35 mm for walk around with Leica M-P. Which one?

[thjk]

I am now thinking of a small 35mm to be my walk around lens. I got the 28 elmarit recently and like its size very much. Many times I think I will use my 35 FLE but always end up with the elmarit due to the size even though I think I like 35mm more.

My choices is between V5 and V4 and I cannot decide. My camera is M-P.

 

[presspass]

Don't forget the smaller and slower 35s. For a long look at what the 2.8 Summaron can do, see the dedicated thread here and look at the Biogon C, another wonderful lens. . The slower lenses are also much smaller. For a fast one, get the pre-asph Summilux or the Voightlander. Obviously, any of the Summicrons will work well; keep in mind the Asph 35 is a much heavier lens than its older brothers/sisters.

 

[Dcanalogue]

Just got for my "new" M2 a Voigtlander Color Skopar 35 mm f/2,5
Still not tested on film but surely it's small... very small... 🙂

 

[xixi_gelly]

The v4 35/2 is almost the same size as the 28/2.8 asph, if you like that size and styling (square hood shape etc) you will love the 35 v4.

As for the CV Skopar 35 2.5 which I once had. It's even smaller than the Summicron v4 and, according to my fond though imprecise recollections, sharper 😀

 

[agoglanian]

I had the CV 35 f/2.5 and it's a teeny tiny lens when you don't use the hood. Very crisp too, hard not to like it. I really liked the quality of the ZM 35 Biogon a whole lot, but the size (while totally manageable) may be a touch larger than you're looking for. To me the 35 Cron Asph is the perfect size for a lens on Leica. I use that lens for everything, and even though I would love a Summilux, I would be hard-pressed to give up the Summicron.

Now! That being said, given that you already HAVE the finest 35, I would absolutely suggest the C-Biogon 35mm f/2.8. It's totally compact and a truly excellent optic in all ways. Plus it's very reasonably priced.

 

[raid]

The 35 1.4 Summilux pre-asph is a wonderful lens that happens to be small.

 

[segedi]

Summarit. That is all.

 

[sjauch]

Whichever one you want.

 

[marcr1230]

I really like the Zeiss Biogon 35/2.0

 

[KM-25]

I am now thinking of a small 35mm to be my walk around lens. I got the 28 elmarit recently and like its size very much. Many times I think I will use my 35 FLE but always end up with the elmarit due to the size even though I think I like 35mm more.

My choices is between V5 and V4 and I cannot decide. My camera is M-P.

I have basically the same setup but with an M3, M6TTL and M240.

I went for the V4 35 Summicron based on it's combination of size and great optics. The V4 Summicron is actually smaller than the 28mm 2.8 Asph and weighs 20 grams less, it's a lens you hardly even know is there compared to the 35mm 1.4 FLE which is more than twice it's weight and size.

The 35mm is my most used lens in Leica M so I don't mind at all having two of them. I had the 35/2 asph before and thought about getting it again but it really does weigh and feel a fair bit larger than the V4, being longer and weighing nearly 100 grams more than the V4. So since I already had the 1.4 FLE which is optically superb, it was pretty easy to go for the V4 and I love it.

I think if you are like me and love the super small size of the 28mm 2.8 Asph, you will be pretty happy with the 35/2 V4.

Here are some photos to compare the sizes:

 

[Ko.Fe.]

It depends color or bw. And in bw it depends scan or print. For color, IMO, any fresh lens will do. Color Skopar was named for good reason.

I have no idea what FLE is, sorry, not in my income bracket 🙂
If v4 means pre-ASPH Summicron and v5 means ASPH, here, on RFF, is good picture thread of Summicron 35 . What I was able to see in this thread, V1 and V5 are two most outstanding ones. For BW. IMO.

 

[Richard G]

Agree with the others. Hard to go past the version 4 Summicron for compactness. And while I love the C Biogon it is larger and not the compactness of your 28 or the Summicron. Logic suggests the VC f2.5 would the way to go from price and every other point of view.

 

[Rico]

All non-ASPH Summicrons are charmingly small, with the v3 being the most available and affordable. Then, there's the Summaron 35/2.8 (my fav).

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Here's one of mine with a 35/2.8 C-Biogon. Marvelous little lens.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/14501597@N06/4828965654/in/dateposted-public/

The Summicron v.4 35/2 is a tiny lens too . . .
Really, there aren't a lot of bad choices in this focal length. The 35 ASPHs are bigger, heavier, but still quite compact. I don't think that I would tell anyone to run the other way from one of those. Or said another way, if the difference in weight between a C-Biogon and a 35 ASPH is uncomfortable to carry, you have bigger problems than what lens to take on a walkabout. . .

 

[raid]

For a tiny sharp 35mm with lower contrast but high resolution, don't set aside the Canon 35mm/2.8.

 

[marko.oja]

Don't overlook the Summarit, it is a very good lens.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

See what I mean? A TON of good choices are out there . . . I always wanted to try that little Canon, Raid.

Ben

 

[splitimageview]

40/2 cron and a step back.

🙂

 

[Antielectrons]

I went for the version V because I like to print large black and white analogue prints from my M4.

 

[Huss]

You already have a regular size 35. A 'smaller' 35 is going to make zero practical size difference as a carry around lens. A couple o mm's? A few grams? Seriously? We're talking about small RF lenses here, which are dwarfed by prime SLR lenses..

If you want a real difference in size, something that will let you slip the camera and lens into a large pocket you gotta step up (down!) and get the Lomo 32mm 2.8.

Otherwise just use one of the most awesome 35mm lenses ever made. Why else did u get it if not to have w u when out taking pics?