35mm 1.4 Summilux Asph

[E.G.Keep]

Am toying with the idea of buying a 35 Summilux Asph. Have 28/35/50 Tri-Elmar.
What will I gain with the Summilux apart from the greatly increased aperture?
Is the expense justified?

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

You will gain faster speed, much smaller size, and one of the best lenses in the Leica stable. Sharp across all apertures.

 

[Avotius]

as I understand it the 35 lux and the 35 on the trielmar are going to be kinda the same but you got to love that 1.4, especially if you like to shoot low light. Frankly if it was me I wouldnt do it because of the money but if you have that much burning a hole in your pocket then go for it

 

[sgy1962]

I believe every Leica shooter should have one fast lens to take advantage of the available light ability of the M rangefinder. For me that is the 50mm Summilux ASPH. I used the 35mm Summilux ASPH for a year or so and it is optically a great lens. Very versatile too. I goot rid of it simply because I'm a 50mm guy. Part of me regrets the loss, but I'm a bit of a minimalist when it comes to Leica equipment -- 2 M bodies and 3 lenses (35mm Summicron ASPH; 50mm Summilux ASPH; 90mm Elmarit).

Ask yourself what type of shooting do you do? If it's all outside on a sunny day, then you don't need the extra speed.

But getting a fast lens opens up more shooting opportunities. You may not shoot inside or at night much now, but if ypou had something like the 35mm Summilux ASPH, then maybe you would. It is a near perfect one camera one lens outfit where you can take it and almost shoot anywhere.

 

[sgy1962]

as I understand it the 35 lux and the 35 on the trielmar are going to be kinda the same but you got to love that 1.4, especially if you like to shoot low light. Frankly if it was me I wouldnt do it because of the money but if you have that much burning a hole in your pocket then go for it

Yes, I agree with you that when it comes to Leica equipment money is always an issue. The stuff is so damn expensive. Most of my equipment was purchased from dealers who were liquidating thei stock at cost. But money is always a consideration.

Having said this, I would still get the 35mm Summilux. Buy a used one. Buy a grey market from Tony Rose. Sell your tri-elmar. Every pic you can get with the tri elmar you can also get with the Summilux ASPH.

The fact of the matter is that the 35mm Summilux ASPH is a near perfect one camera one lens system. With it you can go almost anywhere ang get a picture -- indoors; outdoors; morning; noon; night, ect.

Because of it's focal length, which allows you to shoot one speed slower then a 50mm lens, it has the same low light ability as a Noctilux.

It is a go anywhere; do anything type of lens.

But also asky yourself whether you get good pictures with the 35mm focal length? Look through your pics and determine which focal length was responsible for the best ones. For me it was the 50mm lens, and that's why I parted with the 35mm Summilux ASPH.

 

[peter_n]

What Tom said and also sgy (a near perfect one camera one lens system). It makes just beautiful pictures.

 

[telenous]

Another nod for the Summilux 35 Asph. My favourite focal length is 50mm but the quality of the photos that the Lux 35 Asph consistently churns out has me tempted to reconsider. Lately I am taking it more and more out for low light stuff and I like very much how it performs even compared to the fabled Lux 50 Asph.

 

[stric]

I use my 35mm 'lux ASPH almost all the time. I must say that I am very happy with the lens. And , it's true, that 'lux is an exceptional performer in low light. Overall it's one of the nicest all around lenses. Before you buy it (if you decide to buy one) please do some reading about it on the web. Ther have been cases of badly assembled 'luxes out there and from some anecdotal evidene (on this and other fora, discussion/news groups etc.) this is more common occurance among newer models.
Tony Rose sold me mine and I am very happy w/ it. I highly reccomend him. Relly great person to work with.

 

[CJS]

35 Summilux

35 Summilux

I travel a great deal and I always take the Tri-Elmar and the 35 summilux. The tri-elmar stays on during the day and the lux goes on late afternoon and night. Many times it's overcast and if I'm shooting in doorways or corners I put on the lux, then I forget the tri-elmar and I'm perfectly happy with just the lux. Until I want a 50, then it's too late to get the tri-elmar out....😡 😀

The 35 lux at 1.4 at night has a fantastic and unique signature. I would never sell it. I agree, it is pretty much the perfect one camera one lens set. You will not be sorry if you buy it.

Cheers,

Craig

 

[waileong]

Damn good lens for me. It's not that expensive used. Around $1500-1800.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[peter_n]

Ther have been cases of badly assembled 'luxes out there and from some anecdotal evidene (on this and other fora, discussion/news groups etc.) this is more common occurance among newer models.

The main issue has generally been loose aperture rings. There have been a number of reports so it is something to remember to check if you buy the lens.