Alternative to Voigtländer 35mm 2.5?

[CandidChronicles]

I own the Voigtländer 35mm 2.5 and the Voigtländer 28mm 2.8, which I both like a lot, but I have some ergonomic issues with the 35mm.
The focus ring is a bit too thin and not as snappy compared to the 28mm. On top of that, the focus mark on the ring, is too subtle, and sometimes I find it hard to see it, especially during a sunny day.

On the 28mm, the use of the white dot over a matte, dark surface, makes it much easier to spot it, regardless of the lighting conditions.




I wish they would have made the 35mm more similar to the 28mm in this regard.

So, my question is: is there something similar in terms of specs, weight, size to the 35mm that I could check out for?
I heard good things about the Canon 35mm f/2 LTM, but I'm not familiar with that lens.

My main use is for street photography, so I'm not too concerned about possible quality degradation at faster apertures, considering I shoot most of the time around f/8-f/11.

Any suggestion?

Edit: I forgot to add that budget-wise, I need to stay in the same range as the 35mm 2.5.

 

[agentlossing]

There is the LTM version of the 35 2.5, which is the version I had. It's really nice, and I found the focus "post" easier for my use than the indented version on later M lenses.

 

[CandidChronicles]

Thanks for the info, @agentlossing
Is it this one the version you had?

https://www.rcefoto.com/en/prodotti-analogici/voigtlander-color-skopar-35mm-f-2-5-mc-ltm-366939/

 

[Godfrey]

You've made me curious ... I have the Color-Skopar 35mm f/2.5 LTM in chrome finish to match my IIIc and don't even recall what the distance scale looks like. I zone focus frequently, it's just never been notable to me as something difficult or different. I'll look when I get back home this afternoon. 🙂

G

 

[CandidChronicles]

You've made me curious ... I have the Color-Skopar 35mm f/2.5 LTM in chrome finish to match my IIIc and don't even recall what the distance scale looks like. I zone focus frequently, it's just never been notable to me as something difficult or different. I'll look when I get back home this afternoon. 🙂

G

I'd like to hear what you find out! 🙂

 

[agentlossing]

Thanks for the info, @agentlossing
Is it this one the version you had?

https://www.rcefoto.com/en/prodotti-analogici/voigtlander-color-skopar-35mm-f-2-5-mc-ltm-366939/

No, that one is sort of the ugly middle child, no one likes it that I know of. This was mine (I had a silver one) : [ N Mint ] Voigtlander COLOR-SKOPAR 35mm f2.5 MC Lens LTM L39 Type C From JAPAN | eBay

 

[JSteed#2]

I have the Canon 35 f2 and have repeatedly extolled its virtues. A fantastic performer with great ergonometrics.

 

[CandidChronicles]

No, that one is sort of the ugly middle child, no one likes it that I know of. This was mine (I had a silver one) : [ N Mint ] Voigtlander COLOR-SKOPAR 35mm f2.5 MC Lens LTM L39 Type C From JAPAN | eBay

Oh! Then it's closer to the modern pancake lens:

35 mm/1:3.5 Color Skopar aspherical - Voigtländer

www.voigtlaender.de

 

[38Deardorff]

Oh! Then it's closer to the modern pancake lens:

35 mm/1:3.5 Color Skopar aspherical - Voigtländer

www.voigtlaender.de

too bad that the new 35mm 3.5 isn't available in LTM

 

[CameraQuest]

There are 3 versions of the Voigtlander 35mm F2.5.

The M version and two different LTM versions with very different lens barrels.

The LTM 35/2.5 C and and the LTM 35/2.5 Pancake I. Both LTM versions are long discontinued.
The C version was made in both black and silver. There is only one version of the LTM Pancake version and it is much harder to find.

you will find them here, Voigtlander Leica Mount Lenses

on an intentionally very long page so all the info is in one place.

 

[38Deardorff]

There are 3 versions of the Voigtlander 35mm F2.5.

The M version and two different LTM versions with very different lens barrels.

