Leica LTM 35mm LTM Recommendations

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
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tarkyn

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Hello all, I've recently acquired a very beautiful Canon 7sZ with the oft-touted Canon 50mm f1.8.

I'm looking for a nice 35mm to shoot street with. I originally had my eye on a CV Ultron f1.7 but then read good things about the Nikkor 35s, the Canon 35mm f2, the CV Color Skopar etc.

I would much appreciate any input/recommendations from people, especially if you have used a few LTM 35s and can compare the many options. Speed isn't a major factor as I'll likely be shooting smaller apertures doing street photography, but it isn't something I would discount either.

My ideal budget would be around AUD$550 (~USD$380) at the very top end but if something is absolutely worth it I will consider going higher.

Thanks in advance all.
 
I use the Color Skopar with complete satisfaction. It's small enough and fast enough for me, and the performance is all I need or want for my Barnacks.
 
I use and am really happy with the Canon 35/2. You could find one well under your budget. There is a thread just below with lots of images from this lens if you want to take a look.
 
The Canon 2.0/35 is a good lens with a modern rendering. An additional advantage is that it has the same sie filter ring as the 1.8/50. When out on the street with both lenses this lets you carry just a single hood and set of filters.
 
Don't overlook the Nikon LTM lenses. I've used the 35/3.5 on my Canon P to good effect, and they are usually budget priced.



PF
 
I have and use the Ultron 1.7 and the Canon 2.0. The Ultron is a fine lens, but a bit soft at its widest opening. The Canon is also a great lens and is shorter than the Ultron if that matters to you. I also have a lens you have not mentioned - the Elmar 3.5. Although it doesn't get mentioned a lot, it is a very small lens, only slightly deeper than a body cap. Mine is a pre-war uncoated sample and delivers stunning results on black and white film. When speed does not matter, it's my favorite of the three.
 
Thank you all for your responses thus far!
The Canon 2/35 looks to be a popular contender. Unfortunately, they are harder to find locally in Australia where CV lenses with LTM/M adapters are more common, and so can be expensive to import from Japan etc. However, I will give this lens another look and keep an eye out for any locally.


Thank you presspass for the note about the Elmar! This does sound interesting and, with much talk on this forum about lenses with 'characteristic' looks, this lens has piqued my interest.


Thanks again for your responses, they have been very helpful in giving me user perspectives on some of these lenses. Keep the recommendations and comparisons coming!
 
As you noted, it might come down to what you can find locally. That said, another consideration might be ergonomics. The Canon 35/2, while very compact, does not have a focus tab; it's more like a mini SLR lens. Depending on your preference, that may or may not be a consideration. I know some street shooters prefer a focus tab for quick zone focusing adjustments.

And while you noted you'll mainly be shooting stopped down, there was a recent discussion about 35mm "character" LTM lenses. The debate about what "character" means notwithstanding, there are also some lens suggestions on that thread.

If you're considering between the Canon 35/2 and the CV Ultron 35/1.7, this thread might be of interest:
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166961
 
Yes, the Elmar is a great lens, if clean from haze. However the uncoated ones can be cleaned.

Leica M2, Elmar 3.5 cm f/3.5 No.171817, 400-2TMY, printed on Adox MCC 110.

Erik.

48015769743_b4ef30c0ca_b.jpg
 
Summaron under 400$ ? And same for Nikon LTM.

Canon LTM is often with fogged lenses. Ultron 35 1.7 LTM might have it as well.

Color Skopar is fine on color and nothing special on bw.

Jupiter-12 might require some light modification, but it works on 7.
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168157

It is cheapest 35 LTM to get, but optically it is fine lens. With hood added. I have 7A focus tab on mine.
 
If you want to stay with Canon Ltm lenses, I would look for a clean 35/2 or 35/1.5.
The CV lenses are modern and give a different look to images compared with a Canon 35/1.5, say.
 
I went through a search for a 35mm LTM lens like this. As I mentioned in an earlier thread on the topic, I very much liked the image qualities of the Summaron 35mm 3.5 LTM, but you should try one before buying because of its ergonomics. Because of the aperture control design, you need to set the aperture before focusing the lens because unless the infinity lock is set, adjusting the aperture will rotate the lens. This was too fiddly for me over time, and I sold my Barnack for an M anyway and eventually settled on a Zeiss M lens for that.
 
I'd get a Summaron or a Nikkor. The Canons are nice, but the images are a little "plain". Same with the Color Skopar, IMO.
 
rumbliegeos said:
I went through a search for a 35mm LTM lens like this. As I mentioned in an earlier thread on the topic, I very much liked the image qualities of the Summaron 35mm 3.5 LTM, but you should try one before buying because of its ergonomics. Because of the aperture control design, you need to set the aperture before focusing the lens because unless the infinity lock is set, adjusting the aperture will rotate the lens. This was too fiddly for me over time, and I sold my Barnack for an M anyway and eventually settled on a Zeiss M lens for that.
Click to expand...

The earlier A36 versions do this. The later E39 version do not. The E39 versions are much less fiddly.
 
I didn't see it mentioned here, but I bought a 35mm f3.5 Serenar (Canon) a number of years back. I'm not recommending it, but it is surprisingly sharp for the price and beautifully made. It does have a tendency to haze. I have to clean it every six months. I have the cleaning down to less than 10 minutes but most people don't want to do that.

Here is a wide open test I did:

Neopan Acros 100 expired by John Carter, on Flickr

center:

Neopan Acros 100 expired by John Carter, on Flickr

edge:

Neopan Acros 100 expired by John Carter, on Flickr

It does perform well though:

Tmax400 HC-110h by John Carter, on Flickr
 
Ko.Fe. said:
Summaron under 400$ ? And same for Nikon LTM.

Canon LTM is often with fogged lenses. Ultron 35 1.7 LTM might have it as well.

Color Skopar is fine on color and nothing special on bw.

Jupiter-12 might require some light modification, but it works on 7.
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168157

It is cheapest 35 LTM to get, but optically it is fine lens. With hood added. I have 7A focus tab on mine.
Click to expand...

I hadn't realized that the Summaron prices had risen so sharply, still with patience it looks like you can still get one in the $350 range.
 
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