M8 and 35 Lux Asph

[jplomley]

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I have the fortunate opportunity to acquire the 35 Lux Asph and was hoping I could get some user experience from those who have coupled this lens to the M8. I'm currently using the 35/2 Biogon, but oftentimes have run into the situation where the extra stop would be beneficial. If anyone is willing, I would love to see a RAW file at f/1.4 and f/2.

 

Thanks in advance!

[carstenw]

Erm, if you have an M8, and just got the 35 Lux ASPH, why don't you make a raw file?

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[stunsworth]

Carsten, Jeff has the _opportunity_ to buy the Summilux, it hasn't been bought yet.

[innerimager]

Erm, if you have an M8, and just got the 35 Lux ASPH, why don't you make a raw file?

 

Well, he said "opportunity", I'm sure he means he's deciding on getting one available. I don't have access to my files currently, I can say I love the 35/1.4 asph on my M8. best...Peter

[jplomley]

Carsten, I'm contemplating the purchase.

 

My only fear at this point is focussing accuracy and the possibility of needing to send the lens to Solms for calibration? Wondering how many have had to go through this.

[Englander]

I think the lens produces beautiful images at all apertures. Of course it is sharper stopped down to 2.8 or 4, but it is plenty sharp wide-open. It is reputed to have severe focus-shift. Mine has some but it is relatively minor and only visible at 100% when focused very close wide-open--in other words, when you are likely to have missed-focus from breathing. For that reason, I suggest you test the particular sample you are thinking of acquiring.

 

Here is an example wide-open

http://englander-workshops.com/photographs/bhutan/Bhutan_080313_151720_CF_LR.jpg

 

If you want a DNG, you'll have to PM me an email address to which I can send an attachment.

 

Joe

http://joeenglander.com

[fursan]

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Jeff, quite a few members have reported focusing issues with this lens and M8. I too am

one of them. A trip to Solms did not resolve the problem. My sample is perfect wide open

but backfocuses at f2 and beyond. While I can get near accurate focus by experienced twiddling, for critical work I never use it. my cron 35 apsh has never let me down!

 

Hopefully Kindermann in Canada might be able to fix it.

 

Advice: Test it at all apertures and varying distance combinations before you part with your

money.

 

Good luck.

[jplomley]

Joe, PM sent. Thanks for taking the time to send something.

 

Fursan, unfortunately the fellow selling the lens is in Calgary, and I am in Montreal. So I would need to pay for the lens before first testing, however I would be sure to negotiate a return policy should the marriage prove unsuccessful.

[Rick]

I asked DAG on Dec. 28, 2008 the following question in an email to him:

 

Changing subjects, I am thinking of getting a 35/1.4/lux. Does this lens have back focus issues? If so, can they be corrected?

 

 

His reply:

 

Rick,

 

if you're using the 1.4/35mm lens on a Leica Film camera you probably won't have focus problems, however, if you're using it on the M8 you probably have a 30% chance of front or back focus problem. This can be adjusted if need be. Cost is about $90.00.

 

regards,

 

Don

DAG

[el.nino]

Jeff, quite a few members have reported focusing issues with this lens and M8. I too am

one of them. A trip to Solms did not resolve the problem. My sample is perfect wide open

but backfocuses at f2 and beyond. While I can get near accurate focus by experienced twiddling, for critical work I never use it. my cron 35 apsh has never let me down!

 

Hopefully Kindermann in Canada might be able to fix it.

 

Advice: Test it at all apertures and varying distance combinations before you part with your

money.

 

Good luck.

 

the backfocus-problem on the m8 with the 35 'lux is by design (not wanted, but cannot be corrected). this lens is highly corrected to perform best wide open, but this leads to the stoped-down-problem. that's the reason why they added a floating element to the summilux 50 asph.

i read all this in an LFI-article about lenses on the m8. the 35 'lux is identified as the lens with the most back-focus on the m8.

[wlaidlaw]

the backfocus-problem on the m8 with the 35 'lux is by design (not wanted, but cannot be corrected). this lens is highly corrected to perform best wide open, but this leads to the stoped-down-problem. that's the reason why they added a floating element to the summilux 50 asph.

i read all this in an LFI-article about lenses on the m8. the 35 'lux is identified as the lens with the most back-focus on the m8.

 

Some back focus, some don't. Most aperture shift noticeably, the occasional one, not a great deal. From reading posts over the last two years and my own experience, there seems to be a lower incidence of problems with the brass bodied, chrome lenses than the anodised aluminium alloy black lenses. The downside is that the chrome lens is about 33% heavier and does not balance as well on the M8. The 35 Lux is my standard lens and I would not be without it. However I slightly regret selling my 35 Biogon to another forum member. For when you want very high contrast and painful sharpness, for example on technical photos, the Biogon is still IMHO, the desired lens.

 

Here is a Lux 35 image.

 

Wilson

[archi4]

Jeff,

I have an "older" non coded version of this lens and since I mostly use it at !.4 to 2.0 and occasionally at 2.8 have had no back focus problems although I have checked carefully using staggered targets.(on M8)

I also have a 35 cron asph but although I like its small size the drawing of the summilux always leads me to use that lens.

I could send you some DNG's, but that won't necessarily show you what the lens you can purchase will do. I bought the one I now have second hand a 1 1/2 years ago after I had stupidly sold the one I had bought new a few years earlier. The last one gives better results and has less flare problems than the new one did.

Maurice

[KM-25]

When I had an M8, my 35 Lux asph was pretty bad in the back focus department. But it is really perfect on my film M, which is all that matters to me.