perudo
Established
well,
I'm planning to buy a used 35mm for my m6.
I want a summicron, but seeing how much they ask for nowadays, I am thinking of an alternative and ask myself if it is worth giving so much money for a leica lens?
zeiss c-biogon looks nice, or a voigtalnder nokton maybe...
what do you think about it?
I'm planning to buy a used 35mm for my m6.
I want a summicron, but seeing how much they ask for nowadays, I am thinking of an alternative and ask myself if it is worth giving so much money for a leica lens?
zeiss c-biogon looks nice, or a voigtalnder nokton maybe...
what do you think about it?
Rogrund
Antti Sivén
I'd go for a Voigtländer 35/1.4 or 35/2.5. There are several threads on both of these lenses here on RFF. Good luck!
Neare
Well-known
My thoughts are that they'd all do the job just fine, let the pocket decide.
sazerac
Well-known
Can't go wrong with a Skopar! I started with this lens then moved to an Ultron then to the Nokton 1.2. I like the Nokton despite it's size but the Skopar is the best balance between performance, price and weight. I've never tried the 1.4 but it looks like a good value as well.
gavinlg
Veteran
I'm particularly fond of the skopar - so cheap, well built, optically similar summicron/biogon... Can't really go wrong with it!
Bobfrance
Over Exposed
I found Biogons a little contrasty for my tastes. I always though the Hexanon lenses were stupendous performers and as well built as Leica lenses.
However Voigtlander lenses are very good and definitely not to be dismissed.
However Voigtlander lenses are very good and definitely not to be dismissed.
I agree, not a dog in the bunch, grab one and don't look back.
Glass Addict
Established
35 summaron is a hidden gem.
Colin Corneau
Colin Corneau
Only your taste and budget can decide. Me, I've been pretty underwhelmed by VC lenses but for some ppl they may work just fine.
If I had to do it over I'd look at a Zeiss lens but I've also heard the Hexanon is understated, too.
If I had to do it over I'd look at a Zeiss lens but I've also heard the Hexanon is understated, too.
RobVinc
I am a registered alien..
Canon 35mm/2.0 + LTM-M adapter for 35mm
Michiel Fokkema
Michiel Fokkema
I've been testing quiet a few 35mm's lately. i found out I really like a focusing knob. That rules out already quit a few. i also decide I want faster then 2.0. I already have a Nokton 1.2 which is fine but too big. I was also underwhelmed by the other VC offerings. The ZM felt too flimsy for the money to me. The Leica 1.4's are too expensive and the non_asph which I had for years is too soft wide open.
Leaves the leica Summi's which I also think a re too expensive. But I got a nice deal from a friend on a chrome apsh. This lens is really very nice. Unfortunate the chrome version is also rather heavy. I hope I can trade it one day for a black one.
Chers,
Michiel Fokkea
Leaves the leica Summi's which I also think a re too expensive. But I got a nice deal from a friend on a chrome apsh. This lens is really very nice. Unfortunate the chrome version is also rather heavy. I hope I can trade it one day for a black one.
Chers,
Michiel Fokkea
segedi
RFicianado
The Leica Summarit is f/2.5, but it is a gem! Lots of people rave about the ZM C-Biogon as well.
nobbylon
Veteran
Perudo,
grab yourself a Voigtlander 35 1.7 Ultron.
I did a comparison test with a V4 summicron and a pre asph summilux and the one favoured by most until I mentioned which shot was done by which lens was the Ultron.
It's basically as close as you will get to a v4 summicron. I have always thought this was the best CV lens by far. Prices are on the move and factor in an adapter. You won't be disappointed,
regards j
grab yourself a Voigtlander 35 1.7 Ultron.
I did a comparison test with a V4 summicron and a pre asph summilux and the one favoured by most until I mentioned which shot was done by which lens was the Ultron.
It's basically as close as you will get to a v4 summicron. I have always thought this was the best CV lens by far. Prices are on the move and factor in an adapter. You won't be disappointed,
regards j
bobby_novatron
Photon Collector
I just did lots of research about this in the past couple of weeks so I thought I'd post my 2 cents.
Which 35mm lens should you get? It depends on the the look you want and your budget. We are fortunate in that there are so many excellent lens choices available nowadays. Leica / Cosina / Zeiss, etc. There are also some great legacy lenses from Canon, or even the FSU Jupiter-12, if you can find a good one.
Personally, I am not a huge fan of the CV 35/1.4 but other people like it very much. I am anticipating the arrival of a C-Biogon (to replace my CV 35/1.4) in the mail very soon. I like the Zeiss 'look', and the fast speed of the CV 35/1.4 wasn't very important for me. The CV 35/1.4 is nicely built and is a good value, but the images are just not to my taste.
