Leica 35/2 Summicron Version 1-4 ASPH and Summilux 35/1.4 ASPH comparison

[Platinum RF]

I have all version Summicron plus a 35/1.4 Summilux ASPH (Pre-ASPH was gone long time ago). Version 3 is not included in this test. These tests are informal, It was the day that I had nothing to do, I shot these frames. For fun not for critical test.
The Version 1 has some low contrast and creamy background, flare prone, for color not as cripsy as the late version V4 and ASPH. V2 is a between in V1 and V4, medium contrast, center good resolution with poor edge resolution, so some time it gives a three dimension delusion.

The user badly bashed ASPH has very nice bokeh, and crispy color. The king of bokeh V4 is compact, but bokeh wise, It is only one of the many kings of bokeh.

My conclusion:
V1 has the best build quality of the V1-4, it has some unique signature, low contrast, not worth the asking price for a user
V2-3: medium contrast, good user with good image quality and compact
V4: modern color and contrast compact, everage Leica build quality.
ASPH: high image quality, for professional work, it is the best, not compact compare to V4
Summilux ASPH, large but high image quality.


From left:
35/1.4 ASPH at f2
35/2 ASPH at 2
V4 at 2
V2 at 2
V1 at 2

 

[Platinum RF]

Size comparision:
from left ASPH, V4, V2, V1, Summaron

Mount comparision
V4 on the left and V2 on the right. The thiner thread need more work to manufacture.

 

[Platinum RF]

from the left
Summilux 35/1.4 ASPH at f1.4
V2 at f2
V1 at f2
Konica 35/2 LTM limited edition at f2

 

[tajart]

nice set of pics for comparison. did you have the filters on when you shot the flowers?

 

[Platinum RF]

No filters for the test, but these pictures have filter on.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

thanks for posting these ...

I think the biggest thing I draw from the photos is that the differences are small rather than large. Nuances in characteristics. The ASPHs (being more highly corrected) render OOF areas faster than the non-asph designs. Some think of this as better bokeh, others think of the slower rate of the OOF rendition of the non-ASPHs to be smoother-transitioned bokeh. No right answers, only subjective ones. And the only one that counts is your own.

A good photographer could make do with any of these lenses 🙂

thanks again for the test and posting

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

btw, do you know if the Konica 35/2 LTM is the same optical formula as the Konica 35/2 hexanon-m, or the Hexar AF 35/2 fixed lens, or neither? thanks

 

[Nachkebia]

I like asph if only it had focusing ring instead of focusing tab 🙁
As for bokeh I also like asph`s

 

[venchka]

Version 3 is not included in this test.

It is my understanding, and somebody PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong, that Version 2 & Version 3 are OPTICALLY the same. If that is true, we do have Version 3 represented by the Version 2 photos.

Thanks so much for this effort!

 

[wintoid]

I can hardly tell the difference between these lenses from the images provided

 

[telenous]

The two asphericals look very similar to me. It would be hell telling them apart. Perhaps when closed down, when the Summicron Asph. is supposed to be more 'clinical' than the Summilux Asph.

The preasph. versions show a little bit more 'energy' in the contours of the objects in the OOF areas, as if they are better defined - but when there is overlap of contours the result can be a little busy. The area above the curtain is telling.

I think the preasph. v1 shows a wee bit of flare around the vase - not catastrophic but it is there. The price you pay for more, not less, optical elements.

I agree, these are all lenses you can take photos with. No earth-shuttering differences.

Thanks for the test, it is really illuminating.

 

[Nachkebia]

And how about tonality difference? have you noticed how aspherical lux differentiates flower tones?

 

[ffttklackdedeng]

Very nice test, Platinum RF! Thanks for your work and welcome to the forum!!

 

[telenous]

And how about tonality difference? have you noticed how aspherical lux differentiates flower tones?

I know for a fact that the way the Asphs render textures @ f1.4 or f2 is unlike anything I have seen. They push a little the highlights but they also dig for shadow detail relentlessly. The photos in this test do not capture this aspect - perhaps a scene less well illuminated would be more suitable to bring to the fore this purported difference.

 

[Platinum RF]

btw, do you know if the Konica 35/2 LTM is the same optical formula as the Konica 35/2 hexanon-m, or the Hexar AF 35/2 fixed lens, or neither? thanks

The LTM optical formula follwed the Nikon 35/1.8 different from Hexanon-M, it is the szie of V4.

 

[35mmdelux]

It is my understanding, and somebody PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong, that Version 2 & Version 3 are OPTICALLY the same. If that is true, we do have Version 3 represented by the Version 2 photos.

Thanks so much for this effort!

V2 is 8-element. V3 is 6-element.

 

[Platinum RF]

It is my understanding, and somebody PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong, that Version 2 & Version 3 are OPTICALLY the same. If that is true, we do have Version 3 represented by the Version 2 photos.

Thanks so much for this effort!

Most books lump V2, V3 together, they are almost the same 6 elements in four group and Erwin Puts states the finger print is almost the same. V3 is betteer in controling dark corner. I did not test V3 becasue V2 and V3 represent the very samilar optical formula.

 

[Platinum RF]

V2 is 8-element. V3 is 6-element.

No
V1 - 8-element.
V2 - 6-element.
V3 - 6-element different glass also the second group has very thin airspace is not cemented (Erwin Puts)
V4 - 7-element.

 

[35mmdelux]

Most books lump V2, V3 together, they are almost the same 6 elements in four group and Erwin Puts states the finger print is almost the same.

almost the same but V3 was actually redesigned by Dr. Mandler according to the lit as a cost saving device. Having 25% of its elements removed, the elements remaining would have needed reconfiguration to achieve the same fingerprint.

 

[35mmdelux]

No
V1 - 8-element.
V2 - 6-element.
V3 - 6-element different glass also the second group has very thin airspace is not cemented (Erwin Puts)
V4 - 7-element.

According to the Leica Pocket book V2 began its life as 8-element (1958) and changed to 6-element in 1969-1979.


Nice comparison fotos. Thanks.