Leica Summilux 35/1.4 Asph Experience?

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chunin

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I'm contemplating the purchase of a Summilux 35/1.4 Asph for my M8 and would like to know if anyone has experience with its performance on the M8. I have used ZM 35mm lens and was not happy with the lack of contrast and resolution. The performance of the VC 35mm pancake was ok but not great.

Thanks,

Chunin Martinez
 
I bought mine new in 2001.

On my new M8, wide open at close distances, it backfocuses.

At 10 feet or farther it is just fine.

I am probably going to send it to Leica NJ for a new mount with 6 bit coding and calibration. That may solve the problem.

Hope this helps.

--Bob
 
Sean Reid has just posted an initial test of 35mm lenses for M8 - it looks like there is no clear winner, but if you don't like the Biogon, then it might be difficult to get a much better lens... He will repeat the test of the 35 lux, because he believes his copy was flawed - check on that in a few days...
 
Chunin, based on reviews and user reports, you will be hard pressed to find a better lens. Perhaps a copy of the lens you had had a flaw.
I have a 35/2 Biogon and I am very pleased with the lens overall and I consider myself extremely picky when it comes to resolution, contrast ...
Try looking at Erwin Puts' review of M8 with various Zeiss and Leica lenses:
http://www.imx.nl/photosite/leica/M8_5/m8_5.html
Good luck,
Zoran
 
The Zeiss option would perhaps, forgetting the Leica 'Lux's extra stop, be the best 35mm lens avaliable except for the fact that you have to self code it for the M8. Maybe you can post some results you weren't fond of?
I have the ASPH 'Lux and love it but didn't have it when I had the M8 so don't know it's digi performance.
 
Just checked the link provided with Zoran and it confirms my experience with the ZM35/2. In the tests there is bleeding of the highlights in the wide open test and that is what I was seeing in my pictures. Looked as if it was taken with a misted lens element or with a digital point and shoot at a too small aperture. But in the tests of the Summilux this does not happen even wide open. Will get the lens tomorrow and will be able to do some tests. And from the tests, the non Asph version looked horrible. While the VC lens are not critically sharp, I have never experinced that kind of bleeding with any of them. Thanks for the help.
 
It's a lens that's capable of making stunning images. The detail (microcontrast?) is excellent. Mine seems to focus well enough although I haven't done a lot of testing with a yardstick.

The main issue I have with the lens, and it's relatively minor, is flare. A cloudy-bright sky, even if it's not within the frame, will noticeably reduce contrast. I can usually cure this by shading the front element with my hand or a hat.

Another nit is the loose feeling aperture ring. For some reason the 35mm Asph is just built that way. It's a great lens though and one that bounces back and forth frequently between my M8 and R-D1.
 
I have a 35 Non-Asph 'Lux, performs very well on the M8, in fact it is better on the M8 than on my film M's. Easily out performs my CV 35 Ultron, which some feel is equivalent to the last non asph 35 'cron, couldn't proove it with me.

gene
 
I had one on the front of my MP for a long time. I couldn't decide which I liked better: the Noctilux or 35mm 'Lux ASPH!

No focusing issues, thought the front trim ring (which doesn't seem to be fastened by anything but a slight interference fit) popped off and needed re-fastening.


Favorite 35mm lens, so far.
 
hi
bought this lense about a month ago.
Very happy with the results although i like the 35 2.5 summarit as well. it all depends weather you shoot at poor light condition-i do, it als is very expensive
the lense is comfi to use not heavy, the pics are cristal sharp with great colors. I also own the 50 1.4 asph and the summarit 75/2.5 but i use the 35 most of the time
 
Let me first say - I dont have M8 or 35/2 ASPH. But as another option in 35mm world is M-Hexanon and UC-Hexanon ( you need LTM-M adapter for it). Both are very good lenses. That is if you can find one. ;)
 
The 35/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH is among my favorite lenses for film & has remained so for the M8. Unlike my 75/1.4 Summilux & many of vintage LTM & M-mount lenses, the focus on my 35 'lux ASPH is as spot-on w/the M8 as it is on my film bodies (M3, M4, M6, M7, & Hexar), so no back or front-focus problems. I have no experience w/any of the ZM lenses.

Also, I've found that the lack of coding makes no visible difference w/any of my 35mm lenses, even when shooting wide-open.
 
chunin said:
I'm contemplating the purchase of a Summilux 35/1.4 Asph for my M8 and would like to know if anyone has experience with its performance on the M8. I have used ZM 35mm lens and was not happy with the lack of contrast and resolution. The performance of the VC 35mm pancake was ok but not great.

Thanks,

Chunin Martinez
Click to expand...

I've got the 35 Biogon and the 28mm. Both Zeiss lens have much higher contrast than the Leica comparative lenses at the same FL.

As well, you'll find the Zeiss being a higher contrast lens, will blowout the highlights in bright light or lose the detail of dark objects in low light conditions.

Have a gander at Reid Reviews and you can clearly see the Biogon as one of the highest contrast lenses tested.

Perhaps you have an unusual copy....:confused:

Best
Robert
 
higher than the 35/2 asph?

higher than the 35/2 asph?

Is the Biogon 35/2 higher in contrast than the 35/2 asph?

baycrest said:
I've got the 35 Biogon and the 28mm. Both Zeiss lens have much higher contrast than the Leica comparative lenses at the same FL.

As well, you'll find the Zeiss being a higher contrast lens, will blowout the highlights in bright light or lose the detail of dark objects in low light conditions.

Have a gander at Reid Reviews and you can clearly see the Biogon as one of the highest contrast lenses tested.

Perhaps you have an unusual copy....:confused:

Best
Robert
Click to expand...
 
For 35mm's, I have used the Cron ver. III, Cron ver. IV, Summilux pre-asph. and the Summilux ASPH. By far the Summilux ASPH is my favorite; contrasty and sharp.

The 35mm lenses, because of their widespread appeal, are highly tested by reviewers and in the field. This is for me a pretty straight-forward choice.
 
I've had mine for a few years now and have shot hundreds of rolls with it. It is bar none the best 35mm lens I have ever shot. The only other high speed 35 I have seen that comes close is the Canon EF 1.4/35L and it flares a lot more than the Lux ASPH.
 
ampguy said:
Is the Biogon 35/2 higher in contrast than the 35/2 asph?
Click to expand...

I was commenting on the 35 Lux having lower contrast than the Biogon. Its quite significant. If you're asking about the Cron, the Biogon still beats it in terms of the Biogon being having more contrast.

Overall, you can readily add more contrast in PP, but if you have blown out highlights, or heavy contrast, its a difficult to pull out the detail.


Best
Rob
 
chunin said:
I'm contemplating the purchase of a Summilux 35/1.4 Asph for my M8 and would like to know if anyone has experience with its performance on the M8. I have used ZM 35mm lens and was not happy with the lack of contrast and resolution. The performance of the VC 35mm pancake was ok but not great.

Thanks,

Chunin Martinez
Click to expand...


Noticed you have tried teh CV 35 pancake. Well if you don't mind a lens that's relatively, larger and heavier, I would highly recommend the CV Nokton 35 f/1.2. Its an incredible piece of glass, but a bit on the large size.

Best
Rob
 
imho, M8 + Summilux 35 asph = best combination in leica arsenal. Unbelievably sharp, superb colour drawing capability. When I've used it for portraits you can literally count hairs on the subject head.

LouisB
 
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