p.2 #1 · Close-up Mod - Leica Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 Steel Rim reissue lens
Fred Miranda wrote:
I did receive an email regarding it, but unfortunately, I never received a tracking number. I contacted Leica to follow up, and they informed me that the new hood is not yet available.
Wow, nice one on getting your hands on the new Leica 35/1.4 Steel Rim! I've been using the pre-asph v2 for some time now, but I gotta say, the new reissued lens looks even better. It's got that same old-school feel but with a bit more contrast when you shoot wide open. That's just my personal preference though!
That sounds ideal regarding the Steel Rim. I won’t complain if some of that insane veiling flare from the v2 is toned down just a bit.
p.2 #2 · Close-up Mod - Leica Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 Steel Rim reissue lens
Great post, Fred. Thanks for sharing the MFD modification with us.
I’m curious what is the redesigned hood? Did Leica come up with a new screw on hood that allows use of filter without vignette?
Fred Miranda wrote:
I did receive an email regarding it, but unfortunately, I never received a tracking number. I contacted Leica to follow up, and they informed me that the new hood is not yet available.
Wow, nice one on getting your hands on the new Leica 35/1.4 Steel Rim! I've been using the pre-asph v2 for some time now, but I gotta say, the new reissued lens looks even better. It's got that same old-school feel but with a bit more contrast when you shoot wide open. That's just my personal preference though!
p.2 #7 · Close-up Mod - Leica Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 Steel Rim reissue lens
lifeandmylens wrote:
What a great thread. It inspired me to contact Yuri about reducing the MFD of my pre-asph v2. It's on its way to him now! I'd love .7m
Awesome, Shawn! This change made of big difference when focusing close, and I'm sure it will work well on the v2 too.
p.2 #8 · Close-up Mod - Leica Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 Steel Rim reissue lens
Fred Miranda wrote:
Awesome, Shawn! This change made of big difference when focusing close, and I'm sure it will work well on the v2 too.
He's been so great to work with! So far he was able to simply replace a screw and reduce MFD to .7m. However it now front focuses slightly on the patch so he is trying to see if he can build up the RF cylinder with some kind of material to correct it. We'll see!
p.2 #9 · Close-up Mod - Leica Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 Steel Rim reissue lens
lifeandmylens wrote:
He's been so great to work with! So far he was able to simply replace a screw and reduce MFD to .7m. However it now front focuses slightly on the patch so he is trying to see if he can build up the RF cylinder with some kind of material to correct it. We'll see!
p.2 #10 · Close-up Mod - Leica Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 Steel Rim reissue lens
Fred Miranda wrote:
I hope it works out!
It worked out wonderfully. It ended up he just needed to tighten a couple screws after making the mod and it was good to go. I received it back a few days ago and it's excellent!
He reduced minimum focusing distance to around 31" (~.79m). At 31" it front focuses ever so slightly, but from about 31.5" inches onward the patch lines up pretty perfectly. Very happy with it. He said he'll probably do a blog post on it this weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing it!
p.2 #11 · Close-up Mod - Leica Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 Steel Rim reissue lens
lifeandmylens wrote:
It worked out wonderfully. It ended up he just needed to tighten a couple screws after making the mod and it was good to go. I received it back a few days ago and it's excellent!
He reduced minimum focusing distance to around 31" (~.79m). At 31" it front focuses ever so slightly, but from about 31.5" inches onward the patch lines up pretty perfectly. Very happy with it. He said he'll probably do a blog post on it this weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing it!
Shawn, I've come across a couple versions of the 35/1.4 lux 'v2' with an extended minimum focus distance (MFD). It's possible that over the years, some lenses were repaired and modified, addressing the main complaint about the lens, which is its 1m MFD. I'm thrilled that you were able to extend it, and personally, I frequently use the 0.76m MFD with my SR.
p.2 #14 · Close-up Mod - Leica Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 Steel Rim reissue lens
I wonder why Leica chose to make the steel rim (and v2) focus at 1m instead of 0.7m MFD initially, since there is no image degradation from 1m to 0.7m and the rangefinder allows this short distance. In the case of the steel rim reissue, Leica could have done this since the lens is not a perfect replica, given that the filter thread was altered compared to the original.
Interestingly, I own a Leica 35mm f/1.4 Pre-ASPH with an infinity lock, and it already focuses down to 0.80m. I believe all versions of this lens with an infinity lock are designed to focus closer than 1m.
p.2 #16 · Close-up Mod - Leica Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 Steel Rim reissue lens
This is so great--thanks much Yuri!
The v2 is either my favorite or 2nd favorite lens ever. I like the softer contrasts over the re-issue (and often I even soften the saturation and contrast of my v2).
Being able to focus closer is really great, espically for film. On my a7x cameras, I have close focus helicoid, though now I can get even closer and with that fun rendering inside 1 meter.
Anyway a Noct v2 is on the list for a short focus mod? 1 meter is long for a 50mm.
All 35 Lux pre-asph v2 with our newborn I think all 3 of these were shot using a helicoid--so could have used your mod.
p.2 #17 · Close-up Mod - Leica Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 Steel Rim reissue lens
nehemiahphoto wrote:
This is so great--thanks much Yuri!
The v2 is either my favorite or 2nd favorite lens ever. I like the softer contrasts over the re-issue (and often I even soften the saturation and contrast of my v2).
Being able to focus closer is really great, espically for film. On my a7x cameras, I have close focus helicoid, though now I can get even closer and with that fun rendering inside 1 meter.
Anyway a Noct v2 is on the list for a short focus mod? 1 meter is long for a 50mm.
All 35 Lux pre-asph v2 with our newborn I think all 3 of these were shot using a helicoid--so could have used your mod....Show more →
Adapting it to a mirrorless camera is the easiest way to achieve closer focus!
Great samples! Yes, I also wish the Noctilux would focus closer. I have the v3 and love it as well.
p.2 #19 · Close-up Mod - Leica Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 Steel Rim reissue lens
nehemiahphoto wrote:
Thanks Fred! The ZM 50/1.5 and even the new Noct 50/1 has that 1 meter MFD. Annoying.
Helicoid + Sensor mod combo is so great
Absolutely! That’s one of the main reasons I modified my A7CR. I can use all my Leica M lenses without affecting performance or rendering, plus I can focus them much closer than the Leica M allows.
p.2 #20 · Close-up Mod - Leica Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 Steel Rim reissue lens
Fred Miranda wrote:
Absolutely! That’s one of the main reasons I modified my A7CR. I can use all my Leica M lenses without affecting performance or rendering, plus I can focus them much closer than the Leica M allows.
