Ms-Optics APOQUALIA 35mm F1.4

Review of using the Ms-optics APOQUALI 35mm F1.4 with a LEICA M typ240 and HASSELBLAD X2D.

Gallery

Sample photos taken with the LEICA M typ240

Review

Apoqualia 35mm is a large aperture wide-angle lens with a focal length of 35mm released by Ms-Optics. The shortest shooting distance is 0.6m, making it a closer lens among 35mm/F1.4 lenses, and easier to use than the 1m distance of the spherical Summilux. The M-type Leica’s distance system linkage is up to 0.8m.
The filter is Miyazaki Optical’s special reverse mounting type and uses a diameter of 37mm. The lens hood is trumpet-shaped and has a 37mm reverse thread, so attach the filter and attach it from above.

There is a wide variety of lens appearances, and it was released in a variety of barrel colors, including black, silver, silver rhodium, and black paint. It is also the prototype of the REIROL 35mm F1.4 released by MAP CAMERA, which will be introduced on a separate page.

The image is sharp even at maximum aperture, but when focusing with M-type double image alignment, unless the camera and lens are precisely adjusted, the target will often not be in focus.

This is similar to the fact that during the film era, NOCTILUX-M 50mm and SUMMILUX-M 35mm were considered useless lenses. I asked Mr. Miyazaki to adjust the focus twice, but the double image was not perfect, so it was quite difficult.

However, with a mirrorless camera, you don’t have to worry about that and can use it with peace of mind even when the aperture is wide open. When zooming in on the HASSELBLAD X2D’s EVF and focusing, you can see that the focus plane changes smoothly when opening the aperture by just moving the focus ring a little. This subtle difference makes it understandable that with mechanical double image matching, it is difficult to shoot at the desired focus position without focus bracketing.

The aperture is not clip-stop, and this may be due to the individuality of the individual you have, but unfortunately the aperture ring is also loose and uncontrolled.

Specification

Lens name	APOQUALIA	SUMMILUX
Local length(mm)	35	35
Max aperture	1.4	1.4
Min aperture	16	16
Leaf blade	12	10
Lens Construction	6elements in 5group	7elements in 5group
Min distance(m)	0.6(Distance meter linkage is 0.8m)	1.0
Lens length(mm)	22.5	28
Lens Max diameter(mm)	φ50	φ52
Filter Size(mm)	37	Series-7
Weight(g)	85	222 Titan-color
Release date	2016	1991 Titan-color