Leica r 35 vs fd 35 – Leica R 35 vs Canon FD 35: these two legendary lenses, both 35mm primes, represent the pinnacle of optical engineering from their respective eras. But how do they stack up against each other in a world obsessed with modern technology?
This comparison dives into the intricacies of their design, performance, and overall character, revealing their strengths and weaknesses in a captivating narrative.
The Leica R 35mm, renowned for its exceptional sharpness and subtle rendering, was a favorite among professional photographers in the film era. Meanwhile, the Canon FD 35mm, a robust and reliable lens with a reputation for versatility, earned a place in the hearts of countless photographers.
This comparison examines the nuances of each lens, exploring their image quality, bokeh, distortion, and availability, providing a comprehensive understanding of their unique characteristics.
Image Quality
The Leica R 35mm f/2 Summicron and the Leica FD 35mm f/2 Summicron are both renowned for their exceptional image quality. While they share a common name and aperture, they were designed for different camera systems and have subtle differences in their optical performance.
This section will delve into the image quality characteristics of each lens, comparing their sharpness, contrast, and color rendition.
Sharpness
Sharpness is a crucial aspect of image quality, determining how well a lens can resolve fine details in a subject. Both the R 35mm and the FD 35mm are known for their sharpness, particularly in the center of the frame.
- The R 35mm f/2 Summicron is widely regarded as one of the sharpest 35mm lenses ever produced. It exhibits exceptional sharpness across the entire frame, even at wide apertures. This sharpness is attributed to its advanced optical design, which incorporates eight elements in six groups.
The lens is also known for its excellent micro-contrast, which contributes to its crisp and detailed images.
- The FD 35mm f/2 Summicron, while not as sharp as the R 35mm, is still a very sharp lens. It shows good sharpness in the center of the frame, but the sharpness drops off slightly towards the edges, especially at wider apertures.
However, stopping down to f/5.6 or f/8 significantly improves sharpness across the entire frame. This lens features six elements in four groups, a simpler design compared to the R 35mm.
Contrast
Contrast refers to the difference in brightness between the light and dark areas of an image. High contrast images have a more dramatic and impactful look, while low contrast images can appear softer and more muted.
- The R 35mm f/2 Summicron delivers high contrast images, contributing to its crisp and vibrant appearance. This high contrast is a result of its excellent micro-contrast, which enhances the separation between light and dark areas in the image. This makes the R 35mm f/2 Summicron a popular choice for photographers who prefer a sharp and punchy look in their images.
- The FD 35mm f/2 Summicron, while not as high contrast as the R 35mm, still produces images with good contrast. It exhibits slightly lower contrast than the R 35mm, particularly at wider apertures. This can lead to a slightly softer and less punchy look in images.
However, stopping down to f/5.6 or f/8 can improve contrast and sharpness.
Color Rendition
Color rendition refers to the accuracy and fidelity of colors reproduced by a lens. A lens with good color rendition will produce images with accurate and natural-looking colors.
- The R 35mm f/2 Summicron is known for its accurate and vibrant color rendition. It produces images with rich and saturated colors, while still maintaining a natural and pleasing look. This is attributed to its high-quality glass elements and its multi-coating, which helps to minimize flare and ghosting.
- The FD 35mm f/2 Summicron also delivers accurate and pleasant color rendition. It produces images with slightly less saturated colors than the R 35mm, but still maintains a natural and balanced look. The FD 35mm f/2 Summicron’s color rendition is considered very good, especially for its age.
Bokeh
Bokeh, the aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas in an image, is a significant factor for many photographers, particularly when using lenses with shallow depth of field. Both the Leica R 35mm f/2 and the Leica FD 35mm f/2 lenses are renowned for their exceptional image quality, and their bokeh characteristics contribute to their overall appeal.
The Leica R 35mm f/2 Summicron and the Canon FD 35mm f/2 are both renowned lenses, each with its own unique character. While they excel in capturing the world up close, for capturing distant subjects, a telephoto lens is essential.
The Nikon Z6II, a powerful mirrorless camera, can be paired with a variety of telephoto lenses, and you can find a comprehensive guide to choosing the perfect one here. Returning to the Leica and Canon lenses, the R 35mm is known for its smooth bokeh, while the FD 35mm is prized for its sharp rendering and versatility.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual shooting style and preferences.
Bokeh Comparison
The bokeh of the Leica R 35mm f/2 and the Leica FD 35mm f/2 lenses exhibit distinct characteristics, offering different visual aesthetics. The R 35mm f/2 generally produces smoother, more pleasing bokeh with less pronounced swirl, while the FD 35mm f/2 often exhibits a more pronounced swirl and a slightly less smooth rendering of out-of-focus areas.
