It’s hard to believe that the Leica Summilux 35mm f/1.4 Ver. 1 Steel Rim was made in 1960. It’s a gorgeous little lens, with its 35mm focal length and f/1.4 aperture, and it’s so compact. The brass chrome plating is really lovely, and the focusing lever is super smooth with an infinity lock. It’s a great-looking lens, and it’s more attractive than all the current versions of the Summilux 35 1.4 Asph. This lens is a favorite among collectors and photographers alike. I spent a pretty penny to get it.
lux
What I like about the steel ring lens is not just its looks, but also how it performs optically. At f/1.4, it’s very sensitive to highlights, which makes it great for taking sharp photos in low light and for creating soft light effects in bright light. If you really need something particularly sharp, any version of the Summicron 35mm f/2 lens will do the trick.
info
Lens mount - Leica M-bayonet
Number of lenses /groups - 7 /5
F stop range - f/1.4-f/16
Angle of view diagonal - 64 degrees
Filter type - E41 - A46.5
Accessories - Hood: OLLUX 12522
Dimensions length x diameter - 38 x 53 mm / 1.50 x 2.07 in
Weight - 245 g /8.64 oz M3 - 195 g / 6.88 oz
Walter Mandler was pretty bummed when the first generation Summicron 90mm lens didn’t take off because of its size. He came up with the second-generation Summicron 90mm f/2, which was a huge hit. The optical design stayed the same from 1980 to 1998, which is pretty cool because it shows how important the E55 version lens was in history. Despite all the advances in technology, the later 90mm lenses with ASPH and APO technology just couldn’t get any smaller or lighter, so the E55 version was a popular choice.
Given how it’s used, I think the second-generation Summicron 90mm f/2 E55 or E49 version is the best fit. These lenses aren’t too old and can be found in good condition, which makes them both economical and affordable. The E55 version has a great design and is almost the same size as the 90AA, but it’s lighter. It produces sharp portraits when it’s wide open and sharp landscapes when it’s stopped down one stop. In short, the E55 version offers the same quality as the pricier 90AA, making it a great choice.
Weight of the 90mm lens
While the Summicron 90mm fi-generation lens initially met my image quality standards, its size became an issue, so I ended up selling it. As someone who uses a Leica M, I understand the importance of lens size. However, after investing more money, I got the second generation E55, which has revolutionized my view of 90mm lenses. This version is much more portable, and the F2 aperture is impressive.
90mm is a peak
When it comes to photography, there’s often a difference between what we want to capture and what we can actually do. This gap is often represented by a mountain of cameras and lenses, which can be tough to overcome. Some photographers have managed to climb over this mountain, while others have gotten lost in the valleys below.
In the world of Leica photography, it is very common for users to have multiple 50 mm and 35 mm lenses and a 21 mm or 28 mm wide-angle lens. However, only a few opt for the 90 mm lens. This shows the special place of the 90 mm lens in the world of Leica lenses. So why make it?
With the rise of high-pixel-count cameras, the 90mm lens might seem less important. After all, you can get the same field of view by cropping an image taken with a 50mm lens. But by looking at things through a 90mm lens, you can see things in a whole new way. The 90mm lens has a more focused field of view than the 50mm lens, which makes it great for getting the subject in focus. This makes it a great lens for portraits and close-up shots. But as Saul Leiter shows us, a 90mm lens can also be used for street photography. It can capture the elegant interplay of light and shadow in a way that sparks the imagination.
Even though there are some challenges to climbing the peak of the 90mm lens, the rewards are worth it. This lens offers a unique perspective that can open up a whole new world of possibilities in photography.
90mm lens focusing
It can be tricky to get the hang of focusing with a 90 mm lens without the right technique. By the time you get the focus just right, the ideal moment to shoot may have passed. I’ve put together a few useful tips for focusing with a 90 mm lens.
To speed up your focusing time, set your focus to 5 meters and estimate the distance between your subject and yourself in advance. As a general rule of thumb, you should be able to get the distance between you and your subject right around 10 meters for distant subjects and 2 meters for close ones.
Using an M3 body can be a good idea because it has a magnification of 0.91 and a super-large focusing screen. You might also want to think about getting a viewfinder magnifier to help you focus more accurately.
leica summicron-m 90mm f2
Code: SOOZI(screw mount, removable le lens head) SEOOF 11123(screw mount, built-in lens hood), S0OZI-M(bayonet), SEOOF-M or SEOOM 11123 (bayonet), ZOOEP 11133: lens head onl Serial#:1,119,001-n/a ly Total production: n/a Maximum aperture: 1: 2 Focal length(nominal): gomm Angle: 270 Minimum distance: 100cm Weight: 685 grams Filter: E48
I just love the satisfying sound that comes from turning the aperture ring of the Leica Rigid lens! It’s a quiet, clean sound, similar to the ticking of a mechanical clock. It’s such a shame that newer Leica lenses don’t make that sound.
