Canon 7 cheap 35mm lens advice

fantastic cat

fantastic cat

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Hello!
Finally i'm going to buy my dream camera, canon 7. My prime lenght is 35mm. Now i'm using jupiter-12 with my rangefinders. As i heard, jupiter12's construction is problematic with canon 7 just like with voigtlander bessas. What should i look for? My budget is around 180-200 usd (and my only source are ebay.com sellers shipping worldwide) and i'm looking for high resolution, medium contrast glass. It doesn't have to be very bright. I'm not familiar with past&current prices on ebay.com (first timer), so it would be really nice to read some advices.
 
If you want vintage glass, get the Canon 35/2.8. It's sharp, medium-low contrast, very small (especially the earlier chrome version) and can be had in your budget. The later, black/chrome version is somewhat bigger than the all-chrome version, but it has a more usable focus ring and the front element is recessed enough to make a hood unnecessary (not so with the chrome version). The chrome version takes 34mm filters and the black/chrome version takes 40mm filters. Be aware that many examples of a lens 50-odd years old will have haze, oily diaphragms, stiff focus, etc., so you may have to add the cost of a CLA to your purchase price.

If you want a modern production lens, get the Cosina Voigtlander 35/2.5 C Color-Skopar Classic. It's also sharp, medium contrast, small, well-made and sells used in your budget. The CV 35/2.5 is a bit faster than the Canon, focuses a bit closer (though that may not matter on your Canon 7) and uses 39m filters. And, since it's a recent product lens, you're pretty sure of getting one that doesn't need servicing to be usable.

::Ari
 
It's going to run a little more, but the Cosina Voigtlander 35/1.7 Ultron is well worth holding out for. Mine was $215 here on RFF. It's bigger than the Canon 35/2.8 and the CV 35/2.5. But it is well balanced on the bigger Canon 7. It is sharp, and is relatively Fast. It uses 39mm filters.
 
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Before you buy another 35mm lens, try your J12 on your new Canon 7. Some fit, some don't.

I have a J12 and it fits my Canon 7 and 7s cameras.
 
I'd go with an Ultron if you can find one, they don't crop up too often anymore since they're no longer produced. There are a couple on ebay right now but IIRC they're around $300+. I bought my Color Skopar for around $140 on RFF.
 
thanks for fast reply.

lmd, you give me hope! Now i will surely wait until body arrive before bidding other lens.

But if not jupiter12, then canon 35/2,8 in black/chrome finish seems to be interesting. As i imagine it combines great canon quality (before getting into rangefinders i used early canon fd's and really enjoyed them) with jupiter 12 "casing". I will look for more info & samples on the net.

If it comes to voigtlander... well, i'm not experienced with their 35's, but I have ultron 28/1,9. Nice effects on color films, but - in my opinion - in b/w it produces too contrasty images.
35mm skopar-classic may be second on my lens-to-check list, but i'm little afraid of buying 35/1,7. Unfortunately there's no way to make little test before buying.


edit: thanks for ultron samples!
 
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fantastic cat said:
If it comes to voigtlander... well, i'm not experienced with their 35's, but I have ultron 28/1,9. Nice effects on color films, but - in my opinion - in b/w it produces too contrasty images.
35mm skopar-classic may be second on my lens-to-check list, but i'm little afraid of buying 35/1,7. Unfortunately there's no way to make little test before buying.
Click to expand...

Don't worry about contrast, if it's too contrasty, exposure a little more.

Have no fear, the 35 Ultron is a great lens.
 
Luckily my both j-12's are in late, black version. Buying new 35mm isn't necessity then. I will wait for good priced canon 35/2,8 on ebay - and check voigtlanders in not-so-distant future 🙄.


On other hand - things changed and i will probably own P. It should suit small lenses better.
 
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Judging by the SN, the 35/1.7 Ultron that I picked up is one of the earlier ones. Works great, smooth focus, aperture clean, it's a well-made lens.

And it is sharp.
 
When I had a Canon 7, I found that the Ultron 35 balanced perfectly w/ it. The Skopar classic 35 seemed a little too small. Here are a couple of shots of the Ultron on the Canon 7:

2262385560_0b014f1222_o.jpg


2261594993_9e23db7ae6_o.jpg


I eventually sold the Canon 7, but I still have the Ultron! 🙂
 
kermaier said:
If you want vintage glass, get the Canon 35/2.8. It's sharp, medium-low contrast, very small (especially the earlier chrome version) and can be had in your budget. The later, black/chrome version is somewhat bigger than the all-chrome version, but it has a more usable focus ring and the front element is recessed enough to make a hood unnecessary (not so with the chrome version). The chrome version takes 34mm filters and the black/chrome version takes 40mm filters. Be aware that many examples of a lens 50-odd years old will have haze, oily diaphragms, stiff focus, etc., so you may have to add the cost of a CLA to your purchase price.

If you want a modern production lens, get the Cosina Voigtlander 35/2.5 C Color-Skopar Classic. It's also sharp, medium contrast, small, well-made and sells used in your budget. The CV 35/2.5 is a bit faster than the Canon, focuses a bit closer (though that may not matter on your Canon 7) and uses 39m filters. And, since it's a recent product lens, you're pretty sure of getting one that doesn't need servicing to be usable.

::Ari
Click to expand...

What K said.

yours
FPJ
 
Hello cat,

I agree that the Canon 35 f2.8 seems a little small on the Canon 7. It's a little better on the Canon P.

Even better on a Leica IIIf. In fact, that lens seems perfoect on that body.

But of course it works fine on the 7 and P.

btw, nice avatar.
 
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