The Zeiss C-Biogon 35/2.8 is insanely sharp and has virtually zero distortion. I have yet to read a bad review about this lens. I think Zeiss has created a real winner with this product.
I have also read good things about the Zeiss 35/2.0 ... when shooting film. Supposedly the Zeiss 35/2.0 is prone to chromatic aberration when shot wide open on digital bodies like the M8 or M9 -- but since you're using a M6 body, you would be fine. Again, the Zeiss 35/2.0 seems to receive universal praise. Yes, it has some small imperfections, but for the price, it's almost a 'Summicron killer'. Many people have reviewed this lens online and given it high marks. Ken Rockwell loved this lens so much he slathered on the hyperbole and praise with more gusto than usual. I'm surprised he didn't adopt it into his family and proclaim it his 3rd Rockwell child!
The CV 35/2.5 skopar seems to be universally loved, it's a cheap but excellent lens and probably destined to become a classic. Very tiny and it produces excellent images. Razor sharp in the middle with a bit of vignetting and distortion in the corners when wide-open, then a stellar performer when stopped down. Lots of love happening with this lens.
Sean Reid and Mr Putts both love the Summarit 35/2.5, but if possible I would buy this particular lens on the used market ... if you're going to spend that much money on a lens brand-new, then you are heading into used Summicron territory anyway. The logic of getting a new Summarit starts to get muddy in that price range. In the Summarit's defense, I have read many reviews that state the performance of the Summarit + Summicron at around F2.5 is virtually identical. That's high praise, indeed.
The CV 35/1.2 (version I) is a unique lens, many people love it, but some people don't. It tends to be a fave of people who do a lot of low-light shooting ... it's a medium-contrast bokeh king. Much cheaper (in price) than the comparable Leica product, but well made and quite versatile. But it's a largish lens, and it has its own 'look' that you either love or you don't. I've heard it has a tendency towards veiling flare in bright sunlight, but I'm only repeating what I've read online. I think it's a good lens, but only if you're into low-light shots, or you're into using ND filters for daytime and you love razor-thin DOF.
Cosina Voigtlander will be releasing the Version II of the CV 35/1.2 very shortly ... it's supposed to come out in August. I am waiting for the early-adopters to try it out and then I'll read the reviews to see what it's like. Supposedly they changed the glass formula a bit due to supplier issues, and the Version II will be a slightly different (improved?) lens. We'll have to see.
I could go on and on ... but I'll shut up for now. Like I mentioned before, there are many many good choices out there, it just depends on your budget and shooting style. In this matter, the search engine is your friend (the Google one, not the RFF one! LOL!) ... there's lots of good info out there.
Which 35mm lens should you get? It depends on the the look you want and your budget. We are fortunate in that there are so many excellent lens choices available nowadays. Leica / Cosina / Zeiss, etc. There are also some great legacy lenses from Canon, or even the FSU Jupiter-12, if you can find a good one.
Personally, I am not a huge fan of the CV 35/1.4 but other people like it very much. I am anticipating the arrival of a C-Biogon (to replace my CV 35/1.4) in the mail very soon. I like the Zeiss 'look', and the fast speed of the CV 35/1.4 wasn't very important for me. The CV 35/1.4 is nicely built and is a good value, but the images are just not to my taste.
The Zeiss C-Biogon 35/2.8 is insanely sharp and has virtually zero distortion. I have yet to read a bad review about this lens. I think Zeiss has created a real winner with this product.
I have also read good things about the Zeiss 35/2.0 ... when shooting film. Supposedly the Zeiss 35/2.0 is prone to chromatic aberration when shot wide open on digital bodies like the M8 or M9 -- but since you're using a M6 body, you would be fine. Again, the Zeiss 35/2.0 seems to receive universal praise. Yes, it has some small imperfections, but for the price, it's almost a 'Summicron killer'. Many people have reviewed this lens online and given it high marks. Ken Rockwell loved this lens so much he slathered on the hyperbole and praise with more gusto than usual. I'm surprised he didn't adopt it into his family and proclaim it his 3rd Rockwell child!
The CV 35/2.5 skopar seems to be universally loved, it's a cheap but excellent lens and probably destined to become a classic. Very tiny and it produces excellent images. Razor sharp in the middle with a bit of vignetting and distortion in the corners when wide-open, then a stellar performer when stopped down. Lots of love happening with this lens.
