35mm lens recommendations for B&W

[ark8012]

I was recommended many times that 35mm Summicron 8 elements is the best for B&W, but are there any other choices other than 8 elements?

any recommendations? Thanks,

 

[david.elliott]

UC Hexanon is wonderful.

For an inexpensive lens (relatively), the 35/2.5 CV is great too.

 

[jsolanzo]

so hard to find the uc hexanon! Plus, it's almost as much as the cron.

 

[ferider]

Too many choices ... need more info on:

Budget, camera, desired speed, what do you shoot (subject and film), how do you develop, desired filter size, brand preference, other focal length available to you, etc.

Without, you'll get a list of all available 35mm lenses, and there are many for M/LTM.

 

[Vics]

Any lens that is great for color will be great for black and white and vice-versa. There's too much mythology around this topic. Buy the best glass you can afford.

 

[ark8012]

Too many choices ... need more info on:

Budget, camera, desired speed, what do you shoot (subject and film), how do you develop, desired filter size, brand preference, other focal length available to you, etc.

Without, you'll get a list of all available 35mm lenses, and there are many for M/LTM.

haha.. I think I am too new here to know all of those info.

I am thinking around $1000-$1300. I prefer a fast lens (maybe no later than 2.8). I mostly shot my daughter. Oh I am using M2.
For film developing, I usually use local photo lab. Do not have brand preference yet.

Did I answer all questions? 😀

Thank you for your input here.

 

[david.elliott]

Budget in some film developing equipment and a scanner and rock out!

 

[rpsawin]

Try these two beauties...

http://CameraQuest.com/voigtlen.htm#Voigtlander_35/1.2_V2

http://www.cameraquest.com/voigt3512.htm

I have the older version and it's amazing.

Best regards,

Bob

 

[maddoc]

With that budget I would try to find a 35mm Summicron vs3 (6 element) and be done. 🙂

 

[benmacphoto]

I happen to love my 35mm 2.8 Summaron. I think it's a great lens for black and white work.
Excellent sharpness and contrast.
They can be had for $500-$800

 

[hausen]

I love my Canon 35/2.8 for B&W amazing value at $400ish. If I was shooting my daughter I might lean towards at 50mm lens though. You could get the 35/2.8 plus excellent 50/1.4 + adapters and be under budget.

 

[jsolanzo]

I want a summaron 2.8 M2 version.

 

[Steve M.]

I'm not a wide angle guy, but the M Rokkor 40 2.0 I once owned left nothing to be desired. Thought it was a great lens and a great value. Don't often see those two attributes together.

 

[matt335]

I happen to love my 35mm 2.8 Summaron. I think it's a great lens for black and white work.
Excellent sharpness and contrast.
They can be had for $500-$800

have to agree here, but it's a personal choice after all

 

[Araakii]

Well what kind of b&W are you talking about?

Some lenses are good for high contrast, sharp shots while others have creamy and dreamy renderings. My personal favorite is the lux pre-asph but it's definitely not sharp until much stopped down.

 

[filmtwit]

Hands down, the Zeiss 35mm f2 Biogen

 

[ark8012]

Well what kind of b&W are you talking about?

Some lenses are good for high contrast, sharp shots while others have creamy and dreamy renderings. My personal favorite is the lux pre-asph but it's definitely not sharp until much stopped down.

I think I prefer a creamy and dreamy renderings for B&W rather than sharp and contrast. I prefer sharp and contrast for color though. 😀

 

[Strangeluv]

Strange no one has mentioned the Zeiss C-Biogon 35mm 2.8.
Small, cheap, and tack sharp at all levels. The only lens I have ever regretted selling 🙂

 

[TennesseJones]

I have the Summaron 2.8 (without goggles). Excellent for B & W.

 

[ferider]

for your budget the v1 summicron is not possible. to shoot your daughter in various lighting, in keeping with your budget, I recommend the cv Nokton 35/1.4. a very verSatile lens. I'd buy the sc version if you only shoot BW film. ymmv.

I second that recommendation. Or, if you don't mind the lens size and higher price the CV 35/1.2 (recommended by poster #8). For available light portraits f1.4 or f1.2 is very useful. So is a minimum focus distance of 0.7m.

You can find many example photos taken with either lens in

http://www.flickr.com/groups/86731438@N00/pool/tags/VoigtlanderNokton35mmf1.4SC

and

http://www.flickr.com/groups/86731438@N00/pool/tags/VoigtlanderNokton35mmf1.2Aspherical

Roland.