Canon LTM Canon LTM 35mm f2, Canon 35mm f2.8, Jupiter 12 - opinions on these lenses?

[Bingley]

Yep, literally JUST looking at one now. Price is about the same as the others. All in all how does it handle, also on colour film what's the character like in your experience?

It's an older lens than the Canon 35/2.0, and if you get a good copy, you will get vintage in bushels. I had one about 12 years ago. On color film, you get a much more pastel or desaturated rendering than with the 2.0. It really excels with bw. However, and this is the reason I ultimately sold my copy, it flares like crazy if you point it at a light source; so, photographing an open door from the interior, or an open window, you will likely get blooming flare that will test your PS skills. But knowing that in advance, you can avoid such scenes or work around them. Overall, the 2.0 is a much better lens.

Some samples:

The flare from the windows in this photo required a lot of adjustment in PS to make a usable image:

String Quartet by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr

On the other hand, it's really nice when you're not shooting at a light source...

Getting ready by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr

When I say that it renders color in a desaturated way, this is what I mean:

Old Sac by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr

 

[Bingley]

With black and white film, though, it's very very good:

Steps of St. Paul's by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr

**** by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr

Stavanger Food Festival by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr

 

[dourbalistar]

I'd love to... see some photos

We have some image sample threads here on the forum.

For the Canon 35mm f/2 LTM:

Canon LTM - Pictures from Canon LTM 35mm f:2, please

Hello, I like this lens very much. Show us what this 35mm lens can "enhance" things in pictures. Thanks Arnaud

rangefinderforum.com

And for the Canon 35mm f/2.8 LTM:

Canon LTM - Pics with the Canon 35mm f/2.8 ltm

I looked and couldn't find a thread so I made one Taken with a Bessa R2 Taken with a Canon 7 Taken with a Bessa R2

rangefinderforum.com

Flickr is also a good resource for image samples since you can search by tags or groups. I created a group for the Canon 35mm f/2, which includes images from members here like @Bingley. Some of my own (film) photos are in the group, but it's nice to see a variety of contributors so that you can see how the lens performs on film and digital.

Canon 35mm f/2 LTM

This group is for photos taken with the 1960's era 35mm f/2 screw mount rangefinder lens. Manual focus rangefinder lenses only! global.canon/en/c-museum/product/s40.html global.canon/en/c-museum/product/s41.html Please add tags to your photos or include details in the description when adding...

www.flickr.com

Long time members will also remember the fantastic color images that Colton Allen made with this lens:

Canon LTM 35/2

Images made with my Canon LTM 35/2

www.flickr.com

 

[NicholasNicholas]

We have some image sample threads here on the forum.

For the Canon 35mm f/2 LTM:

Canon LTM - Pictures from Canon LTM 35mm f:2, please

Hello, I like this lens very much. Show us what this 35mm lens can "enhance" things in pictures. Thanks Arnaud

rangefinderforum.com

And for the Canon 35mm f/2.8 LTM:

Canon LTM - Pics with the Canon 35mm f/2.8 ltm

I looked and couldn't find a thread so I made one Taken with a Bessa R2 Taken with a Canon 7 Taken with a Bessa R2

rangefinderforum.com

Flickr is also a good resource for image samples since you can search by tags or groups. I created a group for the Canon 35mm f/2, which includes images from members here like @Bingley. Some of my own (film) photos are in the group, but it's nice to see a variety of contributors so that you can see how the lens performs on film and digital.

Canon 35mm f/2 LTM

This group is for photos taken with the 1960's era 35mm f/2 screw mount rangefinder lens. Manual focus rangefinder lenses only! global.canon/en/c-museum/product/s40.html global.canon/en/c-museum/product/s41.html Please add tags to your photos or include details in the description when adding...

www.flickr.com

Long time members will also remember the fantastic color images that Colton Allen made with this lens:

Canon LTM 35/2

Images made with my Canon LTM 35/2

www.flickr.com

Thank you for the resources! Amazing. Is there a similar photos taken thread for the 35mm 1.8 Canon LTM?

 

[Coldkennels]

Yep, literally JUST looking at one now. Price is about the same as the others. All in all how does it handle, also on colour film what's the character like in your experience?

I'm going to be the voice of dissent and say I'm very much not a fan of the Canon 35/1.8.

...sometimes it's good:



...sometimes it's interesting:



...but usually, at f/1.8, it's just a hot mess:



As a result, I usually treat it like an f/2.8 lens and actively wish I'd just bought the Canon f/2.8 and saved a bit of space instead! Add in the fact that the Canon takes bloody 40mm "series" filters, and I usually much prefer shooting the LTM f/3.5 Summaron, which is a more consistent and charming little lens:





I actually paid a lot less for the Summaron than I did for the Canon 35/1.8, too. Maybe I got a bargain on the Summaron, or maybe I overpaid for the Canon. Either way, I'd take the Summaron over the Canon any day of the week, even if the prices were reversed.

