Matching 35 for my 50 'cron DR

[Vics]

I'd like to buy a 35mm lens for my M3, but I'd really like to get one with the same kind of "signature" as my Dual Range 50mm Summicron. I like the W-Nikkor 35mm 2.5 on my Contax IIIa, but it is WAY contrastier than the DR, and besides I don't want to carry both cameras around. I trust I've made myself obscure. Any advice?
Vic

 

[payasam]

Don't know about signature, but if you want a 35 for an M3, you'll need one with "eyes" -- unless you plan to use an accessory finder. The f/2.8 Summaron may be the least difficult to find.

 

[drewbarb]

I shoot with two M3's- one with a DR, and one with an early goggled 35mm Summicron. The rendition from these two lenses is nearly identical. The goggles can make the lens clumsy in the bag, are less svelte on the camera, and do make the view through the finder a bit dimmer, but they work fine, and the images look great. It might be tough to land one of these, but to my mind it would be your best bet.

Another option is the 35mm Summaron. The images I've seen from these lenses have the same older lower contrast rendition. Both lenses can be found with or without the goggles, depending upon your preference.

 

[rolleistef]

a friend of mine is shooting his Summaron without the finder using the outside of the 50mm framelines and it seems to work fine. I guess the vf of the M3 has an approximative field of view of 40mm.

 

[Vics]

Thanks for the comments. Is the early Summicron available without the goggles? I think my VC accessory VF would be fine for me. Thanks again for the help.
VS

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

I own a Leica M3 and Summicron 50 DR. My 35 Cron is the first version (8 elements).
Ciao.
Vincenzo

 

[payasam]

If you have a 35 mm accessory finder, any Leitz (or other) 35 mm lens is a possibility. Leitz made 35 mm lenses both with and without goggles.