The Leica R 35mm and the FD 35mm are both highly sought-after lenses, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Choosing between the two often comes down to personal preference and intended use. Once you’ve made your decision, though, you’ll want to capture those images in the highest quality possible.
That’s where a dedicated scanner comes in. To find the best 35mm film and slide scanner for your needs, consider factors like resolution, scanning speed, and ease of use. With a top-notch scanner, you’ll be able to bring your Leica R 35mm or FD 35mm photographs to life with stunning clarity and detail.
- Leica R 35mm f/2:The R 35mm f/2 lens, designed for the Leica R system, is known for its smooth and creamy bokeh. The out-of-focus areas appear soft and pleasing, with minimal swirl or harsh edges. This characteristic is often described as “classic Leica bokeh,” known for its subtle and elegant rendering.
- Leica FD 35mm f/2:The FD 35mm f/2 lens, designed for the Canon FD system, has a more pronounced swirl in its bokeh, creating a more dramatic and artistic effect. The out-of-focus areas are less smooth than the R 35mm f/2, but this characteristic can be desirable for certain photographic styles, particularly when emphasizing a sense of depth and texture.
Bokeh Examples
To illustrate the bokeh characteristics of these lenses, consider these examples:
An image of a portrait taken with the Leica R 35mm f/2 at a wide aperture would likely show a smooth and pleasing bokeh, blurring the background without distracting from the subject. The out-of-focus areas would appear soft and ethereal, enhancing the subject’s prominence.
The Leica R 35mm f/2 Summicron and the Leica FD 35mm f/2 SP are both highly regarded lenses, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. While the R 35mm is known for its sharpness and contrast, the FD 35mm boasts a smoother, more pleasing rendering.
Both lenses are excellent choices, but if you’re looking for a wider field of view, consider the Vivitar MC 24mm f/2 , a lens known for its exceptional sharpness and value. Ultimately, the choice between the Leica R 35mm and the FD 35mm depends on your individual needs and preferences.
An image of a street scene captured with the Leica FD 35mm f/2 at a shallow depth of field would likely showcase a more pronounced swirl in the bokeh, adding a touch of dynamism to the background. The out-of-focus lights might appear as swirling discs, adding an artistic touch to the image.
These examples demonstrate the distinct bokeh characteristics of the Leica R 35mm f/2 and the Leica FD 35mm f/2 lenses, highlighting their unique visual aesthetics. The choice between these lenses ultimately depends on the photographer’s personal preferences and the desired visual effect.
Distortion and Chromatic Aberration
Distortion and chromatic aberration are common optical imperfections that can affect the sharpness and clarity of images. While these phenomena are present in all lenses to some extent, their severity can vary depending on the lens design and manufacturing quality.
This section delves into the distortion and chromatic aberration characteristics of the Leica R 35mm f/2 Summicron and the Leica FD 35mm f/2 ASPH lenses, comparing their performance in terms of barrel/pincushion distortion and color fringing.
Distortion
Distortion is a type of lens aberration that causes straight lines in the scene to appear curved in the image. It can manifest as barrel distortion, where straight lines bulge outwards, or pincushion distortion, where straight lines converge inwards. The Leica R 35mm f/2 Summicron exhibits a noticeable amount of barrel distortion at wide apertures.
This distortion is more pronounced towards the edges of the frame, particularly at the widest aperture of f/2. At narrower apertures, the distortion decreases significantly, becoming almost negligible at f/8 and beyond.The Leica FD 35mm f/2 ASPH, on the other hand, is designed with an aspherical element to minimize distortion.
The debate between the Leica R 35mm f/2 and the Canon FD 35mm f/2 is a classic, fueled by differences in sharpness, character, and lens construction. Both lenses have a certain charm, but for those seeking modern features and a smaller footprint, the Fujifilm X-E4 offers a compelling alternative.
Check out the Fujifilm X-E4 pictures to see the quality you can expect from this compact mirrorless camera. Ultimately, the choice between the Leica R 35mm f/2 and the Canon FD 35mm f/2 comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of your photographic style.
As a result, it exhibits very low distortion across the entire aperture range, even at f/2. The distortion present is minimal and typically considered negligible for most photographic applications.
Example:A photograph of a building taken with the Leica R 35mm f/2 Summicron at f/2 might show the vertical lines of the building curving outwards towards the edges of the frame, while the same photograph taken with the Leica FD 35mm f/2 ASPH at f/2 would show minimal distortion.
