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Archive 2022 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

BruceRH
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p.14 #1 · p.14 #1 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

Rob L wrote:
I got back into Leica in 2013 after having sold my M6s and lenses 10 years before when I went digital. At the time I stumbled across Ken Rockwell. Say what you will, but there is great info on his site that came about around the time of the M9 and the alt lens craze. One morsel is that a $7 slip on plastic Kyser cap in 40mm will fit over most 39mm filters and a 49mm will fit a 46mm filter. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?q=39mm%20Kyser%20cap&sts=ma
B&H has these in a variety of sizes. I’m forever indebted to Ken for this as...Show more →

Yeah, I really like those Kaiser caps. Amazon sells them too.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015KDLB4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

May 13, 2023 at 08:11 AM

highdesertmesa
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p.14 #2 · p.14 #2 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

lifeandmylens wrote:
My quest for some character has me looking at this lens. Can anyone summarize the difference between this and the 35 Pre FLE?

SR = Steel Rim reissue:

– SR has more glow at f/1.4
– SR has more prominent rainbow flare arcs
– SR has more modern coatings and contrast
– SR accepts 46mm screw-on filters; v2 requires use of the Leica "Series VII" or a reversed 49mm filter used inside the Leica 12504 hood. The 12504 hood separates into two pieces allowing the filter to sandwich in between the halves. You have to buy an original/older 12504 hood. Newer ones do not separate into two pieces to accept a filter.
– SR screw-in ventilated hood alignment with the rangefinder is a crapshoot, some align right, some do not; v2 hood clips onto the lens and can be rotated so that an open vent can be perfectly aligned with the rangefinder
– SR you can only use either a filter or a hood, currently they do play well together; v2 hood and filter work together but no hood also means no filter
– SR is brass, v2 is aluminum
– SR is a new lens: 3-year US warranty and clean and clear glass; most v2 lenses will have some very minor haze without a CLA
– SR has infinity lock
– SR is 6-bit coded
– SR external diameter is wider at the front (to accommodate 46mm filters), and the visual signature is that of a larger lens than the v2

Infinity performance seems about the same. My SR is sharp in the corners by f/4 on the SL2-S.

Overall and for now, I think I may still prefer a v2 + CLA.

Edited on May 13, 2023 at 10:26 AM · View previous versions

May 13, 2023 at 10:24 AM

lifeandmylens
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p.14 #3 · p.14 #3 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

highdesertmesa wrote:
SR = Steel Rim reissue:

– SR has more glow at f/1.4
– SR has more prominent rainbow flare arcs
– SR has more modern coatings and contrast
– SR accepts 46mm screw-on filters; v2 requires use of the Leica "Series VII" or a reversed 49mm filter used inside the Leica 12504 hood. The 12504 hood separates into two pieces allowing the filter to sandwich in between the halves. You have to buy an original/older 12504 hood. Newer ones do not separate into two pieces to accept a filter.
– SR screw-in ventilated hood alignment with the rangefinder is a crapshoot, some align right, some...Show more →

Thank you very much!

May 13, 2023 at 10:26 AM

highdesertmesa
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p.14 #4 · p.14 #4 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

Is anyone using the Steel Rim reissue on the SL2 or SL2-S? Even with the 5.1 firmware, it doesn't have a lens profile, so the 6-bit code read by the M-Adapter-L is defaulting to the Thambar profile. I have to manually choose the non-ASPH 35 1.4 profile.

May 13, 2023 at 10:28 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.14 #5 · p.14 #5 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

The original Steel Rim and pre-asph v2 produce similar images, distinct from the "pre-FLE" version, which is closer to the current 35/1.4 FLE, including the new FLE v2. When shooting wide open, they exhibit classic vs. modern rendering. The new reissued 35/1.4 Steel Rim is very similar to the pre-asph v2 but with updated coatings, resulting in slightly higher image contrast.

From f/2.8 onwards, they become more alike. I have observed similar glow performance between the new reissued Steel Rim and the previous 'pre-asph' version. Therefore, I find @highdesertmesa's findings surprising.

In summary:

35/1.4 Steel Rim or pre-asph (v2) = same optical design
35/1.4 pre-FLE or FLE or FLE (v2) = same optical design*
*with a few tweaks to improve focus shift.

May 13, 2023 at 10:34 AM

highdesertmesa
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p.14 #6 · p.14 #6 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

Fred Miranda wrote:
...I have observed similar glow performance between the new reissued Steel Rim and the previous 'pre-asph' version. Therefore, I find @highdesertmesa@'s findings surprising...

