Best budget 35mm lens in 2018?

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chrischunli

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Hey all! I just picked up an M6 for a pretty good price (first M rangefinder for me!), and am currently looking to pair it with a 35mm lens. Been doing a bunch of research on different lenses, from the Zeiss Biogons to Summarons, but it seems like a lot of the secondhand prices have gone up since the original post dates of those lenses. That said, what do you guys think would be the best bang for buck 35mm nowadays? Appreciate any thoughts!
 
A 3.5cm f/1.8 Nikkor. Either Nikon or Barnack mount. You can get an Amedeo adapter if you find the less expensive version in Nikon S mount. It's not a budget lens but it draws in such a special way there is nothing like it made by anyone else.The UC Hexanon comes close. Yes, lenses will outresolve it, have better bokeh in some opinions, the charts and science say things that detract but it is pure magic.

Phil Forrest
 
3.5cm f/1.8 in S mount + Amedeo adapter doesn't mount - you need the "offset" adapter which then decouples the RF, at which point why bother with a fast 35mm?? Leica mount version is fantastically expensive.

However the Nikkor 3.5cm f/2.5 is still very good, does work with said adapter, and much, much cheaper.

Voigtlander would be another option of course.
 
For a modern look, the Voitlander Color-Skopar 2.5/35 closely followed (in budget rankings) by the Zeiss 2.8/35 C-Biogon.

For a classic look, try the Canon ltm 2/35 or 2.8/35 (don't forget the adapter).

Unfortunately 35s are a bit more expensive than the 50mm equivalents.
 
In the absence of any other requirement than "budget 35", could I suggest the Voigtlander 35/1.4 MC.

Mine fits well, looks good, and is an excellent lens for the money.

I prefer it to my V3 Summicron 35/2.
 
Last edited:
Corran said:
3.5cm f/1.8 in S mount + Amedeo adapter doesn't mount - you need the "offset" adapter which then decouples the RF, at which point why bother with a fast 35mm?? Leica mount version is fantastically expensive.

However the Nikkor 3.5cm f/2.5 is still very good, does work with said adapter, and much, much cheaper.
Click to expand...

Mine used to fit just fine. I used it on my M9 until I got rid of that camera then used it on an SP. Sample variation, perhaps.

Back to the original post though, I think the very best truly budget 35mm lens would be an older Jupiter-12, preferably one that has been gone over a bit, lens elements/groups properly centered, helical cleaned and relubed. A top shelf J-12 can't run over $200 and the older ones are fantastic. Even the later lenses, direct from eastern Europe, can make fantastic images. With a little work, it is not hard to take a $12 lens and make it shoot like a $500 lens. That faithful Biogon copy can be made very, very good.

Phil Forrest
 
Then you had a one-in-a-million, or were jamming up your RF. It's well documented. jonmanjiro even had one S-mount model extensively modified to work on Leica.

So regardless of price, the 3.5cm f/1.8 in S-mount is NOT a good choice if the OP wants it to likely work.

I've had a couple J-12 lenses and they both sucked. Really bad corners, weird ghosting/flare, etc.
 
I'd suggest a Canon 35mm 2.8. Good ones sell for $150-250 or so. Its hard to beat at that price point provided it doesn't have haze (which can often be cleaned without too much work as the lens construction is pretty simple).

If your budget is higher, I'd look at the VC 35/1.4 (if you like a classic look and don't mind a bit of distortion) or the ZM Biogon if you want a more modern look and very little distortion.
 
Best budget 35mm? Second-hand Fuji X100T.

Jupiter-12 can be good if you're lucky (I rather like my example) but the body design is perfect for taking photos of one's fingertips; and setting aperture in normal conditions is a right royal pain in the arse, and in low light is pure guesswork.
 
I'll echo others here in suggesting the 35/2.5 Voigtlander Color-Skopar PII. It's a fantastic modern lens and a great value. You might also look at the 40/1.4 Nokton if you want something a little faster.
 
Another Jupiter-12 fan here. A pity it won't mount on my only M-mount camera due to the metering arm.

The purists may cringe, but on several occasions I have used M42 lenses on my Leica, with an adapter. They're not rangefinder-coupled, of course, so you have to use scale focus. But its the only way I have (at present) to shoot my superb Takumar 35 on film.
 
Nikonos II/III/IV/V has 35mm F2.5 Nikor, same glass as Nikon RF.

Sells for peanuts and it is waterproof to 200 feet. Just saying.
 
Much depends on just how you define "budget lens".

I've been happy with my Jupiter-12, I have a very nice 12x16 inch print on my wall made with it. I've used it on my film M, a borrowed M8, and a LTM Canon.
My copy is an older one, 1953 vintage, FWIW.

@Nokton48, are there adaptors available for the Nikonos lenses? I agree, the Nikonos 35 is very nice, but I have a Nikonos body to mount mine on. Had never really considered adapting it to a land camera.
 
I had a Jupiter 12 for a while and loved it. The ergonomics are a bit weird but bearable. I paid $75 for it. If you want something newer I'd always recommend the Voigtlander 35/2.5. That's a killer lens for a brand new price of $400.
 
pixelated said:
@Nokton48, are there adaptors available for the Nikonos lenses? I agree, the Nikonos 35 is very nice, but I have a Nikonos body to mount mine on. Had never really considered adapting it to a land camera.
Click to expand...


Not that I am aware of. I prefer the Nikonos II and I have had several of them. Bombproof camera. Nikon RF glass is a bonus.
 
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