Let’s start off with a truthful statement, my journey into Leica is not as long as what many might think. It was only in 2018 since my first Leica-related review with the M240 followed by the Leica Q, which quickly escalated into the Q2, M10, the 50mm Summicron (Ver IV) and 35mm Summicron (Ver III) and next thing, it’s kinda crazy to know that I am here with the 35mm Summilux ASPH FLE.
The 7th of its lineage, the 35mm f1.4 Summilux ASPH FLE (Floating elements)
Writing this review took quite a bit of will-power, simply because it was difficult finding time within the Covid-19 mess that has taken hold of the world since February 2020 but I think its time to stop finding excuses.
I prefer writing a proper review, instead of the typical spec-sheet style or one with 5000 words but containing no samples and or even worse, cut and pasted official advertorial shots. And in this sense, I shall separate the review into a few main parts to guide the reader through:
- Introduction to the Leica 35mm f1.4 Summilux FLE
- Handling, Optical performance & Samples
- Conclusion
*Disclaimer:
1. This is the second camera review I have done while under COVID-19 quarantine rules, hence do forgive the lack of variety of photo samples.
2. All samples here were shot by me with the M10 and 35mm Summilux FLE, both my personal copies.
3. I was not paid in any form for this review, and the opinions shared are my personal views, hence the freedom in allowing myself to be honest.
4. I reserve ownerships to these images, I am generally very easy-going with ownership as I believe photography should be generous. Still, there have been a few cases where readers have notified me of others who have used the images for purposes of profit.
For brevity’s sake, I shall be referring to the lens as the FLE from this point onwards.
Part 1 – Introduction to The 35mm f1.4 Summilux FLE
The first thing that comes to my mind is the price tag of the FLE (2010 onwards) at a mind-boggling USD5895 (SGD7840 in Singapore). Even for me who started with the more modest 35mm Summicron (my review of the 35mm Summicron Ver III here) the price of the FLE was tough to stomach but let’s put this aside first until the conclusion.
To be clear, the FLE (Floating elements version) is model 11 663.
The FLE is the 7th iteration in a distinguished line of 35mm Summilux-es in Leica’s history from 1960 onwards. The earlier versions were much smaller but had lesser than optimal optical performance at maximum aperture.
The previous version (simply 35mm Summilux ASPH from 1994 to 2010) featured a single aspherical element and was itself already known as one of the highest performing pieces of optics in Leica, but, unfortunately, faced a fatal flaw in some copies – focus shift.
There is actually a much rarer double-aspherical version of the 35mm Summilux produced by Leica, but production was soon stopped due to the high production cost involved and a copy can easily fetch USD15k upwards in auctions. I have never handled it.
What is particularly extraordinary here is that Leica improved on the 1994-2010 version VI’s optical performance other than fixing the focal shift issue. To many users, the previous 35/1.4 ASPH (1994-2010) offered such excellent performance that they thought the touted improvements were marketing speak.
The FLE adds floating elements to improve optical performance at all distances. Leica informed that the improvements are most noticeable at close distances, which is interesting because the way I shoot is pretty intimate, trying to get close to the subject and many times I am actually shooting at minimum focusing distance.
f2.8, ISO200
Part 2 – Handling, Optical Performance
Handling the lens does take a bit getting used to with it being heavier than my 35mm and 50mm Summicrons, however, the sheer potential of image quality one gets has made this lens almost a permanent resident on my camera.
The focusing tab runs buttery smooth with the right amount of resistance and, and true to Leica, the screw-on hood is basically engineered with the exact amount of threads so that it comes to rest perfectly aligned to the lens. Superficial, yes, but I am more impressed than anything else.
The FLE on the M10, despite the larger size of the lens, a grip isn’t needed.
The optical performance of the FLE in simple words, is the best 35mm I’ve ever used.
As far as resolution goes, the lens exceeds my 46 years old 35mm Summicron Ver III at every aperture, with a much crispier rendition. In short, impressive.
