeiss 35mm f1.4 distagon which in my view combines sharpness and gorgeous rendition but which 35mm lens would be nice for me which is much smaller ? i do lean towards the KOB version iv summicrom even thought its over priced but no rush.

[Maverick1st]

On 8/30/2024 at 9:50 PM, Abram said:

I’m in the dual 35mm boat right now actually as I’ve been using the 35mm FLE for quite a few years now as a primary lens and I know it well. I just recently had the opportunity to purchase the 35 Steel Rim reissue second-hand (and Leica sent me the updated lens hood this week no charge) as I previously owned the 35 Summilux V2 a number of years ago and really quite missed having one. 

I have already really taken to the Steel Rim and any perceived flaws with the lens hood or whatever don’t bother me. Sure I’d have preferred a black lens too but it’s so small, again it’s a non-issue. I wasn’t intending to sell my FLE as it’s been such a reliable and consistent lens for me to work with, and also fits in really well with my setup (21 SEM, 35 FLE, 50 Asph and a 90 Elmarit), but you never know. I may decided to simplify things. 

All I can say is that my first impression of the Steel Rim is very positive and I really enjoy its rendering. My primary camera is the M10 Monochrom but it will also be used on film. 

Just curious how you are getting along with it on your M10M now that you have had it for a few more month. I am in the current process of wanting to add a 35mm to my M10M and debating between it and the FLE v1. 

Edited December 19, 2024 by Maverick1st

[smkoush]

I compared the APO, FLE, and pre-ASPH summilux. The APO stands out for color saturation, color fidelity (no fringing), and sharpness across the field. The FLE is unbeatable at 1.4 and as sharp on-axis as the APO (but less so away from center), and the pre-asph summilux is impressively close to the FLE at small apertures. You can follow the discussion starting halfway down this page: