p.1 #1 · Leica Summilux 35mm FLE vs Pre-FLE -- which one speaks to you?
Hey everyone,
I’ve been spending some time comparing the 35 Summilux FLE and the pre-FLE (early serial 36xx), and thought it might be fun to get your take on it. Below are a few SOOC shots I took with one of them, I’ll reveal which soon.
All shot on my M10-P. Each set was taken wide open, same settings for both shots. Curious to hear what you see, and why you prefer one over the other. Tonality, microcontrast, rendering, bokeh, color, anything that stands out to you.
I’ll share the answer soon once a few of you chime in.
p.1 #2 · Leica Summilux 35mm FLE vs Pre-FLE -- which one speaks to you?
I prefer the slightly smoother bokeh on the pre-FLE but the hood design on the FLE. I'm surprised there's so much of a difference in contrast between them in your images. I do like the lower contrast of the FLE. I've not owned or used the pre-FLE but I've owned the FLE for a while and plan to keep using it and enjoying it.
p.1 #3 · Leica Summilux 35mm FLE vs Pre-FLE -- which one speaks to you?
Minor differences to me from these photos. A seems to be more flare resistant and flatter field of focus, whereas B bends out towards the edges. Makes me think B is an older lens. Not crazy about the bokeh quality of either.
p.1 #4 · Leica Summilux 35mm FLE vs Pre-FLE -- which one speaks to you?
No experience with either of these lenses, but just by looking at the photos I agree that B is the older lens. I looked at the bokeh circles within the tree foliage in the background - B has more oval shaped ones than A which points to B being the older lens.
p.1 #6 · Leica Summilux 35mm FLE vs Pre-FLE -- which one speaks to you?
Many years ago someone here posted some comparison images between these two lenses and my memory wants to say that one had smoother background but rougher foreground bokeh, while the other lens was the opposite. It would be interesting to see a few comparison shots that included both foreground and background bokeh AND transition through the plane of focus. Not to make this more work than it already is!
p.1 #7 · Leica Summilux 35mm FLE vs Pre-FLE -- which one speaks to you?
Not too much difference on some, but I do much prefer B for #2. #3 the background smoother on A, prefer that to the what looks like a little more sharpness on B. On #4 it looks like B is shot wider than A, very different look in the background on that shot. Look at the difference in the truck and the light pole, much busier on A. I prefer B there as well
#1 I would guess A is Pre
#2 A is FLE
#3 A is Pre
#4 A is FLE
p.1 #8 · Leica Summilux 35mm FLE vs Pre-FLE -- which one speaks to you?
At one time when the first 35mm Lux FLE was introduced, I owned the pre FLE and after some time due to focus shift, switched over to the FLE. and sold the pre FLE a few days later. I only recall shooting both lenses at the same time for a few shots. My impressions were aside from the noticeable focus shift of the pre FLE, that the FLE had a bit more contrast, but the elements in the background bokeh were slightly more jittery. The pre FLE was more painterly and had a bit more character while the FLE was more modern and a tad bit sharper. Depends on what one was looking for but I moved on from that first FLE and had missed the pre FLE.
Sometimes the differences between these two lenses were subtle, sometimes not. Depends on the lighting, subject background and whether focus shift was taken into consideration.
I can take a stab in the dark and try guessing which image was which:
Set #1 A is FLE
Set #2 A is pre FLE
Set #3 A is FLE
Set #4 A is FLE
p.1 #10 · Leica Summilux 35mm FLE vs Pre-FLE -- which one speaks to you?
Pure IQ, I prefer the pre-FLE.. unfortunately the stupid plastic hood setup and focus shift was too much to deal with, so ultimately FLE and then FLE v2 was the direction I went in.. but still love the look of the pre-FLE!
p.1 #11 · Leica Summilux 35mm FLE vs Pre-FLE -- which one speaks to you?
'each pair is a different combination!'
I'll replace my flippant remark to say this: it's hard enough to draw distinctions between similar lenses shot in strange places if they stay in the same place on the screen. It's always best to give people the opportunity to 'build' their opinions over several images, confident that the lens stay sin the same position relative to the other(s) being compared. Just a suggestion.
p.1 #14 · Leica Summilux 35mm FLE vs Pre-FLE -- which one speaks to you?
pinewood wrote:
I prefer the slightly smoother bokeh on the pre-FLE but the hood design on the FLE. I'm surprised there's so much of a difference in contrast between them in your images. I do like the lower contrast of the FLE. I've not owned or used the pre-FLE but I've owned the FLE for a while and plan to keep using it and enjoying it.
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Thanks for sharing your take. I also notice the smoother bokeh on the pre fle and agree the fle hood is more practical. The contrast difference surprised me too. But it makes sense that with newer coating on the fle makes that difference? In daylight especially, the coating does show a bit more modern pop on the fle. Both hold their ground though.
rscheffler wrote:
Many years ago someone here posted some comparison images between these two lenses and my memory wants to say that one had smoother background but rougher foreground bokeh, while the other lens was the opposite. It would be interesting to see a few comparison shots that included both foreground and background bokeh AND transition through the plane of focus. Not to make this more work than it already is!
