Beater Fast 35mm M or LTM Mount Lens?

[samuelphoto]

So, unlike may who seek out MTF curves and the like, I am looking for a cheap, beater but fast (at least f/1.4) 35mm M or LTM mount lens for abstract and impressionist work, or out in bad weather. I don’t care if the glass is dinged up, but mechanics should be at least POK. Seems there is no Jupiter faster than a f/2. CV makes a 35/1.4 SC lens which is even overkill for what I need. Maybe there’s some oddball LTM lens from 80 years ago that would work? I’m no expert here so seeking guidance. Thanks.

 

[mpaniagua]

How much do you expect to pay? 7Artisans 50mm f1.1 is a "cheap" alternative but still $300.00-$400.00 dlls.


Jupiter are indeed faster than f2. Look for Jupiter 3. It think that's as cheap as it get for a fast lens.


Regards

Marcelo

 

[dourbalistar]

So, unlike may who seek out MTF curves and the like, I am looking for a cheap, beater but fast (at least f/1.4) 35mm M or LTM mount lens for abstract and impressionist work, or out in bad weather. I don’t care if the glass is dinged up, but mechanics should be at least POK. Seems there is no Jupiter faster than a f/2. CV makes a 35/1.4 SC lens which is even overkill for what I need. Maybe there’s some oddball LTM lens from 80 years ago that would work? I’m no expert here so seeking guidance. Thanks.

What makes the CV 35mm/1.4 overkill, the price? Seems your limiting factors are "at least f/1.4" and whatever "cheap" means for you. The Head Bartender has a list of LTM lenses, and this site has a comprehensive list of lesser-known LTM lenses.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

To me abstract and impressionist work has nothing with aperture size.

 

[Swift1]

You're looking for the Unicorn 35/1.2 😀😀😀

But in all seriousness, the lens you're looking for doesn't exist.
At least 1.4 and 35mm... I think the CV 35/1.4 is probably the least expensive option.

 

[Dante_Stella]

So, unlike may who seek out MTF curves and the like, I am looking for a cheap, beater but fast (at least f/1.4) 35mm M or LTM mount lens for abstract and impressionist work, or out in bad weather. I don’t care if the glass is dinged up, but mechanics should be at least POK. Seems there is no Jupiter faster than a f/2. CV makes a 35/1.4 SC lens which is even overkill for what I need. Maybe there’s some oddball LTM lens from 80 years ago that would work? I’m no expert here so seeking guidance. Thanks.

You and everyone else are looking for this. You might find a Canon 35/1.5, but aside from that, the "cheap fast 35mm lens" ship has sailed. If it was ever in the port...

Dante

 

[dourbalistar]

You're looking for the Unicorn 35/1.2 😀😀😀

But in all seriousness, the lens you're looking for doesn't exist.
At least 1.4 and 35mm... I think the CV 35/1.4 is probably the least expensive option.

Well, CV does make a 35mm f/1.2, but it's not cheap. However, it is large and heavy, and could be used to fend of would be muggers. I guess that would make it a "beater"? 😀

 

[xayraa33]

You and everyone else are looking for this. You might find a Canon 35/1.5, but aside from that, the "cheap fast 35mm lens" ship has sailed. If it was ever in the port...

Dante

Yup, the days of the 200 dollar Canon 35mm f 1.5 lens in LTM were over in the late 1980s by my recollections from attending many antique camera shows.

 

[dourbalistar]

OP, if you are willing to compromise on speed, the Canon 35/2 LTM is a vintage option. There's also the new 7Artisans 35/2 in M-mount. I think both can be had for around $300. Given what the resident experts have noted, you may have to settle for "cheap enough and fast enough 35mm".

 

[Ccoppola82]

Cv 35 1.4

I use mine when I really need the extra stop and really like it. The distortion doesn't really bother me like it does some people. Hey though, maybe the distortion will help with the abstract look.

 

[aizan]

i think the fujinon 35mm f/2 ltm is the sort of thing you're looking for, except those go for $3000.

another thing to think about is using an slr.

check out the nikkor 35/1.4 non-ai for nikon f-mount. you can get a beater for $150-200.

 

[raid]

If “your cheap” is around $500, then a Canon 35/2 may be a good pick.

 

[Bob Michaels]

............... I am looking for a cheap, beater but fast (at least f/1.4) 35mm M or LTM mount lens ..............

Consider the CV 40mm f1.4. A very good lens with a low price on the used market reflecting that it is shunned because it is not 35mm. Too many photographers never tried assuming it would not work because they did not have 40mm framelines or they assumed there was a discernible difference in the FOV between 35 and 40mm. A little bit of work with a file on the mount will bring up 35mm framelines which match the actual FOV (at least on a Zeiss Ikon).

I shot an entire project over a year with this lens, almost always wide open. See my South Apopka religion series at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtRnbe-9ul8&feature=youtu.be

Actually the 35mm slot in my M mount lens lineup is filled with this 40mm lens.

 

[samuelphoto]

All, thanks for the helpful comments. Unicorn, yes.... Hence my post.

The purpose of the fast aperture is simply for shooting at night and isolating the subject and I don't care much about sharpness and aberrations, in fact aberrations would be desired. This is going to be abstract stuff, think Holga quality. By "cheap" I'm thinking sub-$200.
dourbalistar thanks for the links and aizan for your suggestion to use a SLR. I still have a I nice OM kit that is rarely used, but the shutter is anything but inconspicuous.
mpaniagua, your suggestion to consider the Jupiter 3 is noted, it would be perfect except its in 50mm. If a 35mm version existed I'd be all set.
I know about the CV 35/1.4 and I'm sure it would work, but it doesn't fill my definition of cheap - inexpensive but not cheap. I may end up going that route in the end anyway unless I can find an old LTM lens.

 

[samuelphoto]

Well, CV does make a 35mm f/1.2, but it's not cheap. However, it is large and heavy, and could be used to fend of would be muggers. I guess that would make it a "beater"? 😀

Very clever. 😀

 

[BillBingham2]

If your issues are cheap and fast, what about an older SLR lens adapted to M?

I'm sure you can find an old Nikkor or Canon lens. Not sure how many third party lenses were as fast as you want.

B2 (;->

 

[samuelphoto]

This fits my definition of a fast beater. Except not in Leica mount. Maybe I pick up an old FM body to go with it.

 

[santino]

The auction isn't over yet.
A 50mm 1.4 for your OM would be a nice lens and within your budget and there is the Yashica 35 electro ccn with its 35mm 1.8 lens.

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

F2 was once considered a "fast" lens, and I think it still should be. I have a couple of them, $800 for the pair.
The aim of making impressionistic work is a good one.

 

[presspass]

Another vote for the CV 40mm f1.4. If you are using a Bessa rangefinder, you set the frame lines and you could set them at 35. The difference in the field of view is marginal. It is, as Bob Michaels said, a wonderful lens and rarely appreciated, or priced, accordingly.