35mm f2, small, and cheap. Huh ?

[Buze]

I'm looking to get a cheap-ish 35mm f2, a small lens I could keep on the M2 and be happy with the results -- including low light --
Right now I have a Summaron 35mm f3.5, that is small. cheap, but the 3.5 is really not enough for the things I want to do with it.

So yeah, a Summicron would be ideal, but they sell for LOTs (more or less the price I paid for my M2, or more) and I don't want to spend that on a lens right now.
So what are the alternatives ? 40mm ? That modern Nokton from Cosina looks fantastic, but I've seen plenty of people who don't seem to like it... Any other 35m f2 worth having a look for ?

 

[einolu]

the 35mm f1.7 ultron is pretty nice, nowhere as small as the summicron though. also, if you can find a good deal on a canon 35mm f2, but those are quite pricy too.

oh, and the 35mm skopar from voigtlander is nice too, only f2.5 but thats only a half stop away from f2. its also tiny. pick up some faster film and youll never notice the half stop difference.

 

[Andrew Touchon]

I'm looking to get a cheap-ish 35mm f2, a small lens I could keep on the M2 and be happy with the results -- including low light --
Right now I have a Summaron 35mm f3.5, that is small. cheap, but the 3.5 is really not enough for the things I want to do with it.

So yeah, a Summicron would be ideal, but they sell for LOTs (more or less the price I paid for my M2, or more) and I don't want to spend that on a lens right now.
So what are the alternatives ? 40mm ? That modern Nokton from Cosina looks fantastic, but I've seen plenty of people who don't seem to like it... Any other 35m f2 worth having a look for ?

The CV 35mm F2.5 Color-Skopar Classic (price approxiately $209) is an outstanding lens and excellent value.

 

[VictorM.]

Summicron C, 40/2 is very compact and too good to be true. The framing will be a little tight with the 35mm framelines on the M2 (unmodified, the 40/2 brings up the 50mm lines but the mod is easy).

 

[bob cole]

35mm f2 small & cheap

35mm f2 small & cheap

dare I say a Jupiter-12? I've never bought from him but I understand he has a good reputation...regards, bob cole




http://www.fedka.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=277

 

[back alley]

the canon 35/2 has a 'modern' look to the pics, usually sells for about 300 bucks, very sharp.
canon 35/1.8 sells for a bit less and is just as good afaic.
canon 35/2.8 good res, low contrast, one of my favourite lenses.
cv 35/2.5 good lens, very contrasty.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

The Jupiter 12 should work fine in your M2. Just keep in mind that QC can vary wildly among these lenses.

 

[RayPA]

The CV 35mm F2.5 Color-Skopar Classic (price approxiately $209) is an outstanding lens and excellent value.

based on your criteria, I second this choice. I've several of the lenses mentioned here. I prefer the Ultron, and the 40/2, but the CV is a very good lens.

🙂

 

[Buze]

Thanks for all the comments so far! So noone to speak for the CV 40mm f1.4 ?

I had a look at the Jupiter; I already use the Jup 8, and 3 with very good results... I just wish I could get something smaller. I will watch out for the Canons, otherwise the 35m CV might end up being my only option.
I like f2 because with 400 film I can shoot from full sunny weather to almost night. f3.5 is stretching it a lot, inside at night :/

 

[amateriat]

If you can tolerate a slight hit in lens speed, I'd say the current CV Color Skopar "P" 35mm f/2.5 M-mount looks pretty good: very compact, decently built, not crazy-expensive (CameraQuest has it for $319; hood is another $45). Your M2 has the framelines for it (unlike any 40mm), and since you'd end up having to get the proper adapter for the LTM "Classic" Skopar anyway, the M-mount version still comes away as a solid value.


- Barrett

 

[hoot]

Your M2 has the framelines for it (unlike any 40mm)

Actually, I have seen with my own eyes that the framelines on old Leica M bodies (pre-M4-P) will show you approximately what you would get within a slide carrier; i.e., a slight crop on all sides. Ex-RFFer Roman regularly uses the 40/2 M-Rokkor on his M2 and gets more reliable framing than with a 35mm lens.

