Leica Summicron ‘glow’.

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The standout characteristic of the LLL 35mm ‘Summicron’ 8 element and the LLL 50mm Cook ‘Speed-Panchro’ S-P II clone lenses is the glow they produce around strong highlights at full aperture. Want the best definition? Stop down to f/2.8 or smaller and the glow is gone. In a sense you get two lenses in one, with each variant.

This was snapped at f/2 in the local Episcopal cathedral. Click for a larger image, click again and you will see what I’m going on about. Cutting edge sharpness at full aperture? Nope. But a charming rendering unlike that of modern optics.

Leica M10, LLL 35mm 8 element at f/2, ISO 1600.