This weekend I have had the chance to test out the new Leica 35mm Summilux f/1.4 Steel rim lens, thanks to Leica Store Manchester.
This is the latest lens release just days ago by Leica and I was lucky enough to get my hands on it for the day to test out around Manchester city centre. The weather conditions were not fantastic, with rain rolling on through, although I know for some this would be pretty ideal for classic shots of umbrellas and general Sual Leiter style shots. For me, I was a long way from a beach on a summers day, but we adapt and shoot as creatives, don’t we?
So I’m not really one for doing gear reviews and this was never my intention when borrowing this lens. BUT, after far too many people asking my thoughts on this lens, I thought it might be best to put some of my finds down with a few images to illustrate. Like I’ve just mentioned, this wasn’t going to be a ‘review’ so I’ve not got exact specs for each photo, but as you see from the images you will get this idea of my thoughts here.
Lets start with exactly what this lens is -
As the world's fastest wide-angle lens, the Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 sets the photographic benchmark in 1961. Today it continues to inspire with its exceptional images. Especially shots at open aperture fascinate with their individual, almost fairy-tale look, which is really difficult to achieve through digital editing.
A distinctive bokeh and vignetting at maximum aperture, got the Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 its title as the "true king of bokeh". Photographing at open aperture in backlit conditions creates intended lens flares that can be used for specific creative effects. At smaller apertures it delivers very sharp and almost distortion-free pictures that easily meet all modern requirements on image quality.
And where you can pick one up -
Leica Store Manchester - Leica 35 f/1.4 Summilux-M (Classic Line M-Lens)
These images were all taken on my Leica M11 around the lower ISO (64 - 800 depending on aperture needed and light condition for individual shots.
There’s a few images here to take a look at. The repeated shots are ones shot at f/1.4 (the softer image) and the others are shot around f/4 or f/5.6.
Personally I’m not really one for shooting wide open unless I really have to. That tends to be low light situations, indoors or evenings, especially if I’m out with family or friends when I have a little longer to focus and grab a shot.
As you can probably see, the images shot wide open at f/1.4 are almost glowing with the classic hazy look that comes from this classic lens design. But this look is exactly what you would buy this lens for. It really does speak of times gone by and fights against that clinical sharpness that most lenses offer today. It gives you something a little special and definetely different.
Yes in day light and direct light, when shot wide open, gives quite a hazy look. In the right situation this really adds something to the images and gives them a little something special. I’m not really one for shooting this wide open, especially if I’m working on the streets. I would normally photograph around f/5.6 and at that aperture, this lens certainly sharpens up. The beauty though comes from the classic rendering and the bokeh still retains character while rendering a sharp and contrasty image. This is exactly the intersection that I’m personally interested in, it gives me something a little special, unique and speaking of Leica heritage but retaining that clear detail where I need it.
Personally to shoot with this lens wide open all the time and achieve that dreamy look isn’t something that I’m massively interested in. It’s definitely a nice tool to pull out of the bag in the right situation and would really add something a little special to those select moments. for the rest of my images, I’d be stopping down, probably starting around f/2.
Again, these are just my thoughts and the way in which I like to work. I know this lens isn’t for everyone as it flies in the face of what the mass market seems to want, but that’s another reason why I do quite like this.
Now this is where I think it gets interesting…
Most of you reading this blog post (if you are familiar with my work and Instagram feed) will know that I love colour photography and is a part of dare I say a stylistic that I have wrapped into the coastal photography that I seem to specialise in.
I do however really enjoy monochromatic work and often shoot in black and white (although share very little). In fact this is where photography began for me, B+W film and darkroom printing. So, yes, definitely where my love of photography started.
This is exactly where I get very interested in this lens not just stopped down but also wide open. The classic rendering and soft haze produced very much leans into monochrome images. It adds something to the photos and layers a classic look that for my eyes, just works.
So what are my final thoughts?
Yeah I really like the lens, would I have one? Yeah, but it might not be my everyday lens for colour photography. I say that because I would shoot this around f/5.6 mostly and drop it down to f/2 when needed. I might fall into the 1.4 when the light goes down or really leaning into that look (at night or inside darker areas).
I would however weld this onto a Leica Monochrome camera!
I very much like how compact this lens is, and for for discreet shooting on the street, this is quite wonderful. Personally I’d prefer this with a black finish but that’s just aesthetics on a camera.
It’s extremely well made and as soon as you get this in your hand, you can feel the quality. It’s pretty hard not to feel inspired to shoot with this.
so, yeah (Leica camera if your reading) ill have one if your offering.
caveats*
These images where never shot as a lens review and were just me snapping around Manchester for the afternoon having fun! So there is nothing scientific about any of these.
I put this post together as many of my friends had asked to see some images and wanted to know my thoughts.
This is just a few thoughts from me and I know this lens isn’t for everyone (so don’t shoot the messenger).
Yes - some of these photos have missed focus (I refer you to my first point) But I do really like how this non-clinical look allows some error of focus at times without massively being obvious. Especially shooting on a fast apertured manual focus lens. - for you guys and girls that also shoot this way, i’m sure you can empathise.
I hope this has helped those of you that were interested, even if it is just to see a few sample photos.
If you have any thoughts, let me know below!
Cheers,
Dan