Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda

New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site

New Feature: SMS Notification alert

New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist

FM Forums | Leica & Alternative Gear | Join Upload & Sell

1 2

4 … 8 9 end

New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On

p.3 #1 · p.3 #1 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

rscheffler wrote:
I like the square hoods for a variety of reasons. Pretty much every Leica pull out design I've used has been wobbly and doesn't lock securely in place, whether in or out. I tend to handle lenses by the front a lot, whether that's right or wrong, and the loose feeling of such hoods gives me a sense that I don't have secure grip of a lens, which annoys me. The square design is another indicator of the lens's orientation for mounting to the camera, which I can partially determine just by touch when pulling it out of the camera...Show more →

I like the versatility but dislike the effectiveness blocking direct light shining on the lens because most Leica built-in hoods are too short to accommodate the lens' angle of view. Of course flare intensity is also a consequence of optical design and lens coating but an optimized hood always help.

The FLE II's new features may not offer a compelling reason for current FLE owners to upgrade but the shorter MFD and rounder aperture at smaller apertures is definitely a plus. Not sure if the 22-point sunstar will be attractive though.

Sep 15, 2022 at 10:36 AM

rscheffler
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.3 #2 · p.3 #2 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

I'll take subtle 22 points over massive 12 points.

Sep 15, 2022 at 11:04 AM

1bwana1
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.3 #3 · p.3 #3 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

My Summicron 50mm with pull out hood always has its hood available. It is nice and tight so stable whether pushed in or pulled out. It may or may not be as effective as a large square hood in the 50mm FL, but it is always available and used often. My Summilux 50mm has the removable square hood. I find it large and cumbersome, so most often leave it home. When it is home it has no effectiveness. So, in my usage the pull out hood would be functionally more effective.

Too expensive to upgrade my existing Summilux 35mm for the minimal extra features of this new lens. But, I like the looks and specs of it and would prefer it over what I have now.

My Wife is in Copenhagen today on a business trip. She happened on the Leica store, went in and called while there. Said it was beautiful and so were the cameras and the asseccories. Normally she won't go in a camera store with me. She asked me if she could buy me anything while there. Anything I want. I exercised super human discipline and said no. I am saving my next big Leica purchase for an M11 equivalent that has IBIS, which I need in order to reasonably hand hold 60 mpxs.

Leica Store Copenhagen, Denmark. I could have had anything I wanted. My Wife is in a generous mood today...

Edited on Sep 15, 2022 at 11:50 AM · View previous versions

Sep 15, 2022 at 11:39 AM

grainsilver
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: On

p.3 #4 · p.3 #4 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

Any thoughts on how this lens might match up to the 35mm APO Summicron? I mean, some of the Lux' are technically APO corrected. I'm curious as a 35 Lux FLE "version I" owner, because the new FLE close focusing has appeal (think wedding ring close-ups, portrait, etc.). But if I'm switching lenses, the APO cron appealed to me because it's matched performance for the M11 which I now use.

Sep 15, 2022 at 11:45 AM

Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On

p.3 #5 · p.3 #5 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

rscheffler wrote:
I'll take subtle 22 points over massive 12 points.

The hood is a compromise of the rangefinder system. A truly effective hood will make the lens much larger and cause significant viewfinder blockage, things that go against the Leica M philosophy. Wider than a certain focal length and it would seem the pull-out round hood design won't be practical due to cutting into the image area sooner than a rectangular hood. Maybe pull out hoods is what Leica is settling on for 35mm and longer? I think the only 50 that had a square hood was the Summarit. Wasn't there...Show more →

12 points? Like with recent Voigtlander 12 blades? I'm biased to defined sunstars but accept that many do not like the effect.
The previous FLE yields 18 points.

Yes, the Leica 28/2 cron black-matte has a built-in hood. One could consider the new Leica 35/1.4 FLE II a special edition version since the optical design is untouched.

I agree it's a compromise to keep things as small (short) as possible but given the choice I think I prefer going hood-less or using a better optimized hood when needed.

