Leica Summilux 35mm f1.4 M ASPH

<p><em>Peter N, You are making me miss Dublin. Stop it!</em></p>

 

<p>I miss Dublin too Peter. It has changed a lot in the last 10 years. At first I hated the Spire but after I

realized all the photographic opportunities it offered it didn't seem so bad... So much human activity around it

but it can also attract dodgy characters as you can see below.</p><div></div>

Minute imperfections on the _front_ element should have no effect on the pictures the lens gives.

I highly recommend the Summilux 35/1,4 ASPH. It is roughly the same size as the ZM 35/2 but more versatile in

lower light. It gives me the impression that it is faster than it is listed, often due to what might be just

chemical fog on the negatives ;) Wonderful tonality in B+W.

Great inside in very dim conditions.

 

<img>http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3043/2663483322_c19e74241b_b.jpg</img>

The 35/1.4 ASPH is one of those lenses that makes you stop thinking about other lenses in that focal length. I can't think

of anything that I find bothersome with the 35/1.4 ASPH -- it has incredible performance, good ergonomics, nice size and

weight, great speed, nice bokeh. I suppose it can flare a bit more than some slower 35mm lenses, but it is rarely a

problem. Overall it is a outstanding lens. <P><img src="http://www.stuartrichardson.com/jietai-mae-gallery.jpg"><P><img

src="http://www.stuartrichardson.com/vik-trucks.jpg"><P><img src="http://www.stuartrichardson.com/night-guitar2.jpg">

<P>The second two were at f/1.4. The first around f/4 or f/5.6

The lens arrived early. Well, I was worried about nothing. The guy has never cleaned the fornt element apparently and there was a lot of little imperfections on it not just 2 pin point defects. I blew some compressed air on it, breathed on it, then cleaned it off with a filter paper with a tiny bit of lens cleaning solution on the filter paper. Defects ALL GONE! Glass is spotless. And I must say this is a nice looking lens. One question though...how does the hood come off???? Will shoot some test shots.

I tried to post a pic of it...i'll try again<div></div>

Great lens, f1.4 is nice on a wide/normal angle lens. The supplied hood of the APSH is move complicated than it needs to be, the grooved ring on the hood tights it onto/off the lens with a short twist, and the slots on the hood side are both pressed to remove and take it off.

 

A more elegant and easier way is by using the hood 12547 for the 3rd version 28mm Elmarit. It is a copy of the hood for the original two ground glass element 35/1.4 Summilux aspherical and has the clip-on style and works well.

I figured out the hood....pretty nifty.

Stuart, those pics are incredible...

Stuart what type of film did you use for the pic of the trucks?

Thanks Asad. I am glad you like them. The first is Tri-X in Rodinal 1:100, the second is Fuji Neopan Acros in Rodinal

1:100, and the third is the M8 at ISO 640.

I ditched the hood and use a 3rd party 46mm wide about $6 from eBay. It's about the same diameter as the lens and short.<div></div>

The 35mm Lux Asph is an outstanding lens; the design on which the 50mm Lux Asph was based. Both of these are modern designs and brilliant performers. The black version of the 35mm Lux Asph will be your best bet ... I bought the Titanium version, and it is heavy. It is an excellent lens for indoor photography with existing light in tight quarters. Flare is very well controlled ... it doesn't flare, even with light sources in the frame.

Ditch the hood. It does not flare. :-)

Bruce,

 

I would also like to say that your photos are fantastic. I especially like the top one, with the passenger looking out the window.

I have been planning to get a 35mm lens as well, to accompany my 50mm f2.5 Summarit on an M6TTL. I'm wondering if

this might not be an interesting approach:-

a) buy a 35mm Summarit - I definitely like the small size & weight of the Summarits, and reviews seem to suggest that the

35mm is a fine lens. Its only drawback is its speed, in fact;

b) also buy a CV Nokton f1.4. True, not as good a lens as the Leica lenses; but it does go to f1.4, and when you need that

then perhaps other considerations are secondary?

 

Then I'd use whichever lens is appropriate for the photographic task in hand.

After shooting my first roll I would say this is the best lens I have ever used. By far the sharpest. I initially thought I could get rid of all my other lenses after getting this one, but there is something special about my first version 50/1.4 that this 35 ASPh seems to not do: the soft glowing effect I get with the older lens is a pretty special characteristic that I think the newer asph lenses must not be able to obtain because they are so sharp. Anyway, I love this lens...its definitely a kepper. Thanks for all the advice. I will try to post some pics i've taken with it.

Well that is nice to hear. Here's another one from me that is taken close to wide-open. How close I'm not sure but this pic shows the sharpness in the plane of focus yet pleasing OOF rendition and good control of those light reflections in the window. It's really a very good lens.<div></div>

Thats another great shot Peter. I love the clarity of the out of focus areas....just in focus enough to give you a sense of whats going on in the room but not enough to distract from the main person. Thanks for sharing.

Peter,

 

I really like your photos titled "outside the GPO" and "planes of focus". Great eye and composition!

 

One aside question (if you don't mind), about your 35mm F1.4 M ASPH lens, not relating to it's wonderful imaging qualities. What

state and/or dealer did you purchase it from? I ask this, because I have the same lens and the serial number on mine is

"very close" to yours. Just curious. But, you don't have to answer if you'd rather not say. I'll understand.

 

Again, nice images...

J D'A

thanks for all the replies to my initial post. here are some shots i got with the new lens..<div></div>

another one i like<div></div>

<p>Hi Peter,</p>

<p>Gorgeous picture.</p>

<p>Just wondering, which aperture did you use?</p>

<p>See you,<br>

Rui</p>

<p>Peter N! Is the photo "Planes of focus" taken with flash? </p>