Unlike Fujifilm (whose’s rendition is beautiful in their own right), Leica’s strength is in its natural rendition and the FLE renders very well. The FLE’s corner performance is almost as good as center performance, with only very slight softness and once you hit f2 or f2.8, the FLE easily gives sharpness across the frame.
f1.4, ISO1250, 1/30s
A big wow came with how subjects stand out with a very three-dimensional rendition thanks to the excellent micro-contrast and low presence of CA.
If one has ever dreamt of shooting in low light with a Leica rangefinder, this lens is going to make that happen, for example, the shots above were done wide open and around late 8pm, where it was pretty dark.
f1.4, ISO4000
Analyzing bokeh is beyond my ability, and in my opinion, so subjective that someone as lacking as me will not want to touch it with a 3-foot pole (yes, social distancing I heard you) but personally I look at how the lens transits from focused zones to the out of focused zones a lot. The rendition of edges in that zone – and in this sense, the FLE gives a very smooth, pleasant, clean transition between zones while providing that much desired 3-D pop in the images.
Coma, which is when points of light in the corners get blur, is almost nonexistent and the FLE presents no visible distortion.
In short, if I have to try my hardest to find something to complain about the lens, it will really be that at f1.4, the depth of field is so thin that it is not easy to get the manual focusing done right and this does have to come with practice. In fact, I simply remind myself there are people shooting f0.95 out there to make myself feel better.
Part 3 – Conclusion
It seems that the most impactful way to make the 35mm Summilux FLE a better piece of optics can be seen as blasphemous by the Leica purists, which is to give it auto-focus, which well, ain’t happening since Leica has the SL series for this.
And that will be taking the easy way out, for the amount of satisfaction when one nails the shot with a rangefinder is difficult to describe unless one has really shot with one.
Yes, it does cost USD5895, but for those willing to pay, doing so obtains one of the best pieces of optics Leica makes, and if you know Leica, this is quite a worthy achievement. A simple reminder also is that for a full-frame sized sensor, the FLE easily comes in at near half the weight of the 35mm f1.4 equivalents from other brands.
The 35mm Summilux FLE stands as one of the highest performing lens within the Leica M family, continuing the legacy of its 35mm Summilux line, and yes, worth every penny it will make your pocket lighter.
f2, ISO200
Thank you for reading.
KeithWee | Photography 
Hi Keith, I don’t understand this adoration for Leica cameras that so many photographers seem to have. Like many luxury goods, the Leica brand is expensive and out of reach for most budgets. Is that why it’s desired? Or is it that once upon a time, Leica was considered the marquee producer of cameras and its still famous because it was famous.
I admit to being ignorant of Leica cameras. I do not like rangefinder cameras so perhaps I may not like using Leica cameras. I prefer SLR cameras.
Perhaps I should rent a Leica camera and decide for myself if this brand is deserving. I can rent Leica M10, Leica SL2, Leica M-P, Leica SL (Typ 601), Leica M (Typ 262), Leica CL, Leica TL, Leica TL2, Leica M-E (Typ 240), Leica D-Lux 7, Leica M10-P, and Leica Q2. I can also rent Leica M mount and Leica L mount lenses.
Would you do me a favour? Which Leica camera and lens combination should I rent to get a feeliing for the brand and it’s cameras?
The list of cameras I can rent is here: https://bit.ly/3bM4ns8 . The list of Leica M and L mount lenses is here: https://bit.ly/35hpQqI . I rent from a company in the USA called LensRentals.com
In the meantime, I’ll go back to saving up for a FinePix X100V (or X100F).
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Hmm, that’s a tough question. Firstly the fact is i don’t think I know enough about leica cameras and lenses too. The fanboys will disagree but to me body wise, leica is behind most other brands. However if it is lenses, leica does produce some of the best performing optics and this is probably why we see that even 50 year old leica lenses still worth a lot nowadays while their bodies depreciate fast.
The bulk of my photography experience was with Fujifilm, and it is great that you plan to rent first to try. In this sense maybe I can propose the M10 with either a 35 or 50mm Summicron (F2) if you want to try the rangefinder or the SL2 or Q2 direct if you prefer a AF system. Skip the TL CL and especially the DLux series as for these models I’ll rather have my Fujifilm cameras over them.
