Vintage or Reissue? Leica 35mm Steel Rim vs Pre ASPH V2 Summilux Review (ft. MP)

[@Blackgreygrain]

I come back to this channel for the quality, passion and time put into each subject. Jeremy keep being us the best Leica content.

[@jeremy-t]

Thank you :)

[@gumdocga]

Jeremy, first time viewer. I am so impressed with the work you put into this vid. Thank you so much.

[@jeremy-t]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@Hektormydog]

Another wonderfully made and informative video. A comparison between these lenses is natural being similar in name, the physical glass layout, and general build design. Simple conclusion, the reissue can not replace the original - if you like the 'full flavor' that the original has - and they are different lenses. When I got my first v2 in the early/mid 1970s we thought of lenses differently. That f/1.4 was for low light and there was never a thought of character or bokeh. I used the lens at f/2.8-f/8 mostly because that is where it was better corrected, and Summicron quality (but still had some flare issues with those large glass elements). Things have changed in the past 20-years and those 'character' elements you so well broke down are now used as creative tools to make interesting and unique photography. I've said, the 35mm Summilux is 'two lenses in one' because of this. Opened up it can have loads of character, and stopped down a better controlled look with higher sharpness and contrast. I sold my first Summilux when I got the Aspherical, I wanted the 'best' optical quality, but soon regretted it. Bought another early locking focus tab v2 and still have it. I love all its craziness, it is sharp enough, and can do fun and amazing things when I open it up. It is my favorite lens of all time.

[@jeremy-t]

Thank you very much! Great to meet a fellow lover of this lens :)

[@settingofthesuns]

Unless your v2 has had a CLA, it likely has at least some minor haze, which adds to the highlight bloom and flare. After having my v2 CLAed by DAG, it was like a completely different lens (haze was not observable using an LED light shown through the lens, but it was obviously there considering how much more clear the images were after the CLA). So some of the difference between the lenses is just age, and you can't add age to a new lens :)

[@justinkingery2489]

Yeah, that was one of the main points Jeremy made at the vid's conclusion.

[@jeremy-t]

Yes! I’ve had lenses cleaned and they came back with a noticeably higher sense of clarity and contrast.. It makes me a worried to send the pre-a for a cleaning though.. What if all the magic is wiped away? 🤔😂 Sounds like a risky idea for the next video…

[@wilfredshum3703]

The 35 mm Summaron f/3.5 I bought from eBay gave hazy images that look like film photos taken years ago, of course less so for B&W. Such character is hard to find even from those new lenses that claim to give the vintage look. It took me awhile before I decided to send it out for CLA. I still wonder if that was a wise decision……

[@GastonShutters]

Indeed. I just got mine back from DAG and because the focus shifting was too much I got it tuned to be “almost sharp”at f1.4 so I don’t get too much back focus at f4 and beyond. Happy with it. Own the Summilux Steel rim re issue and these two lenses render completely different for me.

[@lifeandmylens]

Been waiting for this! I definitely preferred the vintage lens in these comparisons. I've been on the fence between these two lenses and after watching this video and seeing the comparisons and combined with the QC issues of the reissue I am going with a German v2. Thank you!

[@jeremy-t]

Glad it was helpful! Great choice (though I am biased…) haha!!! :)

[@Antwort2und40]

Your eloquent and beautiful description of the v2’s rendering (like tissue paper) really got me… but I have to say, I preferred the rendering with the reissue in nearly every image. Definitely on my must-have list now.

[@isaacerickson2383]

Great video! i just got the titanium version of the lux and it is so beautiful. your description of it looking fragile is perfect. it feels light any stray photon can completely change your shot and i love how beautiful and random it is

[@antnguyen]

I don't even own a Leica... yet, but I watch your videos because they're entertaining and informative for the inquisitive. I just comment to boost the algorithm or whatever lol

[@jeremy-t]

Hahaha thank you! I really appreciate it! :)

[@rexgigout1472]

I have stopped the presentation, before viewing/hearing your final conclusion, to say that I prefer some of your images with the Re-Issued Summilux, and some with the vintage Summilux. All are beautiful, but some scenes “work” better with one, or the other. Both have optical character that I like, so, I am probably financially “doomed” to see both as desirable goals, as the budget allows. (Neither is anywhere as modern in rendering as the Zeiss Distagon 35mm f/1.4 ZM, my currently most-used 35mm lens.) Having resumed playing the video, I have seen that you plan to keep and use both. I totally understand! Excellent presentation! Thanks!

