Edward/Ron - the Zeiss 35/1.4 is simply too large for me. While in Paris, now, I can get a new Summilux-35 FLE for US$1,100 less than the US price (because of the exchange rate and after a discount and a VAT rebate). I'm cogitating (that's the word cuz it's a ponderous process) whether to buy it to replace my Summicron-35v4. Any thoughts?
Thank you Derek! I used to have the c/y and now that you mentioned it I think you're right. The bokeh looks related though a bit smoother than the c/y. From memory I think the c/y had more 3d rendering but I'm not sure anymore.
Mitch, from online reviews and comparisons, the fle seems to be much better than the cron. I'm sure Ron and others can chime in as I don't have first hand experience.
edwardkaraa wrote:
Thank you Derek! I used to have the c/y and now that you mentioned it I think you're right. The bokeh looks related though a bit smoother than the c/y. From memory I think the c/y had more 3d rendering but I'm not sure anymore.
Looks to me to be sharper and contrastier in the plane of focus than CY 35/1.4 wide open and slower transition from in focus to out of focus like new Zeiss lens designs.
The background bokeh looks less dreamy than CY35/1.4 and more strongly drawn. Background objects not in focus plane retain their shapes more and are not obliterated like creamy bokeh lenses. CY35/1.4 generates more 3d imho.
I agree with Ron, I think I like the RX1 Sonnar bokeh better but this lens looks to have excellent sharpness and contrast wide open. I guess clinical as some say since it seems well corrected for SA. Too bad about the size causing blockage. Thanks for posting these images, cool to see first images here!
Edward, congratulations on the ZM 35/1.4. I am looking forward to more photos. Just to make some noise , here is an old one with the Leica 35 Summilux ASPH
the ZM35/1.4 is well corrected for SA, given what it is, but there is still some when wide open. Not a huge amount, but some. Perhaps this takes a slight edge off micro contrast and affects focus transition speed? IMO, it has a bit of the wide open 'Leica glow' and I agree with Edward that it feels like a blend between Zeiss and Leica rendering.
Mitch - the 35 Lux FLE is one lens I have never used, so I can't offer a firsthand opinion about it. From what I've read recently, in comparison against the new ZM by a French publication, the Leica appears to be centrally a touch sharper, but the ZM is more consistent across the frame. There is also subtle color rendering difference, IMO, based on their test. Here I slightly preferred the Leica. I don't know if it's a logical replacement for the Cron v4 because it depends a lot on your preferences. f/1.4 will help with the M9 and it will probably be sharper, with fewer aberrations and look more modern. I agree the EU pricing is very attractive now if buying with USD and able to get the VAT fully refunded. I have just spent some time browsing various German retailers trying to figure out if there are any deals available.
Thank you René, Wayne, Ron, Joakim for your comments. I agree basically with everything Wayne said. It's very close to my observation as well. As Ron said, the SA isn't completely corrected but it's really negligible in my opinion.
Nice photos René, Joakim, burningheart.
rscheffler wrote:
...Mitch - the 35 Lux FLE .. I agree the EU pricing is very attractive now if buying with USD and able to get the VAT fully refunded. I have just spent some time browsing various German retailers trying to figure out if there are aclclny deals available.
Ron - There is also the possibility of getting a 10% or so discount on lenses and camera that have been reclassified ("déclassifié" in French).
I have bought several cameras and lenses from La Maison du Leica in Paris. My M-Monochrom on this basis was US$1,000 cheaper than in the States.
The trouble is that if you're having the stuff shipped, Fedex/UPS/DHL is substantially more expensive (could be US$200+) than from the UK. I suppose the shipping cost from Germany is similar, although I don't really know. It may be worthwhile checking on this type of discount, which may be easier to do by phone: also I prefer to give credit card numbers over the phone — I don't do it in emails. At La Maison du Leica, you can speak with Jean-Marc. I don't have any special relationship there, but he may think that you're a serious buyer considering all the things I bought from him.
Speaking of the Summicron-35v4, here are four night pictures shot with this lens, from the bar at the top of the Lebua State Tower in Bangkok (63rd floor) at the corner of Silom and Chareon Krung roads. While it's worth having a drink here, for the view over Bangkok, you'd want to avoid the Breeze Restaurant on the 52nd floor. Expensive, as you would expect in this location, but with truly awful food — the worst I've ever had in Bangkok. The "master chef" for this travesty of "Asian fusion" cuisine is Singaporean: it seems the more a restaurant menu writes abourt each dish, the worse it is. You've been warned
edwardkaraa wrote:
Adam, I assume your problems were with Singapore service center? Indeed these are very unprofessional and since their are contracted by leica, they are there to make a profit and will always try to squeeze money from the client even for under warranty items.
Yes I agree with you on that.
Actually, this time around it was Leica N.J. and the problem spread across several dealers. The Local dealers didn't want to help out. They washed their hands of me, even though they are "official" Leica stores. I had to deal directly with Leica N.J. and NJ is so disorganised and have such horrid customer policies for "professional" equipment that I really just felt like selling everything off cheap and washing my hands of Leica.
They really just caused a lot of problem for me this round. And didn't follow through on promises.
Actually, this time around it was Leica N.J. and the problem spread across several dealers. The Local dealers didn't want to help out. They washed their hands of me, even though they are "official" Leica stores. I had to deal directly with Leica N.J. and NJ is so disorganised and have such horrid customer policies for "professional" equipment that I really just felt like selling everything off cheap and washing my hands of Leica.
They really just caused a lot of problem for me this round. And didn't follow through on promises.
Sorry to hear that Adam. That's the funny thing with Leica, they can be over generous in some idiotic cases where the client does not deserve this generosity and in some other very legitimate cases where the client is absolutely in his right, they screw it up.
The last set of night pictures that I posted did not seem popular — or perhaps they have not been up long enough. BTW, not a question of personal feelings on my part, but all these Bangkok color pictures are candidates for the first edit of my book project Alone in Bangkok and I'm hoping to get some feedback on the reaction to them, although the main criterion is how, and whether, they will fit into the concept and look of the book. Here are the final (probably!) set of color pictures, although I have some more B&W ones that will go into the book. If you are inclined to do so please let me have your reaction as which ones work or do not work. TIA.
edwardkaraa wrote:
Thank you René, Wayne, Ron, Joakim for your comments. I agree basically with everything Wayne said. It's very close to my observation as well. As Ron said, the SA isn't completely corrected but it's really negligible in my opinion.
Nice photos René, Joakim, burningheart.
Thanks Edward. I was working on my class assignment and it was very cold out. Got tired of working on the assignment and decided to just shoot some of the statues instead in Downtown Calgary. I think when it gets warmer I will go back and spend a day exploring all the art work downtown and photograph it with the MM.
, here is an old one with the Leica 35 Summilux ASPH
