p.1 #1 · Fast lens for Leica M11 in the 35-50mm range
I'm looking for a fast M-mount lens in the f/1.0-f/1.4 range, somewhere between 35mm and 50mm.
For reference, I already own a 35mm Summicron-M ASPH (v2), and it is basically perfect. It's as sharp as I could ever need, has great handling, and I have no complaints about its rendering at all. It's basically the extra stop (or two) I'm seeking.
I've been considering the first-generation 35mm Summilux-M ASPH FLE, but I'm wondering if it might be too similar to my Summicron. Since I already have what I consider the ideal 35mm lens, perhaps it would make more sense to buy something that complements it rather than overlaps with it.
Other lenses currently on my shortlist are the latest Voigtländer Nokton versions in 35mm, 40mm, and 50mm f/1.2. I previously owned the Leica 35mm Summilux Steel Rim Reissue, but it wasn't really for me. I'm looking for something that is "sharp" and well-corrected, rather than a lens built around vintage character or imperfections.
One important point: whichever lens I buy will be used predominantly wide open. Performance at maximum aperture matters much more to me than stopped-down performance.
For context, I also own two Voigtländer lenses:
28mm Color-Skopar 28mm f/2.8 II
50mm Color-Skopar 50mm f/2.2
These have been my work horses for much of the last year, and I will never part with them!
Given what I already have, would you go for the 35mm FLE, or one of the Nokton 35/40/50mm f/1.2 lenses? I'd be especially interested in hearing from people who have owned both the 35mm Summicron ASPH and one or more of these Noktons.
p.1 #3 · Fast lens for Leica M11 in the 35-50mm range
In terms of "performance" are you looking for edge to edge sharpness? Does field curvature matter at all? Focus shift? Does size/weight matter? There are so many fast 35-50mm lenses available in M mount you could spend a good year researching them.
My favorites in no particular order:
Leica 35mm F1.4 Summilux Pre FLE - I like the rendering on this version better than the FLE that followed it. If I'm using it closer up on something I like the softer rendering.
Leica 50mm F1.4 Summilux V3 - Pre ASPH for me all the way. V3 over V2 for the improved minimum focus distance
Canon 50mm F0.95 "Dream Lens" - I've tried a ton of fast 50's and I've yet to see anything that renders like this lens
Zeiss 35mm F1.4 Distagon ZM - big and heavy but if you can tolerate it you get incredible IQ.
I think the Voigtlanders are fine I've tried the 35 and 50 1.2's and the IQ is fine I just didn't really connect with the lenses
p.1 #4 · Fast lens for Leica M11 in the 35-50mm range
selahsean wrote:
In terms of "performance" are you looking for edge to edge sharpness? Does field curvature matter at all? Focus shift? Does size/weight matter? There are so many fast 35-50mm lenses available in M mount you could spend a good year researching them.
My favorites in no particular order:
Leica 35mm F1.4 Summilux Pre FLE - I like the rendering on this version better than the FLE that followed it. If I'm using it closer up on something I like the softer rendering.
Leica 50mm F1.4 Summilux V3 - Pre ASPH for me all the way. V3 over V2 for the improved minimum focus distance
Canon 50mm F0.95 "Dream Lens" - I've tried a ton of fast 50's and I've yet to see anything that renders like this lens
Zeiss 35mm F1.4 Distagon ZM - big and heavy but if you can tolerate it you get incredible IQ.
I think the Voigtlanders are fine I've tried the 35 and 50 1.2's and the IQ is fine I just didn't really connect with the lenses...Show more →
I don't need the sharpest lens out there, at these apertures my eyes are more than likely to be the weak spot. On the other hand, I have to admit that I've never really liked the "character lenses" I've tried.
I have actually owned the Zeiss Distagon, and that was waaaay to large for my liking. Optically it was the best Zeiss lens I've ever tried.
Weight is a factor, and that is also one of the reasons I'm considering the version II Noktons (and IV version of the 35mm).
p.1 #5 · Fast lens for Leica M11 in the 35-50mm range
patashnik wrote:
I don't need the sharpest lens out there, at these apertures my eyes are more than likely to be the weak spot. On the other hand, I have to admit that I've never really liked the "character lenses" I've tried.
