35mm for my m6

bobby_novatron said:
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.
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Funny, but I haven't had CA on my M9 or on the M8 prior. All of my CV lenses do, but not the Zeiss ones. I like the results from the Biogon, but the size is kind of large and the lack of a true focus tab bothers me (either make it with one or not... don't just provide an annoying nub). Finally was able to get an old summicron for an ok price which I prefer for its size and focusing tab. Not sure if I'll sell the biogon yet, but I'm not very happy with its ergonomics.
 
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My apologies, gentleman re: Zeiss ZM and the CA effect ... this is only something I was regurgitating from memory after too many late nights reading lens reviews. I don't even remember where I read it, so perhaps that was an unfair statement.

Personally, I absolutely love the Zeiss ZM-mount products ... I don't think there's a mediocre lens in their whole line-up. They are all excellent, AFAIK.

I bought a Zeiss 50/2 Planar 18 months ago and I'm constantly blown away by the image quality, even on cheap drugstore film. I'm currently waiting for a C-Biogon 35/2.8 to come from B&H ... can't wait to try it out!
 
perudo said:
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?
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This is more the reason to look at Leica 35mm f/2.8 Summaron.
Very small, natural flare resistance due to recessed front element (never needed a hood), Leica's classic rendering (similar to 35 cron ver 1). It's worth a look.
 
Not all these lenses are created equal, and there are other differences than optical.
Length of throw, min focus distance (careful with ltm lenses...). I tend to prefer flat lense as they are less intimidating to people when pointed at them at very close distances.
Also, I find the f/2.8 vs f/2 thing very important. 95% of what I shoot can be done with regular inside lighting at f/2 speed 1/30. f/2.8 brings me to 1/15 which I find difficult to get good shots with.
Choices?

at f/2.8, I really wonder if the difference between the skopar and the other choices is worth the very substantial price increase. If I couls live with f/2.8, that would be my choice.

at f/2, a version III cron is small, flat and not overly hyped. The Hexanon is great but big as is probably the Zeiss.
[edit: apparently the version III summicron is also plagued by the recent insanity on gear prices]
Faster? really depends on your pocket's depth. I don't think I could afford anything more than one of the two vc lenses...
 
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You mentioned that you'd like the 35mm to match up well to the 50cron you have today (assuming you mean in terms of imaging, not handling). I would recommend a 35 cron, hexanon 35 (M not UC), summaron 35, or a VC Ultron 35 for consistent imaging alongside the 50 cron.
 
How often do you shoot color vs black and white? I'm going to second a few others here about mentioning Chromatic Aberrations showing up in CV lenses. They do show up sometimes, its less noticeable on film than digital.

If you plan on mostly shooting black and white then its a non issue.
 
thanks again for the feedback😉

so to answer your questions:

I only shoot black and white, CA is not an issue for me

size of the lens matters, I want to keep it compact.

So, of course summicron 35 would be my guess, but the prices people ask right now make me want to stay away from the hype....

I will check out those summarons as recommended...

As I said earlier I want my 35 mm lens to render equaly to my 50 cron because I work in series of photos, and pictures done with my 50 cron should match in term of rendering, tonality, sharpness, etc with my 35mm
 
there was an old thread about the summilux pre asph.
IIRC, there was a tweak in the optics somewhere mid production, and you better avoid the older design.
 
I'm really surprised no one mentioned the 2/40 Summicron-C. It's rather cheap and has the same rendition as the 2/35 Summicron-M pre-asph. Plus, it's the tiniest Leica lens that exists.
Summarons aren't easy to find (I'm looking for one) but they are indeed incredible if you find a good copy (these are 50 years old lenses).
 
Yes the Summarons are not as common as other lenses, but they do show up in the used market occasionally. I think there's one currently listed at KEH. There was also one for sale here on RFF about a month ago.

Another option (just thinking out loud here so please excuse the incongruity -- plus it's late and I should be going to bed!) could be the Rokkor 40/2. Tiny lens, well-made, more of a classic rendering to it. Plus you get that extra F2, instead of F2.8, which could be handy. I find the Rokkor 40/2 really sings when I shoot B&W. Here's a rather mundane illustration of the abilities of this petite lens, using my Leica M6, Fuji Acros 100 in D-76:

4819383350_55cb242720.jpg
 
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