Leica 35mm Summilux ASPH Pre-FLE v.s. FLE compared

[@rob1n1206]

When I had the opportunity to shoot them side by side, the pre-FLE was able to produce much more pleasing out-of-areas. The FLE had very sharp outlines around out of focus highlights in my testing, which often resulted in very nervous and too contrasty backgrounds for my taste. Especially in more architectural settings sometimes high contrast areas in the background looked like they were "in focus". In terms of sharpness the FLE is way ahead of course.

[@JimmyCheng]

yeah I was really surprised that both of my copies showed little to no difference in background smoothness. But again my asph is the later 6 bit coded version. Maybe there's copy variances and I heard they changed the glass (not design of course) during the production life time of the asph. The earlier ones might share some glass with the double aspherical.

[@pierpi8820]

Mythical Jimmy, these comparisons are really important and finally tell the simple truth. Bravo! ❤

[@JimmyCheng]

thank you!

[@junichinomura4810]

this is great comparison of leica 35mm F1.4 lens pre FLE and FLE, I own the FLE v1 it is the sharpest lens before the apo 35mm lens come. for the price and more light than 35 apo, I will take FLE especially for low light situation and wants more bokeh, but still I want the size and the lens hood style of leica summicron 35 apo. the new summilux 35mm F1.4 FLE 2 are chunky, and I don`t like the design, it`s like they lose the leice lens design, it`s more modern lens design than the previous summilux 35mm lenses leica have. also not worth it to buy just for the close focus, I don`t shoot leica to use that close focusing features, unless I need it so badly, and if you don`t have the visoflex or didn`t use the back LCD, can`t focus properly. even here in japan so many 50mm and 35mm with that new close focusing leica lens in 2nd hand market, it`s expensive. thank you jimmy for the nice lens review, lens comparison, etc. in your youtube channel. 👍📸

[@JimmyCheng]

I too much prefer the square hood design over their round integrated design. For one they look cooler. For two lens hood tends to be bumped around and if they are damaged you can easily change them on lenses with detachable lens hood.

[@estogaza1]

Thanks for making this comparison, Jimmy! The IQ difference is so marginal that I won't bother. I'll take the FLE just for the new hood design alone.

[@donald5378]

But the pre-FLE takes the 12466; best looking hood ever 😊

[@mjbxxv]

Jimmy! Brother! What’s up man! No Chinese subtitles! That’s new! 😅 great video as always my man

[@JimmyCheng]

yeah some people complained about that so I took it away. It's cleaner for sure. (I actually put quite some time into making those instead of auto-gen)

[@chadrem]

Thanks for making this. I've always liked the FLE v1 even though it seems to get some hate on LUF. How's the focus feel compare between the two? I've never used a the Pre-FLE. My FLE v1 has a heavier focus feeling compared to say a 28 cron.

[@JimmyCheng]

any FLE lenses are a bit on the tighter, heavier side. I prefer the handling of non-fle. But this black copy pre-FLE is due for a CLA.

[@belivmi]

FLE>ASPH but both amazing lenses imo, got the FLE from Tim Lei for a very good price

[@JimmyCheng]

lucky for you!

[@swiggit]

The pre-fle seems to lift the shadows a bit more like the summilux 50 asph

[@Millicente]

To my eyes WHEN there's a difference, the FLE has bokeh that's like 1 step towards "soap bubble" vs the pre-FLE. Otherwise, optically the FLE is superior. For my eyes and money the FLE is the better lens in every situation but unless I had both side by side, I wouldn't be able to tell, and I'd be willing to bet most Leica enthusiasts and "experts" wouldn't be able to either.

[@JimmyCheng]

yeah it's a weird thing. People don't like the bubbly bokeh on FLE and called it busy. But ppl swear by bubbly bokeh on old lenses.

[@KeeeeenW]

The main reasons for getting the pre-FLE instead of the FLE I are the weight and build quality. The FLE I and FLE II copies I have tried all have lose aperture ring. The pre-FLE copy I have tried was built perfectly.

[@JimmyCheng]

@@KeeeeenW I don’t have such experience though. I have gone through several copies of FLE and ASPH, I have not noticed any loose aperture ring issues on my FLEs but I do feel the brass pre-FLE (silver) feels nicer.

[@vickey59]

For the money, FLE v1 makes more sense for sure. And if Leica can make M12 have rangefinder coupling below 0.7 metre, then FLE v2 all the way.

[@JimmyCheng]

definitely!

[@pedromelomarte3209]

nice nice

[@webersteve1547]

I'm a brass lens fetishist and therefore I have a pre fle chromed

[@JimmyCheng]

me 2! my brass silver pre-fle is currently being black repainted at Canto camera.

[@webersteve1547]

@@JimmyCheng wow, I didn't know that this is possible. In the meantime I'm happy with my Voigtländer Noktons. Btw what does this repaint cost?

[@bensan9]

A few months ago, I bought a pre-FLE titanium version. It is brass and very beautiful. The FLE version wasn't available for the same price, but I would have probably gotten it if I could have since it supposedly doesn't have focus shift. The pre-FLE, after putting dozens of rolls of film through it, has not shown any focus shift and is lovely. Anyway, the Summilux 35 is a great lens and I feel it will be my most used lens for a long, long time.

[@JimmyCheng]

truth be told, I think the brass pre-FLE is probably the best of the bunch because of that unique feel of brass aperture and focusing ring, they are a bit different from today's aluminum versions. I have a silver pre-FLE which is being black repainted at Kanto :)