35mm lens recommendations for B&W

[jsrockit]

With that budget I would try to find a 35mm Summicron vs3 (6 element) and be done. 🙂

Except for they are hard to find within his budget these days.

Since you want fast, the c-biogon won't do (though I think it is the nicest 35mm under $1000).

How about the 35mm biogon f/2 (but not soft and dreamy)? or the CV 35mm 1.7?

 

[ramosa]

i agree: so many great choices. heck, any of the four cron versions are very good in their own right. it would just depend on what rendering you prefer. i pondered 35s for many months, was torn between the asph and v4, and recently purchased a new cron 35 asph.

 

[filmfan]

Any 'cron, any ZM biogon, any VC Nokton, any....

 

[leafster]

Summaron 2.8 (w/o goggles).

 

[ark8012]

Thank you all. It looks almost all lens are good for their own charater. haha.



Let me be little more specific for what I want. I want some creamy rendering rather than very sharp image. I might enjoy some glow effect.
The fast speed lens is also very important point for me.

I guess the summicron might not be in my choice for now, since they are very sharp as I know.
Summilux is out of my budget.

then what will be the choice .....??

 

[jsrockit]

Ok, think about the Nikkor LTM 35mm 1.8. Also, the SC Nokton 1.4 (though not exactly creamy) or the CV 35mm 1.7. All of these will give you what you want.

 

[astro8]

Canon 35/1.8 ltm is very nice and very affordable.

I sold mine last year after I got a 35 Summilux. I still don't know if I did the right thing!

On the R-D1

 

[steveyork]

Hands down, the Zeiss 35mm f2 Biogen

Best bang for the buck. Also consider the excellent Voigtlander lenses. Anything with "leica" on it has has gone up in price tremendously over the last few years.

 

[helen.HH]

i agree: so many great choices. heck, any of the four cron versions are very good in their own right. it would just depend on what rendering you prefer. i pondered 35s for many months, was torn between the asph and v4, and recently purchased a new cron 35 asph.

Wooohoooo Ramosa ...Congrats !!
my FAVorite 35 lens

 

[Dirk]

The best b&w 35mm lens I know is the Summaron 35mm 2.8. In fact, for me it's the benchmark in b&w.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I like the Summicron 35mm f/2 v1 (8 elements).

Leica M2, Summicron 35mm f/2 v1, Tmax400.

Erik.

 

[AndySig]

I've got the Summaron 35 f2.8 and the C-Biogon 35. They're both excellent for both colour and black and white in my experience although I've seen it claimed that the former is essentially a lens for B&W. Why this is thought to be, I could not say. Of the two, I prefer the handling of the Summaron.

 

[nasdak]

the summicron 35 pre-asph is a wonderfull lens for B&W. I have a friend selling one (maddav) - do a search on classifieds

 

[teddy]

I disagree that "any" colour lens is good for black and white. Particularly, some lenses for what ever reason; produce more significant and noticeable extended tonality on black and white film. I have found these lenses to do this:

Summicron 50 F2 with Near Focusing Range
Summicron 50 F2 Rigid
Summilux 50 F1.4 (Pre-APSH)
Summaron 35 F2.8 (fantastic B/W rendition)
Summitar 50 F2
Summar 50 F2
Voigtlander 35 F2.8 Skopar (more contrast that Summaron but still delivers a 'classic' rendition)
Sonnar 50 F1.5

and probably lots more. For classic and particular black and white tonality, go with lenses from the 50's and older. Most contemporary lenses and with extensive multi-coatings are geared for HIGH CONTRAST. Also, much depends on film type.

Leitz Summicron DR 50 F2 with green filter

 

[sebastel]

i think, the nokton 1.2 is a very good choice, as long as you do not mind the size and weight. and this is not related to me thinking of selling mine - indeed, i am quite torn with this decision.
it is not too expensive (within the budget limit), very fast, provides you with lovely pictures ... i could praise it for quite a while 🙂