The Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. Lens from Leica is a versatile world-class wide-angle lens that yields the sharpness, contrast rendition and high resolving power characteristic of the Leica arsenal of lenses.
In comparison with its predecessor, the Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. now incorporates a floating element: the lenses behind the aperture blades are constructed as a floating group that changes its position relative to the front lens group during focusing to ensure that it achieves equally outstanding imaging performance at closer focusing distances. With this lens mounted on an M series camera, the photographer's dream comes true. Its maximum aperture of f/1.4 opens creative possibilities for portraits, landscapes and shooting in low lighting conditions.
This lens has been updated with "6-bit" coding, which allows the digital M cameras to read information from the lens optically and to identify which lens is being used. The camera can then apply a software-based vignetting correction.
| Filter Size | 46mm |
| f/Stop Range | f/1.4-16 |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 2.3' (0.7m) |
| Angle of View |
For 35mm: Diagonal: 63° Horizontal: 54° Vertical: 37° For M8: Diagonal: 50° Horizontal: 42° Vertical: 28° |
| Elements/Groups | 9/5 |
| Number of Aperture Blades | 9 |
| Lens Mount | Leica M quick-change bayonet with "6-bit" lens identification bar code for digital M models |
| Reproduction Ratio | 1:17.4 |
| Length |
1.8" (46mm) without lens hood 2.3" (58mm) with lens hood |
| Maximum Diameter | 2.2" (56mm) |
| Weight | 11.2 oz (320 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
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Reviewed by 8 customers
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Comments about Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. Lens (Black):
Amazing results wide open to stopped down.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. Lens (Black):
Excellent equality
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. Lens (Black):
finally I got it!!
It has great picture quality as I expected.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. Lens (Black):
It took me almost a year to obtain one of these lenses. It has not disappointed me. I find the 50 Summilux and the 75 Summicron to be the best Leica portrait lenses, and they are a joy to use. The 90 Summicron is at least equally good optically, but is significantly harder to focus. I think this 35 is the closest you are going to get to the image quality of the 50 Summilux, if you want a slightly wider focal length. The bokeh isn't quite as "surreal" as the 50 and 75 can produce, but it's still wonderful. The newly-designed shade is great, unlike the shade that comes with the 28 Cron, which I often don't use because it's so large. This lens actually stays on my M9 more than any other lens now.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. Lens (Black):
Stellar 35mm lens, if you get a good copy. My first copy had a sloppy loose aperture ring and made a strange clicking sound between apertures F/11-F/16 with one of the 9 iris blades flaring upwards simultaneously. So, I returned it and waited to buy another one. The second copy is pretty close to perfect. Very sharp at F/1.4 when focused properly with an M9. This lens kind of reminds me of the 50mm Summilux Asph, only its a 35mm lens. Very modern sharpness with ultra-smooth bokeh, along with a 9 bladed Aperture as well. I did own the older version which did have focus shift between apertures F/2-F/4. It was tack sharp at F/1.4 too, but was harder to nail focus on the digital M9. This is where the close focus elements of this new version come in. If you shoot digital, I feel the upgrade is worth it. But for film, I would stick with the older 35mm Summilux Asph and save money. As for flare control, my older version 35mm lux was horrible under certain conditions. This new version seems much better at flare control.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. Lens (Black):
This is simply the best lens I have ever used. Its razor sharp, built incredibly well, and has a simply incredible look when paired with a Leica M9 or film Leica. I bought the 50 Summilux ASPH as well, but I find that the 35 stays on my camera 90 percent of the time. Its the perfect length for a rangefinder system. While expensive, I have found this lens to be well worth the wait and the money invested.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. Lens (Black):
No focus shift in closer range. Stunning color, tridimensionality and razor sharpness. A pure leica lens. fantastic.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. Lens (Black):
Exceptional optical qualities: sharpness, bokeh, exceptional gradations and the clarity of the image etc..though, the vignetting and distortions could have been corrected better.. While mechanically this lens has week points: aperture mechanism /both the preciseness and reliability/ as well as the focusing mechanism that becomes loose within time. I had to disassamble and reassamble it several times to adjast and re-adjast both. If this problems are fixed in the latest version of the lens then the lens is a gem. Also, this lens is material, i mean you won't find plastic in any single detail of it!!! I love this lens. You should have one to understand how good /optically/ it is! The lens cups is problem for all Leica lenses - another problem..
Displaying reviews 1-8
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 8 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-8
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. Lens (Black):
Amazing results wide open to stopped down.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. Lens (Black):
Excellent equality
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. Lens (Black):
finally I got it!!
It has great picture quality as I expected.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. Lens (Black):
It took me almost a year to obtain one of these lenses. It has not disappointed me. I find the 50 Summilux and the 75 Summicron to be the best Leica portrait lenses, and they are a joy to use. The 90 Summicron is at least equally good optically, but is significantly harder to focus. I think this 35 is the closest you are going to get to the image quality of the 50 Summilux, if you want a slightly wider focal length. The bokeh isn't quite as "surreal" as the 50 and 75 can produce, but it's still wonderful. The newly-designed shade is great, unlike the shade that comes with the 28 Cron, which I often don't use because it's so large. This lens actually stays on my M9 more than any other lens now.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. Lens (Black):
Stellar 35mm lens, if you get a good copy. My first copy had a sloppy loose aperture ring and made a strange clicking sound between apertures F/11-F/16 with one of the 9 iris blades flaring upwards simultaneously. So, I returned it and waited to buy another one. The second copy is pretty close to perfect. Very sharp at F/1.4 when focused properly with an M9. This lens kind of reminds me of the 50mm Summilux Asph, only its a 35mm lens. Very modern sharpness with ultra-smooth bokeh, along with a 9 bladed Aperture as well. I did own the older version which did have focus shift between apertures F/2-F/4. It was tack sharp at F/1.4 too, but was harder to nail focus on the digital M9. This is where the close focus elements of this new version come in. If you shoot digital, I feel the upgrade is worth it. But for film, I would stick with the older 35mm Summilux Asph and save money. As for flare control, my older version 35mm lux was horrible under certain conditions. This new version seems much better at flare control.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. Lens (Black):
This is simply the best lens I have ever used. Its razor sharp, built incredibly well, and has a simply incredible look when paired with a Leica M9 or film Leica. I bought the 50 Summilux ASPH as well, but I find that the 35 stays on my camera 90 percent of the time. Its the perfect length for a rangefinder system. While expensive, I have found this lens to be well worth the wait and the money invested.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. Lens (Black):
No focus shift in closer range. Stunning color, tridimensionality and razor sharpness. A pure leica lens. fantastic.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. Lens (Black):
Exceptional optical qualities: sharpness, bokeh, exceptional gradations and the clarity of the image etc..though, the vignetting and distortions could have been corrected better.. While mechanically this lens has week points: aperture mechanism /both the preciseness and reliability/ as well as the focusing mechanism that becomes loose within time. I had to disassamble and reassamble it several times to adjast and re-adjast both. If this problems are fixed in the latest version of the lens then the lens is a gem. Also, this lens is material, i mean you won't find plastic in any single detail of it!!! I love this lens. You should have one to understand how good /optically/ it is! The lens cups is problem for all Leica lenses - another problem..
Displaying reviews 1-8