35mm focal length recommendations

Ara Ghajanian

Ara Ghajanian

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Jun 30, 2005
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So I was photographing a rock show last night and I kept flipping my lens preview on my M6 to the 35mm setting to see what the shot would look like if I had a 35mm lens (yes, I know. I had GAS in public). I really could use a 35mm lens for my M6. I've got a 50mm Summicron and a 90mm Summicron, both of which I love to death. SO sharp and a really nice lens signature. What do you all recommend when it comes to 35mm focal length. I've looked at CV lenses, but I really have my heart set on Leica glass, so NO CV recommendations, por favor. I'm looking for something under $800 USD.
Ara
 
35mm biogon. better than the pre-asph summicron at wider apertures and better tonality than the asph 'cron.

plus, you aren't going to find an exc+ ASPH Summicron for under $800.
 
before or after the m8 came out? that added $200 to the going rate, as long as it doesn't have the 6-bit code. you can get a new biogon for $800 from one of our sponsors (i.e. popflash).
 
I concur with the choice of the ZM Biogon, if your "ballpark" limit is $800. But, like Magus said, if you have the patience, get the ASPH.

If you were to have money, though, and you really didn't mind (actually, were seeking) low-contrast as a quality, and a very unique signature, find the ridiculously expensive first-version 35mm Summicron without goggles. Which is actually about a few hundred dollars more than the average price of a "like new" ASPH 35 Summicron.

Now, you can always look into the Capulet family and look at the Nikon 3.5cm f/2.5 (very nice, but pricey).
 
I have the same GAS problem for a 35mm cron. I am usually a 50mm kind of guy but decided to give the 35mm a try, getting my feet wet with the CV 35mm 2.5. Given that I am a left eyed shooter who wears glasses, I thought I would just occasionally use the 35mm for those shots I need a wider field of view. Well, I have become addicted to the ease of focusing and wider field of view of the 35mm. So much so that I find myself always reaching for the CV 35mm even when I have difficulty seeing the edges of the 35mm frame lines. In practice, my mind somehow "knows" where the frame lines are even when I am not seeing all of them at the same time.

Problem is, the CV pales in comparison to my 50mm cron contrast and sharpness wise, especially wide open, at least with my noob photography skills (or lack thereof). I am going to need to save up and wait a while :(
 
What about UC-Hexanon? I just got one and have not shot anything with it but hear it's about as good as Leica glass...., no?
 
I bought my new US version black Biogon for $700 last year. I also bought a new Planar 50 US in black form Calumet for $461 a few monts ago. Look around and you can find excellent deals. In my experience the Biogon is the clear winner for my style of shooting and the asph summicron a close second.
 
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