Funleader 35mm f1.4 for Leica (Artizlab) Review
New for 2025 is the Funleader 35mm f1.4 Leica M mount lens, made by Artizlab. This Funleader lens is a remake of the classic 1960s famous Leica Summilux 35mm f1.4 Pre-ASPH v2 lens but at a fraction of the price. Here I test and compare the Artizlab 35mm f1.4 lens including a full YouTube review. (Artizlab are a brand new lens brand for Leica M users supported by Funleader).
New Leica lens for 2025
Kicking off 2025, the first new lens to land is the Funleader 35mm f1.4 Artizlab lens. This is a homage to the classic 1960s Leica Summilux 35mm f1.4 Pre-ASPH version 2 and shares many similarities as we’ll see. Can you spot it from the photo shared below!?
Leica Summilux 35mm f1.4 Pre-ASPH (v1 + v2)
To quickly recap and to set the stage, let me first tell you about the Leica Summilux 35mm f1.4 Pre-ASPH lenses. Leica released their first fast aperture 35mm lens in 1961, the version 1, also known as the Steel Rim. (Leica later re-released this lens so you can buy their remake lens in the shops today).
Next came the version 2 Leica Summilux 35mm f1.4 Pre-ASPH which now lacks a filter thread and look near identical to the Funleader Artizlab 35mm f1.4 homage lens. The main difference to the external design (other than the writing) is Artizlab made their lens to include the infinity focus tab lock found on the v1 Summilux (absent on the v2).
Hat’s off to Artizlab for making this lens but if they were true photographers they should have made the lens to include the filter thread and not include the focus lock. Street photographers hate the focus lock design and it’s a real pain if you are working close to infinity (Your lens keeps locking out).
Perhaps they added the focus lock to make the lens less of a copy to the version 2 or for the retro appeal.
(Lens focus locks are common on vintage Leica lenses (and copies of such lenses). The Light Lens Lab 35mm f2 8-Element lens also has an infinity lock. (See this video).
Artizlab lens from Funleader
You might ask, who are Artizlab? I asked the same question to Funleader. My Funleader contact’s reply was, quote –
“The brand was founded by passionate Leica collectors and photography enthusiasts with a vision to bring the charm of traditional photographic craftsmanship to a broader audience. Currently, Funleader is helping Artizlab introduce its first offerings to the market”.
The Artizlab 35mm f1.4 Leica M mount lens is their first offering to the market. I’m excited to see what else they have planned for us! (Thypoch were new in 2024 and they had a fantastic year bringing us a whole series of great lenses).
Artizlab 35mm f1.4 – In the box
What’s in the box? The lens arrives in an Artizlab branded box, not Funleader. You receive –
- Artizlab 35mm f1.4 lens (M mount, black only)
- Series VII UV filter (This means not threaded*)
- Metal push-on round vented lens hood (holds filter)
- Metal push-on lens cap
See the YouTube video for a visual of the items received (below)
Lens testing in the Czech Republic
To test this lens I flew to the Czech Republic (Prague) and met up with a few Patreon friends. (See behind the scenes videos on Patreon). I was testing the lens on the Leica M10-P for most of the photos that you see in the YouTube video. This camera-lens combo gives a nice size for travel and walkabout.
Funleader 35mm f1.4 sample photos
If you are looking for Funleader 35mm f1.4 sample photos check out the YouTube video linked at the end of this article. Here are a few edited samples shot with my converted Leica M10(P). RAW + B&W LR preset added (MrLeica M262 preset pack – I mix and match my presets).
Artizlab Funleader 35mm f1.4 on film
Here a some sample photos using the Funleader 35mm f1.4 on film in Porto. I stopped down to f2 or greater for improved sharpness. Photos were captured with the Leica MDa or Voigtlander Bessa T. (Watch the video on YouTube).
Film was mostly Fomapan 100 and Kentmere 400. I develop my film with Kodak Xtol and digitise with the Leica CL and Valoi Easy35 (This video). Negatives are inverted with my MrLeica presets – film pack.
Leica Summilux 35mm f1.4 vs Funleader 35mm f1.4
So the big question, is how does this affordable homage lens compare to the original Leica Summilux 35mm Pre-ASPH lens it’s based on? If we compare Leica Summilux 35mm f1.4 vs Funleader 35mm f1.4 side by side you’ll see it’s not an exact copy. The Artizlab lens is mostly based on the version 2 Leica Summilux 35mm f2 Pre-ASPH but with a different optical formula.
If we look at the Leica Summilux 35mm f2 Pre-ASPH v1 (Steel Rim) vs Funleader 35mm f1.4 you’ll see the focus lock is the same on both lenses. The v1 and v2 Leica Summilux pre-ASPH lenses have the same optical formula of 7 elements in 5 groups.
The original blog post can be found here.