Could be copy variance for the v2 and/or changes between early and later versions of the v2. My v2 also had a CLA.

May 13, 2023 at 10:54 AM

C_Rolo
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p.14 #7 · p.14 #7 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

Where can we find this filter?

Fred Miranda wrote:
Hey, congrats on the new lens! I'm really glad you managed to get a good copy.

The lens has a minimum focusing distance of less than 1 meter, specifically around 0.9 meters based on my calculations.

For me, currently I actually don't use any hood with this lens, which makes it a super compact combo with the M. However, I do have a super thin UV filter attached, and it's great because it still allows me to attach the included lens cap. You're absolutely right, though. The cap doesn't work with any other thin filter that I've tried.

By the...Show more →

May 13, 2023 at 11:22 AM

rico
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p.14 #8 · p.14 #8 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

Rob L wrote:
... as I hate pinch caps with a passion.

You might be able to use the Leica press-on metal cap that fits all classic E39 lenses, and is a current product:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1262803-REG/leica_14551_lens_cap_for_summicron_m.html/specs

Another modern variant is Leica 12479. I use vintage silver and black versions (alu) for all my E39 lenses rather than *uggh* plastic.

May 13, 2023 at 11:47 AM

highdesertmesa
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p.14 #9 · p.14 #9 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

rico wrote:
You might be able to use the Leica press-on metal cap that fits all classic E39 lenses, and is a current product:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1262803-REG/leica_14551_lens_cap_for_summicron_m.html/specs

Another modern variant is Leica 12479. I use vintage silver and black versions (alu) for all my E39 lenses rather than *uggh* plastic.

The cap needs to have a thin edge because otherwise it would come into contact with the aperture ring tabs. The Leica metal lens caps I've had before were pretty thick.

May 13, 2023 at 11:51 AM

highdesertmesa
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p.14 #10 · p.14 #10 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

highdesertmesa wrote:
...
Lens is very particular about flange distance being correct when adapted to my SL2-S or else it will have focus shift. I switched from my macro adapter to my M-Adapter-L and zero focus shift...

Followup to this. I was mistaken, there is still focus shift with the M-Adapter-L at all distances. Between this and the stiff, jerky focus, I'm not all too happy with the lens. Returning it.

Leica really needs to get their act together.

May 13, 2023 at 11:56 AM

rico
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p.14 #11 · p.14 #11 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

@highdesertmesa I get you, so the 14551 is probably out (it was issued with the modern Summarit 35). The vintage cap that fits the 'lux 35 pre-ASPH is coded ORQDO or 14031, and all lenses with E39/A42 front measurements. That includes such diverse items as Tele-Elmar 135, Elmarit 90 v1, Elmar 50/2.8, and Elmarit 28 ASPH. Cost off eBay is $50-100 depending on condition. I own loads of them.

May 13, 2023 at 12:14 PM

highdesertmesa
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p.14 #12 · p.14 #12 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

rico wrote:
@highdesertmesa@ I get you, so the 14551 is probably out (it was issued with the modern Summarit 35). The vintage cap that fits the 'lux 35 pre-ASPH is coded ORQDO or 14031, and all lenses with E39/A42 front measurements. That includes such diverse items as Tele-Elmar 135, Elmarit 90 v1, Elmar 50/2.8, and Elmarit 28 ASPH. Cost off eBay is $50-100 depending on condition. I own loads of them.

Someone would need to take exact millimeter measurements of the reissue's outer stainless steel ring diameter to see if it lines up with any of the inner diameters of the caps. Since they widened the end of the lens to accommodate 46mm filters and because the thickness of the steel ring is unique, it could be problematic to find an exact fit. Maybe someone has millimeter measurement calipers and can provide the outer width.

May 13, 2023 at 01:28 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.14 #13 · p.14 #13 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

highdesertmesa wrote:
Followup to this. I was mistaken, there is still focus shift with the M-Adapter-L at all distances. Between this and the stiff, jerky focus, I'm not all too happy with the lens. Returning it.

Leica really needs to get their act together.

My first copy of the reissued SR had a stiff/sticky focus ring rotation from approximately 5m to infinity, and it was not properly calibrated with the rangefinder. However, my current copy has a smooth rotation and is calibrated.

Why would focus shift matters when shooting with the SL2-S in LV?

May 13, 2023 at 01:31 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.14 #14 · p.14 #14 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

C_Rolo wrote:
Where can we find this filter?

I bought this filter from Japan, and sometimes you can find it on Buyee or eBay. They offer sizes of 39mm, 43mm, and 46mm.

Here's a link to see how it looks and its name.

