I'd like to ask anyone with experience with the Summilux-R 35/1.4 about the difference between older and newer samples of this particular lens.
A little background about my current situation. I recently acquired three Summilux-R lenses 35/1.4, 50/1.4, and 80/1.4 from my friend. All with serial numbers starting with 32xxxxx. I believe they were all manufactured around 1983. I tested it by shooting some dollar bills and portraits. While the 50mm and, to a lesser degree, the 80mm both perform very well even wide open, the 35/1.4 seems to be quite soft wide open when compared to a Contax Zeiss 35/1.4.
The softness is especially pronounced and unnatural when I begins to pull focus slightly away from critical focus. A halo begins to show around the edge of the subject (especially noticeable on a brighter subject against darker background). Micro details on the skin quickly smooth out. It reminds me the look of a diffusion filter that has tiny stipples / micro-lenses, like the Tiffen Class Soft. To recall David Mullen's excellent article on the principle of diffusion filters, filters that feature micro-lenses would throw a slightly out-of-focus image on an otherwise in-focus image. It seems to be exactly what is happening on my Summilux 35. The halo that grows around the edge of the subject makes it rather unnatural and distracting when I begins to pull focus away. The purple/green fringing on the halo makes it even worst.
I spoke to GL-Optics about it and Nan suggested me to send them my lenses and they will check it out on a lens projector. Their verdict is that all three lenses perform similarly to other samples they have. But Nan said they don't account for the differences between older and newer versions of the same lens. He said lenses from later era might have less flare and halo due to better coating.
I have been trying to find a more modern copy of the Summulix 35, but haven't been able to find one in the city I live in. So I have to ask for help here from those who is familiar with this particular lens. Do you think the year of production makes a noticeable difference in terms of halo and purple fringing? I am less concerned by flare because I think it flares beautifully. But I find the halo and purple fringing when wide open distracting.
I'd love to share still samples of the lens problem. But I am out of town now. Kind of need to make this decision on the rehousing now.
I really appreciate your thoughts on this.
Jack
A little background about my current situation. I recently acquired three Summilux-R lenses 35/1.4, 50/1.4, and 80/1.4 from my friend. All with serial numbers starting with 32xxxxx. I believe they were all manufactured around 1983. I tested it by shooting some dollar bills and portraits. While the 50mm and, to a lesser degree, the 80mm both perform very well even wide open, the 35/1.4 seems to be quite soft wide open when compared to a Contax Zeiss 35/1.4.
The softness is especially pronounced and unnatural when I begins to pull focus slightly away from critical focus. A halo begins to show around the edge of the subject (especially noticeable on a brighter subject against darker background). Micro details on the skin quickly smooth out. It reminds me the look of a diffusion filter that has tiny stipples / micro-lenses, like the Tiffen Class Soft. To recall David Mullen's excellent article on the principle of diffusion filters, filters that feature micro-lenses would throw a slightly out-of-focus image on an otherwise in-focus image. It seems to be exactly what is happening on my Summilux 35. The halo that grows around the edge of the subject makes it rather unnatural and distracting when I begins to pull focus away. The purple/green fringing on the halo makes it even worst.
I spoke to GL-Optics about it and Nan suggested me to send them my lenses and they will check it out on a lens projector. Their verdict is that all three lenses perform similarly to other samples they have. But Nan said they don't account for the differences between older and newer versions of the same lens. He said lenses from later era might have less flare and halo due to better coating.
I have been trying to find a more modern copy of the Summulix 35, but haven't been able to find one in the city I live in. So I have to ask for help here from those who is familiar with this particular lens. Do you think the year of production makes a noticeable difference in terms of halo and purple fringing? I am less concerned by flare because I think it flares beautifully. But I find the halo and purple fringing when wide open distracting.
I'd love to share still samples of the lens problem. But I am out of town now. Kind of need to make this decision on the rehousing now.
I really appreciate your thoughts on this.
Jack