[@jeremy-t]

Glad you enjoyed it!! Yes I agree with you.. Here and there, the new one does something really nice! :) Haha!! Yes that zeiss is a gem…

[@wilfredshum3703]

Thanks for the nice review. I have been using the titanium v.2 on digital M for a few years. With vintage lenses bought as used, I think there is always uncertainty about their original character, so I finally decided to order the reissue copy. I did get an opportunity to try one out on a M11M for a few hours on a cloudy day and found the contrast was indeed higher than the v.2

[@jeremy-t]

Glad you enjoyed it!! Yes it indeed is.. Man.. the M11M? How was the test drive? 😬

[@rgarciamainou]

Got to say during the whole video I was rooting for A, its qualities closer to my photography. I really enjoyed the poetic nature of your review, one of the better lens comparisons I’ve seen. I love more that you finish with “keeping both”. It couldn’t be different. I’ve come to dislike reviews that glow on a lens only to end with a discard, a sold or a return. If were shooting these wonderful machines as a means to express ourselves, then it’s the only possible outcome. There are things only A can say, there are things only B. The challenge will be to pick which one is on the camera most of the time. 😊 Thanks.

[@hakanthorngren1406]

Excellent video and comparison. It was very helpful. I preferred the reissue most of the time. Sometimes the vintage (it was made in 1990s, that is not vintage in my book, 1960 is LOL) was more to my liking. I would probably be happy with either, but if I had to choose I would take the reissue, unless I could find a suitable 1960 one to match my M2.

[@stephthemolerat]

Detailed, thoughtful and captivating as always!!

[@jeremy-t]

Thank you!!!

[@csaba5415]

Really appreciate this comparison, very thorough job! I am not too surprised about you keeping both. I do like both! They are similar but still different and both enjoyable for what they are. One thing I was missing is the more physical asssessment of using the lenses. I have heard stories of the reissue having wobbly bits (I believe the aperture ring). Have you had such issues? On a side note, congratulations with your images! I loved their mood, the subjects, the variety in them. Thanks for bringing it all to the table!

[@jeremy-t]

Glad you enjoyed it! :) I went over the physical side of the reissue in the last video, link in the description! And yes.. the aperture ring is very slightly wobbly.

[@csaba5415]

@@jeremy-t Oh, I may have missed it. Thanks for the tip :).

[@lexkleren]

Thank you for that comparison! I use the 35 V2 and the 35FLE. With the FLE being really perfect and the V2 really vintage, the reissue seems to be a nice middle ground... Beautiful photos btw!

[@jeremy-t]

Thank you! Nice middle ground indeed..

[@TheoDahlemPickups]

Since you asked for opinions, I don't own a pre saph nor the RI. I have watched quite some reviews and am going back and forth wether or not to get me either a pre or a RI. Still very undecided considering the stiff price tag. However I doubt if anyone would be able to see a difference between those two if he hadn't the chance of an AB test. You have nicely and logically described what makes both of them unique and how both of them lenses are having their own thing going on. My own conclusion is that, even though I`m in great favour of most things vintage, the reissue is the more versatile lens, especially if you also use it on a digital. With the reissue on a digital, you can always tweak for less contrast in the shadows for a more vintage feel. It would be slightly harder w. the pre asph lens I guess. I guess w. the reissue there will still be significantly more than average glow and all around vintage aberrations than most other lenses on your shelf. As a mostly digital shooter I think the reissue will be the one to choose. All imo. BTW. I watched your video twice. I think it is the best comparison, if not the only one, that I could find. Great work. THX

[@jeremy-t]

Thank you so much for the kind words, and sorry for the late reply! Yes I would have to say, for everything that isn't the "vintagey-black and white" look.. I'd personally choose the reissue as well.. Definitely for colour, and digital colour (for digital black and white I'd be happy with the vintage one). Would love to hear how your decision went, and if you've been happy with it so far!

