p.35 #11 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
Do you all find the 1m minimum focus distance a hindrance?
It's one of the only things holding me back from this lens, though I feel like it might be a scenario where it actually forces you to compose a bit differently and ends up being a blessing?
“Art lives from constraints and dies from freedom.” kind of thing.
p.35 #12 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
Adamwilbert wrote:
Do you all find the 1m minimum focus distance a hindrance?
It's one of the only things holding me back from this lens, though I feel like it might be a scenario where it actually forces you to compose a bit differently and ends up being a blessing?
“Art lives from constraints and dies from freedom.” kind of thing.
I've found that once you get used to a lens, you naturally understand what compositions it can and cannot achieve, including working around the 1m minimum focus distance. It's similar to choosing which lens you pick for a trip, a 28mm, 35mm or 50mm lens. Once you're familiar with your gear, you intuitively know its strengths and limitations. It's like the lens shapes your perspective of the world.
p.35 #13 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
Adamwilbert wrote:
Do you all find the 1m minimum focus distance a hindrance?
It's one of the only things holding me back from this lens, though I feel like it might be a scenario where it actually forces you to compose a bit differently and ends up being a blessing?
“Art lives from constraints and dies from freedom.” kind of thing.
It can be- Its not worth it to not purchase the lens over but its a thing-
For example, out at dinner and you want to take a picture of friends at the table, its a bit constricting at 1m-
There is a modification that @fredmiranda had done to change to .7m. I wish YukoSteel would do these as a service but unfortunately isn't something he wants to do.
p.35 #14 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
RustyRus wrote:
It can be- Its not worth it to not purchase the lens over but its a thing-
For example, out at dinner and you want to take a picture of friends at the table, its a bit constricting at 1m-
There is a modification that @fredmiranda@ had done to change to .7m. I wish YukoSteel would do these as a service but unfortunately isn't something he wants to do.
p.35 #15 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
Well, I have been looking for a lens to pair my M11-D with for this calendar year and I chose this lens. I found one (10/2024 build date) at Leica SF and it is on the way to me. Cant wait to receive it and kick off my business travels as well as personal with this set up.
p.35 #16 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
ZdevilH1 wrote:
Well, I have been looking for a lens to pair my M11-D with for this calendar year and I chose this lens. I found one (10/2024 build date) at Leica SF and it is on the way to me. Cant wait to receive it and kick off my business travels as well as personal with this set up.
This lens is perfect for the M11-D. It is always a thrill to review the images later. They have a consistently unique character that feels distinct from what you see through the rangefinder (in the real world ). I also use the SR frequently with my M-D, and the pairing is exceptional.
p.35 #17 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
I recently compared the reissued Leica 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim to an early version of the Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux v2 with an infinity lock. I was surprised by how similar they are in rendering, with only minor differences that become noticeable under higher magnification analysis. Leica did an excellent job with this reissue, as it closely replicates the look of a lens from 60 years ago. The main differences I noticed are a slightly different field curvature shape and the reissued Steel Rim having slightly higher contrast. (exactly +20 global contrast in LR)
p.35 #18 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
Weather finally broke and allowed me to leave my burrow. Ive had this lens for 2 weeks but first time I am stepping out with it on a great early morning.
1960's Ford Bronco. Perfect subject for the steel rim reissue. This lens is just crazy wild, it blows me away. I'm shooting with the M11-D so the excitement to get home and look at the images is surreal. The flare is just muah! I tried to avoid it but there it is, in all its glory. Loving this camera - lens set up.
Note: At f/2.8, this is very much a modern len.
Leica M11-D Leica Summilux 35mm f1.4 Steel Rim @ f/1.4
Leica M11-D Leica Summilux 35mm f1.4 Steel Rim @ f/1.4
Leica M11-D Leica Summilux 35mm f1.4 Steel Rim @ f/1.4
Leica M11-D Leica Summilux 35mm f1.4 Steel Rim @ f/2.8
p.35 #19 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
Fred Miranda wrote:
I recently compared the reissued Leica 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim to an early version of the Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux v2 with an infinity lock. I was surprised by how similar they are in rendering, with only minor differences that become noticeable under higher magnification analysis. Leica did an excellent job with this reissue, as it closely replicates the look of a lens from 60 years ago. The main differences I noticed are a slightly different field curvature shape and the reissued Steel Rim having slightly higher contrast. (exactly +20 global contrast in LR)
for what it's worth, last year when I was in the hunt for the Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux v2 (pre-asph), I found one that looked good, sent the link to Ye, and he talked me out of it, saying many of the parts needed to repair the pre-asph lens aren't available and that it's not as well made as the 35 SSR. So I went for the 35 SSR, and basically it's one of my favorite lenses (along side the Summicron 50/2 rigid which your observations influenced me to get it).
p.35 #20 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
brick33308 wrote:
for what it's worth, last year when I was in the hunt for the Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux v2 (pre-asph), I found one that looked good, sent the link to Ye, and he talked me out of it, saying many of the parts needed to repair the pre-asph lens aren't available and that it's not as well made as the 35 SSR. So I went for the 35 SSR, and basically it's one of my favorite lenses (along side the Summicron 50/2 rigid which your observations influenced me to get it).
There is a noticeable difference in build quality between the very initial v2 versions, which features an infinity lock, and the later versions with the plastic tab. That said, I agree that going for a brand new lens, like the SR reissue, is the best choice, though it ultimately depends on the condition of the older lens.
One thing that surprised me, though, is that the 60-year-old version is slightly sharper at the center than the SR reissue, despite having slightly lower contrast. The reissued version is sharper at the corners though. Also, their field curvature is different, and I compared two well-centered copies.
). I also use the SR frequently with my M-D, and the pairing is exceptional.
