Which 35mm M lens?

LCT said:
If you look for a fast and sharp 35 and the size and weight of the ZM 35/1.4 are not a problem, why not choosing this lens? Too expensive? If so, did you think of the Nokton 35/1.5 asph? Similar IQ and size as the current Summicron with the added benefit of f/1.5 and a 0.5m MFD it is perhaps the best modern 35/1.4 (35/1.5) available below 1,000 GBP. Couple of snaps at f/1.5 and f/2.8 attached.

View attachment 4886584

View attachment 4886585
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Thank you. I will look into this one.
 
Get a Summicron if you can afford it, or a Summaron if you are on a budget. Either the 3.5 or the 2.8 are, in my opinion, equally good. The only difference between the two would have to be the human brain behind it.

I know someone who has a 1930s Elmar 35 and uses it well. Makes superbly good images.

The sky seems to be the limit here...
 
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Mark, you seem pretty well equipped already. My first thought when I hear 35 is my wonderful Summarit 2.5, but you've got small covered.

I'm always a little surprised that folks feel the need for 1.4 with modern digitals, and especially Monochroms. For bokeh I understand, but for a regular walkaround small and light is the cat's meow.
 
The Summaron 3.5/35 mm wouldn't be on my list. I own one in LTM, disassembled and cleaned it to the last bit and while it's a solid performer it lacks the microcontrast and fine detail of my collapsible 2/50 Summicron LTM or my 4/90 Tele-Elmar to mention lenses from the same era. It doesn't have that bit of extra optical quality that makes it a typical Leica-lens.
 
mrtoml said:
I will check these out. They look remarkably small.
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The CV 35mm f/1.4 Nokton II is about the same size as the pre-Asph Summilux. And, compared to the Summilux, it's probably a better performer as to sharpness at its wider apertures. The first version of this lens (which I owned for a short time) had fucus shift issues that were corrected in the 2nd version. It's likely a good option for you. How does it match up to the Distagon? – I can’t comment. …
 
Bill Blackwell said:
The CV 35mm f/1.4 Nokton II is about the same size as the pre-Asph Summilux. And, compared to the Summilux, it's probably a better performer as to sharpness at its wider apertures. The first version of this lens (which I owned for a short time) had fucus shift issues that were corrected in the 2nd version. It's likely a good option for you. How does it match up to the Distagon? – I can’t comment. …
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I have been checking these Noktons out today. The MC v2 is only about £550 new. Lots of people seem to rate them highly.
 
I agree the 35/1.4 Nokton Classic is great. I like its size and sharpness. I'm sure the Zeiss 1.4 is better but we're talking a lot more money. And the Zeiss is pretty big in comparison.




......................................................
 
I found a 35mm Summicron in excellent condition (1st version ASPH) for a really good price today and could not resist (I have always wanted a Summicron and it was a lot cheaper than the Zeiss). It should arrive tomorrow.

I will eventually get a faster 35mm later this year now when I have accumulated more funds though I still haven't decided which one... It's nice to have so many great options.

Thanks again for everyone's input.
 
The Nokton 35mm 1.4 is a very good lens at a modest price
(M4, 35mm Nokton SC)
48784910603_ab71dfbf71_z.jpg
 
mrtoml said:
This one is definitely on my shortlist.
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The first M mount lens I ever bought was a 35mm f/2 ASPH Summicron. It remains my most used M lens. Performance is absolutely first rate with great resolving power and microcontrast. I say this in the context of only shooting monochrome film. Examples of print scans of images from that lens (both shot with an M2):

1770137565579.png

1770137595805.png
 
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mrtoml said:
I am in the market for another 35mm M mount lens. I think I have my heart set on the Zeiss Distagon 35/1.4 (around £1000 used).

Any others I should be looking at? It will be a general purpose lens.

