Fred Miranda wrote:
Jim,
I'm curious about this. I still don't think it’s what’s causing the "textured" look in the highlights' inner structure, but I am open to the possibility that it could be.
I got the lens back...and there is still some texture. After cleaning the residue from the rear of the front element group, the overall rendering of out-of-focus specular highlights is cleaner (less fuzzy around the edges), but still not perfectly clean (*for an aspherical lens*). My guess is there might be more residue further in the lens, but that can become a one way trip unless the tech has a centering collimator to put everything back together correctly. I also think you're right too - a lot of the texture is from the asphere polishing.
I'd also argue that there was a slight improvement in apparent resolution after cleaning (the residue had a kind of light diffusion effect).
Here's the kind of non-scientific comparison that everyone should hate! I shot the LLL 35mm f/1.4 '11873' side-by-side with a 2001 Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH 11874. I made sure that shutter speeds were matched between shots, but no tripod was used (the ground is almost entirely poison oak, so the fewer things that are in contact with it, the better). Minor editing and clean-up was done after 'dslr' scanning. Ultimately, hard to compare too much as:
A. No tripod was used so framing isn't exact.
B: Grainy film (Eastman 5222) + grain enhancing developer (Rodinal @ 1:50) = GRAIN
C. It's monochrome
That being said, my take aways are:
1. The rendering and sharpness between the two lenses on GRAINy film are so close that it's basically irrelevant.
2. If we were to split hairs, the LLL is marginally 'smoother.'
3. The Leica has better flare resistance.
4. The Leica exhibits slightly less field curvature in the extreme corners.
5. The Leica feels nicer, but I admit that I like the textured focus ring + tab on the LLL in operation.
JHF04254 by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
LLL (I don't totally understand what is going on with the emulsion here on the bottom...other than the flare...if someone knows, tell me)
_jim_ wrote:
Here's the kind of non-scientific comparison that everyone should hate! I shot the LLL 35mm f/1.4 '11873' side-by-side with a 2001 Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH 11874. I made sure that shutter speeds were matched between shots, but no tripod was used (the ground is almost entirely poison oak, so the fewer things that are in contact with it, the better). Minor editing and clean-up was done after 'dslr' scanning. Ultimately, hard to compare too much as:
A. No tripod was used so framing isn't exact.
B: Grainy film (Eastman 5222) + grain enhancing developer (Rodinal @ 1:50) = GRAIN
C. It's monochrome
That being said, my take aways are:
1. The rendering and sharpness between the two lenses on GRAINy film are so close that it's basically irrelevant.
2. If we were to split hairs, the LLL is marginally 'smoother.'
3. The Leica has better flare resistance.
4. The Leica exhibits slightly less field curvature in the extreme corners.
5. The Leica feels nicer, but I admit that I like the textured focus ring + tab on the LLL in operation.
As you wrote, the results on film are very similar. I think the real difference would show up when shooting at f/2.8 while focusing with the rangefinder. The Leica is known for noticeable focus shift, while the LLL has that corrected.
such an easy to like lens the LLL 35 1.4AA is, I have had no issues with my Ti ver except for the rattle. I use a screw in 46 mm hood I had.. problem solved, doesn't look as cool however. Dinner in Kushiro Japan. The LLL does the stainless steel and light well. Oddly the 35 1.4 has encouraged me to take my Contax G 45/2 convert out more, both being E46 and the Contax being a very different Zeiss T render than the LLL they actually pair up well for me.
Ordered the black one the 5th of February and feels like it's taking a while despite the national holiday. Looking forward to it though cause it looks good.
damonnomonon wrote:
Ordered the black one the 5th of February and feels like it's taking a while despite the national holiday. Looking forward to it though cause it looks good.
Yeah, I know they were closed for much of February. I ordered mine in January and it still hasn't been sent yet.
I received my black copy this morning, unexpectedly, but pleasantly surprised. With that being said, I was able to play with it for a few minutes, and I'm sad to say, it is front focusing. My LLL 8e does not have any issues on the same body (Epson R-D1). I have reached out to LLL to discuss options.
Edit: David at LLL has already replied, and we are working through the issues.
I would be concerned their calibration rig is itself out of calibration. I doubt they're shipping lenses without testing them.
Prospective buyers might find it prudent to hold off for 6 months or so while they work through the issue.
How frustrating.
Victor Santos wrote:
I received my black copy this morning, unexpectedly, but pleasantly surprised. With that being said, I was able to play with it for a few minutes, and I'm sad to say, it is front focusing. My LLL 8e does not have any issues on the same body (Epson R-D1). I have reached out to LLL to discuss options.
Edit: David at LLL has already replied, and we are working through the issues.
Definitely frustrating, but I have enjoyed the other lenses they offer so worth the hassle for now. The great thing is the customer service was great. The lens arrived this morning via DHL, and was back out via UPS this afternoon. I'm thankful David at LLL is so responsive.
That makes a huge difference, if problems are handled promptly without friction then it's a much smaller issue.
Let us know when you get your lens back and if it's all sorted.
Victor Santos wrote:
Definitely frustrating, but I have enjoyed the other lenses they offer so worth the hassle for now. The great thing is the customer service was great. The lens arrived this morning via DHL, and was back out via UPS this afternoon. I'm thankful David at LLL is so responsive.
thrice wrote:
I would be concerned their calibration rig is itself out of calibration. I doubt they're shipping lenses without testing them.
Prospective buyers might find it prudent to hold off for 6 months or so while they work through the issue.
How frustrating.
I've bought and used the rigid and the elcan in the last few months and the focusing has been spot on. Only use film though so maybe issues are less noticeable. Still, wonder what the deal is with the new one?
Just wanted to add a shipping data point. Ordered my AA Ti lens on March 19, got a tracking number March 22, and movement yesterday (March 23). It’s stuck with customs now seemingly but hopefully will get moving soon. At least the time from ordering to shipping was pretty quick.
