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Archive 2023 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

mahimihi
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

I had my mind set in the 35f2 ASPH, but I’ve heard from people who owned it that they didn’t like the rendering of it. Stale and too harsh some say.

Initially I wanted the Mandler v4 KOB, but the prices of that are basically the same as a new ASPH. Same with the used f1.4 summiluxes pre-ASPH.

It would be a companion to the 50f2 cron v5.

Any preferences?

I just need the contrast kept to the 50 cron level or less (not more) and a bit of charm wide open. Also, little to no distortion.

I currently own the 35f1.4 Nokton II SC.

Oct 02, 2023 at 01:18 PM

RustyRus
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

If I could only own one Leica 35, it would be the 35 ASPH.

I own 3 Leica 35's and the Lux ASPH is the best do it all. Great wide open with modern character, plenty of micro contrast and pop, stopped down its plenty sharp etc. Lots of uses for it.

I own three 35's today. Placed in order from favorite to least
35 SR
35 APO
35 LUX ASPH2

The Lux is my least favorite of the 3 but its the one I would keep if I had to choose. Its just a really great lens for anything you want to do with it. If I want to go walk around a city, its usually my first choose.

Oct 02, 2023 at 03:00 PM

rscheffler
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

Get the Light Lens Lab 35 Cron v1 replica if you want some charm and not too much modern sterility. Back during its development I recall one of their aims was moderate wide open contrast, and this seems to be the case with my copy. But I haven't really compared it against my 50 Cron Rigid. Another option could be the Canon 35/2 LTM. Canon also made a 35/1.8 and 35/1.5. The faster you go the more 'character' you get at and near wide open, and the price also increases accordingly. Are you shooting film?

Edited on Oct 02, 2023 at 03:41 PM · View previous versions

Oct 02, 2023 at 03:37 PM

Desmolicious
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

I never found the 35 Asph stale or harsh. Basically take what people tell you how a lens 'renders' with a huge shovel of salt.
Look at images taken with the lens.

I took this with a 35 Asph v1

Oct 02, 2023 at 03:41 PM

Desmolicious
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

35 Asph v1

Oct 02, 2023 at 03:42 PM

madNbad
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

When I bought a M6 TTL in 2006, it came with a 90 Tele Elmarit (thin) Shortly after I found a 35 Summicron ASPH for a good price. I used it as my only lens for about seven years. I’m still convinced that the V1 was one of the best lenses Leica made.

Oct 02, 2023 at 03:51 PM

panos.v
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

So what's wrong with the 35/1.4 SC II? Bit of charm wide open, sharp stopped down without insane contrast. ...?

Oct 02, 2023 at 04:16 PM

cookedart
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

My favorite is the 35 Summilux ASPH (im currently using the FLE). Has great sharpness, rendering, and contrast. It's also not excessively large or heavy, like the 35mm Voigtlander APO or the Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM. While the summicrons are noticeably lighter, I much prefer the flexibility of having the f/1.4 aperture.

Oct 02, 2023 at 04:28 PM

lifeandmylens
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

mahimihi wrote:
It would be a companion to the 50f2 cron v5.

I'd probably choose the 35 summicron asph v1. Somewhere around $1800 used. You could also look at any of the pre asph summicrons. V1 and v4 are priced high. Look at the others.

My personal favorites are the Summilux ASPH Pre FLE and the Summilux pre asph.

Oct 02, 2023 at 04:36 PM

madNbad
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

panos.v wrote:
So what's wrong with the 35/1.4 SC II? Bit of charm wide open, sharp stopped down without insane contrast. ...?

Nothing. I bought one to use on my M4-2 and love it. Having owned Leica lenses, the little Nokton is a gem and pretty much my go to lens.

Oct 02, 2023 at 04:46 PM

lifeandmylens
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

madNbad wrote:
Nothing. I bought one to use on my M4-2 and love it. Having owned Leica lenses, the little Nokton is a gem and pretty much my go to lens.

If you like it, keep it. You already have basically a lux v2 - just higher contrast and without the glow.

Oct 02, 2023 at 05:01 PM

Desmolicious
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

lifeandmylens wrote:
If you like it, keep it. You already have basically a lux v2 - just higher contrast and without the glow.

