Compact manual 35 mm fast lens for my X-Pro2

[CandidChronicles]

Hi,

I'm looking for a good 35 mm manual lens, to use with my X-Pro2.
I already have a few Fuji lenses, which I like a lot. But from time to time, I need to go back and shoot manual.

I also already own several vintage lenses, with the Olympus being probably the most compact.
The adapter for all my vintage lenses are not quite compact though, except for the OM Zuiko 40 mm f/1.8.

A focus tab would also be great. I never used one, but I'm sure that would make focusing a little easier.

Lastly, I would also like to have clear focal length, and aperture scale numbers. Sometimes, they are quite tiny and to my eyes, it gets difficult to read them.

Price range, new or used, is around $400-$500.

I mostly shoot street, examples here Home * Piero Desopo

Any suggestion?

Thanks,
Piero

 

[Zuiko-logist]

it depends on what you are expecting in terms of speed/quality, but used there are various versions of the Voigtlander 35/2 amd 35/1.4 Nokton, for a more vintage look Canon 35/1.8 and 35/2 (not sure what they sell for these days), various new China manufactured lenses such as from TT Artisan and my personal favourite the Olympus Pen 38/1.8 half-frame lens which works well on APSC sensors and still seems a bargain. Condition will likely affect quality as much as native performance for the vintage lenses.

 

[CandidChronicles]

Thanks @Zuiko-logist

Since you mentioned the Olympus Pen, I just realized I did mistype the name in my original post. I meant the 38 mm, not the 40, but it seems I can't edit it anymore.

As for the options you mentioned, it seems only the Voigtlander might be compact enough with the adapter taken into account, and the Olympus Pen of course, which I already have. I assume those Canon would need an FD adapter.

I looked at the options you mentioned, and at first glance the Voigtlander seems like a nice option, better than the TT Artisan, apparently.
The Nokton 1.4 it's probably quite soft wide open, but for street that shouldn't be a problem.

Also, I see there are several versions of the same lens, like M LTM, VM II. There's also the 1.2, which even comes with a native x-mount version.
It's a bit confusing, I'll do some research.

 

[Zuiko-logist]

I love your website by the way. Nice work.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Much desire and little money. My advice is to start with the current Chinese offerings. Cheers, OtL

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

Be patient and save your money; Cosina has an X-mount ULTRON 27mm F2 X-mount (with tab) lens in the pipe-line.

Per Cosina:
A thin and compact manual focus lens equivalent to 40mm full-frame. Equipped with electronic contacts, the optical system is optimized for Fujifilm X mount sensors. Equipped with a focus lever (tab).

 

[Zuiko-logist]

That looks good.

 

[Coldkennels]

I'd be careful picking up vintage 35mm glass for the X-Pro 2. I have the Canon 35/1.8 and wide open it looks like ass at the edges of frame on the X-Pro 2. Just ran out in the back yard to take this to illustrate my point:



I mean, wide open it looks a bit like ass on film in certain scenarios, too. It's very rare I shoot this lens at the best of times, but I've basically decided it's an f/2.8 lens at best for me.

By f/4 it looks pretty good on the Fuji X bodies:


...but if you're going to shoot a 35mm lens at f/4, you might as well pick up one of the Summarons instead. They're far smaller and filters are much easier to find.

 

[CandidChronicles]

Much desire and little money. My advice is to start with the current Chinese offerings. Cheers, OtL

What would be a more appropriate budget, and for what lens?

Be patient and save your money; Cosina has an X-mount ULTRON 27mm F2 X-mount (with tab) lens in the pipe-line.

Per Cosina:
A thin and compact manual focus lens equivalent to 40mm full-frame. Equipped with electronic contacts, the optical system is optimized for Fujifilm X mount sensors. Equipped with a focus lever (tab).

Thanks, @Yokosuka_Mike

That looks nice, a little wider than what I'm looking for. From my understanding, Cosina is the company that took over Voigtlander?
So, same family as the 35 f/1.4 or the native x-mount f/1.2?

I'd be careful picking up vintage 35mm glass for the X-Pro 2. I have the Canon 35/1.8 and wide open it looks like ass at the edges of frame on the X-Pro 2. Just ran out in the back yard to take this to illustrate my point:

I mean, wide open it looks a bit like ass on film in certain scenarios, too. It's very rare I shoot this lens at the best of times, but I've basically decided it's an f/2.8 lens at best for me.

By f/4 it looks pretty good on the Fuji X bodies:


...but if you're going to shoot a 35mm lens at f/4, you might as well pick up one of the Summarons instead. They're far smaller and filters are much easier to find.

Thanks a lot for taking the time to do the test, @Coldkennels
Really appreciated.

Yes, I agree, they tend to be soft wide open. If I remember correctly, I had better luck with my Minolta 50 1.4, and my Nikon 50 1.4, not so much with the rest of the vintage I have.
But then again, like you said, usually from f/4 up things get better.

I love your website by the way. Nice work.

Thanks!