I just got a pre-asph Summilux 35/1.4 and have some problems to set aperture especially with the M6 (eye on viewfinder for exposure measuring). I find it's very difficult to turn the aperture ring (when I finally find him ...) without touching the focusing tab or to turn the lens shade (12504). Ok it's a little easier without the lens shade but why having a shade then ? Compactness is fine but if you can't use the lens for quick shots ?

Any suggestions ? Thanks

-- Michael Bohn (michael.bohn@skynet.be), May 27, 2002

Answers

The 35/1.4 pre-asph is one of my two favourite lenes. The technique I us to adjust aperture and focus while looking through the viewfinder, is with you forefinger cradled in the tab for adjusting focus, use the tip of your thumb on the little aperture tab to adjust aperture. It may take a little practice to get your forefinger and thumb to coordinate together but once you get the hang of it you will be okay. This works with the hood in place.

-- Steve LeHuray (steve@icommag.com), May 27, 2002.

This problem used to drive me mad before I sold the lens. What I did was put a plastic cable tie around the aperture ring and positioned the locking tab at a convenient place. Once the excess was cut off the locking tab of the cable tie can be used much like the focusing tab.

-- Steve Barnett (barnet@globalnet.co.uk), May 27, 2002.

Michael. The 35/1.4 pre-ASPH Slux is the smallest 35 mm F/1.4 lens ever made by Leica or any other manufacturer. The price you pay is that everything is crowded together and the ergonomics is not great. I think you can use the lens without lenshood for flat, frontlit, or overcast lighting situations. The rest, you just have to get used to it. The 35/1.4 ASPH is significantly larger, heavier, and (of course) more expensive.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), May 27, 2002.