Sean Reid and Mr Putts both love the Summarit 35/2.5, but if possible I would buy this particular lens on the used market ... if you're going to spend that much money on a lens brand-new, then you are heading into used Summicron territory anyway. The logic of getting a new Summarit starts to get muddy in that price range. In the Summarit's defense, I have read many reviews that state the performance of the Summarit + Summicron at around F2.5 is virtually identical. That's high praise, indeed.
The CV 35/1.2 (version I) is a unique lens, many people love it, but some people don't. It tends to be a fave of people who do a lot of low-light shooting ... it's a medium-contrast bokeh king. Much cheaper (in price) than the comparable Leica product, but well made and quite versatile. But it's a largish lens, and it has its own 'look' that you either love or you don't. I've heard it has a tendency towards veiling flare in bright sunlight, but I'm only repeating what I've read online. I think it's a good lens, but only if you're into low-light shots, or you're into using ND filters for daytime and you love razor-thin DOF.
Cosina Voigtlander will be releasing the Version II of the CV 35/1.2 very shortly ... it's supposed to come out in August. I am waiting for the early-adopters to try it out and then I'll read the reviews to see what it's like. Supposedly they changed the glass formula a bit due to supplier issues, and the Version II will be a slightly different (improved?) lens. We'll have to see.
I could go on and on ... but I'll shut up for now. Like I mentioned before, there are many many good choices out there, it just depends on your budget and shooting style. In this matter, the search engine is your friend (the Google one, not the RFF one! LOL!) ... there's lots of good info out there.
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shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
+1
The only lens I'd consider replacing my Ultron is a cheap pre-ASPH Summilux. I know, that combination would be almost impossible to find, but I'm also very patient
Dacnard
Life witness
I also have a M6 (0.85) and faced the same question some months ago.
If you can live without the speed I would recommend the C-Biogon, I like mine very much, its really sharp at all speeds, its compact and really smooth to handle.
However I am planning to buy a Nokton 35 1.4 or 1.2 vII since I am often looking for that extra stop.
In any case I am keeping the C-Biogon.
If you can live without the speed I would recommend the C-Biogon, I like mine very much, its really sharp at all speeds, its compact and really smooth to handle.
However I am planning to buy a Nokton 35 1.4 or 1.2 vII since I am often looking for that extra stop.
In any case I am keeping the C-Biogon.
David_Manning
Well-known
My high recommendation for the Zeiss Biogon 2/35...awesome lens, modern design, flare-resistant, 9-elements, 1/3-stop adjustments (for slide film).
Bobfrance
Over Exposed
Well if we're talking more expensive lenses...
I tried a 35mm UC Hexanon (the thread mount one) and thought it was awesome.
Bear in mind I was comparing it to my 35mm Summilux ASPH.
The 35 Lux ASPH is a very expensive lens however mine has gone up in value around £500 since I bought it, which makes it a pretty good investment too. I can't bear the thought of selling it now, because I know if I did I'd probably never be able to afford another one.
I presume you're happy to buy second-hand?
I tried a 35mm UC Hexanon (the thread mount one) and thought it was awesome.
Bear in mind I was comparing it to my 35mm Summilux ASPH.
The 35 Lux ASPH is a very expensive lens however mine has gone up in value around £500 since I bought it, which makes it a pretty good investment too. I can't bear the thought of selling it now, because I know if I did I'd probably never be able to afford another one.
I presume you're happy to buy second-hand?
perudo
Established
thank you for all your replies.
I really begin to think about the biogon 2.8, because it is compact, and seems very sharp. I'm not using a 35 for low-light, so 2.8 is ok for me.... the f2 version seems too bulky for me...
But lot of people seem to praise the Voigt ultron 1.7... so I will check this out a little bit more
What I actually didn't mention before: I have a canadian summicron 50mm which I really like and will be selling my 28 elmarit because I don't like 28mm focale.....Anyway, I want a 35 mm that will be coherent with my 50 summicron.... so would the biogon fit?
I really begin to think about the biogon 2.8, because it is compact, and seems very sharp. I'm not using a 35 for low-light, so 2.8 is ok for me.... the f2 version seems too bulky for me...
But lot of people seem to praise the Voigt ultron 1.7... so I will check this out a little bit more
What I actually didn't mention before: I have a canadian summicron 50mm which I really like and will be selling my 28 elmarit because I don't like 28mm focale.....Anyway, I want a 35 mm that will be coherent with my 50 summicron.... so would the biogon fit?
LeicaFan
Well-known
The Biogon 35/2 is a great lens. It isn't big at all. Unless you want something that is very compact, the Biogon is a good choice. I had one, sold it, and now kind of regret it.