35mm LTM Recommendations

[Bingley]

I’ve had the Skopar 35 and still have the Canon 35/2.0. Both are superb and you can’t go wrong with either. The Skopar will be more flare resistant. The Canon is not quite so contrasty as tbe Skopar, but still gives a modern rendering overall. If you can find a clean Canon sample, jump on it. Otherwise, get theSkopar and start shooting. You can always add to or replace it later if you want to try something different.

 

[Swift1]

In the world of LTM 35s, the Color-Skopar 35/2.5 is hard to beat. It's a superb little lens at an affordable price point.
If it's helpful, here's a Flickr album of my photos taken with my copy of the lens,
https://www.flickr.com/photos/daiku_san/albums/72157676260382487

 

[Alex1416]

It depends on your budget like you mentioned. If you completely need to stay within your budget, then you can't go wrong with the Canon 35/2. It is small and compact and delivers excellent sharp images wide open. If you're only going to shoot outdoors in bright lighting, go for the Leica Summaron 35/3.5. That lens is clinically sharp wide open. And both lenses do wonders with B&W images.
If you totally want to blow your budget, go for the Canon 35/1.5. You can get lucky and get it for about double of your budget, but you'll never need any other 35mm haha
I wrote about it on the Canon thread as well. It is an amazing lens with beautiful vintage bokeh and sharpness/image quality that rivals the Leica 35mm's Pre Aspherical Summilux. It only loses when you start comparing to the modern Summilux.
It all depends on the look you are trying to get too.
The 35/2 gives you modern bokeh when you can get it, and is a great overall lens.
The 35/3.5 gives a hint of vintage bokeh, but is mostly for street/landscapes.
The 35/1.5 gives beautiful vintage bokeh, and is an excellent everyday lens.


Here is a sample with the 35mm f1.5
Leica M240 + Canon 35mm f1.5 LTM by Alex Aguilera, on Flickr


Here is a sample with the Canon 35mm f2
Leica M240 + Canon 35mm f2 LTM by Alex Aguilera, on Flickr


Here is a sample with Summaron 35mm f3.5
Leica M240 + Summaron 3.5cm F3.5 by Alex Aguilera, on Flickr

 

[tarkyn]

Thank you all. These recommendations and advice are proving most informative.


I'm currently talking to a fellow RFF member about purchasing a Summaron 35/3.5 and whether it would be the right fit for me. As some have pointed out, I might as well start somewhere and I can sell/exchange later on depending on my needs.


I am however also going to Japan for 3 months at the end of the year and may end up hunting there for something, where there is far greater choice than in Australia. Your replies will be instrumental in my process either way.
Thanks again!

 

[Steve M.]

Can't go wrong w/ the Summaron. Small, light, and has that classic Leica way of rendering. As nice as the Canon and third party lenses may be, they can't do that.

 

[Dralowid]

If you can find one, the earlier 35mm f2.8 Summaron has a removable M mount which turns it into ltm. All you need to do is loosen a little screw.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I agree with Michael here, but I am also a big fan of the Summaron 35mm f/3.5 in LTM. Put a simple adapter on it and you can use it on your M.

To free this lens from the usual haze is an easy job for a professional repairman.

Leica MP, Summaron 35mm f/3.5 LTM, Tmax400, printed on Adox MCC 110.

Erik.

 

[Dan Daniel]

I don't see the Canon 35mm f/1.8 LTM being mentioned, so.... consider it mentioned! Small, very nice rendering, more on the Summaron low contract sharp side rather than the Summicron or Canon f/2.0 contrast. Worth looking at.


But honestly, if I had run into a Summaron in clean condition before I ran into the Canon f/1.8, I would have gone for the Summaron. I had one years ago and loved it.

 

[einszwei7]

i tested both the Canon 35/2 and CV 35/1.7 and i loved both, but the CV is huge for a rangefinder 35mm, i like the Canon a bit more because of that.

Optically, the CV was far superior, but with film and the way i share my photos (mostly IG, small prints) i don't think it mattered, and it's not like the Canon isn't a fine performer.

 

[BillBingham2]

I'd get a Summaron or a Nikkor.

+1

I had a Summaron in M mount and was very happy with it. I happen to love the way many Nikkor render life so....

There are other good 35mm lenses out there, a lot depends on what you like.

B2 (;->

 

[rfaspen]

I'll re-mention the CV 35/2.5 LTM. I have one and its a good lens. At the price point, I don't know if you can do better -- assuming you want a lens that is well corrected like a modern lens. If you're after an older low-contrast, etc. look to your images, the choices are many and already mentioned. But, do let me know if you locate a Canon 35/1.5 in your budget 🙂 Hopefully there are more!

 

[dourbalistar]

OP, there's a CV 35/2.5 for sale in the classifieds:
https://rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=54843

Not sure if the seller is willing to ship overseas, or if shipping costs plus any import duties would exceed your budget (or tolerance for hassle).

 

[tarkyn]

Thanks all. I have decided to take an initial 35mm step and purchased a Summaron 35/3.5 from a fellow RFF member! Many thanks for all of your valuable recommendations and advice. Should the Summaron be ill-fitting for my needs, I will use your recommendations to further my quest.