35mm Summilux ASPH flare resistance ?

[alexz]

For lens users, how would you rte its flare resistance ? Could it be inferior to that of Summicron ASPH ?

Also, how mcu it differs in size and weight from, sau curent Summicron 50mm ?

Thanks, Alex

 

[peter_n]

I've had one for a year & a half and maybe it is just my style of photography but I haven't experienced any flare yet. Magus would probably disagree with that one though. Can't tell you about the Summicron 50mm but the black f1.4 ASPH weighs 250 gm versus the 255 gm of the black 35mm f2 ASPH.

 

[alexz]

Thanks Peter. Hae Magus had kind of opposite experience with one regardign flare ?
I noticed to my surprize that 'Lux 35mm ASPH is a tad lighter then it 'Cron brother...I would expect the latter to actualy lighter, perhaps considerably lighter in weight...
Weird, isn't it ?
What I wonder about is how larger it can be then, say 'Cron 35mm ASPH ? I used to my 50mm 'Cron which I consider all right in size and bulk, but 35mm 'Cron appears to be even smaller (by large degree) and I would value that feature. So it is interesting how larger is that 'Lux ?

BTW, Peter, would you mind to tell why you got rid of your 'Lux 35mm ?

 

[BigSteveG]

The 35 'lux asph does indeed.....

The 35 'lux asph does indeed.....

flare. It seems to exhibit the issue with difficult cross-lit situations. Other asph 'lux owners complain as well. I've experienced this both in and outdoors. Best strategy is to take more than one image of your scene and move the camera slightly for each shot. Can't comment on the 'cron. I think flare is the price we pay w/ many (not all,i.e. 50 lux asph) Leica lenses.

 

[alexz]

Thanks. So, does that imply that 35mm 'Cron ASPH is to be expected more flare resistant that 'Lux ?

 

[BigSteveG]

Alex.....

Alex.....

my understanding is the 'cron doesn't flare much. Although, I've read the Zeiss Biogon 35mm is at least as good, if not better in terms of flare resistance.

 

[alexz]

Yes, from many readings of Biogon vs. 'Cron ASPH I undestood Biogon probably leads the camp for its flare resistance, but 'Cron does appear to be considerably smaller in size then Biogon and I learnt to appreciate that feature. On the other hand, it apepars 'Lux 35mm ASPH to be probaly the size of Biogon, but then it adds full stop....(and of course costs three times of Biogon)....
My street aprpoach involves carrying two bodies (M6 and M3) while having 90mm Elmarit on M3 and 50mm 'Cron on M6, and 35mm will come to expand my FOV horizons. I also expect one to sit on my M6 while 50mm' Cron will find its place on M3. So, for me size does matters, but then it probably would extra stop as well....

 

[alexz]

BTW, does 35mm 'Lux ASPH come with rectagular hood like 35mm 'Cron does ?

 

[furcafe]

Yes, it does, but it is a bigger hood that requires the cut-out to reduce VF blockage.

BTW, does 35mm 'Lux ASPH come with rectagular hood like 35mm 'Cron does ?

 

[furcafe]

I have noticed no difference in flare between the 35mm ASPH Summicron & Summilux.

I believe someone like Tom Abrahamsson ("Tom A" on this site), who has greater experience w/a wide variety of Leica & Leica-compatible lenses, could give you a more definitive answer.

For lens users, how would you rte its flare resistance ? Could it be inferior to that of Summicron ASPH ?

 

[peter_n]

Thanks Peter. Hae Magus had kind of opposite experience with one regardign flare ?

BTW, Peter, would you mind to tell why you got rid of your 'Lux 35mm ?

I think so or he has read about it perhaps.

I still have and use my 35/1.4 ASPH. I recently took it to Fiji and used it daily. Although it looks a bit more worn and the red dot came off it otherwise survived. 🙂

 

[leicashot]

Flare control is average on this lens....it's only weekness, though it is not bad. The VC Nocton 35mm is actually better at controlling flare.

 

[BigSteveG]

VC Nokton is quite tempting.....

VC Nokton is quite tempting.....

Makes me consider selling the 'lux......it's chrome for all you collectors out there...I need to offset a recent and very nasty GAS attack....4 lenses in 1 1/2 months...ouch....Images from the Nokton on Flickr are great....sharp subject wide open....great boke....color....etc....

 

[leicashot]

As much as I love my Leica lenses, the Nocton in my opinion is a better overall lens compared to the 35/1.4ASPH.

The Nocton has better bokeh, is half stop faster, is more flare resistent and a LOT cheaper. The only drawbacks are the size (which isn't too big IMHO), lower contrast wide open, slightly softer in the corners. Some may argue the lens isn't as well built as the Leica, but it feels just as good to me at least.

For the record, I have owned both, have neither now, but intend to buy the Nocton soon.

 

[thomasw_]

...... I undestood Biogon probably leads the camp for its flare resistance, but 'Cron does appear to be considerably smaller in size then Biogon ....... it apepars 'Lux 35mm ASPH to be probaly the size of Biogon, but then it adds full stop.....

See the recent thread by x-ray on this topic of 35mm lens size.

 

[x-ray]

I've had no experience with the asph summilux 35 but do own the 35 asph summicron, Biogon and Nokton 35.

There's really not much difference in size of the asph Summicron vs the Biogon. It's roughly 1/4 inch or less shorter without the hood. The Biogon is so flare resistant that the hood is not needed but in my experience the Summicron sufferes form flare to a much greater degree than the Biogon. IMO the hood is essential with the asph summicron. In the case where the hood is added to the summicron it's actually longer than the Biogon. As to the Nokton, it's a very fine lens and exceptionally flare resistant and sharp. 1.2 is a very usable aperture. The tonality of the Biogon is the smoothest and equal if not better than the asph Summicron in sharpness without being harsh. The Nokton is a beautiful and smooth rendering lens and also smoother in tone than the asph Summicron.

You'll see all three lenses in my link and compared to a 35mm film box and 50mm Summitar. Also compared are the 25 Biogon and 50 Planar.


http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46571

 

[alexz]

Thanks X-ray, I went through your extensive 35mm ASPH/Biogon reasoning on other related threads, your opinion is veluable one.
Wel, Nokton isnt' an option due to its size/weight, and I my style doesn't prescibe the necesity of as fast lens as possible to the level of being ready to sacirifice size/weight.
I'd be fine with f/2, probably as fast as 1/4 would certainly suffice by low-light ambitions yet allowing manageable lens sizes.

Now as about Biogon - this one is a serious contender. From what I gather from related discussions, its flare resistance is probably the best out of the bunch, its common optical qualities appear to be non-questioned as well. Size-wise, indeed one appears to be shorter then 'Cron ASPH with hood, but I'd stress the fact that I always use len's dedicated hoods with all my lenses. I do nto consider an option of using Biogon without hood comparative with others with hood, and having hood attached Biogon does appear to be considerably longer then 'Cron. Am I wrong ?

I'd also be glad to see an obvious comparisons side by side of OOF renditions at few wide apertures of Biogon vs. 'Cron ASPH...

 

[Harry Lime]

I shoot my 35 Lux ASPH almost on a daily basis and haven't had a problem with flare.
That includes shooting in California.