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At some point, I’d like to do this again with a person as the foreground subject too. That will show a lot more about how each lens handles transition and character.
rsolti13 wrote:
Not too much difference on some, but I do much prefer B for #2. #3 the background smoother on A, prefer that to the what looks like a little more sharpness on B. On #4 it looks like B is shot wider than A, very different look in the background on that shot. Look at the difference in the truck and the light pole, much busier on A. I prefer B there as well
#1 I would guess A is Pre
#2 A is FLE
#3 A is Pre
#4 A is FLE
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Wow, you are spot on! I noticed the same thing reviewing the files, especially in #2 and #4. Amazing how those small shifts in composition and distance bring out different traits in each lens. Appreciate you taking the time to look through it this closely.
DandA123 wrote:
At one time when the first 35mm Lux FLE was introduced, I owned the pre FLE and after some time due to focus shift, switched over to the FLE. and sold the pre FLE a few days later. I only recall shooting both lenses at the same time for a few shots. My impressions were aside from the noticeable focus shift of the pre FLE, that the FLE had a bit more contrast, but the elements in the background bokeh were slightly more jittery. The pre FLE was more painterly and had a bit more character while the FLE was more modern and a tad bit sharper. Depends on what one was looking for but I moved on from that first FLE and had missed the pre FLE.
Sometimes the differences between these two lenses were subtle, sometimes not. Depends on the lighting, subject background and whether focus shift was taken into consideration.
I can take a stab in the dark and try guessing which image was which:
Set #1 A is FLE
Set #2 A is pre FLE
Set #3 A is FLE
Set #4 A is FLE ...Show more →
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Great write up and I resonate with the description. The pre fle has that painterly charm and a touch more character, which I like. The fle feels cleaner and more contrasty, especially wide open. Focus shift wasn't as noticeable on prefle until I started using the fle but it is something to consider depending on how you shoot. Your guesses were pretty good across the sets. Appreciate the thoughtful comparison.
gammarART wrote:
With the new EV1 I would always go for the pre vs the FLE1. With the EVF focus shift isn’t a problem.
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100%! With the new ev1, the focus shift issue becomes much less of a factor, and that does make the pre fle more appealing!
BrandonSi wrote:
Pure IQ, I prefer the pre-FLE.. unfortunately the stupid plastic hood setup and focus shift was too much to deal with, so ultimately FLE and then FLE v2 was the direction I went in.. but still love the look of the pre-FLE!
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Totally hear you. The plastic hood on the pre fle is not my favorite, I used the lens without the hood, and focus shift can be annoying depending on workflow. The look is beautiful though. Both paths make sense depending on how you shoot and how much you tolerate quirks.
philip_pj wrote:
'each pair is a different combination!'
I'll replace my flippant remark to say this: it's hard enough to draw distinctions between similar lenses shot in strange places if they stay in the same place on the screen. It's always best to give people the opportunity to 'build' their opinions over several images, confident that the lens stay sin the same position relative to the other(s) being compared. Just a suggestion.
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Appreciate the feedback. Makes sense. A more consistent side by side with fixed lens positions would give a cleaner takeaway. This run was quick and casual, so I mixed pairs, but hopefully I can to do a more controlled test at some point.
crazeazn wrote:
Lazy reply: both are great
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Yes! Honestly, hard to go wrong with either.
p.1 #15 · Leica Summilux 35mm FLE vs Pre-FLE -- which one speaks to you?
I guess I was wrong on some of them as sure as I was. At least in these examples I prefer the FLE oof in a couple of the images, maybe it has a slightly flatter field, I don't know.
p.1 #16 · Leica Summilux 35mm FLE vs Pre-FLE -- which one speaks to you?
One thing that might be helpful to some who have the pre FLE or some other fast (f1.4) M lenses with focus shift and using them on a OVF Leica body.
Generally, these lenses are adjusted for best (accurate focus) wide open at Leica, Zeiss etc. A competent tech like DAG can adjust these lenses for best focus at approx f2 or f2.2. Then instead of an enormous focus shift (back focus) when stopping down from f1.4 to approx f4, there will be a much smaller focus shift.... exhibiting a small front focus shift when shooting this adjusted lens at f1.4, perfect focus at f2 (or f2.2) and then a small back focus shift beyond f2.2.
I had a few lenses known to have a significant focus shift adjusted this way and it make a siginificant difference in shooting with these lenses.
Zeiss's well known Sonnar 50mm f1.5 ZM lens which was noted to have significant focus shift since Zeiss initially adjusted this lens for best focus at f1.5, began to change this in late production to adjust for best focus at approx f2.2 to minimize this focus shift.