I already have a 7Artisans 35mm which is OK if you like its character, but not always the best all rounder.
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Depends on your style, and whether you are a B&W or color/digital shooter. I shoot B&W film exclusively these days, so I've gravitated to the older lenses. The 8 element Summicron or the LLL recreation are fantastic, character filled lenses. Sharp enough, high resolution, rich midtowns, smooth rolloff, painterly, can be a little flare prone. If anything the LLL can be a bit sharp. They say the f/2.8 Summaron is similar. The type 3/2 Summicron -- Leica's red headed step child -- is actually really good. Reliable, moderately contrasty, sharp w/o clinically so, multi coated so good flare resistance. I actually like the type 3 better than the type 4, which, in my opinion, is massively overhyped, but then I only shoot B&W. Then of course you have the Voightlander Noktons f/1.4 in MC or SC -- I have both. They are an acquired taste. Crazy, creative bokeh wide open, pleasant enough stopped down, but not too sharp. My fave is the 8 element.

I've used the majority of the 35mm lenses out there, except for the ZM's, which are known for sharpness and contrast. Not my thing. I've owned and sold on two separate occasions a 4th generation Summicron, pre-asph Summilux, and pre-fle Summilx -- they are all sharp and some too sharp, but really there's a lot of competition for good lenses today. Honestly, Voight, Leica, LLL, probably not a bad lens made today between them. We truly live in the Golden Age of rangefinder optics. Thirty years ago are choices were Leica and ... that's it. I'm a big fan of the LLL stuff; own a number of their lenses w/o issues. All solidly made, good performers, with a hint of character.

But depends on what you are looking for, and the medium you're using. Do you want the aspherical, clinical look, or something more rounded, do you want sharp edges or more gentle transitions? A lot of it comes down to whether you work a majority in B&W or color.
 
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steveyork said:
Depends on your style, and whether you are a B&W or color/digital shooter. I shoot B&W film exclusively these days, so I've gravitated to the older lenses. The 8 element Summicron or the LLL recreation are fantastic, character filled lenses. Sharp enough, high resolution, rich midtowns, smooth rolloff, painterly, can be a little flare prone. If anything the LLL can be a bit sharp. They say the f/2.8 Summaron is similar. The type 3/2 Summicron -- Leica's red headed step child -- is actually really good. Reliable, moderately contrasty, sharp w/o clinically so, multi coated so good flare resistance. I actually like the type 3 better than the type 4, which, in my opinion, is massively overhyped, but then I only shoot B&W. Then of course you have the Voightlander Noktons f/1.4 in MC or SC -- I have both. They are an acquired taste. Crazy, creative bokeh wide open, pleasant enough stopped down, but not too sharp. My fave is the 8 element.

I've used the majority of the 35mm lenses out there, except for the ZM's, which are known for sharpness and contrast. Not my thing. I've owned and sold on two separate occasions a 4th generation Summicron, pre-asph Summilux, and pre-fle Summilx -- they are all sharp and some too sharp, but really there's a lot of competition for good lenses today. Honestly, Voight, Leica, LLL, probably not a bad lens made today between them. We truly live in the Golden Age of rangefinder optics. Thirty years ago are choices were Leica and ... that's it. I'm a big fan of the LLL stuff; own a number of their lenses w/o issues. All solidly made, good performers, with a hint of character.

But depends on what you are looking for, and the medium you're using. Do you want the aspherical, clinical look, or something more rounded, do you want sharp edges or more gentle transitions? A lot of it comes down to whether you work a majority in B&W or color.
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Thanks, Steve. I actually bought a 35/2 Summicron (1st version ASPH). I am very pleased with it. It is a superb lens.
 
I have an early Silver Pre FLE Summilux ASPH in the serial number range which has shown to be free of focus issues on digital cameras, I bought new in 2006 or so. I use it almost always wide open, thats why I have a 1.4 lens. I have a v /c 35mm Ultron II I am not impressed with this lens at all. My Summicron ASPH flared easily so I sold it, I have a 35mm Summaron F3.5 in LtM, its very clean, no haze and is outstanding with M2 as well as M10-P and Type 246. The Summaron gives that classic look on the 246. In conclusion, after trying various 35mm lenses, the Summilux made the most sense for me and I don’t find it too large to carry on camera all day.
 
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