Sep 15, 2022 at 11:46 AM

grainsilver
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: On

p.3 #6 · p.3 #6 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

I'll add that the FLE II hood looks like a twist function like the 50 APO, not the 50-lux pull-then-twist-to-lock. The former I greatly prefer so this is a welcome option on the 35 FLE II.

Sep 15, 2022 at 11:47 AM

Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On

p.3 #7 · p.3 #7 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

grainsilver wrote:
Any thoughts on how this lens might match up to the 35mm APO Summicron? I mean, some of the Lux' are technically APO corrected. I'm curious as a 35 Lux FLE "version I" owner, because the new FLE close focusing has appeal (think wedding ring close-ups, portrait, etc.). But if I'm switching lenses, the APO cron appealed to me because it's matched performance for the M11 which I now use.

The 35/1.4 FLE is not the king in terms of ultimate resolution although it's still a competent lens considering its compact size. It's noticeably weaker at mid-field when shooting at wide apertures. Lenses like the Zeiss 35/1.4 ZA or even Voigtlander 35/1.7 Ultron provide stronger performance wide open. The Voigtlander 35/2 APO (and I'm pretty sure the Leica equivalent) perform better in terms of resolution.

Rendering is similar to the Voigtlander 35/1.7 Ultron which I consider pleasant for a 35mm lens. I've tested them side by side and could barely see any difference, except for the Voigtlander's higher optical vignetting.

Sep 15, 2022 at 11:53 AM

RexGig0
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.3 #8 · p.3 #8 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

I prefer the type of hood found on the currently-extant 11663 FLE, and do not find the closer MFD to be all that important, in a 35mm lens. This new 35mm Summilux seems unlikely to tempt me into a bout of Gear Acquisition Syndrome, except that this announcement should make it easier to find a good deal, on a well-preserved, pre-owned 11663 FLE.

Edited on Sep 15, 2022 at 11:57 AM · View previous versions

Sep 15, 2022 at 11:54 AM

Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On

p.3 #9 · p.3 #9 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

1bwana1 wrote:
My Summicron 50mm with pull out hood always has its hood available. It is nice and tight so stable whether pushed in or pulled out. It may or may not be as effective as a large square hood in the 50mm FL, but it is always available and used often. My Summilux 50mm has the removable square hood. I find it large and cumbersome, so most often leave it home. When it is home it has no effectiveness. So, in my usage the pull out hood would be functionally more effective.

Too expensive to upgrade my existing Summilux 35mm for...Show more →

Take advantage of her good mood + strong dollar relative to Euro!

Sep 15, 2022 at 11:56 AM

serhan_
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.3 #10 · p.3 #10 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

Jono's review:
https://www.slack.co.uk/leica2022.html

Sep 15, 2022 at 12:19 PM

Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On

p.3 #11 · p.3 #11 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

Something I noticed with the FLE II is that the focusing ring is very close to the aperture ring. On the FLE version, there is a bigger space between the rings.

Sep 15, 2022 at 12:20 PM

Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On

p.3 #12 · p.3 #12 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

serhan_ wrote:
Jono's review:
https://www.slack.co.uk/leica2022.html

I always enjoy reading Jono's reviews.

Here is an excerpt:
"I've carefully compared the performance with my 35 FLE, and it does seem that the new lens has a slightly more relaxed and gentle bokeh."

Same optical formula but gentler bokeh?? It would be great to see a side by side comparison showing this.
From the official released specs, it's not 1mm shorter and 1mm wider. It's actually the same length and 2mm wider according to Leica. (not that it makes much of a difference)

Sep 15, 2022 at 12:29 PM

1bwana1
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.3 #13 · p.3 #13 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

Fred Miranda wrote:
Take advantage of her good mood + strong dollar relative to Euro!

OK, I just asked here to check the Euro Price of a black M11.

