35mm lenses options for M2

[kermaier]

the canon 35/2.8 is lovely; as rob says it displays a more "vintage," low contrast look.

You should be able to get a Canon 35/2 for under $600 too, if you need the extra stop of speed.

the summaron 35/2.8 is really nice from f4 down; it's pretty soft wide open imho.

I don't find the Summaron 35/2.8 to be soft wide open -- I have 2 samples, one in M mount and one in LTM (for sale in the RFF classifieds).
But the Summaron 35/2.8 sells for above $600 these days in good condition.

::Ari

 

[fbf]

I will second the canon 35/2 or 35/2.8 summaron.
Another good choice would be the cv 35/1.4
I have used all 3 and my favorite is the canon 35/2

 

[ferider]

I've had a bunch. The one I liked least was the Canon 35/2. I had a sharp sample, but good bokeh was definitely not design priority .... I liked the Canon 35/1.5 and 35/1.8 better. Adorama has a 35/1.5 for sale, BTW, in your budget.

Of all the 35s I tried, the one that stuck and I now use most is the Nokton 35/1.4. The other CV lenses, and in particular 35/1.7 and 35/2.5 are great value, too.

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[raid]

I still find myself using the Canon 35/1.8 more than the Canon 35/1.5 or Canon 35/2.8 or Summicron 35/2 [with M3 goggles]. Each of these four lenses is in my book a first class 35mm lens. I have tested these lenses over and over,and I find them to be quite good overall. The 35/2.8 may be a "best buy".

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica MP, Summaron 35mm f/3.5, Tmax400-2 printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

 

[kermaier]

Ah, that Summaron 35/3.5 is a capable lens too!
Looks like Adorama has two for under $400.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Don't forget the Summaron 35mm f/2.8.

Leica M2, Summaron 35mm f/2.8, TriX printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Another great lens for the M2 is the first Summicron 35mm f/2, the one with 8 elements in it's construction.

Leica M2, Summicron 35mm f/2, Tmax400 printed om Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica MP, Summaron 35mm f/3.5, Tmax400 printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

 

[thomasw_]

If I could only use one 35 and had your budget, the cv 35/1,4 would be my first pick. It has it all; speed, size, handling and the rendering is like a pre-asph lux w/o the optical artifacts. My second pick would be to find a deal on a summicron 35/2 v3.

 

[typhillips]

Don't forget about the Summicron-C 40/2. I picked one up in the spring for around $350 and used it for street shooting all summer on my M3. Very sharp, even wide open, with moderate contrast. I've been extremely pleased. Two caveats, though:

1. Might not focus perfectly on all bodies, since it was officially designed for the CL. Mine doesn't line up exactly at infinity and has a very slight focusing error, but the DOF makes up for it, so from a practical sense it's no problem whatsoever.
2. On an M2 you would have to modify it to bring up the 35 framelines. Apparently a simple modification, however, and some of the ones on the market already have had it done.

I've also owned the Skopar "classic" 35/2.5 for several years and it is a fantastic bargain, IMHO, especially if you don't want/need the speed. It is very sharp, contrasty and quite compact. I personally find the build quality to be just fine, despite what some have said.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M2, Voigtländer Ultron 35mm f/1.7, Tmax400 printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M2, Summicron 35mm f/2 first type (8 elements), Tmax400 printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

 

[Simon D.]

Eric,

Nice photos! Reminds me of when I lived in Holland for a while... You have a very nice selection of 35's !

Regards,

Simon

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thanks Simon!
How's your BP M2 going?

Erik.

 

[johannielscom]

Might I suggest the Komura 35mm? It was made in a 3.5 version (which I own) and a 2.8 version.

You might be able to pick one up for less money than a Nikkor or Canon lens, while it certainly is as good as those!

 

[Simon D.]

Eric,

The BP M2 is going fine. I'm trying to talk myself out of selling it to fund an M9 though... What do you think?!

Simon

 

[Erik van Straten]

Eric,

The BP M2 is going fine. I'm trying to talk myself out of selling it to fund an M9 though... What do you think?!

Simon

If you sell it, do it to me. But you can be sure that the M9 within three years - when the M10 will arrive - will be worth next to nothing.

Erik.