raid
Dad Photographer
The original Summicron does not flare like what is seen in this posted image above. It is prone to some flare, though. My lens should be soon on its way to me, and then I will shoot against the sun to test for such a flare.
[New test photos released] Leica Summicron 35/2 Eight Element copy made in China
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The original Summicron does not flare like what is seen in this posted image above. It is prone to some flare, though. My lens should be soon on its way to me, and then I will shoot against the sun to test for such a flare.
steveyork
Well-known
I had a Canon 50mm/1.5 that flared similarly when shot into light w/o a hood. The kicker with the shot above is that I wasn't obviously shooting into the light, but I guess Mother Natures says otherwise.
Most of the test shots have been in overcast weather. Sun's out now. Guess I'll use a generic hood.
steveyork
Well-known
I have no experience with the original Summicron. Maybe the light just hit this shot at the right angle. It's the only shot to flare in two rolls, but most of it has been in cloudy weather. Sun is out now in S, Florida -- time for more testing. And I was thinking maybe getting the multi-coating when I ordered ... ha, ha, good lesson; always go with your instinct!
steveyork
Well-known
I wasn't using a hood. Hate hoods. I'll have to put a generic 39mm one on it and do some testing. Ha, ha, wouldn't it be nice to have a digital M for instantaneous feedback during testing. Wonder if I could sell that to, ha ha, 'the woman who must be obeyed.' Doubtful.
Huss
Veteran
Faithful reproduction, prone to a bit of flare, like the original (so they say).
And then there was Flare by Steve, on Flickr
SC version, yellow filter, on Fomapan 100 in Clayton F76/Vuescan
My new Summicron 35 Asph flares like crazy.
aizan
Veteran
Looks like it was shot wide open, so not surprising.
raid
Dad Photographer
Maybe it was designed that way; do not use such a lens wide open and without a hood in such a situation.
raid
Dad Photographer
The ASPH is multi-coated. If you still see such flare then maybe the fast lenses should never be used this way? 😕
Huss
Veteran
Huss
Veteran
No, Leica's coatings frankly just stuck compared to other mfgs.
My Zeiss ZM lenses are very flare resistant in comparison to my modern Leica glass.
Emile de Leon
Well-known
Instead of a FLINT lens..
Shac
Well-known
Was the yellow filter coated? If it was single or multi-coated?
steveyork
Well-known
Yes, think it was f/2.
jmilkins
Digited User
I really like the flare image, and do see it as a feature. Once the user becomes familiar enough with the optics there are workarounds to avoid it if desired, or opportunities to use it creatively.
Sure there will be times when it tricks me, but that's fine - little surprises can bring joy.
That said I use a hood on all of my lenses and appreciate the T star coatings on my Zeiss lenses a great deal as well. I just use them with different intent.
Sure there will be times when it tricks me, but that's fine - little surprises can bring joy.
That said I use a hood on all of my lenses and appreciate the T star coatings on my Zeiss lenses a great deal as well. I just use them with different intent.
raid
Dad Photographer
Plastic lenses with plastic lenses give great flare.
jmilkins
Digited User
Mnn yes well there are limits! 😀
f.hayek
Well-known
Faithful reproduction, prone to a bit of flare, like the original (so they say).
SC version, yellow filter, on Fomapan 100 in Clayton F76/Vuescan
I looked through my images from the 35 Summicron 8-element that I used a few years back and never experienced that type or severity of flare. Shot it at ƒ/2 most of the time.
Freakscene
Obscure member
This is not as simple as just having better coatings. Flare is complicated, and part of the problem with all Current Leica M Lenses is that they are designed to provide high resolution and high contrast using as few elements as possible. The Zeiss T* coating is better than Leica’s coatings, but the ZM lenses are also designed with more (and overwhelmingly spherical) elements, and with a different resolution and contrast profile. I suspect Zeiss also has access to some glass types that other lens makers may not be able to access.
Modern Leica lenses tend to flare particularly badly when there is a light source in the frame. Some also are susceptible to light sources just outside the frame. The Zeiss ZM lenses handle light sources in the frame better than Leica’s current M lenses, but have some odd and inconsistent characteristics, including that the chrome hood bayonets direct light onto the front element at unexpected times. I like the 50 Planar better than the pre-ASPH 50 Summicron, but otherwise I like the Leica equivalents better. It particularly drives me nuts that the wide angle lenses focus closer than the rangefinder couples.
The circular pattern the reproduction eight element Summicron displays is almost certainly an internal reflection, and might be remedied by better light baffling and matting internal reflective surfaces. It’s been a long time since I used a Leica one, and I don’t remember if it did this.
Marty
cboy
Well-known
Where to order?
Where to order?
Was wondering does the OP has a website to order from or an ebay store?
Where to order?
Was wondering does the OP has a website to order from or an ebay store?
teddy
Jose Morales
Faithful reproduction, prone to a bit of flare, like the original (so they say).
SC version, yellow filter, on Fomapan 100 in Clayton F76/Vuescan
I've had the Summicron do crazy stuff like this - when used wide open. I've always used a hood on my lenses. And, I've shot direct to the light source and the Summicron was fine. When I moved the lens to an angle, I was able to replica this flare on film. Digital is different and I was able to get some weird flare, but I don't scan or keep shots like these particularly. I once used another lens, a Summicron 50/2 DR give some half circle flare right bang in the middle of the frame, ruining a shot - and the sun was north west of the scene. Oh well. It's fine. 95% of the time these things happen.
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