35 TL vs 23 TL

[brickftl]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I'm a new CL owner. I'm also a M11M owner and have some superb M lenses that I plan to use with the CL. 

However I'd like a couple of AF lenses to use with the CL. I already ordered the 18 TL, and I need to decide on another one.

My preferred second AF lens in terms of focal length is the 23 TL, but everything I've read says that the image quality of that lens is blown away by the 35 TL. Also I'd rather have the wider f1.4 of the 35 TL rather than the f2 of the 23 TL.

My hesitance with the 35 TL as compared to the 23 TL is both its size/weight and also focal length (an effective 50mm length is a bit more than I want). 

So the question is whether with proper shooting technique are images of the 23 TL just not going to be nearly as good as those with the 35 TL?

[LocalHero1953]

As a former owner of both lenses and both TL2 and Cl (none of them now), I confirm that the 35TL is much better than the 23TL, which I sold long before the rest. Nothing really wrong with the 23, just that the 35 was visibly superb - in the whole Leica ecosystem, not just the crop TL system.

That said, I would pick a lens first on its focal length and how I would use it, and then make my choices among the lenses of that FL. I wouldn't choose on lens quality first - you would then choose both 35 and 60 before even considering the 23! 

[brickftl]

well I agree that my first consideration is focal length. But if the image quality of images with my first choice (23) is below the clarity/sharpness that I find acceptable, then I have no choice but to get the 35 even though it's not my first choice in length.  

[thatkatmat]

I owned both and like you prefer the 23mm FL for general walkaround.  I ended up keeping the 23mm for the FL. It's a nice little compact lens. The 35 isn't a nice little compact lens, it's really big on the little CL, beyond that, the focus is jittery in anything but single shot AF and the CA is strong and tough to get rid of in post...i wanted to like it, even kept it for my SL system thinking it would be a better fit, but the AF just wasn't up to task. 

Sold all my TL gear after Leica dumped the CL system (what a shame, I'd have bought a CL2 for sure)

[brickftl]

I'm thinking that the 35TL has too many issues, not to mention its size/weight, that aren't overcome by its image quality. So I'll just use one of my 35 M lenses on the CL (I have 2 great ones - 35 cron APO and 35 steel rim reissue) and be prepared to manually focus them.

But then that leaves the question whether the 23 TL is otherwise an excellent lens or just average, in which case maybe I'll just have the 18 TL as my only AF walk around lens, and revert to manual focus M lenses for other purposes

[LocalHero1953]

Well, the 23 is a better lens for IQ than the 18. I thought I would like it for its size, but it never convinced me it was up to Leica's normal high standards.

[brickftl]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I ordered the 18, will have around 10 days to decide to send it back for a refund. And I'm wondering if I'm going to think it's image quality is pretty much crap.

[LocalHero1953]

I shouldn’t be too harsh. The size of the 18 is actually a strong argument for it - I’m sure Leica were aware they were making compromises for size. It works best on the TL2, where it makes the camera (almost) pocketable. 

[tommonego@gmail.com]

The 23 is a decent lens, just not in the same category as the 35 TL, that said the 35 TL is big for the CL, I use an M Summilux 35 on mine, much nicer size. I have two TL lenses, the 11-23 and the 23, while it sounds redundent, at 23 the 11-23 is f4.5 and the 23 is an f2, but 23 Summicron is also a little longer lens than the 23 on the 11-23. Since you us an M camera, think about using the M lenses on the CL, manual focus but that is relatively easy with focus assist and magnification. Remeber you have a cropped sensor so the apparent focal length is 1.5x the stated focal length.

Edited October 26, 2024 by tommonego@gmail.com

[brickftl]

15 minutes ago, tommonego@gmail.com said:

The 23 is a decent lens, just not in the same category as the 35 TL, that said the 35 TL is big for the CL, I use an M Summilux 35 on mine, much nicer size. I have two TL lenses, the 11-23 and the 23, while it sounds redundent, at 23 the 11-23 is f4.5 and the 23 is an f2, but 23 Summicron is also a little longer lens than the 23 on the 11-23. Since you us an M camera, think about using the M lenses on the CL, manual focus but that is relatively easy with focus assist and magnification. Remeber you have a cropped sensor so the apparent focal length is 1.5x the stated focal length.