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration is another type of lens aberration that occurs when different wavelengths of light are refracted at different angles by the lens. This results in color fringing, where colored halos appear around high-contrast edges in the image. There are two main types of chromatic aberration: longitudinal chromatic aberration (LCA) and lateral chromatic aberration (LCA).LCA manifests as color fringing along the axis of the lens, while LCA appears as color fringing perpendicular to the axis.The Leica R 35mm f/2 Summicron exhibits some degree of chromatic aberration, particularly at wider apertures.
This aberration is more noticeable in areas of high contrast, such as the edges of bright objects against a dark background. At narrower apertures, the chromatic aberration decreases significantly.The Leica FD 35mm f/2 ASPH, due to its aspherical element, demonstrates significantly reduced chromatic aberration compared to the R 35mm f/2 Summicron.
The Leica R 35mm f/2 Summicron and the Leica FD 35mm f/2 SP are both renowned lenses, but they cater to different photographic approaches. The R 35mm boasts a compact design, perfect for discreet street photography, while the FD 35mm offers exceptional sharpness and contrast for landscape photography.
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It exhibits minimal color fringing even at wide apertures, making it a better choice for critical applications where color accuracy is paramount.
Example:A photograph of a bird in flight against a bright sky taken with the Leica R 35mm f/2 Summicron at f/2 might show noticeable color fringing around the edges of the bird’s wings, while the same photograph taken with the Leica FD 35mm f/2 ASPH at f/2 would exhibit minimal color fringing.
Availability and Cost
The Leica R 35mm f/2 Summicron and the Leica FD 35mm f/2 Summicron are both highly sought-after lenses, but their availability and pricing differ significantly due to their production history and current market demand.
Availability and Pricing
The availability of both lenses is primarily determined by the pre-owned market. The Leica R 35mm f/2 Summicron was produced from 1973 to 2006, making it a more readily available lens. The Leica FD 35mm f/2 Summicron was only produced from 1971 to 1980, making it rarer and more difficult to find.
- Leica R 35mm f/2 Summicron:Prices for the Leica R 35mm f/2 Summicron range from around $600 to $1,200, depending on condition and seller. Due to its longer production run, a wider range of condition and variations are available.
- Leica FD 35mm f/2 Summicron:The Leica FD 35mm f/2 Summicron is more expensive, typically fetching prices between $1,000 to $2,000, depending on condition and seller. The rarity of the lens contributes to its higher price.
Value for Money, Leica r 35 vs fd 35
Both lenses offer exceptional image quality, sharpness, and build quality, making them excellent investments for photographers seeking a classic and reliable 35mm lens. However, the higher price of the Leica FD 35mm f/2 Summicron may not be justified for all users.
- Leica R 35mm f/2 Summicron:The Leica R 35mm f/2 Summicron offers excellent value for money, providing high image quality at a more affordable price point.
- Leica FD 35mm f/2 Summicron:The Leica FD 35mm f/2 Summicron represents a significant investment, and its value for money is subjective. It’s a premium lens with exceptional build quality and performance, but its higher price may not be justifiable for all users.
Conclusion
The Leica R 35mm f/2 Summicron and the Leica FD 35mm f/2 Summicron are both exceptional lenses renowned for their image quality and optical performance. While they share a name and similar focal length, they cater to different photographic needs and preferences.
Key Strengths and Weaknesses
- The Leica R 35mm f/2 Summicronexcels in its compact size, making it ideal for street photography and travel. Its exceptional sharpness, even wide open, and its ability to produce beautiful bokeh contribute to its overall versatility. However, its availability and cost may pose challenges for some photographers.
- The Leica FD 35mm f/2 Summicronstands out with its robust construction and its reputation for durability. Its optical performance, particularly its sharpness and contrast, makes it a preferred choice for architectural and landscape photography. However, its larger size and weight might not be ideal for all shooting scenarios.
Recommendations for Photographers
- Photographers seeking a compact and versatile lens for street, travel, or everyday photography, who value image quality and bokeh, should consider the Leica R 35mm f/2 Summicron. Its portability and performance make it a great choice for capturing everyday moments.
- Photographers who prioritize durability, sharpness, and contrast, particularly for architectural or landscape photography, should opt for the Leica FD 35mm f/2 Summicron. Its robust construction and optical excellence make it a reliable companion for demanding shooting situations.
Closing Notes: Leica R 35 Vs Fd 35
Ultimately, the choice between the Leica R 35mm and Canon FD 35mm depends on your individual needs and priorities. The Leica R 35mm offers exceptional sharpness and a classic, film-like rendering, while the Canon FD 35mm provides versatility and a more modern look.
Both lenses are capable of producing stunning images, but their distinct characteristics make them suitable for different photographic styles and workflows. This comparison has shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of each lens, allowing you to make an informed decision based on your own creative vision.