 

[RayPA]

Thanks for all the comments so far! So noone to speak for the CV 40mm f1.4 ?
.../

I can speak for that lens, especially the single coated version. It's excellent, but it wasn't mentioned in the thread. For size and price, the 35/2.5 is probably the way to go. The Canon 35/2.8 seems good too. I have one but can't "speak" for it just yet (still trying it out). I developed my first roll of film that was shot with Canon last night.


.

 

[sychan]

Thanks for all the comments so far! So noone to speak for the CV 40mm f1.4 ?

I'll speak for it. I think that it is an excellent lens, and, in my opinion, the criticisms of it vs. the cron-c don't stand up to side by side scrutiny.

But don't take my word for it, see for yourself.

Here are 3 images from the MC version of the 40/1.4, shot at F1.4, F2 and F4 respectively:

At F1.4:

At F2:

And at F4:

Note that these photos were "bare bones" RAW conversions and don't have the normal contrast, hue and other enhancements that normally get done. This was part of a longer thread comparing several lenses
The 40/1.4 is often faulted in terms of bokeh, while seemingly nobody dares to commit the heresy of claiming that pre-asph Leica lenses have dubious bokeh. Please see this thread for my side by side comparison of the Nokton 40 vs the Rokkor 40/2 (identical formulation to the cron-c):
M-Rokkor vs. Nokton 40/1.4 side by side

 

[Todd.Hanz]

I'm looking to get a cheap-ish 35mm f2, a small lens I could keep on the M2 and be happy with the results -- including low light --
Right now I have a Summaron 35mm f3.5, that is small. cheap, but the 3.5 is really not enough for the things I want to do with it.

So yeah, a Summicron would be ideal, but they sell for LOTs (more or less the price I paid for my M2, or more) and I don't want to spend that on a lens right now.
So what are the alternatives ? 40mm ? That modern Nokton from Cosina looks fantastic, but I've seen plenty of people who don't seem to like it... Any other 35m f2 worth having a look for ?

the 40/2 rokkor is a great performer, M mount, multicoated and very close to the 35mm famelines so thats not really an issue. I use one on my M3 and just shoot with the whole viewfinder frame.

Todd

 

[rvaubel]

I too stand for the Nokton. Spurious attacks by Leica elitists must be answered!! My Bokeh is better than your Bokeh, so there!!
....it really is good..and cheap.
Rex

 

[Steve B]

Konica M-Hexanon

Konica M-Hexanon

The 35mm Konica M-Hexanon f2 is IMHO pretty small for that fast of a lens. The only trouble is finding one and it might not be as cheap as you're looking for. I bought mine new for about $700 but I haven't seen them available for some time and I'm definitely not selling mine! Its a fantastic lens!

 

[je2a3]

I had a look at the Jupiter; I already use the Jup 8, and 3 with very good results... I just wish I could get something smaller. /

The J-12 is actually a very compact lens, despite the deceptive looking large rear element that will be insde the camera body. It is about 4-5mm shorter than the Classic CV 35/2.5 Skopar with the circular hood and with a deeply recessed front element you don't need a hood on the J-12. Granted it is an f2.8 but then it's a WA and can be shot at slower speeds. It's a great lens for the money and just like the J-8 does not have as much issues with QC or focus unlike the J-3 or J-9.

Joseph

 

[Treb]

...from the MC version of the 40/1.4, shot at F1.4

Wow! Lovely out of focus rendition of the leaves in the background.

 

[Buze]

Ah so the Nokton has "doughnut highlights" as I call them... fine by me ! One of the all time great 50mm is the Takumar 50mm f1.4 that has the same caracteristic, and it has never bothered me one bit 😀
I'm looking into the J-12 too then, playing russian roulette again with of the "Everything Works Properly" FSU sellers...

 

[Kim Coxon]

I would second Joe's comments on the Canon. It is a cracking lens, both fast and small with a "modern" look to the results. Stephen Gandy also rates it highly on his website both in the "Lightweights - The most in a lens" and " "Bargain Buys" http://cameraquest.com/mlenses.htm

Kim