Leica 2010 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH

Last updated May 18, 2010

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This new lens will be available in the July 2010 timeframe, and a full review will be presented in DAP in due course. I expect to have one of the very first samples available.

I’ll call this version the 2010F ('F' for floating element).

Leica has announced the new 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. It is revised version of the already popular 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH, which Leica describes in glowing terms as follows:

A floating element which ensures top image quality at all focusing distances;
All-metal rectangular lens hood similar to the 21/1.4 and 24/1.4Summilux-M lenses;
“Performance characteristics without precedent” for compact 35mm lenses;
Reasonably low field curvature;
Near absence of coma by f/2.
A claim that the lens is nearly optimal in its imaging by f/2.

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH Specifications
Focal length:	35.6mm
Aperture scale:	f/1.4 - f/16, 9 blade aperture
Angular field, diag./horiz./vert	63/54/37°
Focusing range:	0.7m to infinity
Coverage at close range:	1:17.4, 418 X 626mm
Number of elements/groups:	9 Elements in 5 groups, with “floating” group
Filter thread:	Internal 46mm threads.
Weight (nominal)):	320g
Dimensions (with caps):	46mm, 58mm with lens hood, 56mm diameter

Outstanding choice on the M9

The 35mm focal length is perhaps the friendliest focal length of all on the M9, offering a generous view though the M9’s viewfinder. If you’re shooting the M9, the 35mm focal length is the most comfortable best all around choice.

Distortion

Distortion is relatively low for a 35mm lens, but will show up on buildings or horizons. Barrel distortion occurs out to the frame edges, then flattens and reverses to slight pincushion distortion into the corners. This is a type of “wave” distort

Distortion of the Leica 28mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH: moderate barrel (bowing out)

MTF (contrast and sharpness)

Performance is very high for a 35mm lens, but field curvature is prominent, showing up as a wave in the MTF curve near the mid zones, so crispness cannot be expected across flat (planar) subjects. This is not ideal, but stopping down to f/5.6 takes care of that nicely, just remembering that pea performance is not in a geometric plane, but a zone. Some astigmatism is present, and this is closely related to field curvature.

Overall contrast on “3D” subjects looks to be world-class.

Mouse over the apertures below to compare.

Mouse-over to compare
f/1.4	f/2.8	f/5.6

Aperture

Half-stop click-stops are marked in full stops. I prefer the clearly-marked 1/3 stop increments on the Zeiss ZM line. But it’s a moot point given that each brand has its own approach.

Composing

The 35mm focal length is perfect for the Leica M9, the very most “friendly” choice in terms of view and focusing.

Ergonomics

I’m not a fan of the “tabbed” focusing approach (terrible ergonomics for fine focus adjustments), I much prefer the ribbed focusing ring of the 21/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH, but that’s probably a sacrifice due to the compact size.