Thanks good advice!

[maidenfan84]

I have both lenses and the 35mm TL is the hero lens, no question about it. The 23mm is a fine lens in its own right, but once you use and see the results of the 35mm, even Ray Charles can see how much the lens is in a league of its own. It’s definitely bigger and heavier than the 23, but for good reason. The 35mm is also made in Germany, whereas the 23mm is made in japan (not a big deal but some people prefer German made lenses only). I use my 23mm when I want something lightweight, compact, and having fun shooting photos. My 35mm comes out when I want to do some serious style work, etc. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either lens. You will see the reason for the price difference of the 35mm over the 23mm if you go that route, though. 

[Torpille]

 It seems to me that the focal length is the priority choice. 
The rendering of the 23 mm is very Summicron. 
The TL 35's rendering is much clearer   
Both optics are good, but size may be a factor   

I think the TL18 and TL 35 solution makes sense. 

possibility is to have only the 18 56 zoom and use M lenses for everything else. 
(The summilux M35 is an excellent alternative to the TL 35)
 

[AdHox]

There are also quite a few Sigma AF primes that are designed for full frame, but are quite compact. IIRC, there are two 24mm lenses in that range - f/2 and f/3.5. I can’t comment on the IQ, but I think they’ve had positive reviews.

[wda]

I've seen excellent images from both lenses. Try the 23mm and see for yourself. I have both, but would hesitate to take out the 35mm, mainly on weight and bulk. 

[brickftl]

I already ordered the 18, and based on the Red Dot review which praised it up and down, I think I’ll play with it a bit before thinking about getting the 23. If it passes muster, I’d rather have the 18 based on its size and focal length. I agree with the others, the 35 for me is too large and defeats the purpose of carrying a small form factor CL. 

[tommonego@gmail.com]

I would still pick up an M to L adapter (Leica if you have profiled lenses), M 35s are a perfect size on the CL, a 50 makes an excellent 75 equivalent. 

[brickftl]

related question: does anyone have and want to sell a Leica M-Adapter L 18771? I've checked everywhere for a used one, no success.

if so please message me, thanks!

Edited October 28, 2024 by brickftl

[Gregm61]

The genuine Leica adapter can at times be almost impossible to source, new or used.

I have one and at times have looked to pick up a second. It’s easy enough to just use one if you’re using a full M mount lens setup, but if you’re using something like the 11-23 L mount along with 50 and 90mm Summicron-M lenses, juggling the one adapter between two lenses is sometimes less than an optimal solution as the adapter is almost always not on the lens you want to be using that moment in time, LOL…

Edited October 28, 2024 by Gregm61

[brickftl]

1 hour ago, Gregm61 said:

The genuine Leica adapter can at times be almost impossible to source, new or used.

I have one and at times have looked to pick up a second. It’s easy enough to just use one if you’re using a full M mount lens setup, but if you’re using something like the 11-23 L mount along with 50 and 90mm Summicron-M lenses, juggling the one adapter between two lenses is sometimes less than an optimal solution as the adapter is almost always not on the lens you want to be using that moment in time, LOL…

FYI I just got one here: https://thephotocenter.com/shop/leica-m-adapter-l-18771/fb57b880-0160-0133-6bf8-00163e9110c0?variation=3827288

 

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[GFW2-SCUSA]

 

FYI I just got one here: https://thephotocenter.com/shop/leica-m-adapter-l-18771/fb57b880-0160-0133-6bf8-00163e9110c0?variation=3827288

Congratulations! I suspect you will enjoy using your M lenses on the CL a lot.  Just moments ago I mounted my 90mm M Macro on my CL and am head out to see what I can find. I think Leica was very wrong to discontinue the CL which I use much more than my SL2. As a long time M user I like the size of the CL and its simplicity and using the tiny M lenses on it is a delight. 

I agree that if you have several M lenses getting another adaptor makes sense. I found both mine at Leica Miami (several years between) which is a good place to keep an eye on. They pop up now and then. 

Hope you have not suffered too much from Helena-the-Witch. Asheville got hit hard and from the East is pretty unaccessable now.