35mm lens choice guide, please - >c$1500

[BNF]

(I am unsure about where this thread should be placed. I saw the excellent 3 lens 35mm comparison thread created here days ago, and was inspried to start this one.)

There is an enormous amount of good, valuable information about 35mm lenses on this board. Unfortunately, it is spread out across many forums areas and threads.

I am getting ready to pull the trigger on my first ever (!!) 35mm. I'd like to have as much info about what is out there, in an easy to find and research thread..

I've set the bar at $1500, just for the new Summarit 2.8/35. (That will also mean that some used Summicrons will appear.)

My shooting ( c75% travel, c70% of that indoors- all film 50/50 bw/colour) is irrelevant as I'm just looking for overall impressions of the lenses. I will say that I am leaning now towards a 1.2/35 Nokton and a 2.5/35 Skopar - one for low light and one for low weight/volume... but this seems excessive and maybe redundant. Notice please the slowest lenses are 2.5s.

I'm not asking which is best, as much as I'd like a constructive compendium.

---

Leica Summarit 2.5/35

Leica Summicron 2/35 Versions III and IV (hard for me to find copies of IV)

Voightlander Cosina 2.5/35 Color Skopar Pancake II

VC 1.7/35 Ultron

VC 1.4/35 Nokton Classic (I had ordered an MC, but cancelled it after seeing some shots, waiting for more impressons)

VC 1.2/35 Nokton

Zeiss ZM 2/35 (staring to look like the all arounder)

Hexanon too I suppose, but not really my thing.

 

[like2fiddle]

I realize that technically a 2.8 falls outside your criteria, but you might want to at least consider the Summaron 35/2.8 to go along with one of the faster 35's you are considering. There are some people who feel the 2.8 Summaron at f4 and above produces as attractive an image as any of the 35 Summicrons.

 

[Hacker]

You travel, so get the smallest size one.

 

[back alley]

if you only want one 35mm lens then get the zm 35/2. it's a great lens.

for a fast and small lens i am going with the new 35/1.4 from cosina. i have seen enough photos to know that it will do what i want it to do. and no, i do not photograph out of focus foliage😉

 

[myc5]

One more vote here for the zm 35/2. It's small, light and fantastic performer and relatively good price.

One thing about it though that concerns me a bit is the bubble front element seems rather close to the lens cap. I get nervous a bit putting the lens cap on hoping it doesn't touch the front element. Especially since I often use the lens hood and pinching in the lens cap inside the hood isn't so easy. If the cap goes on straight/flat there's no issue, but it often slips from my fingers a bit and ends up going in crooked and thats when it seems that perhaps there's a chance it will touch the front element.

Under close inspection without the lens hood on, placing the lens cap at an angle, it seems the cap does NOT touch the front glass, but comes offly close so I don't worry about it too much, but I do end up being careful about it.

 

[back alley]

all my lens caps are in a cheap dollar store pencil case and they stay there till i sell a lens.
if you like, a uv filter and the lens hood permanently attached and the lens is safe from all but a fatal fall.
joe

 

[infrequent]

have to consider the uc-hexanon for sure. i want one too!

 

[Keith]

Hexanon too I suppose, but not really my thing.

Elaborate more on that remark please ... us Hex users need an explanation! 😛

 

[BillBingham2]

Without having touched the lens, go with the 35/1.4. It's the best blend of size, quality and price. If you do not like it, sell it for $50 less than you bought it.

The 35/1.2 and ZI are out because they stick out too much. While I like my 35/1.7 it's a bit longer I think than the 1.4.

B2 (;->

 

[venchka]

Unless the ergonomics put you off, add the V.2 Summicron. It reportedly has the same optics as the v.3.

The 35mm/2.0 UC-Hexanon is tiny, superbly made, black enamel over brass, buttery smooth to operate, can be had new for less than most used Summicrons 20+ years old, doesn't flare, in the right hands makes lovely photographs.

All of the above also applies to the even smaller Canon 35/2.8 for about $150, give or take.

I own both and wouldn't part with either.