The LTM 35/2.5 C and and the LTM 35/2.5 Pancake I. Both LTM versions are long discontinued.
The C version was made in both black and silver. There is only one version of the LTM Pancake version and it is much harder to find.

you will find them here, Voigtlander Leica Mount Lenses

on an intentionally very long page so all the info is in one place.

my comment was about the new 35mm 3.5 (rather than the old lenses)......would nice to see that in LTM
(at current prices, I'm not willing to deal with potential haze problems in the discontinued Voigtlander lenses.... which leaves the Elmar 3.5, Summaron(s), or Canon LTMs)

 

[CandidChronicles]

I have the Canon 35 f2 and have repeatedly extolled its virtues. A fantastic performer with great ergonometrics.

Then I assume you wrote about it already. Where can I read more info of yours regarding the lens?

 

[aw614]

The Light Lens Lab 8 element could be an option...

I also picked up a Nikon 3.5cm F3.5 and been enjoying it too. Small size and pancake like too.

 

[38Deardorff]

The LLL are really nice....but they were a very good deal @$500 USD...... at the current $1050 USD not so much

 

[Godfrey]

I'd like to hear what you find out! 🙂

This is my Voigtländer Color-Skopar 35mm f/2.5 in chrome finish on the Leica IIIc body:





Just taking these photos, I notice for the first time that the lens is clocked a few degrees to the right when mounted on this body. I guess I could correct that, but I've never noticed it in use. 🙂

G

 

[CandidChronicles]

This is my Voigtländer Color-Skopar 35mm f/2.5 in chrome finish on the Leica IIIc body:





Just taking these photos, I notice for the first time that the lens is clocked a few degrees to the right when mounted on this body. I guess I could correct that, but I've never noticed it in use. 🙂

G

Thanks for posting these. That lens looks nice on your Leica.
How do you find the ergonomics?

 

[Godfrey]

Thanks for posting these. That lens looks nice on your Leica.
How do you find the ergonomics?

For me, they're just fine ... As I said, it's not been notable as anything different or difficult. I just use it, same as I do most other lenses. The fact that I haven't spent any time or effort thinking about it means that it disappears into the usual workflow of operating for me. 🙂

G

 

[CandidChronicles]

I'll wait on @JSteed#2 to hear more about the Canon, and then I'll decide.

At this point, it seems my choices are:

1. Voigtlander COLOR-SKOPAR 35mm f2.5
2. Voigtländer 35mm F3.5 COLOR-SKOPAR aspherical VM
3. Canon 35mm f/2 LTM

I included the Color Skopar for option 2 only based on some of the factors I'm weighting in (size, weight...) but I don't know much about the quality.

But there's one thing that I'm now taking into account, which I gave it for granted: would the LTM work fine on the Nikon Zf with the proper adapter?
I'm confused about the LTM, as after a little search, some say it's just a Leica mount, while others say it's an M39 mount (and some say they're the same thing!).

So, which one is it?

 

[38Deardorff]

I'll wait on @JSteed#2 to hear more about the Canon, and then I'll decide.

At this point, it seems my choices are:

1. Voigtlander COLOR-SKOPAR 35mm f2.5
2. Voigtländer 35mm F3.5 COLOR-SKOPAR aspherical VM
3. Canon 35mm f/2 LTM

I included the Color Skopar for option 2 only based on some of the factors I'm weighting in (size, weight...) but I don't know much about the quality.

But there's one thing that I'm now taking into account, which I gave it for granted: would the LTM work fine on the Nikon Zf with the proper adapter?
I'm confused about the LTM, as after a little search, some say it's just a Leica mount, while others say it's an M39 mount (and some say they're the same thing!).

So, which one is it?

LTM is Leica Thread Mount which is 39mm so M39.

 

[CandidChronicles]

LTM is Leica Thread Mount which is 39mm so M39.

Thanks for confirming, @38Deardorff. I thought that was the case, but the different opinions I read around throw me off.
I'll go with the usual dummy M-mount to Z adapter, which, for my needs, is working fine.