DandA123
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 p.3 #16 · Light Lens Lab 35mm f/1.4 Aspherical "11873" Review | |
nehemiahphoto wrote:
@DandA123@ I have the same experience and thoughts as you largely. Except 2 distinctions:
1) I have been under the impression that the FLE and Pre-FLE ASPH drew much more similarly to each other than the either of them draws to the original AA that this LLL replica is based on. I hope that's true. But I am not firm on this thought--it's been several years since I researched it. While there were comps, they were not of the exhaustive quality that we have come to expect in 2025. Does anyone have comps/links of the original ASPH to the Pre-FLE?
2) I never bonded with the 35 pre-FLE. For my tastes, and it's all about tastes with 30 year old fast glass, I just thought it was too boring--not enough character to be a character lens, and not enough modern juice to be special like the FLE. That's why I ultimately settled into a 35 pre-asph v2 for character, and something like a ZM 35/1.4, 35 Lux FLE or CV 35/1.7 for modern. Though I realize that's a non-preferred for many two lens solution though it's actually cheaper with a ZM or CV 35/1.7 than one pre-FLE.
Very curious to see Fred's rendering tests. I hope someone, cause I don't think Fred will, compare this LLL to a Pre-FLE and Simera 35/1.4. Then we'd have a very strong understanding of just where this LLL lands.
@_jim_@ I am open minded too--just trying to understand the differences. It has always been my impression that the lenses (Pre-FLE and FLE) structurally draw closer to each other than is often said (oversold on bokeh differences), while the contrast and overall feel of the images differ appreciably (undersold on this front). That was my experience from shooting them. ...Show more →
I think our thoughts regarding the Leica 35mm f1.4 pre FLE vs the FLE are quite similar, but we are coming at it from slightly different direction. It's well established currently that the Leica 35mm f1.4 pre Asph is a character type lens especially when shot at f1.4 up to f2. Next in line for production was the Leica AA. I have no experience with one....well let me take that back. I was in a camera store when they received their very 1st one from Leica. I watched a customer take it out of the box to look at it and I got to hold it for a couple minutes. Back in the box it went, and I even had the chance to purchase it. Little did I know.
OK, back to what I was saying....whereas the Leica 35mm f1.4 pre asph is on one end of the spectrum in terms of being a character lens, the Zeiss ZM f1.4 is on the other (as you pointed out) with its near impeccable modern performance mostly throughout its range
From what I've read and seen regarding Leica's AA, I hold the opinion that it stands on its own and although not considered a character lens, it does have a lovely combination of performance and characteristics and thus how it "draws".
Next comes the Leica 35mm f1.4 pre FLE, which again only knowing what I've read and seen with the AA, my feeling is the Leica pre FLE aside from its noticeable focus shift (and the effect it has on an image if not compensated for) may not quite have quite the level of performance as the AA, especially central and edge sharpness when shot between f1.4 and f2.8 and also distortion characteristics. This is of course conjecture on my part. Then comes the Leica FLE, which I found to be sharper centrally and along the edge when shot wide open to approx f2.8 when compared to the Leica pre FLE and also had increased contrast and a more modern look to its images. Its bokeh though especially at infinity, often left something to be desired.
Where does the new LLL lens fit in? In my admittedly early opinion, I feel from what I've seen so far, that the LLL lens may be somewhat between the Leica AA and Leica pre FLE or put another way, between the AA and FLE. Unless there is a well-controlled side by side test of all these additional lenses, it then thus becomes mostly speculation.
I understand your using two 35mm lenses to cover the attributes of having a character lens (such as the Leica 35mm f1.4 pre ASPH and a high performance modern one such as the Zeiss Zm 35mm f1.4 lens. For me, the Leica 35mm f1.4 pre FLE was/is an excellent compromise "all arounder", demonstrating a well-defined signature with good overall performance and a lovely draw with character. One could say "not too cold, not too hot..."just right"! Yes, it had faults but far from fatal.
It may turn out in its own way, that the new LLL lens also has an excellent balance of attributes compared to all the lenses we've discussed in this thread...just with its own set of desirable characteristics and that in itself is a very good thing. So far I am extremely impressed with what I've been seeing so far in Fred's testing and truly appreciate his effort as usual.
Dave
Edited on Dec 23, 2025 at 06:24 PM · View previous versions
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