Robin Harrison
aka Harrison Cronbi
Has anyone got experience of the Lieca 35 lux pre-asph and the new 1.4 CV 35mm on the M8? Obviously the performance of lenses in the digital arena is very much based on the interaction with the sensor, so I was wondering if anyone had performed like-for-like tests. I'm currently happy with the Leica pre-ash on the M8, but while I adore the performance wide open with Tri-X, I'm less keen on it with the M8, and the CV looks tempting.
Thanks,
Robin.
Thanks,
Robin.
F456
Tom H
Robin,
only a partial answer, so take this with a few grains of salt.
I used to have a pre-ASPH Summilux 35/1.4 and loved it with slide film, colour neg and B&W neg film. I sold a few big enlargements and a shot for a music CD though of course the purchasers didn't necessarily choose them on the basis of the lens's signature!
Now I have several Leica ASPH wide-angles including the current 35/1.4 ASPH version. I find that they all give a much sharper (and to me more pleasing) effect in digital use with the M8 than does the final version pre-ASPH 50/1.4 that I am using. Similarly I don't find the final version pre-ASPH 90/2 Summicron that great with the M8, though both these lenses give lovely prints at full aperture on colour film.
Not a real answer to you of course; but it looks as though the old style Summiluxes (35 and 50) are stretched to give a really good account on digital. I don't include the 75mm Summilux because that was a later (1980?) design that was always reckoned to have the edge over the earlier 35s and 50s. Hardly surprising: the 35 and 50 Summilux designs date back to the very early 1960s, and I know there are even some modern (1990s) Nikkor lenses designed just before the D2X and D200 came out that are hard pressed to do justice to these cameras' sensors. (Then again there are old designs that are better on digital than more modern ones - as you say, it depends partly on interaction with the sensor).
No experience of CV lenses at all, I'm afraid. Please be aware my comments are in part subjective; I have never done any tests.
Tom
only a partial answer, so take this with a few grains of salt.
I used to have a pre-ASPH Summilux 35/1.4 and loved it with slide film, colour neg and B&W neg film. I sold a few big enlargements and a shot for a music CD though of course the purchasers didn't necessarily choose them on the basis of the lens's signature!
Now I have several Leica ASPH wide-angles including the current 35/1.4 ASPH version. I find that they all give a much sharper (and to me more pleasing) effect in digital use with the M8 than does the final version pre-ASPH 50/1.4 that I am using. Similarly I don't find the final version pre-ASPH 90/2 Summicron that great with the M8, though both these lenses give lovely prints at full aperture on colour film.
Not a real answer to you of course; but it looks as though the old style Summiluxes (35 and 50) are stretched to give a really good account on digital. I don't include the 75mm Summilux because that was a later (1980?) design that was always reckoned to have the edge over the earlier 35s and 50s. Hardly surprising: the 35 and 50 Summilux designs date back to the very early 1960s, and I know there are even some modern (1990s) Nikkor lenses designed just before the D2X and D200 came out that are hard pressed to do justice to these cameras' sensors. (Then again there are old designs that are better on digital than more modern ones - as you say, it depends partly on interaction with the sensor).
No experience of CV lenses at all, I'm afraid. Please be aware my comments are in part subjective; I have never done any tests.
Tom
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baycrest
Established
I bought the Biogon Zeiss 35 f/2 initially and then followed with the somewhat larger/heavier extremely sharp and easy to focus CV Nokton 35 f/1.2.
The only thing I don't like about the Nokton is the size & weight so I tried out a copy of the new f/1.4 at the store a couple of months back, and it was soft all over compared to the Zeiss or the Nokton. Nice size but I found the performance rather disappointing unless you're looking for a dreamy look. Performance improved when I stopped down a lot to f/8
.
Sean Reid's Reid Reviews sets out his initial impressions on the new 35 f/1.4 with some test shots and you can see whether the results suit your needs.
The only thing I don't like about the Nokton is the size & weight so I tried out a copy of the new f/1.4 at the store a couple of months back, and it was soft all over compared to the Zeiss or the Nokton. Nice size but I found the performance rather disappointing unless you're looking for a dreamy look. Performance improved when I stopped down a lot to f/8
.Sean Reid's Reid Reviews sets out his initial impressions on the new 35 f/1.4 with some test shots and you can see whether the results suit your needs.
jasoncohen
Member
I own the 35 pre-asph lux and the CV 35 1.2, both of which I love... and one of which I will sell soon (just not sure which one yet).
I recently had my lux sent in for adjustment and to fix a "pinching" problem that I was having when focusing at infinity.... I absolutely love this lens, find that that is so compact (probably its biggest benefit over any other 35mm), but one problem is that it takes a bit more work to get an IR filter on it. It does also have some fogging in certain lighting conditions, ie. espically in a dark environment while using flash.
The CV on the other hand, is a bit large (think about noctilux size).... I find that it is also extremely sharp wide open....
Right now I am finding myself going back to my CV 28 1.9 alot more.... It is a good balance between size and sharpness... I think at 1.9/2.0 it is sharper than both of the 35mm... I have several 16x20s from it that are beautiful....
Hope that helps.
Jason
I recently had my lux sent in for adjustment and to fix a "pinching" problem that I was having when focusing at infinity.... I absolutely love this lens, find that that is so compact (probably its biggest benefit over any other 35mm), but one problem is that it takes a bit more work to get an IR filter on it. It does also have some fogging in certain lighting conditions, ie. espically in a dark environment while using flash.
The CV on the other hand, is a bit large (think about noctilux size).... I find that it is also extremely sharp wide open....
Right now I am finding myself going back to my CV 28 1.9 alot more.... It is a good balance between size and sharpness... I think at 1.9/2.0 it is sharper than both of the 35mm... I have several 16x20s from it that are beautiful....
Hope that helps.
Jason
washy21
Established
I've just ordered one so it better be good. Actually, last week I tried the pre asph lux on my M8 (The kind shop owner brought his own sample in for me to evaluate)
I personally love the unique look of the pre asph; it has a look that I think is unavailable from any other lens.
I've owned several other 35mm lenses and sold them all because I consider that the files are too sterile.
I'm afraid that there is no easy answer: no right or wrong so to speak.
I personally love the unique look of the pre asph; it has a look that I think is unavailable from any other lens.
I've owned several other 35mm lenses and sold them all because I consider that the files are too sterile.
I'm afraid that there is no easy answer: no right or wrong so to speak.
washy21
Established
I might add that I am not a typical leica user (is there such a thing?). i like the softer look of the older lenses. I've just had Brian Sweeney build me a custon 'diana' lens out of an old lens.
maggieo
More Deadly
Here's my photos taken with the CV 35/1.4 Nokton MC.
My lens performs a bit oddly, though- it backfocuses at f2.0 and wider and gets a bit soft in the center when I stop down. I'm not sure how I feel about its bokeh- sometimes I like it, but it can fall prey to that "jittery" look.
So, I have pretty much gone back to using my CV 35/1.7 Ultron.
My lens performs a bit oddly, though- it backfocuses at f2.0 and wider and gets a bit soft in the center when I stop down. I'm not sure how I feel about its bokeh- sometimes I like it, but it can fall prey to that "jittery" look.
So, I have pretty much gone back to using my CV 35/1.7 Ultron.
morgan
Well-known
In an m or ltm mount? Can I ask what that ran you? I'd love one of those...
I like you'll like the nokton 1.2. It has such a smooth, buttery character to it.