On CMOS and CCD:
The Leica 50mm f/2 Summicron Rigid is a great lens that works well on both film and digital cameras. On CMOS and CCD sensors, it produces a softer image with less contrast.
Condition:
It’s not easy to find a Leica 50mm f/2 Summicron Rigid in good optical condition. It’s not unusual for a lens of this age to be in perfect condition.
Rigid vs V4:
I’ve switched to the Summicron-M 50mm V4 as my 50mm lens. It has better coatings and may be sharper.
Rigid DR:
Rigid has a cousin who wears glasses and adds “DR” after the name. The Rigid DR lens is great but heavy. It’s best for black and white photography, while the V4 is amazing for color. The Rigid DR isn’t compatible with a digital Leica camera.
If you own a Leica M camera, you’ll feel right at home with this SOFORT. Pick it up, adjust the focal length, compose the view, and shoot. Hey! Déjà vu.
First, estimate the focus.
The LEICA SOFORT has two gears: The range is 0.6 to 3 meters, and 3 to infinity. This is the defining characteristic of Leica M lenses. The Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 is the definitive prototype of the Leica SOFORT. The Fujifilm version lacks this focal length ring.
Second, the rangefinder.
The Leica viewfinder is really bright and comfortable. The rangefinder viewfinder isn’t Leica’s patent, but it’s the heart and soul of Leica. The viewfinder on the Fuji mini90 isn’t as good as the Leica SOFORT.
Third, there are square and round shapes.
Leica cameras have a square and round design. They might not seem like they have a design, but they’re actually more classic. Sofort also has a classic combination of square and round shapes. Leica’s other SL digital camera also has this concept, with a simple design and no unnecessary lines. This SOFORT is a genuine Leica produced by Fujifilm.
You don’t see 135mm lenses on Leica M cameras that often, and not many people use them. Those who do use it are usually looking for lightweight and inconspicuous equipment, or they’re after large apertures and extreme blurring. The 135mm really shines in this last area. The choice between 135mm and other lenses has nothing to do with whether you use a rangefinder camera. Leica’s most affordable way to achieve blur is right there, and it’s a good deal.
Leica M135 2.8:
I was surprised to see someone using an M9 with an M135 2.8 while window shopping in a camera store. I gave it a try and, since my glasses magnify things, focusing was easy. The eyeglass version with a 90mm frame magnifying by 1.4 times made framing even more comfortable than the 90mm lens.
Leica design:
This lens was designed by Mandel and produced in Germany and Canada. It was first available in the S7 mount, and later in the E55 mount. Word is that there isn’t much difference between the two. I’ve always thought that Leica design is the most cost-effective, no matter the cost, and the origin isn’t that important.
The workmanship and materials used in this lens are top-notch, and it feels like a Leica. Even though it’s on the cheaper side, there’s no sign of cutting corners. When I say “cheap,” I’m talking about the used price, because it’s still pretty expensive when you buy it new.
Weight:
The Leica M135 2.8, when used with an eyepiece, is quite heavy at 775g, which is comparable to the 700g of the Noctilux 50/0.95. If you hang it around your neck, it’ll probably cause you some neck problems, so, like the Noctilux, it’s best to hang it around your neck and hold the lens with your left arm.
Focusability:
There are two things to think about when it comes to the claim that 135mm is difficult to focus.
First, the focus travel is long, and the framing range is small, so it’s easy to lose sight of the subject when trying to capture a candid moment.
Second, the yellow spot focus of the non-eyepiece 135mm 2.8 is small, and since it’s in a shallow depth of field, it’s easy to miss focus. With the eyepiece version, there’s no such problem because of the magnifying glass.
The long focus travel means it always takes too much time to focus, which makes it unsuitable for capturing candid moments. The tripod mount hole on the M135 2.8 suggests that this lens is better suited to still photography or fixed-point photography, such as landscape photography.
Brand Name: LEICA
Filter Size: SERIES VII RETAINING RING
Focus Type: MANUAL FOCUS (ONLY)
Lens Mount: LEICA M
Lens Type: TELEPHOTO / LONG
Max Focal Length: 135MM
Min Focal Length: 135MM
I have always considered the Minox 35mm camera to be a younger version of the Leica.
