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Leica 35mm Summilux asph

Lucy63
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Leica 35mm Summilux asph

Hi.

I'm thinking of getting an adaptor and a Leica 35mm Summilux asph (pre FLE) to use on my Sony A74.
I'd love to hear from anyone who has had experience of using this lens on Sony A cameras.

Thank you

Jul 28, 2023 at 03:58 AM

Jonas B
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Leica 35mm Summilux asph

That lens is a great lens in some ways. I have taken several beautiful images with it back in the original A7 days.

However, if you want images sharp from border to border the midzone dip will make you disappointed. There is also some smear towards corners.

The lens is designed for film, not the thick Sony sensor cover.

Jul 28, 2023 at 04:53 AM

Lucy63
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Leica 35mm Summilux asph

I was worried about that. I owned it years ago and loved it on my M8..I might be disappointed using it on a Sony.
Thanks for your help.

Jul 28, 2023 at 08:35 AM

Lucy63
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Leica 35mm Summilux asph

...though sharpness is far less important to me than it's beautiful rendering which I hope would come through in Sony files.

Jul 28, 2023 at 08:40 AM

Jonas B
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Leica 35mm Summilux asph

Lucy63 wrote:
...though sharpness is far less important to me than it's beautiful rendering which I hope would come through in Sony files.

Hi again,

In general I agree.
But, there is also a limit to everything and it depends, of course, on what kind of images to take. I shoot just about everything remotely interesting and to me the lens was limiting with the midzone dip tp close to the center if that makes sense.

I guess you'll find the ansvwer by trying yourself. But before shelling out your money you can try to find the old threads about adapted lenses. I know the 35 Lux versions were discussed. Then again, some of the images were very much to my taste!

Jul 28, 2023 at 08:49 AM

Lucy63
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Leica 35mm Summilux asph

Thanks, yes for sure, there's a limit and I need to check rendering etc for myself.
I've searched through quite a few old threads, a trip to London Red dot is in order.

Jul 28, 2023 at 09:51 AM

rob_ww
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Leica 35mm Summilux asph

As someone who used to own a Leica 35mm Summilux asph (pre FLE) and has a library full of pictures taken with it (on M series cameras), my advice would be to look at something comparable from Zeiss or Voigtlander. In my experience since switching to Sony, those brands provide similar wonderful rendering and are better designed for modern mirrorless cameras. There are many threads and many examples on here. The Zeiss lenses I use on my Sony A7R4 produce visually satisfying results that match or exceed what is alread in my library from using the older kit.

Jul 28, 2023 at 11:51 AM

Lucy63
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Leica 35mm Summilux asph

Thank you for this, I didn't know that other M mount lenses are more suited to modern mirrorless cameras.

Jul 28, 2023 at 04:51 PM

rob_ww
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Leica 35mm Summilux asph

Yes. Zeiss and Voigtlander make most 35 and 50 lenses in Both M mount and Sony FE mount (which will fit your A7R4 directly, ie without an adapter). This makes them much easier to use with Sony’s manual focusing aids because they are triggered automatically.

Zeiss also make some autofocus lenses which are very good. I use the Zeiss Batis 40mm autofocus in most situations where I would have used the Leica 35mm before. The results are very pleasing, with the lovely colours and rendering I am used to with Leica.

Look up reviews on this forum of the Voigtlander 35mm apo-lanthar for example. Lovely pictures and very happy users.

Jul 29, 2023 at 06:24 AM

Lucy63
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Leica 35mm Summilux asph

Thank you, there's so much to learn outside Leica

Jul 29, 2023 at 04:15 PM

1bwana1
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Leica 35mm Summilux asph

I own that lens. I love it on my M11 and M10-P. It is my most used M lens
I also have an M to E adapter, but I never use my M lenses on Sony anymore. Too many IQ issues. I do use a variety of Voigtlander E-Mount lenses with excellent results. I suggest you also go that way.

Jul 29, 2023 at 10:06 PM

rob_ww
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Leica 35mm Summilux asph

So, Lucy, what did you decide ... or are you still considering?

Aug 09, 2023 at 09:27 AM

1bwana1
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Leica 35mm Summilux asph

Lucy63 wrote:
Hi.

I'm thinking of getting an adaptor and a Leica 35mm Summilux asph (pre FLE) to use on my Sony A74.
I'd love to hear from anyone who has had experience of using this lens on Sony A cameras.

Thank you

I have both the lenses and the adapter. Yet i have stopped using these lenses on my A1. They just don't hold up IQ wise in my opinion. There are better options out there, like lenses designed of the Sony sensor stack.

So my advise is no, don't do it.

Aug 09, 2023 at 10:38 AM


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