Leica R 35 Elmarit vs Summicron video: a clash of titans in the world of classic rangefinder lenses. The Leica R system, a bastion of photographic excellence, boasts a diverse array of lenses, and these two 35mm gems are often pitted against each other.
While both are renowned for their exceptional image quality, the modern landscape demands more than just still photography. Video capabilities have become paramount, and these lenses, despite their vintage origins, offer a unique perspective on capturing moving images.
The Leica R 35mm Elmarit and Summicron lenses, both offering a classic focal length, are known for their sharpness, contrast, and distinct rendering characteristics. The Elmarit, with its faster aperture, excels in low-light situations and boasts a more compact design.
The Summicron, on the other hand, is lauded for its exceptional sharpness and micro-contrast, resulting in a more detailed and precise image. But how do they fare in the realm of video? This exploration delves into their performance, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses in capturing moving images.
Ergonomics and Handling
The ergonomics and handling of a lens significantly impact the shooting experience, particularly for photographers who prioritize a comfortable and intuitive workflow. This section compares the Leica R 35mm Elmarit and Summicron lenses in terms of their size, weight, balance, focusing characteristics, and overall handling.
Size and Weight
The size and weight of a lens directly affect its portability and ease of use. The Elmarit, being a smaller and lighter lens, offers greater portability and less fatigue during extended shooting sessions. The Summicron, on the other hand, is larger and heavier, providing a more substantial feel in the hand.
- Leica R 35mm Elmarit:150g, 49mm filter thread, 50mm length.
- Leica R 35mm Summicron:250g, 55mm filter thread, 58mm length.
Balance, Leica r 35 elmarit vs summicron video
The balance of a lens on a camera body affects the overall handling and stability, particularly when shooting handheld. The Elmarit, due to its smaller size and weight, balances well on a Leica R camera body, providing a more comfortable and balanced shooting experience.
The Summicron, with its larger size and weight, might feel slightly front-heavy on a Leica R camera body, requiring more effort to maintain stability, especially during longer exposures or low-light photography.
Focusing Experience
The focusing experience is a critical aspect of lens performance. The Elmarit features a smooth and precise focusing ring, providing accurate focus adjustments. The Summicron, known for its exceptional sharpness, also features a smooth focusing ring, although it may require slightly more effort to rotate.
Choosing between the Leica R 35mm Elmarit and Summicron can be a tough decision, especially for photographers who prioritize image quality and sharpness. Both lenses offer exceptional performance, but the Elmarit is known for its compact size and portability, while the Summicron boasts a slightly wider aperture and richer contrast.
Regardless of your choice, you’ll need to consider your memory card capacity. A 32GB card, for instance, can hold a substantial amount of images, especially if you shoot in JPEG format. How many photos will a 32GB memory card hold ?
The answer depends on the file size of each image, which in turn is influenced by factors like resolution, compression, and shooting format. Understanding this will help you plan your shoots with the Leica R 35mm Elmarit or Summicron and ensure you have enough storage space for your photographic endeavors.
- Leica R 35mm Elmarit:The focusing ring is smooth and precise, offering a comfortable focusing experience with a relatively short focus throw.
- Leica R 35mm Summicron:The focusing ring is smooth and precise, with a slightly longer focus throw compared to the Elmarit.
Overall Handling
The overall handling experience with each lens is subjective and depends on individual preferences. The Elmarit, with its compact size and lighter weight, offers a more portable and less fatiguing shooting experience. It’s ideal for photographers who prioritize portability and ease of use.
The Summicron, with its larger size and weight, provides a more substantial feel in the hand, offering a sense of control and stability. It might be a better choice for photographers who prefer a more robust and substantial lens.
Image Quality
While both lenses are renowned for their exceptional image quality, the Summicron, being a faster lens, offers a slight edge in low-light situations. This is due to its larger aperture, which allows more light to enter the camera, resulting in a brighter image and reduced noise.
Bokeh
Bokeh, the aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas in an image, is another area where the Summicron excels. Its smoother and more pleasing bokeh is often attributed to its more complex lens design, which incorporates more elements. The Elmarit, with its simpler design, tends to produce a slightly harsher bokeh.
Sharpness
Both lenses are exceptionally sharp, but the Summicron demonstrates a slight edge in overall sharpness, particularly at wider apertures. This is due to its more sophisticated design, which compensates for lens aberrations and delivers sharper images. The Elmarit, while still very sharp, may exhibit a slight softening at the edges of the frame, especially at wider apertures.
Distortion
Distortion, the tendency for straight lines to appear curved in an image, is minimal in both lenses. However, the Elmarit exhibits a slightly more noticeable pincushion distortion at wider apertures. This distortion is typically corrected easily in post-processing.
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration, a color fringing effect that can appear at the edges of high-contrast areas, is generally well-controlled in both lenses. However, the Summicron, with its more advanced design, exhibits slightly better control over this aberration, especially at wider apertures.
Final Wrap-Up: Leica R 35 Elmarit Vs Summicron Video
In the realm of video, the Leica R 35mm Elmarit and Summicron lenses offer a compelling blend of classic character and modern capabilities. While both excel in delivering stunning image quality, the Elmarit’s faster aperture and compact size make it a versatile choice for various video scenarios.
The Summicron, with its exceptional sharpness and micro-contrast, provides a more cinematic look, perfect for capturing intricate details and depth. Ultimately, the choice boils down to personal preference and the specific needs of your video project. Whether you seek a lens for everyday video capture or a tool for crafting cinematic masterpieces, these Leica R gems offer a unique and compelling perspective on the world of moving images.