 

[aw614]

The Chrome 35mm F2.8 uses a 34mm filter, the one I have from Japan came with a Canon branded skylight filter though

 

[raid]

There are many good choices out there for a good 35mm lens in LTM. I have these:
Canon 35mm/1.5 35mm/1.8 35mm/2 35mm/2.8.
The 35/2 is an excellent lens overall. For a smoother look images the tiny sized 35/2.8 may be better fit. The 35/1.8 can give flare in direct light. The 35/1.5 jumped in price to over $2000 due to some moviemakers choosing it and adapting it as a cine lens for cult movies. Leica 35mm lenses are costly. I enjoy using the 35/1.5 whenever I can. In past lens comparisons or comments on lenses, this lens was referred to as "a dog". In my 35mm-40mm lens comparisons I got excellent results with it. It is not a dog of a lens.

A good pick could be a used but clean "Made in China Version" Summicron TYpe 1 8 elements copy. It is as good as the original Leica made Summicron 35/2 8 elements. The 35/3.5 Summaron may be affordable. My copy may need haze cleaning.

 

[jc031699]

I have the Jupiter 12 and the Canon 35/2. Both have been lovely lenses. The Jupiter 12 was shimmed for wide open close up, and works great at all distances / apertures for film M2 or digital M240. Super vintage look which makes sense since it’s basically the prewar Biogon. The Canon 35/2 is much more modern/contrasty but not overly so. Very fun and lovely images as you will see in the dedicated threads here.

Oh and I also have the Summaron 35/3.5 original LTM version. I had to clean it up a little from haze but also smooth and lovely rendering. Fun stuff. Gorgeous construction.

 

[Sanug]

I own the Jupiter-12 and I am very happy with it at the Canon 7s. I don't use a 35mm wide open, and stepped down a bit I don't see any issues concerning sharpness and focus. The Jupiter is a great buy if a budget lens is required.

With the Canon lenses, they may be superior but much more expensive. Take care when looking for a Canon concerning haze, as some Canon lenses have a damaged inner lens. A cleaning attempt might be not successful.

 

[santino]

Here you have a whole thread with pictures dedicated to the Jupiter 12:

The Jupiter-12 picture gallery

Kiev IIa - Jupiter 12 Very nice, love the low angle. Is that a B-36 Peacemaker?

rangefinderforum.com

 

[NicholasNicholas]

Just for good comparative measure, is there a dedicated photos taken thread for the Color Skopar 35mm 2.5 ?

 

[jc031699]

Voigtlander 35/2.5 Color Skopar W/NW

We might have had a picture thread - long time ago; let me start another one for this great lens. This is with my PI version:

rangefinderforum.com

 

[dourbalistar]

Thank you for the resources! Amazing. Is there a similar photos taken thread for the 35mm 1.8 Canon LTM?

There is at least one, but there are fewer image samples. Might be another thread here on the forum if you do a search.

Canon LTM - Canon 35mm f1.8 ltm - photos and discussion

I didn't see a thread for this lens. Feel free to delete or merge if I've missed it. It's pretty small and very light. Would be great for a travel kit. Took it out today for first few quick tests. Used without lens hood. Canon 35mm f1.8 ltm M2404473 by Brusby, on Flickr

rangefinderforum.com

If you're looking for more image samples from the 35/1.8, @Bingley is the admin for a Canon Rangefinder (RF) Lenses group on Flickr. Near the bottom of the Overview section, there are links to search the photo pool by lens:

Flickr: Canon Rangefinder (RF) Lenses content tagged with Canon35mmf1.8LTM

The safest and most inclusive global community of photography enthusiasts. The best place for inspiration, connection, and sharing!

www.flickr.com

 

[julio1fer]

Interesting idea! Does an m42 adapter allow rangefinder focus?

No, but maybe it is not really critical because a 35 mm lens has good DOF and guess focusing is not hard, unless you are focusing very close.

I have used this idea for 28mm lenses, it worked for me.

 

[ironhorse]

The Canon 35mm f/2 is a great inexpensive little lens. This is at f/2.

 

[NicholasNicholas]

Thanks for the input everyone! It's a hard choice but a local deal on the Color Skopar 35mm 2.5 LTM came up, it was hard to pass up to buy local instead of ebay japan etc. I will run a film roll through and post results!
It was an unexpected choice as wasn't my first canditate, but from photos it looks to make stunning, albeit more modern images, and there's still some interesting out of focus character in the right settings by the looks.

I'm very curious to try the other older lenses one day for character and special something they look to bring.
I have the 50mm 1.4 Canon LTM lens and a Helios 44m-2 to tide me over... for now... in terms of character!

 

[wlewisiii]

An Elmar 90/4 would complement them nicely. It has for me quite often 😉

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Since the J-12 is so inexpensive, you can probably afford one just to have. The older ones can be extraordinarily good, and can be worked to focus just fine with the Leica or any of its copies.
Phil

 

[newst]

Another possibility for a different look would be an uncoated Leitz Elmar 3.5/35. They show up on eBay occasionally and are priced in the same ballpark as the other lenses mentioned.

 

[trix4ever]

I also use a Canon 50mm f1.4 ltm, love it.
Generally I keep two 35mm lenses in my bag. A Zeiss C-biogon 35mm f2.8 for the modern look and a 35mm f1.8 Canon ltm for the more vintage look.
You're heading down the right road, good luck.