I have actually owned the Zeiss Distagon, and that was waaaay to large for my liking. Optically it was the best Zeiss lens I've ever tried.
Weight is a factor, and that is also one of the reasons I'm considering the version II Noktons (and IV version of the 35mm).
The 35mm Nokton is still pretty heavy and for my money doesn't offer enough at 1.2 to offset that vs a 1.4 Leica. My guess is that you'll probably be very happy with a FLE v1 35 and probably never look back. The other option is try everything else first before resigning yourself to the Leica.
p.1 #6 · Fast lens for Leica M11 in the 35-50mm range
I like the 35mm/1.5 Voigt. I had almost all the 35mm Summilux and Summicron before. I do not miss them.
In fact, I prefer the Voigt bokeh by far to the Summilux ASPH.
p.1 #7 · Fast lens for Leica M11 in the 35-50mm range
selahsean wrote:
In terms of "performance" are you looking for edge to edge sharpness? Does field curvature matter at all? Focus shift? Does size/weight matter?
My favorites in no particular order:
Leica 35mm F1.4 Summilux Pre FLE - I like the rendering on this version better than the FLE that followed it. If I'm using it closer up on something I like the softer rendering.
Personally I only notice focus-shift on my copy of the pre-FLE if I look for it. The LLL AA is also a contender, but I haven't used one myself.
Yeah the LLL has definitely caught my eye but like you I don't have any experience with it. Honestly when people ask why shoot Leica M the vast amount of options we have for lenses is the absolute top of my list. It doesn't matter what you're looking for in a lens you can find it an M mount option (well minus AF of course).
p.1 #9 · Fast lens for Leica M11 in the 35-50mm range
patashnik wrote:
I'm looking for a fast M-mount lens in the f/1.0-f/1.4 range, somewhere between 35mm and 50mm.
It's all very individual, of course. For me, a single 35mm FLE V1 is enough—I've been shooting with it for 15 years. You already have a Summicron—it's a great lens.
But a 50mm is never enough for me; I use them too differently. And there's a huge difference in artistic expression between the fast Summarit 50/1.5 and Summilux 50/1.4. Not to mention the Noctiluxes. My 50mm APO barely even needs to be used, while others shoot 2,000-3,000 shots a month. And it's just a hobby. So, the selection is vast and there are so many excellent lenses. And as mentioned above, the Canon 50mm/0.95 and F1.8 are excellent lenses.
p.1 #10 · Fast lens for Leica M11 in the 35-50mm range
pmeheut wrote:
I like the 35mm/1.5 Voigt. I had almost all the 35mm Summilux and Summicron before. I do not miss them.
In fact, I prefer the Voigt bokeh by far to the Summilux ASPH.
I feel like this lens doesn't have the best reputation (just kind of meh) but it's on my m11 90% of the time. It's really nice in terms of size and weight too. I got a ring to cover up the silver on the front and it's become my go to.
p.1 #11 · Fast lens for Leica M11 in the 35-50mm range
I have the 35 & 50 summicrons and love them both for travel and general purpose stuff. I bought the 35 Distagon and the 50 Nokton f1 as specialized lenses when I want minimum DOF and maximum blur. Both of them are fantastic, tons of flavor and character.
This hasn't stopped me from sizing up all manner of luxes that hit the forum, but that's just gear lust.
p.1 #12 · Fast lens for Leica M11 in the 35-50mm range
The Nokton 50 1.2 is biggest bang for a buck. It is a really great all rounder 1.2. It lacks that vintage character of the Leica 1.2 or LLL 1966, or the Leica F1, and it is not the Noct 0.95 of leica. It is far better than the F1 Nokton at being normal all rounder giving up a tiny bit of F. It is a 50 you can leave on your camera, use it wide or stop it down, and if you shoot film sometimes just add in some NDs. Read Fred's test it is a goody at its price point. It also is not too big, not tiny of course, but it is not a weighty noct lens and not tiring to just leave on the M. I prefer to match it to a 28 F1.4 Nokton to have a bigger jump from 50 than 35, a lens also on Fred's test list with high marks. It also is not excessively heavy in fact it is remarkably light for what it is. Voigtlander hit it out of the park with their Noktons for M, price v performance.