 

[barbadirame]

One focal question for those who alredy experienced my doubts:
I have recently got a beatiful RF NIKON S2 to side my digital equipment, and renew the fun to take pictures the way we use to in the 60's. Side by side with the 50mm, 35mm and 135mm lens equipment I should need a wide angle lens for my architectural shots. Would some of you suggest me the best choice available on the market? Of course in terms of technical value end cost! Thanks for answer.
Fabio from Italy.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

For me 2.8 is a little too slow. I do find myself on occasion shooting at f2.0 even with fast film. At $1500 you should be able, with good looking, find a 35mm summicron v.4. It allegedly is the best lens of its class. It is smaller than the newer asph. I can not compare all the models as I have never used all of them but there is info posted on the web. There is also info posted comparing the Zeiss, CV, & various Leica lenses. As far as the v.3 goes they are easy to find and normally list around $900 to 1k.

 

[manosteel]

Hi,

I'm looking at the Nokton 35/1.4 as well. Which coating did you go with?

 

[tbarker13]

The 35mm/2.0 UC-Hexanon is tiny, superbly made, black enamel over brass, buttery smooth to operate, can be had new for less than most used Summicrons 20+ years old, doesn't flare, in the right hands makes lovely photographs.

The 35 UC Hex is just a wonderful lens. That is, if you like well-made lenses that produce great images. Mine is pretty much the body cap on my M8.

 

[ampguy]

since you shoot color

since you shoot color

I'd recommend the 35/2 asph cron, which can be found used in your price range. Nothing else compares, unless you go to SLR lenses.

(I am unsure about where this thread should be placed. I saw the excellent 3 lens 35mm comparison thread created here days ago, and was inspried to start this one.)

There is an enormous amount of good, valuable information about 35mm lenses on this board. Unfortunately, it is spread out across many forums areas and threads.

I am getting ready to pull the trigger on my first ever (!!) 35mm. I'd like to have as much info about what is out there, in an easy to find and research thread..

I've set the bar at $1500, just for the new Summarit 2.8/35. (That will also mean that some used Summicrons will appear.)

My shooting ( c75% travel, c70% of that indoors- all film 50/50 bw/colour) is irrelevant as I'm just looking for overall impressions of the lenses. I will say that I am leaning now towards a 1.2/35 Nokton and a 2.5/35 Skopar - one for low light and one for low weight/volume... but this seems excessive and maybe redundant. Notice please the slowest lenses are 2.5s.

I'm not asking which is best, as much as I'd like a constructive compendium.

---

Leica Summarit 2.5/35

Leica Summicron 2/35 Versions III and IV (hard for me to find copies of IV)

Voightlander Cosina 2.5/35 Color Skopar Pancake II

VC 1.7/35 Ultron

VC 1.4/35 Nokton Classic (I had ordered an MC, but cancelled it after seeing some shots, waiting for more impressons)

VC 1.2/35 Nokton

Zeiss ZM 2/35 (staring to look like the all arounder)

Hexanon too I suppose, but not really my thing.

 

[Samsam]

i have a 35mm summicron IV , a 35mm summilux ASPH and a 35mm summilux pre asph.
If i had to keep only 1 lens, i would keep the 35mm summilux pre asph !!

 

[volvohagi]

i choose zm35/2 for color film and nokton 35/1.4 classic for b&w or color.

recently i saw more nonkton35/1.4 pictures compared with m35/1.4a, in the f1.4,the asph would nicer ,but between f4-f11, i noticed the nokton 35/1.4 could
obtain more details.

 

[pfoto]

I'd recommend the 35/2 asph cron, which can be found used in your price range.

I'd recommend this lens too. But in more general terms I would get one that is reasonably small with a closest focus distance of 0.7M. Some of the lenses mentioned above will only focus to 1M or 0.9M and that extra 0.2-0.3M can really make a difference. Only you can decide on the ergonomics.

 

[kross]

uc hex is a good choice coz it's small, relatively cheap, excellent IQ & bokeh IMO and there are only 1000pcs in the world. U could then use the balance $ to get a f/1.4 nokton if u want...

 

[bob338]

i listed my summicron 35mm ASPH a couple days ago on craigslist for $1500. still available...