Minox MB
Leica Youth Edition
I have always considered the Minox 35mm camera to be a younger version of the Leica. It operates similarly to a Leica, with adjustments to the aperture, distance settings, picture composition, and shutter pressing. I have used it with ease since childhood, and even decades later, I still find it easy to use.Once you master its operation, like the Leica camera, you never forget it.In contrast, I always forget how to use the Rollei 35.
Minox MB
Plastic
Minox was originally known for producing spy cameras and designing excellent small pocket cameras. However, the Minox 35 has a special plastic body. Similarly, smaller cameras such as the Contax TVS III and the Minolta TC-1 use a higher grade of titanium. Minox’s greatest strengths are their affordable prices and excellent German lenses. I don’t dislike plastic bodies; the lightness of plastic is a plus. The Minox MB is very durable and can be used in any harsh environment.
Backlight
However, in my opinion, the Minox mb does not have good image quality in backlight. Its anti-glare capability is not as good as the Leica CM and Contax TVS. The later Minox gt-e and gt-x models used more advanced coatings, resulting in improved backlighting performance. In fact, I rarely use the Minox for backlit photos. Early morning sunlight is dramatic. I turned around, found a good angle, pressed the shutter, and took an early morning street photo. I felt great.
carrying it in my dream
Is it possible to develop photos taken in a dream? In my dream, I was a child taking pictures with my Minox camera. When I woke up, I found a Minox MB next to my pillow, which I had been holding in my dream.
Brand: MINOX Series: Minox 35 MB Type: Rangefinder Format: 35 mm Focus Type: Manual Color: Black Model: Minox 35 Features: Auto Exposure Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan
Leica’s Summicron 50 f2 lens is already perfect, but its premium version, the Summilux 50 1.4, has a wider aperture that not only lets in more light, but also creates pleasing bokeh. If you want to take beautiful photos with a wide aperture, the Leica Summilux is undoubtedly a good choice. For many photographers, wide-aperture lenses offer many creative possibilities that narrow-aperture lenses cannot.
Old lens life
Old Leica lenses retain their value and don’t age. If you buy a Leica Summilux 50mm f/1.4 E46 lens and find that you don’t use it much, you can resell it and get most of your money back. Not only has the price of this lens not gone down in recent years, it has actually gone up.
street photography
The Leica Noctilux 50mm f/0.95 ASPH is a large and expensive lens that’s sure to attract attention and put a strain on your neck when you walk around with it. Although it is an excellent lens, I rarely use the Noctilux for street photography. I would rather use the Summilux 50 e46, which is too small, smaller than the Summilux 50 1.4 asph and close to the size of the Summicron 50 f2, which is very hidden in street photography and does not easily cause a feeling of oppression.
Version
The pre-ASPH E46 is the version between the early Summilux E43 and the current ASPH. The E43 and E46 share the same optical design by Walter Mandler. However, the minimum focusing distance of the E43 version is 1 meter, while that of the E46 is 0.7 meters. summilux 50 1.4 ASPH version designed by Peter Karbe.
In the end
When someone asks me to recommend a Leica lens, I usually start by asking about their budget. Some are buying their first Leica lens, some already have a Leica Summicron and want to upgrade. I usually don’t recommend this lens, because only someone who really knows Leica lenses can realize how good the E46 is, it’s the last non-apsh lens in the summilux lens line, it’s a premium version of the summilux E43, Leica gave it a Gorgeous exit.
Production period: 1962-2004 Code: 11114(black) bayonet, 11868 (black anodised), 11856(silver chrome), 11869(titanium) from 1995, 1 1621 V-Summilux, screw mount
Serial#:1,844,001-n/a
Total production: na
Maximum aperture: 1: 1. 4
Focal length(nominal): 50mm
Angle: 45
Minimum distance: 100cm. later 70cm
Weight: 360-275/380 grams
Filter: E43. later E46
In my world, film photography has not gone out of style.
leica summilux 35mm f1.4 pre-asph
I still prefer to use film for my photographs. Images are carved out of solid material by light, just as our planet is carved out of time. The layers of grain remind me of what the human world looks like. In today’s digital age, in the eyes of the average person, we photographers who use film are an apathetic bunch. However, indifference is not our true colors. Tonight, in the fall rain, I am looking through old photos under the lamp, exploring time, the world, and myself.
I saw someone approaching with a camera and asked, “Where are you going? The answer was, “First, I’m going to photograph the yellow leaves of the ginkgoes in front of the short wall, and then I’m going to photograph the red maple leaves in the western mountains.” This fall is like spring, not cold, flowers and trees are full of life, and insects are roaming around.
