The Bucket List Lens

The Leica Summilux 35mm F1.4 is that special lens that can really define your work and after 4 months of non-stop use, I wanted to share my experience from around the world. Enjoy!

00:00 Designing the Perfect Lens
01:12 Summilux 35mm F1.4 Close Focusing
02:44 Integrated Lens Hood
03:11 Aperture Blades and Samples
04:27 Back to Studio
05:03 Interview with Leica
05:52 The Leica “Magic”
07:15 Leica Summilux 35mm F1.4 Build Quality
07:51 Night Time Performance
08:35 My Personal Journey
12:35 Closing Thoughts
14:07 Looking Ahead

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#leica #summilux #35mm

[emarte]

I'm not a photographer. Can't even afford a Q2. But I enjoy every M11/M lenses reviews just for the sake of seeing beautiful high quality pictures. This video didn't disappoint.

[eirikkittelsen]

Great video !! I love Leica glass, absolutely love them. And M-glass more than SL glass, due to their character. My favourite and everyday lens is the 28 Lux, just love the rendering and versatility of 28mm. would love if it also would come in a new version with close focus. But Im OK with 70 cm.
Enjoy you Gem!!

[gregspov]

Nice overview. Yes, the combination of close focus, more aperture blades and integrated lens hood make this a compelling offer. Definitely my next lens. BTW - the custom engaging on your M11 looks great!

[AdamMuise]

Wow, your “mods” to the M11 look great! Great review. I’ve been getting by with the Voigtlander 35mm f/2 APO until the helicoid seized and sent it for repair. I finally ordered the new summilux and I like never leaves the camera. I love this for street photography, it’s just the right size and very very reliable. I’m sure it will join my beat up 50mm summicron v4 that I use in the day shoots.

Love your work BTW.

[bsmukler]

It was great seeing your images and getting your impressions of this lens. I’m on the waiting list as well, and this just made me all the more eager to receive it. Thank you.

[DhanaHuru]

Respect!!! 🙌🏾 These gotta be some of the most beautiful photos I have ever seen... Thanks

[johnkasianowicz]

Nice video.

I bought my Leica Summicron-M 35 ASPH FLE about 6 months before the close-focusing version was released. Instead of taking a beating selling mine, I’ll likely use it on my M6 TTL film camera and eventually get the newer version for use with my M11, M11 Monochrom, and SL2.

[amaertens]

great video ! montage, storytelling, infos, everything is on point :) love it

[timh]

This summilux sure is an impressive lens… Maybe even more impressive is the quality you get out of lenses that Leica made 40, 50 or even 60 years ago. I have a 35mm summaron from the 1960’s (the one with the goggles) that’s glued to my M2 and it’s an amazing lens. So while they’re expensive, you can enjoy your summilux for the rest of your live 😊.

[rossxjohnson]

Love this and excellent personable review of the 35mm FLE II. Great personal experience and stunning shots. Definitely a lens that's on my bucket list too.

[ShawnPBruce]

Absolutely beautiful lens. I’m still loving my 28mm Elmarit and 50mm Summicron combo. Every once in a while I get the Summilux itch though. 🤤

[touchtennis]

Just joined the Leica craze on Saturday and picked up a Q2. It’s my favourite camera ever. And the lens is just staggering. If I had to pick one lens, this 28 would be it!

[ThastsiT]

Suthipotukonga! Touchwood! I am inspired by your sincerity towards the making of this video. That's spectacular! keep it up. Enjoy!

[dhaug]

Great video Gajan - I have the this lens' predecessor (ASPH FLE), and I know what you mean... The microcontrast and Leica look I get with this lens is spectacular. Though I have other focal lengths, this one is almost always paired with my M.

[thomasgronwall]

I have the FLE v1, and it’s so versitile that it’s almost the only lens I use. The thing is the 0.7 m… I would love to have the FLE v2 to get closer. And the number of aperture blades would also be welcome, because you can’t use 1.4 all the time, and bokeh at 2.8 is not the same as 1.4. Now you have given me GAS again😂. You are partly responsible for me going from Fuji to Leica.😊

[nettyworth]

Amazing I purchased the same setup a few weeks ago. - M11 and 35mm 1.4 - July G

[peetje]

I got it last weekend, just beautiful.

[redrosemassacre]

I love that you got the silver version and you talk about putting your own "lovemarks" on the lens.

[andrejjorg]

Amazing images! I absolutely agree: it’s my holy grail lense as well!

[garyrobinson]

Thanks for this review, Gajan! This lens combined with the M11 produces some stunning images. I think that you may enjoy the experience even more on the SL2-S considering the high resolution EVF. The cameo by James Stacey caught me off-guard! I had the pleasure of meeting him, his wife, and some of the Hodinkee staff at a Leica Watch event at the DC Leica store in November. As much as I love the images, the Voigtlander lenses do make purchases like the Summilux 35mm a hard sell, but there's no doubt that this is a grail lens. Congratulations on getting this!