Which 35mm M lens?

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.

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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.
 
I will check these out. They look remarkably small.
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. …
 
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. …

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.




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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)
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This one is definitely on my shortlist.

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):

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