[@theodahlem857]

@@jeremy-t Meanwhile I have pulled the trigger on a Minolta M 40mm f2 and there is a Voigtländer 35mm 1,4 II coming in this week. I chose the Minolta over the Leica 40 mm because it has more contrast and better flare control. I'm a daily walk around shooter, so my cameras and my lenses have to be small and light. Therefore the 40mm is great imo. I do have a ton of other lenses, some big and fancy but in the end I'm a tourist who walks around the whole day. I snatched the 35mm Voigtländer on e bay for a reasonable price just yesterday Will check it out and decide wether or not I keep it in favour of my Leica M8 frame lines. If it is going to be a nice lens, I will probably sell the 40mm Voigtländer. The LLL 35 is a promising lens I think. Something to consider in the next future I guess

[@kerbi0207]

Thanks for making such a great video. Got a pre-a after watching it, love that lens. And now considering getting a vintage steel rim, wondering if it has more character and more fragile.

[@markusklein6309]

Excellent review! Greetings from Germany

[@jeremy-t]

Thank you!! Hello from Singapore! 🇸🇬🇩🇪

[@BernardoMancioli]

nice video! it is said on the internet that the first versions of summilux used a different glass and had a different render from the pre asph v2, do you know anything about it? then if I may ask I wanted to know how you develop your photographs to obtain that grain? Thank you

[@andrewshieldsphoto]

Very well done. I completely agree about thinking of the lens (either one, really) as an f2 with a "break in case of emergency" extra stop of light for when things are really dark.

[@jeremy-t]

Thank you :) Yes indeed!

[@benoitpiret9065]

what a great video! I would add.... keeping both will probably mean that one picture out of 1000 ahahah (since you wont have always the v2 mounted to catch that moment)

[@sc1]

I was reviewing the images from my Steel Rim Re-Issue, and I can appreciate the “chaos” blur, compared to the latest modern 35 Summilux.

[@jeremy-t]

Agreed :)

[@KeeeeenW]

The choice is actually very easy. If you want a properly Leica lens with good build quality, buy the Pre-ASPH V2 because the build quality of the steel rim remake is not as good as a $500 Voigtlander. If you want filter compatibility, buy the steel rim reissues which has the standard 46mm filter thread while you will need to use the lens hood or third-party accessories for installing a filter with Pre-ASPH V2.. However, if filter compatibility is the priority, I would just buy the first 35mm summliux ASPH (pre-FLE) for the better build quality. I have briefly owned the steel rim reissue but ended up with returning it. I like the overall images but I just cannot stand the build quality. My copy was built after 06/2023 with slightly improved quality control but still have an aperture ring that wobbles slightly. The main reason I returned the lens is the focus ring which is stiff and non-linear. The infinity lock made it worse. I am totally OK with the infinity lock on my 35mm summicron 8 element as well as LLL's copy of the same lens. While whole focus mechanism on the 35mm summicron 8 element was so smooth, I don't think Leica knows how to make a smooth transition between the locked state and unlocked state anymore. Maybe I have a bad copy of steel rim remake but I don't think my impression is unique. And this is not my first time having issues with the modern built Leica lens. I tried a 35mm f1.4 FLE II in a Leica store and the aperture ring was kind of lose. Nowadays, I always do my research on the build quality of Leica lenses before I buy them or just simply avoid buying Leica lenses. Instead, all the Vogitlander lenses I have owned were built perfectly at a fraction of the cost.

[@AdamCzarnowski]

My Summilux v2 arrives this morning.

[@davidbacon2863]

Excellent video mate - subscribed!

[@jeremy-t]

Thanks a lot!

[@Bestbuddy719]

I love your channel so much! You inspired me to fire the trigger on a gr1. It’s been so fun. 🙏

[@jeremy-t]

Thank you! (: The GR1 is amazing! Hope it's been serving you well!

[@andriykovach2736]

Your photos are wonderful on whatever lens !

[@jeremy-t]

Thank you!!

[@LS-cs9rq]

hey Jeremy, thanks for the amazing videos and I like your pictures a lot. I'm interested to see your opinion on how the other deemed imperfect 35 1.4 lens compare with the summilux. For example, Voigtlander 35 1.4 Nokton and 35 1.4 MS optics. Both are said to have some sort of glow at 1.4 too but keen to see how they are different to the Leica glow.

