My new Pre Asph Summilux

N

napoleonesq

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I bought a 35mm Pre Asph Summilux from a fellow RF member, and I really love the size of this lens,, though the hood is something I don't really care for. The images are really nice too, and of course, I had my boy and my dog as my first test subjects :)

julian.jpg
 
To my eyes it looks like you focused a little to the front but I like the photo ! :)

Welcome to the 35mm Summilux pre-ASPH club ! :D
 
Thanks...I am kind of new to this...can you explain what you mean by focused to the front? Focusing is the biggest issue I have using a RF... and I can't seem to master it :)
 
The focus is on the moment

The focus is on the moment

Front focusing it when you focus before your subject. With the less than surgical qualities of your pre-asph Lux, I wouldn't worry about it too much. First thing I noticed about the image was that it was a good image and that it had a nice moment to it. Focus was last on my priority of importance.

The lens is a good choice for family candid photos; it's got that glow that offers a pleasant memory.

With focusing, since you are somewhat new to the game, you may find that with closer subjects that instead of turning the focus ring that it is faster to just move your head in or back to adjust the distance. I noticed you have the Noctilux too, this is especially helpful with this lens. Close up... I use this technique exclusively and have had better results.
 
As with any fast glass one has to be doubly careful in focusing. One of the best lenses for general photography.
 
I focus like that when I do studio portraits. Set the 90 mm to 5 feet and move in until the catch lights in the near eye merge.

Always focus portraits on the subjects eyes. Set the lens to say 8 feet, compose, put the RF patch on the eyes and focus closer until the image merges, recompose, and you take the pic when ready.

With a handy straight line in the composition, focus until the line is continuous above, below, and through the RF patch. Practice on a door frame. The shirt collar is a good target in this pic. Just use something in the same distance plane as the eye.

If the line is horizontal, rotate the camera, focus, rotate horizontal again, recompose.


If you have a lens with the pull out shade, it is as effective as the vented shades if you look at the front element from an angle. It just looks like it would not be as good.
 
I think the focus is fine. At f1.4 focusing involves some luck, especially when the lens has field curvature. A geometric pattern, like on the pants, will also appear to be sharper than skin or fur, IMHO. If the lens is really front focusing you can have it adjusted(shimmed). Nice picture!
 
Did you focus on something and then pivot to compose the frame with the subject off-center? That can produce unexpected soft focus at max aperture, as that sort of camera motion changes the subject distance after you focus.
Ari
 
Here's mine. Taken with M8. IT's a titanium 35 lux f1.4. Taken wide open.
Focus on the red candle stand on the left.

4026363460_7314b6ca78.jpg
 
re the hood. when i had the lens my solution was to get a soft hairtie (the stretchy kind) that's used to tie one's hair back into a ponytail. use it 'round the hood when it's extended to hold it in place properly. these ties have just enough elastic to keep the hood from sliding back in. also adds a certain je-ne-sais-quoi to your outfit.
 
MCTuomey said:
re the hood. when i had the lens my solution was to get a soft hairtie (the stretchy kind) that's used to tie one's hair back into a ponytail. use it 'round the hood when it's extended to hold it in place properly. these ties have just enough elastic to keep the hood from sliding back in. also adds a certain je-ne-sais-quoi to your outfit.
Click to expand...

Trying to imagine how it looks. U got a pic?
 
MCTuomey said:
re the hood. when i had the lens my solution was to get a soft hairtie (the stretchy kind) that's used to tie one's hair back into a ponytail. use it 'round the hood when it's extended to hold it in place properly. these ties have just enough elastic to keep the hood from sliding back in. also adds a certain je-ne-sais-quoi to your outfit.
Click to expand...

huH? This is Greek dude. ho bout sasquatch?
 
zoomp: no, i'm sorry, no pic. lens is long gone. but i have another lens with a aliding hood, so i'll do one for you later this week after i'm finished with my HS sports shooting.

paul (or should i say, "dude"): what's "Greek" in my post? The OP mentioned he didn't love the pre-asph lens hood. I'm responding to him with a simple fix, assuming it's the failure of the hood to lock properly that bothers him. This is a common complaint about the E46 version, I believe, which I also assume he owns due to the hood complaint. Or is it the "je-ne-sais-quoi" reference? I'm trying (unsuccessfully, i guess) to make light of how the lens looks with a hairtie on it. A rubberband could serve the same purpose.
 
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