Cheap student 35 cron look-a-like

[Lance]

So. I ultimately want a 35 cron for size, speed and performance. But that is really really no option right now. Next I want the 35 biogon. But that is really no option either.

I have been trying to get an overview of the cheap end of the M-mount 35's, but think I don't know it all.

If everyone can say something about 35's in the 3-500$-ish price-range, good or bad, that would be great.

The ones I know a little bit about (or just know of) is really just the CV offerings. How about elderly lenses? Leica, Minolta, Canon, Nikon, others? Are their any bargains to be made if it doesn't say cron or lux on the ring?

I want smallish size and no more than f2,5 and ofcourse reasonable quality.

So bring it on guys. Challenge my student bank account with GAS.

 

[vrgard]

I know you said no more than f2.5, but I would also suggest you consider the Canon 35/2.8 ltm lens. Can be had for relatively cheap (will need an M adapter, of course), is wonderfully small, and is a very high quality lens.

-Randy

 

[hans voralberg]

I have a 35 Color Skopar and nothing wrong with it either, perform well, very compact as well, slide into a coat pocket easily.

 

[DeeCee3]

Don't Overlook the Ukraine

Don't Overlook the Ukraine

I've found my Jupiter 12 to be a cracking good lens for the price. They're available from a number of sources both here in the United States and also in Europe. Except for an occasional bit of flare, I've been well-pleased with my less-than-$100 expenditure.

dc3

 

[cmogi10]

I would go with a CV 35/2.5, good performer and affordable.
Plus it's tiny.

 

[Tom A]

First choice would be the 35f2.5 VC II. Summicron quality at 1/2to 1/3 of the price and you dont need to find an adapter.
2nd choice. Either the Canon 35f1.8 or 35f2. Small and compact (particularly the 35f2). Difficult to find hoods for either one and you do need the screw to bayonet adapter.
The Jupiter 35f2,8 is most likely the cheapest alternative, but it is a bit slower than you want to have and you still need the adapter. It is also a bit of a pain when it comes to changing apertures! Varied quality too!
If you do look around on the Classifieds you could be lucky and find a user 35f2.8 Summaron. The M3 version is clumsy and thus tend to sell for reasonable amounts.

 

[Broke]

Or how about a 40mm 'Cron-C or M-Rokkor? Very similar field of view, similar signature and can be had on the cheap (or relatively so...). You'll find lots of information about it around here -- can be made to bring up the 35mm framelines etc.. I've been really quite impressed with mine, wonderful out of focus rendering.

 

[tbarker13]

That little CV35 is a great lens. I'd say the same thing for the 40 summicron.

 

[Paul T.]

You don't have to make any sacrifice in terms of quality, speed or price.

Simply buy the 40mm Summicron (or Rokkor) - every bit as good as the 35mm V2 I had, and works well with M6 etc framelines.

 

[Lance]

Thanks for the quick replies so far. It gave me something to think about. I have been leaning towards the color skopar, but did not know the alternatives. Looks like it's not that bad.

I will look into some of the oddball Leicas. The 40 cron? Is that the one from the CL? It might be a little too close to the 50mm I've got.

 

[Lance]

Well... you could sell your Leica stuff, and pick up a SLR with a 17-55!

Problem solved! 😉

Yeah, well. I'm fully covered in the SLR department. I foolishly wanted to try the rangefinder thing and couldn't be satisfied with a Bessa. :bang: 🙄 🙂

 

[David Murphy]

So. I ultimately want a 35 cron for size, speed and performance. But that is really really no option right now. Next I want the 35 biogon. But that is really no option either.

I have been trying to get an overview of the cheap end of the M-mount 35's, but think I don't know it all.

If everyone can say something about 35's in the 3-500$-ish price-range, good or bad, that would be great.

The ones I know a little bit about (or just know of) is really just the CV offerings. How about elderly lenses? Leica, Minolta, Canon, Nikon, others? Are their any bargains to be made if it doesn't say cron or lux on the ring?

I want smallish size and no more than f2,5 and ofcourse reasonable quality.

So bring it on guys. Challenge my student bank account with GAS.

The fast 35mm Voigtlanders are absolutely stunning IMO. I've owned the 35/2.5 and it was OK, but lately I tested a 35/1.7 Ultron and was blown away with the images.

 

[cmogi10]

That's weird, I've heard less then pleasent reports of the 35 Ultron

 

[ferider]

That's weird, I've heard less then pleasent reports of the 35 Ultron

It's a great lens, IMO. Some people don't like the ergonomics.

You must have talked to Biogon or Summicron users 🙂

Roland.

 

[David Murphy]

That's weird, I've heard less then pleasent reports of the 35 Ultron

I never read the reports -- just used it and was impressed.

 

[raid]

I recommend the following 35mm lenses:

1. Canon 35mm/1.8

This is my favorite 35mm lens, after the Summicron 35mm/2 eight-element. The Canon is very well built and is sharp. I found a push on lens hood by Franka that fits the lens perfectly. My example shows flare when pointing it directly at strong light sources. I will get it cleaned.

2. Summaron 35mm/2.8

This lens did remarkably well in my test of 35mm-40mm lenses. You may be able to find a clean one at a manageable price.

3. Canon 35mm/2.8

This little gem is a great little lens. It is tiny and sharp. It does not need a lens hood.

4. If you don't mind getting a 40mm lens, I recommend the Summicron-C or the Rokkor 40mm/2. Both are terrific lenses.

 

[Krosya]

I find Ultron to be a great lens. Not the most compact, but very good optics. At least on my sample. But for compact - I'd second Minolta M-Rokkor 40mm/2 - great glass, very compact and close enough to 35mm FL.

 

[ampguy]

Rokkor 40/2

Rokkor 40/2

Or the Hexar AF if you don't mind a whole auto combo kit.

35/1.7 Ultron is OK, but very big relative to the Rokkor.

So. I ultimately want a 35 cron for size, speed and performance. But that is really really no option right now. Next I want the 35 biogon. But that is really no option either.

I have been trying to get an overview of the cheap end of the M-mount 35's, but think I don't know it all.

If everyone can say something about 35's in the 3-500$-ish price-range, good or bad, that would be great.

The ones I know a little bit about (or just know of) is really just the CV offerings. How about elderly lenses? Leica, Minolta, Canon, Nikon, others? Are their any bargains to be made if it doesn't say cron or lux on the ring?

I want smallish size and no more than f2,5 and ofcourse reasonable quality.

So bring it on guys. Challenge my student bank account with GAS.

 

[thomasw_]

what sort of shooting do you plan to do with the 35? i assume street shots? accordingly i recommend waiting and buying the zm 35/2 when you can swing it. it is such a smashing lens, it is my favourite all-round 35 irrespective of price. you don't even need a hood with it, so it is quite compact in use; the leica equivalent does need a hood to avoid flare. if you just can't wait, my recommendation would be the cv 35/2,5.

however, i would recommend trying to save....

 

[maddoc]

My first RF lens ever was the CV 35/2.5 PII, great little lens but a little to slow (replaced by a Summilux 35mm pre-ASPH). Recently, I got a (googled) Summaron 35/2.8 (for the M3) and like the results so far. The non-googled (M2 versions) went for up to ~ 500$ on the well-known auction site lately.