I think you meant to reply to the OP.

I also have the CV 35 1.4 II and love it. It's a keeper.

Oct 02, 2023 at 06:27 PM

lifeandmylens
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

Desmolicious wrote:
I think you meant to reply to the OP.

whoops yes, I did

Oct 02, 2023 at 06:53 PM

retrofocus
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

I have the 35/2 v4 KOB and have used in the past the 35/2 ASPH v1. I started with a great copy of the ASPH v1 lens not knowing that it doesn't work well adapted to my Sony A7R camera due to its thicker sensor glass. Returned the ASPH v1 lens and purchased instead several years ago the v4 KOB which works very well on my A7R. Later I bought my first digital M which came together with a new 35/2.4 Summarit-M lens. I never used the ASPH v1 lens on my digital M camera, but I am sure it is working great there, too. I don't see any debit with these 35 mm lenses in combination with my M-E 240 camera.

Biggest difference I see comes from the 35/2.4 Summarit lens which is sharper and has more contrast than the v4 KOB and has a very different bokeh. I prefer to use the Summarit lens on film and the v4 KOB on digital. The v4 KOB is certainly not a "King of bokeh". The bokeh is good but nothing out of the ordinary for a 35 mm lens IMO.

In addition to these lenses, I also have the CV 35/1.2 v2. More bulky lens, but very different character and of course much faster. Its bokeh is unique and a nice mix of vintage and modern.

Oct 02, 2023 at 07:33 PM

Desmolicious
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

retrofocus wrote:
..
In addition to these lenses, I also have the CV 35/1.2 v2. More bulky lens, but very different character and of course much faster. Its bokeh is unique and a nice mix of vintage and modern.

I really like the v2. Great on film:

Oct 02, 2023 at 07:51 PM

retrofocus
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

Here are some photos I took which each of the above mentioned 35 mm lenses:

Leica 35/2.0 v4 KOB @ f/2.0 adapted to Sony A7R

Leica 35/2.0 v4 KOB @ f/2.0 with Leica M7 and Fuji Provia 100F slide film

Leica 35/2.4 @ f/2.4 with Leica M-E 240

CV 35/1.2 v2 @ f/1.2 with Leica M-E 240

Oct 02, 2023 at 07:53 PM

ottokbre
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

My 35/1.4 MC II is basically 10 condition and now the focus ring grinding like hell. I might have to open up the helicoid and see what's going on.

I've always want the 35 Lux pre-Asph just on looks alone but Huss' images are pretty much everything I look for in lens rendering at 3-5'.

Oct 02, 2023 at 07:58 PM

retrofocus
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

Desmolicious wrote:
I really like the v2. Great on film:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50316399562_5187aaa666_c.jpg

+1. This lens has a nice contrast and good sharpness wide open that it can be used well both on digital and film.

CV 35/1.2 v2 @ f/1.4 with Leica M6 and Ferrania P30 film

Oct 02, 2023 at 08:00 PM

patotts
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

Kind of depends on your budget as well. The new close focus 35'lux would perhaps be the top choice, but I think the current 'cron 35/2 asph would be a great balanced choice (balanced between price, size, weight and performance).

But if you have a 50'cron, perhaps worth looking at 28mm to better differentiate between your two lenses? I think Fred M has really good experiences with the latest Voigtlander 28mm (Ultron type 2?)

Oct 02, 2023 at 08:51 PM

1bwana1
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Best 35mm Leica lens?

I am very happy with my Leica 35mm Summilux ASPH (pre FLE). It draws beautiful images. Some character wide open, but technically excellent stopped down. It is my most used lens on my M bodies.

If I were primarily shooting landscapes, architecture, products, and things like that I would go for the 35mm Summicron APO. But for mixed general shooting with multiple subjects and moods I would suggest one of the Summilux 35 ASPH lenses is your best choice. Mine pairs beautifully with my 50mm Summicron v5. Not in the sense that the FL gap is perfect. But rather the FLs are close enough, and the personalities are different enough that with just a few steps I can choose the one that suites the subject matter the best.

Edited on Oct 03, 2023 at 03:57 AM · View previous versions

Oct 02, 2023 at 10:03 PM

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