35mm Summicron ASPH II Flare

[brothernature]

I've owned one of these for about 4 or 5 years. I've never had issues with flare on it, but recently I've noticed it fairly consistently. When shining a light through the lens, I don't see any scratches or dust on it. I'm not sure how anything would happen to it as it is the only lens ever on my camera and always has a UV filter on it. But does anyone know what might cause this? I put it on a digital body to test it and it seems like it doesn't even need that strong of light to get it to happen. The flare has a consistent shape to it, and as shown in the night shots, even happens from a street lamp coming in at the right angle.

 

[35photo]

Are you using a hood? Wide open?

 

[brothernature]

Always have a hood on and happens at all apertures, mostly shoot at f8 though.

 

[brothernature]

Here is a video:


Is this expected? I don't know how I avoided it for years if so.

 

[35photo]

Here is a video:


Is this expected? I don't know how I avoided it for years if so.

Are you sure the lens aperture is really working properly? I have a 35mm f2 v1 APSH for 20+ years never have had these issues....

 

[brothernature]

Are you sure the lens aperture is really working properly? I have a 35mm f2 v1 APSH for 20+ years never have had these issues....

It seems to be working fine. My exposures are accurate and the blades move smoothly.

I don't trust reddit as a source of truth, but here is someone else experiencing it:

 

[35photo]

I'd contact Leica about this.... with all your examples. Really strange.

 

[35photo]

Every try shooting without the filter?

 

[35photo]

Check on this thread as well:

Is this normal lens flare for a Summicron 35mm ASPH?

Hi all, I have a new 35mm Summicron ASPH II (11673) on my MP. I use a Leica UVa II filter on this lens as well as the lens hood. I’ve noticed that when shooting at wide apertures directed at low sun, I get a strong horizontal flare. This is reduced at smaller apertures, but even then, two of the ...

www.l-camera-forum.com

 

[brothernature]

Every try shooting without the filter?

The video I added is without the filter. Thanks, I'll check out this thread.

 

[35photo]

The video I added is without the filter. Thanks, I'll check out this thread.

Ok yeah then that thread doesn't offer much more insight to this issue really.

 

[Ororaro]

Started happening on a new camera? Maybe the camera’s chamber isn’t properly baffled.

 

[Freakscene]

There are two possibilities - either you just noticed it and are now acutely aware of it, and are looking for it and maybe even provoking it, or some of the internal baffling has fallen off your lens or camera. I honestly doubt that it is the latter. My 50/1.4 ASPH first version makes huge giant flare arcs with the light at the 'right'/'wrong' angle and always has. It just took a lot of photos to find the angle, but then somehow it happened a lot. Grateful for digital and instant review.

Leica M lenses are fantastic, but there are optical compromises, particularly associated with size, and keeping the lenses small and light, when designing lenses that have this much contrast and resolution. Flare is one of them. The Nikkor Z 50mm f1.2 S lens flares less, and resolves more, but the lens alone weighs more than a Leica 50mm f1.4 ASPH and an M camera, and it is about the size of a house brick.

 

[brothernature]

Started happening on a new camera? Maybe the camera’s chamber isn’t properly baffled.

No it happened on my film Leica too, I'm just able to see it immediately now on a digital M

 

[Freakscene]

Then it is extremely unlikely to be the camera. Flare happens. These lenses are excellent, but they are not perfect. You have found a weakness.

 

[brothernature]

Then it is extremely unlikely to be the camera. Flare happens. These lenses are excellent, but they are not perfect. You have found a weakness.

Beautiful portrait btw Marty!

I shouldn't let it bother me, but it has me considering other 35s.

 

[Freakscene]

Beautiful portrait btw Marty!

I shouldn't let it bother me, but it has me considering other 35s.

Thank you, that girl is incredibly photogenic.

I did move away from using the 50/2 Summicron v5 (the last all spherical version with a built-in hood before the APO-ASPH) because of unpredictable veiling glare when using film after a sort of existential doubt crept into my head whenever I used that lens. I have settled on the 50/1.4 ASPH for working digitally, because I can see when the flare is happening. I carry a 20x20 cm piece of foam core with me and use it as an additional hood. I suspect all Leica 35s, even the 35/2 APO ASPH, will do something similar if you use them in this sort of light. The Zeiss ZM 35/2 and 35/2.8 may not, but they have lower contrast and, at least with the 35/2, lower resolution. As I said, nothing is perfect.

 

[brothernature]

I was trying to see if the Light Lens Lab 35 summicron 8-elements has any reports of flare happening

 

[35photo]

I also have a 35 1.4 pre ASPH only time I get flare is wide open in extreme lighting situations. So if I want it I know how to get it.. my 35 f2 ASPH V1 might flare a little wide open in extreme lighting. Watch you lighting seems like you are shooting into the sun… this for me is usually a no no… but others like doing it.

 

[brothernature]

I also have a 35 1.4 pre ASPH only time I get flare is wide open in extreme lighting situations. So if I want it I know how to get it.. my 35 f2 ASPH V1 might flare a little wide open in extreme lighting. Watch you lighting seems like you are shooting into the sun… this for me is usually a no no… but others like doing it.

Sometimes something interesting is happening in front of the sun 🙂