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Thanks for the suggestions. I can’t believe Leica sell digital cameras without AF. That seems ridiculous to me. I think I’ll try the SL2 or Q as I prefer having AF.
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There are people who love photography, and there are people who enjoy the process of taking photographs as much as they do with photography itself, and Leica M cameras are for the latter.
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Honesty, you have to hand on the camera and try to process to really appreciate the beauty of it. I agree that they are pricey and what not and at the cost, they do deliver quality in construct the body and design. Even a stubborn one is hard to argue about their lenses and amazing quality optics. If you are not into range finder, I suggest you rent an SL2 with M to L adapter and put on some fine quality M lens (35mm asph fle) for example and try the manual focus and see for yourself. SL2 has EVF which will easily help you to nail down focus and you will be like me, enjoy the manual process when you in control just like driving a car bro. With SL lens, autofocus is comparable with other brand also. I find them quick and accurate.
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I have not really tried the SL series but yes, I can attest that the M series excels in its image quality and one has to shoot it to experience, both the 35 FLE and 35 Cron are excellent lenses.
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Or. It’s one of those things where people feel they have to gush over Leica because there is no room in the fanatical tribe for dissent.
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For me the leica rangefinder is about the tactile experience of using a simple beautifully made camera where you have to focus manually and compose using a clear real life optical viewfinder.
A wonderful compact fully metal full frame camera.
You can keep your whizz bang auto-focus multi mode sony etc cameras because i have no use for them.
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Point on! It’s a type of appreciation coupled with excellent image quality.
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There are people who love photography, and there are people who enjoy the process of taking photographs as much as they do with photography itself, and Leica M cameras are for the latter.
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Agree 🙂 the whole idea of using the M and the handling of it does speak more of the latter.
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Beautiful review Keith, and lovely photos of your family and of the lens. It’s great to read a review from an owner rather than reviewers of borrowed weekly users. I was debating which lens to get for my newly acquired silver M10-P. When I read your report it was the deciding factor of the 35mm Summilux FLE 11663.
Keep up your great reviews and take care,
-Thomas Alan Nakashima
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Thank you Thomas for the kind words 🙂 and glad to be of help.
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Have you had the chance to try the Voigtlander 35mk3 f1.2? I thought that lens is a beauty of its own, a balance between IQ and price wise. But the Lux 35mm still continues to tempt me.
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Hi Adrian , unfortunately I haven’t but I would love to go given a chance. I’ve heard good things about the Voigtlander 35/1.2 III and I think based on feedback it’s a lens worth trying.
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Hi
Have you tried the 35 1.4 Leica on a Fuji with adapter? How good is it?
Thanks
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Hi, I’ve previously tried an much older Leica M 35 Cron on the X-Pro3. The results were beyond my expectations. You can see it at : https://www.google.com/amp/s/keithwee.com/2020/03/17/adapting-the-46-years-old-leica-35mm-summicron-ver-ii-on-the-fujifilm-x-pro3-a-visual-review/amp/
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You reviewed this lens 4 years ago, and I am looking into buying it now. I am so hooked onto Leica M10 Monochrom, and I am looking for a one lens setup. This might be it! I’ve had a lot of fun with Leica Q series (that Summilux is bonkers!), but nothing comes close to RF feeling of shooting. So here I am, I need to decide between this one or Voigtländer 35mm f1.5, and I am having a hard time! I really, really liked close focus capabilities from Leica Q series, and I am not sure If 0.7m on the Summilux would be enough for me :((
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Hi, thanks for popping by. For someone used to the 0.17m close focus on the Q, the M’s rangefinder 0.7m (or 0.5m using Live View with these lenses) will never be enough but I do agree that these two lenses are quite suited for the Monochrom , as I like my drawings for the Monochrom sharp and crisp , which the 35/1.5 and 28/1.5 VM lenses does very well.
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