Sep 15, 2022 at 12:31 PM

highdesertmesa
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.3 #14 · p.3 #14 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

Fred Miranda wrote:
I always enjoy reading Jono's reviews.

Here is an excerpt:
"I've carefully compared the performance with my 35 FLE, and it does seem that the new lens has a slightly more relaxed and gentle bokeh."

Same optical formula but gentler bokeh?? It would be great to see a side by side comparison showing this.
From the official released specs, it's not 1mm shorter and 1mm wider. It's actually the same length and 2mm wider according to Leica. (not that it makes much of a difference)

Leica may have updated the coatings, which could affect contrast and therefore bokeh to a small extent (perhaps a coating change to slightly reduce contrast for a more gentle rendering). Leica never states when they improve or change coatings as far as I know. Also they could have left the optical formula the same but changed one or more element glass formula/composition/type.

Edited on Sep 15, 2022 at 12:52 PM · View previous versions

Sep 15, 2022 at 12:49 PM

ArchnemeSwiss
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: On

p.3 #15 · p.3 #15 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

1bwana1 wrote:
OK, I just asked here to check the Euro Price of a black M11.

Just PMd you as I have an M11 in black that I may be selling for "Euro pricing"

Sep 15, 2022 at 12:52 PM

1bwana1
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.3 #16 · p.3 #16 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

ArchnemeSwiss wrote:
Just PMd you as I have an M11 in black that I may be selling for "Euro pricing"

Got it and answered.

Sep 15, 2022 at 01:11 PM

pmeheut
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.3 #17 · p.3 #17 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

I always enjoy reading Jono's reviews.

Here is an excerpt:
"I've carefully compared the performance with my 35 FLE, and it does seem that the new lens has a slightly more relaxed and gentle bokeh."

The pictures with reflections on water show something very close to the 35 FLE: a bokeh that is ok but not as smooth as other lenses when it comes to small out of focus sources of light.

Sep 15, 2022 at 01:45 PM

Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On

p.3 #18 · p.3 #18 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

highdesertmesa wrote:
Leica may have updated the coatings, which could affect contrast and therefore bokeh to a small extent (perhaps a coating change to slightly reduce contrast for a more gentle rendering). Leica never states when they improve or change coatings as far as I know. Also they could have left the optical formula the same but changed one or more element glass formula/composition/type.

I like the idea but better coating would potentially increase contrast which in turn could be detrimental to OOF rendering. I don't see the logic but improved coating is definitely a possibly for the new version.

Minimizing specular highlight outlining would improve rendering but that would require a tweak in the optical design which according to Leica, it's not the case.

From the review, shooters may assume the new FLE II yields more pleasant rendering but we need a side by side comparison to confirm this. It could be the case though and perhaps someone with both versions could do a quick test for us.

Sep 15, 2022 at 01:46 PM

1bwana1
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.3 #19 · p.3 #19 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

Depending on how good your German Language skills are you may enjoy this discussion of the neue Summilux 35mm f/1.4 ASPH FLE II.

Sep 15, 2022 at 02:14 PM

highdesertmesa
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.3 #20 · p.3 #20 · New Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. announced! (FLE II)

Fred Miranda wrote:
I like the idea but better coating would potentially increase contrast which in turn could be detrimental to OOF rendering. I don't see the logic but improved coating is definitely a possibly for the new version.

Minimizing specular highlight outlining would improve rendering but that would require a tweak in the optical design which according to Leica, it's not the case.

From the review, shooters may assume the new FLE II yields more pleasant rendering but we need a side by side comparison to confirm this. It could be the case though and perhaps someone with both versions could do a...Show more →

They could have lowered the contrast of the coatings, which would smooth out bokeh a bit. These lenses have so much contrast to being with, I'm not sure anyone would notice the change when stopped down, but it could help wide open.

But you're right – we need proof with side-by-side shots.

Sep 15, 2022 at 02:31 PM

1 2 3 4 … 8 9 end
FM Forums \| Leica & Alternative Gear \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 3 4 … 8 9 end

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.