It's super thin at ~1mm thickness and can also be used in front of the clip-on hood (12487), although I have not checked if it causes hard vignetting with this hood.

May 13, 2023 at 02:16 PM

highdesertmesa
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p.14 #15 · p.14 #15 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

Fred Miranda wrote:
My first copy of the reissued SR had a stiff/sticky focus ring rotation from approximately 5m to infinity, and it was not properly calibrated with the rangefinder. However, my current copy has a smooth rotation and is calibrated.

Why would focus shift matters when shooting with the SL2-S in LV?

I need to be able to use it stopped down on film (got a new M6 a few weeks ago).

For use on the SL2-S, it's annoying for f/1.4 to be spot on at infinity but f/4 and smaller requires refocusing (I calibrate my macro adapter's adjustable hard stop so that it performs like an M hard stop, with focus wide open being perfect when focused at the hard stop). I had a CV 50 f/1 and a 50 Cron that had this same issue and replacement copies were perfect.

May 13, 2023 at 02:21 PM

highdesertmesa
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p.14 #16 · p.14 #16 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

@Fred Miranda@ does your Steel Rim reissue have focus shift? Is that to be expected?

On my copy:

At infinity: the plane of focus in the center moves forward when stopping down
Close distance: the plane of focus in the center moves backward when stopping down

May 13, 2023 at 03:50 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.14 #17 · p.14 #17 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

highdesertmesa wrote:
@Fred Miranda@@ does your Steel Rim reissue have focus shift? Is that to be expected?

On my copy:

At infinity: the plane of focus in the center moves forward when stopping down
Close distance: the plane of focus in the center moves backward when stopping down

Yes, there is focus shift just like with the pre-asph (v2). However, I don't find it to be noticeable in stopped down images.

May 13, 2023 at 05:19 PM

highdesertmesa
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p.14 #18 · p.14 #18 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

Fred Miranda wrote:
Yes, there is focus shift just like with the pre-asph (v2). However, I don't find it to be noticeable in stopped down images.

Thanks, Fred. I feel better about it knowing yours is like that, too. I'll probably shoot this lens wide open most of the time, so it makes sense to dedicate it to my SL2-S where I can use the electronic shutter in bright light. I'll keep using the CV 40 2.8 as the main lens for my M6.

I think one of the things confusing me is sometimes it's hard to find the exact focus with an EVF camera at f/1.4 with this lens (the glow and lower contrast). So I think I'm missing focus at f/1.4 a bit, which makes the focus shift seem worse when stopping down (because stopping down may just be revealing where I had placed focus to begin with). This lens makes me miss the rangefinder from my M11.

That leaves only the focus stiffness as an issue, so it probably makes sense to see if it smooths out with use. The return window is only 7 days for Leica's U.S. online store, so I need to give it a good workout over the next few days.

May 13, 2023 at 06:03 PM

highdesertmesa
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p.14 #19 · p.14 #19 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

Fred Miranda wrote:
I bought this filter from Japan, and sometimes you can find it on Buyee or eBay. They offer sizes of 39mm, 43mm, and 46mm.

Here's a link to see how it looks and its name:
https://www.yodobashi.com/product/100000001006211599/

It's super thin at ~1mm thickness and can also be used in front of the clip-on hood (12487), although I have not checked if it causes hard vignetting with this hood.

I can't seem to find the 46mm version of this filter in stock, just the 43mm. I'll keep an eye out for it.

In the meantime, I've ordered one that's 2.4mm thick hoping it might work with the plastic cap. Will probably also order a cheap pinch-style lens cap that Red Dot Forum's video says will work inside the screw-on hood.

May 13, 2023 at 06:13 PM

highdesertmesa
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p.14 #20 · p.14 #20 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens

hmzimelka wrote:
Thanks for the feedback.

I would even be happy for it to be one stop better. Part of the this mid zone blur is also due to field curvature but the lens I tried never gets as sharp in the mid zone as the far edges. I'm not all too concerned about the corners.

Oh well. I was probably more impressed that this has been the first Leica Lens in 1.5 years that didn't have any serious issues like focus calibration, infinity hard stop inaccuracy, optical asymmetry, etc. The play on the aperture was perfectly fine for my liking, nothing as loose...Show more →

Revisiting this as I have the SR reissue now. Focus at infinity at f/1.4 is at the hard stop. From f/4 and smaller, infinity focus is in front of the hard stop. When focused at the center with the EVF, it's sharp to the corners by f/4, at least at 24mp on the SL2-S. This is the same performance I had with the v2.

May 13, 2023 at 09:12 PM

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