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 p.11 #5 · Light Lens Lab 35mm f/1.4 Aspherical "11873" Review | |
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Final Thoughts:
A Contemporary Interpretation of a Timeless Classic
The Light Lens Lab 35mm f/1.4 Aspherical 11873 is an intriguing lens that feels both familiar and unique. It clearly draws inspiration from the original Leica 35mm f/1.4 Double Aspherical, but it isn't a literal recreation. Instead, it's an interpretation that updates the classic formula for digital sensors while maintaining the performance and rendering that made the original special. With new ED and achromatic glass, tighter assembly tolerances for digital use, and molded double aspherical elements (like the original), the lens is optimized for modern sensors while preserving character. The result is a lens tuned for today's digital cameras but still evocative of the classic look.
The Light Lens Lab 35mm f/1.4 "11813" Aspherical comes from a design philosophy rooted in an era when floating elements were not yet widely adopted to optimize performance at all distances. In that sense, it behaves much like a pre-FLE design, similar to the Leica "11814" that followed the original Double Aspherical. Optically, it performs better than many would expect from a 35mm f/1.4 that does not use a floating element system.
Center sharpness is strong wide open, and by f/2.8f/4 it reaches peak performance across the frame. Contrast is more gentle wide open, contributing to a softer, more atmospheric look that I personally enjoy. Compared to the Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH. FLE, the LLL shows lower contrast and less aggressive spherical aberration correction, translating to smoother backgrounds and a more classic, less clinical rendering. The FLE remains sharper at the focal plane, particularly at close distances, but its higher correction comes with slightly more purple fringing and a busier, more structured bokeh. Many shooters may prefer the Light Lens Lab 35mm f/1.4 Aspherical "look" for this reason alone.
One of the LLL's most distinctive traits is its bokeh and specular highlights. Highlights can reveal a subtle checkered pattern from the molded asphericals, which on close inspection appears as overlapping double onion ring patterns. This is noticeable only under extreme magnification and rarely distracting in real-world shooting. Bokeh balls are round at the center, gradually becoming conical toward the edges, with minor cat's eye effects appearing only in extreme corners. This may sound a little unusual, but to me, some of its rendering characteristics are reminiscent of the Leica 50mm f/1 Noctilux. I'm talking about things like residual spherical aberration, conical highlights toward the edges of the frame, outward field curvature, and the occasional half-circle outlining in the bokeh.
Field curvature is pronounced outward, making out-of-focus corners appear sharper than expected depending on subject distance, giving the lens a unique rendering signature compared with the flatter FLE.
Chromatic aberration is well controlled, with minimal purple fringing at the plane of focus and moderate magenta fringing in out-of-focus areas. The lens shows a tiny amount of barrel distortion, which does not require correction in post, and overall it behaves very well even on modern digital sensors.
Mechanically, the lens feels solid and precise. My copy is accurately calibrated with the rangefinder, and all sample images were taken solely using it. The aperture ring is excellent, with crisp, satisfying clicks (the best I've seen), and the focus ring has loosened slightly with use to become smooth and reliable across the range. Close focusing down to 0.7m is practical, though spherical aberration is more noticeable at these distances, which adds to the lens's gentle character.
In short, the LLL 35mm f/1.4 Aspherical sits in a sweet spot between the Leica 35mm f/1.4 pre-ASPH and the FLE, and anyone familiar with the pre-FLE 11814 may appreciate how similar it performs. And for those who prefer the slightly gentler sharpness and softer rendering of the "pre-FLE" Summilux, there's good news: the Light Lens Lab 35mm f/1.4 Aspherical shows absolutely no focus shift, unlike the original Leica.
It offers smoother, gentler rendering than the current FLE version, yet sharper and more controlled optics than the pre-ASPH. It's not about maximum resolution or contrast at all costs, but about a pleasing, classic rendering with personality. If you appreciate a lens with character and are willing to trade some corner contrast and absolute sharpness for smoother bokeh, softer highlights, and a slightly more vintage feel, this lens will likely resonate with you. I haven't compared it to the original, but I think Light Lens Lab has created something really special here.
Pros
Strong center sharpness wide open; peak performance by f/2.8f/4 across the field
Smooth, gentle rendering with softer bokeh
Minimal purple fringing at focus plane; well-controlled chromatic aberration
Excellent aperture ring with precise, satisfying clicks
Effectively no focus shift
Defined sunstars even at f/2, f/2.8, and optimal at f/4
Extremely solid build with precise rangefinder calibration (based on my copy)
Distortion is minimal and rarely requires any post-processing correction
Modern optical updates (ED/achromatic elements, molded asphericals) improve consistency
Cons
Slightly lower contrast and resolution at wide apertures compared to Leica FLE
Field curvature more pronounced, affecting edge rendering depending on distance
Specular highlights show subtle checkered pattern (double onion ring) at 100% magnification
Slight spherical aberration wide open, more noticeable than FLE
Close-focus performance softer due to lack of FLE, improves when stopped down
Out-of-focus corners may appear more in focus than expected due to field curvature
Not identical to the Leica original, especially in how the edge outlining renders
Overall, the Light Lens Lab 35mm f/1.4 Aspherical "11813" is a lens full of character, delivering a distinctive rendering that combines classic Leica softness with modern optical performance. I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoy it, especially considering I already own and love both the Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH FLE and the pre-ASPH version. In terms of performance and rendering, the LLL 35mm f/1.4 leans closer to the FLE, while also echoing some qualities of the pre-FLE. It retains a touch of spherical aberration reminiscent of the pre-ASPH, resulting in a balanced, softer, and more pleasing image. For me, it strikes the ideal middle ground, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it.
At the moment, this lens is only available for purchase directly from https://lightlenslab.com.
Get a 5% discount when you use the FREDMIRANDA code at checkout.
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