THE ONLY LEICA LENS YOU'LL EVER NEED - LEICA 35MM SUMMILUX

For many people today's lens is the only Leica Lens that they will ever need! However.... for me I have just put it up for sale! And in today's video I explain why! Even though it's an incredible lens!

[StuartWeir]

If you ever decide you want a 35mm again, but as you mentioned size being a consideration, definitely pick up the 35mm Color Skopar f2.5. It is incredibly underrated, and designed after the 35mm Summicron v4.

[richa]

Enjoyed your video. Interesting thinking. Not sure I could give up the 35mm, as it’s so special. Currently the 35mm f1.4 Summilux, newest version is the only lens I use and it’s amazing. I plan on getting the 50mm Summicron f2 to complement. The Summicron should render a little differently( most likely sharper), with a slightly crisper bokeh. I shoot with the m10. Great sensor. 24 megapixels is plenty for my needs. Thank you for the good video.

[lensman]

I have this very lens. It came with my M6 TTL when I bought it over 20 years ago. I also have four other Leica 35 mm lenses. The rendering of this lens is just magical. Even at F1.4 the centre is razor sharp if you hit the focus on the head, and it has to be dead on as this lens transits from critical focus to out of focus very very quickly.

[WesKriesel]

Unexpected result of watching this video: me shopping for an FX30. Love the video footage. Love the way you are out filming in the field as it really brings us along with you while you are out shooting. Gorgeous scenery! Great photos by the way!

[dhaug]

Gosh, my 35 Summilux is on my M11 almost 100% of the time. I love the form factor and above all, the micro contrast.

[thomashilmersen]

I totally agree about the small lenses. This for me is the only advantage of the M system compared to the SL. The M with a 28mm Elmarit or the 50mm Summarit actually fits in my pocket.

[gonzalouriona]

Agreed 100%, the Asph pre FLE has that right mix of modernity and classical rendering you cant get with any other 35 summilux. I miss this lens so much, sold it a while ago and currently having fun with the reissue steel rim. i did find a close contender to the pre fle, the 35 nokton 1.7 asph, very similar rendering. Lovely video and location!

[themmvault]

So. Second Video I saw from your channel. I just got my M-11 P + the 35mm Summilux. And I am more than happy about it, but I need more input. I was one of the not subscribed people, now I am on the other side. Thanks for the input.

[johngreenwood]

As a former X-Pro2+XF18 F/2 lover, I understand why you find the Leica+28mm lens so appealing.
I purchased a used Q over an X100v for that very reason. However it was a dilemma whether to choose size (& weight ?) over focal length.
Generally the 35mm focal length is an easier walk-about/ street lens to use, & I still retain one as back up, when I'm out with my Sony A9 & telephoto-zoom lens.
The Q does have a useful 35mm (& also 50mm) crop framing which doesn't affect the RAW image, but does allow "in camera" JPEG cropping, if required.
Best, of both worlds really - just shame about the size & weight, although the superb lens is well this slight added inconvenience!

[ocphish]

Although I am a Nikon and Fuji user, and not Leica, I still found this video very interesting. I agree that we probably all have lenses we bought thinking they would be the bees knees, and then ended up hardly ever using them. You got some excellent shots too, of a quite delightful place, one I hope to visit later this year. So, 'Liked', 'Subscribed' quite some time ago and really enjoyed. Thanks Goughie.

[johnkasianowicz]

I have several 35 mm M mount lenses: Voigtländer Nokton 35 mm f/1.2 VM I (sort, but interesting), Leica Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH FLE I (terrific and versatile lens)I, Leica APO-Summicron-M 35 mm f/2 ASPH (incredibly sharp and with close focus capability), and Leica Summaron-M 35 mm f/2.8 w/goggles. (Character wide open, reasonably sharp stopped down) The Lux 35 FLE I is superb. I can see keeping it for my M6 TTL film camera and getting the FLE II version for my M11 Monochrom, digital CL SL2, and SL3.

[SourPlanet]

Lens size means carrying a 28+50 is super easy. So it makes sense to whittle down. That's my favorite thing about Leica system, aside from the RF process. Having just a couple lenses with a wide spread makes it really easy to be intentional with focal length- which perfectly suits the tendency of the bodies to force you to be decisive too.

[phillipallaway]

Hard decisions these. But I would add that, as you know, it's not all about focal length. I have three 35mm lenses including the Summilux, two 50mm's and the latest Ultron 28mm. They all have different strengths, weaknesses and rendering. I also have the Q3 and needless to say it renders nothing like the Ultron even though they have the same focal length. And cropping with a 60mp sensor allows you to retain pixels but doesn't turn a photo taken at 28mm into one at 35 or 50mm. Good luck with your decision making. I very much enjoy your vids and views and thanks for the time and effort you put into them.

[IntrovertAmateur]

I have the same preference regarding small lenses and that's somehow I gravitate much more towards the Summicron line up instead of the Summilux.
Great video and awesome pictures man!

[Narsuitus]

For decades, the 35mm has been my favorite focal length for general subjects and for one-lens situations.

I have owned and used the following 35mm f/1.4 lenses (or equivalent):
35mm f/1.4 Nikkor (for Nikon F-mount cameras)
35mm f/1.4 Zeiss Distagon ZM (for Leica M-mount rangefinders)
23mm f/1.4 Fujinon (for APS-C digital mirrorless)

All three produce excellent images.

[MitchWebb]

Just got a M11 and my first Leica, got a Ultron 35mm and 90mm - I tried 28mm equivalent on Fuji and just couldn't quite get used to it so went for 35mm rather than a 28 and 50, but went mid telephoto if I really wanted a proper portrait or background compression. I'd say 40mm is my sweet spot so it's sad that there aren't the frame lines in the rangefinder. Sub'd!

[MarcWynter]

I've had a similar realization recently and I'm battling with the decision. I've recently found the 35 LUX FLE to be a bit too unwieldy for my tastes. I feel I've gone away from what drew me into Leicas originally. I tried the 28 ultron but didn't like 28 enough to warrant keeping it so I swapped it for a 28/2.8 color-skopar (I like the vintage design of the type I). I have the 28 and a 50 Nokton 1.5 v1, but I still prefer to travel and shoot with 1 lens and 35 is usually it. So I've recently been contemplating downgrading back to a 35 cron or a 35 ultron but the "grail" nature of the Lux has made me go back and forth. Wish I had the decisiveness you do with this!

[ahmeddaghriri]

Hi.

If you were given a choice between New Leica Summilux M 1:1.4/35 ASPH or LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M 35mm f/2 ASPH which one do you choose?

[ankerwiedemann]

Great video, and I am a happy subscriber ;-)

[walkingmanvideo]

This is why i went Q3 so i can crop into 35mm should I need to.