p.5 #5 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
I actually prefer the rendering of the Voigtlander over the new steel rim. The Voigtlander is a tad bit more contrasty in the shadows but not too much. The bokeh balls seem to me more uniforms (purely subjective here) as well with less pronounced outlines to my eyes but it is very very subtle. There is certainly less glow with the Voigtlander as seen from the green stems and leaves (or the tree trunk) and of course the licence plate, 320I and bmw signage.
I wonder why on some shots the aperture on the vm says f4 while it says 1.4 on the lux. Did you use a nd filter on the vm? Or is the aperture picked up my the camera wrong on the vm?
On the OOF center area the lux is softer than the vm.
Thank you for the comparison — much appreciated!!!
Fred Miranda wrote:
Here is a side by side comparison for you. (not great subject, just outside my house)
Leica 35/1.4 Summilux Steel rim (2022) vs Voigtlander 35/1.4 Nokton II SC
All images shot wide open using exact same exposure and focusing. No post-processing except for sharpening. (Adobe Standard profile for both)
p.5 #6 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
These side-by-side comparison images are very useful. Thanks!
I do see differences, and, in some images, the VM image is somewhat more to my taste, in the OOF areas. I believe that the Leica version will not find a place on my grail-quest list, which is good news for my retiree’s/pensioner’s wallet. (I am not complaining; a modest financial windfall, after retirement, is what enabled my addition of the Leica M system, to include accumulating a nice set of Leica M, Zeiss ZM, and Voigtlander VM lenses.)
I am glad for those who do like the re-issued steel rim Leica, and wish Leica every success in marketing them. The re-issue concept is a good one, in my opinion. I was able to get a pre-owned Thambar-M 90mm, which I really do like, and am gradually learning to use. I very nearly bought bought a re-issue Summaron-M 28mm, but then found a nice pre-owned original version.
p.5 #7 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
mulberry2006 wrote:
I wonder why on some shots the aperture on the vm says f4 while it says 1.4 on the lux. Did you use a nd filter on the vm? Or is the aperture picked up my the camera wrong on the vm?
Thank you for the comparison — much appreciated!!!
I just noticed that! Both lenses were shot at f/1.4 so any mismatch on the EXIF is due to a bad guess from the camera.
Also, exposure matching between the sets were minimal.
The CV 35/1.4 II SC also has the advantage of focusing much closer at 0.7m and much less vignetting, especially when using filters and hood.
p.5 #9 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
After shooting with a few versions of the Leica 35/1.4 Summilux pre-asph including the new reissued version is that, the latter yields significantly more contrast due to different glass materials/coating. It's now just as contrasty as the Voigtlander Nokton, but still carries the coma/SA character from the original SR and v2 lenses.
p.5 #13 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
How does the new lux sr compares to the late made in Germany 1990s lux titanium for example since you said the new steel rim has more contrast than the original sr.
Fred Miranda wrote:
After shooting with a few versions of the Leica 35/1.4 Summilux pre-asph including the new reissued version is that, the latter yields significantly more contrast due to different glass materials/coating. It's now just as contrasty as the Voigtlander Nokton, but still carries the coma/SA character from the original SR and v2 lenses.
p.5 #14 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
mulberry2006 wrote:
How does the new lux sr compares to the late made in Germany 1990s lux titanium for example since you said the new steel rim has more contrast than the original sr.
I've heard that the latest german versions including "titanium" yields higher contrast but I never saw any side by side comparison. I've tested two v2 versions (1978, 1985) and the new steel rim is noticeably higher in contrast.
If anyone has a german copy of the v2 and the new SR, please post some side by side comparisons.
p.5 #16 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
The Voigtlander has some advantages like .7m MFD and much cheaper price, but it has more subtle highlight’s glow.
It’s also higher in contrast compared to the pre-asph v2 I have tried. The new SR has similar contrast as you can see from the side by side samples.
wolfloid wrote:
Thanks Fred! I think you have just made the best case I’ve seen for getting the CV 35/1.4. I can get the leica look by using vaseline.
p.5 #17 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
Fred Miranda wrote:
I've heard that the latest german versions including "titanium" yields higher contrast but I never saw any side by side comparison. I've tested two v2 versions (1978, 1985) and the new steel rim is noticeably higher in contrast.
If anyone has a german copy of the v2 and the new SR, please post some side by side comparisons.
I have them both, a German 1992 v2 and the new SR. Of course i got slammed with work as soon as i got the new SR. But, from what i can tell so far, they are very similar, even the bokeh balls have the same signature in some quick tests I did.
When I get some time with these 2 lenses I'll shoot less technical shots and have an even better opinion. All taken with my m10-R wide open
..I think getting out in the city an/or traveling will be a much better test. I'll get my wife out to the arboretum and do some better examples this week if I can get a chance.
p.5 #18 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
Your v2 from 1992 has more contrast than the new SR -- You have a great copy.
Matt Kerby wrote:
I have them both, a German 1992 v2 and the new SR. Of course i got slammed with work as soon as i got the new SR. But, from what i can tell so far, they are very similar, even the bokeh balls have the same signature in some quick tests I did.
When I get some time with these 2 lenses I'll shoot less technical shots and have an even better opinion. All taken with my m10-R wide open
..I think getting out in the city an/or traveling will be a much better test. I'll get my wife out to the arboretum and do some better examples this week if I can get a chance. ...Show more →
p.5 #20 · Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Steel Rim lens
Looking at the figurines on the coffee table I see more define features with the v2 vs the SR.
Matt Kerby wrote:
That's what I'm seeing too. The v2 and the FLE are my 2 favorites, although, I've only shot the SR briefly and it's very close to thee v2.