[@jeremy-t]

Yes they are in deed different.. Between the 2 options, the MS 1.4 is closer to the pre-A. The Voigtlander has significantly more barrel distortion, the back ground blur is a bit cleaner as well, the MS has that chaotic vintagey lens look. The Voigtlander also has the least glow.

[@emmanueltsI5]

love (I mean really like) the 35 f1.4 v2 pre-asph. So small and creative (old) thing. Years ago, I was in search of the sharpest lens, resolution and perfection until I sold all digital stuff, went to Leica film cameras and then found what an old ''soft'' lens can ''paint''. My Lux 35 1.4 pre-asph has a rotating front element which is easy to fix, but at least works and produces dreamy (or sharp when closed) images. Hope Voigtländer will one day update their Nokton 35 1.4 II without that silver nose and then could also get that one as a modern back-up. PS: I prefer the v2's images vs. the reissue even if the reissue is more beautiful design-wise.. and has better ergonomics.

[@jeremy-t]

Well said!! :)

[@anthonymiller8979]

Interesting. I felt A was "better" from a technical standpoint but liked the character of B more.

[@lifewithaustin4485]

Damnit looks like I need to add both to a lineup love your videos man

[@jeremy-t]

😂

[@lugentaubner6853]

Great comparison! Would have loved to hear about how they compare in point of focus shift (especially given that you shoot a lot at f2).

[@jeremy-t]

Ahh yes… maybe one day I’ll revisit this on digital and we’ll be able to see those differences more clearly :)

[@TibbersGoneWild]

Any possibility of a video to compare your V2 35mm Lux with a Voigtlander 35mm nokton classic ii sc? 😅

[@jeremy-t]

I’ll see what I can do! 😬

[@TibbersGoneWild]

@@jeremy-t 🤞

[@davidecapri]

@@jeremy-t that would be amazing, I own the Voigtlander 35mm 1.4 Nokton II SC and I want to add one of these two pre-asph lux as its sibling. Still don't know which one of the two, but it's in my plans indeed. I kinda prefer the old v2, but the new one it's a bit more reliable at 1.4 ...and you can always add a black pro mist 1/8 or 1/4 to enhance a bit of the bloom

[@DecentGatsby]

Stunning photography. Debating on getting the reissue. I hate this process of trying to rationalize a purchase lol

[@kwebdesign]

Excellent review!! ☺️ thank you!

[@jeremy-t]

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@JohnSmith-gs4zv]

Hello Jeremy, what scanner do you use for digitization? That was a very nice comparison.

[@jeremy-t]

Thank you! I DSLR scan and Negative Lab Pro in Lightroom!

[@TheoDahlemPickups]

Jeremy, since you mentioned that you rarely shoot the pre asph wide open at 1,4 but at f2, what is your opinion on a summicron? Wouldn't that be the much cheaper solution for someone like you? Would there still be a significant difference between a lux and a cron? I remain curious

[@jeremy-t]

Hey! Yes... If I didn't use the pre-A, I would either go with the v4 summicron (though this has more coatings and so is higher contrast), or the V1 8 ele (But this costs a bomb)... The next thing I'd reach for is the LLL 8ele clone! The other summicrons are fine too, V2/V3 out of focus areas tend to look a little "harsh". And the modern ASPH one just is a little too generic for my personal tastes. Hope that helps!

[@TheoDahlemPickups]

Nicely said.

[@frankphotography8470]

Great review thanks.

[@jeremy-t]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@blackcrackedpepper7833]

Are you on instagram? My goal is to get the summaron reissue and the steel rim reissue eventually. Id love to see more of your work. Im into the style of your photos

[@jeremy-t]

Yes I am @_jeremyt but I haven’t posted in awhile.. maybe one day :)

[@GillesQuennevilleGQ]

Every vintage 35 mm silver ring are different because they were hand made. Some are amazing and some are crap. I have personally owned and tested 10 of them.

[@jeremy-t]

👌🏻

[@GillesQuennevilleGQ]

Every vintage lenses from Leica are not the same from one to another with the same specs because the glasses were polished by hands.