Summilux 35 1.4 FLE - aberration

[Adams]

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Hi colleagues, 

I became the owner of a Summilux 35 1.4 FLE. 

In the photo I took such an aberration. For comparison another lens and aperture closed. Is this normal and I have nothing to worry about ? 

Regards

Adam

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[lincoln_m]

Hi Adams,

I too have 35 Summilux F1.4 Asph FLE v1 (and the 35F2 Asph v1) and my summilux also exhibits that sort of Chromatic aberration on bright edges like that chair or leaves under bright sun in an otherwise dark forest.

So your lens behaves like mine in that respect.

I must admit I was a little disappointed when I first saw such aberrations on a lens that cost 2x the 35 F2Asph. For me I can still get the aberrations even at f2.8 (I think).

It can be fixed in Adobe Lightroom with the Lens Correction > Manual > Defringe > Move purple slider to 10 or 20.

But my 50mm F2 (pull out hood) which is a 1979 optic (non-asph) doesn't show any chromatic aberrations and constantly amazes me at its quality. When I've compared the 50F2 to the 50 Apo-Asph outside Leica shops on real 3d subjects in good light I really struggle to notice any difference so that Keeps me from paying a fortune (3x the cost of the 50F2) for the Apo version but now and again I keep wondering if the Apo would be better.

The 35ApoAsph seems to be amazing from sample images I've seen but I don't know about CA issues. The 35ApoAsph is also 3.5x the price of the 35Asph. There was a YouTube review, by MathPhotographer I think, of 35F2ApoAsph v 35F1.4AsphFLE and the conclusion was the performance was very similar for >F2 but the ApoSummicron was 2x the Summilux.

I share your alarm at the 35 summilux Asph FLE Chromatic Aberration that I hadn't realised before purchase but it can be fixed in post if needed although it is annoying that one would have to for such an expensive lens. It does make the 35 summicron Asph seem quite good for the price and so I'll be keeping both my copies.

Regards, Lincoln

[lincoln_m]

Oh! my 35 Summilux Asph FLE (with CA sometimes depending on the subject/lighting) is a silver one Serial number 4708xxx (silver is the same lighter weight anodised aluminium as the black version. Older Leica lenses in silver used to be brass and so about 100g heavier than the black versions but not now with recent lens finishes). I didn't know they could be so variable between individual lenses. Perhaps the newer serial numbers have better QA? But it could also be the other way round that the early production ones had better QA? I don't know.

Lincoln

[lct]

I would not compare f/1.4 to f/2. As far as color fringing is concerned, i would compare your Summilux 35/1.4 FLE to your Summicron 35/2 asph at the same aperture in the same contrast conditions. If your lenses are like mine, you might find that your Summilux is as good, if not better, as your Summicron.

[Xavier]

I have never noticed that with my 35/1.4 FLE 1, but have not tested it specifically against that either. If I can find time this week-end, I will try to do some tests...

[Crem]

5 hours ago, Adams said:

 

Hi colleagues, 

I became the owner of a Summilux 35 1.4 FLE. 

In the photo I took such an aberration. For comparison another lens and aperture closed. Is this normal and I have nothing to worry about ? 

Regards

Adam

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

My FLE v1 shows a lot of green fringing if I shoot at F1.4 in very bright conditions, but I don't recall seeing the purple. The green is always on areas with strong reflections such as in your photos. I've been told this is normal for this lens and to stop down a bit to clear it up (or fix it in post production). My lens is from 2020 or 2021. It's one of the main reasons I've thought of switching to the 35 APO for when I want a really modern look with zero fringing.

Edited March 24 by Crem

[Adams]

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2 hours ago, lct said:

I would not compare f/1.4 to f/2. As far as color fringing is concerned, i would compare your Summilux 35/1.4 FLE to your Summicron 35/2 asph at the same aperture in the same contrast conditions. If your lenses are like mine, you might find that your Summilux is as good, if not better, as your Summicron.

I don't want to compare one with the other, rather the question is whether this lens should have such aberration at full open aperture. For counterpoint, I just showed a fully open other lens as well.

[lct]

Depends if the picture is overexposed. In case of overexposure, color fringing can be high at f/1.4. If exposure is accurate, there is none or a little of it.

M11, Summilux 35/1.4 FLE v1, f/1.4, full frame

M11, Summilux 35/1.4 FLE v1, f/1.4, crop