msbarnes
Well-known
I need a compact 35mm/40mm. My preference is actually 40mm, 35mm, and then 50mm. I don't need anything faster than f2.8 and I must focus closely (0.7/0.8m). Budget is less than $1k
choices:
40mm f2.8 Sonnar
40mm f2.0 Summicron
35mm f2.8 Summaron (ungoggled)
35mm f2.8 Biogon
That is what I can think of at the top of my head. I'm looking for something small, high quality, and preferably with 39mm filter threads.
Now the Summaron probably sports the best build but it is also more costly...how is the build on the other three? are they comparable to one another? All focus closely right?
I'm not going to get into bokeh or sharpness as I figured that they are all "sufficient" and I am not religious about either, not for 35mm atleast. I just want a small/pragmatic outfit because I find my current lenses too big and bulky.
choices:
40mm f2.8 Sonnar
40mm f2.0 Summicron
35mm f2.8 Summaron (ungoggled)
35mm f2.8 Biogon
That is what I can think of at the top of my head. I'm looking for something small, high quality, and preferably with 39mm filter threads.
Now the Summaron probably sports the best build but it is also more costly...how is the build on the other three? are they comparable to one another? All focus closely right?
I'm not going to get into bokeh or sharpness as I figured that they are all "sufficient" and I am not religious about either, not for 35mm atleast. I just want a small/pragmatic outfit because I find my current lenses too big and bulky.
zuikologist
.........................
The 40/1.4 Nokton is very good, compact and well under 1k.
msbarnes
Well-known
oops forgot that one!
maddoc
... likes film again.
40/2.0 M-Rokkor (40.5 mm filter thread, though) and CV 35/2.5 PII (E39 and the tiniest of them). Both have a focus-tab, really useful for tiny lenses.
msbarnes
Well-known
I haven't looked too much into the biogon but from what I've seen on the internet...it is kind of big.
I browsed ebay and the sonnar ltm seems pricey...I think that I won't play the collectors game unless i see one at a good price.
I browsed ebay and the sonnar ltm seems pricey...I think that I won't play the collectors game unless i see one at a good price.
back alley
IMAGES
the rollie sonnar 40/2.8 is great, small and very well built with brass innards.
no contest in my book!!
check out my flickr 40 set.
no contest in my book!!
check out my flickr 40 set.
rhl-oregon
Cameras Guitars Wonders
+1 Gabor. Though maybe the Skopar focuses closer than the older Rokkor. And yes the Biogon 2.8 is bigger than both.
40/2 with an adapter for 39mm, or M Rokkor.
msbarnes
Well-known
I haven't tracked the prices but the sonnar isn't the easiest to find..when found is it usually sensibly priced? I might go for something relatively inexpensive but easy to find (like cv/rokkor) and wait patiently for an affordable sonnar.
msbarnes
Well-known
I don't ike adapter rings because they sometimes bind to the lenses but thinking about it...I might just go naked or get a 40.5mm UV filter.
I wanted the adapter for uv filters/hoods.
back alley
IMAGES
sonnar will run around $600. or a bit more these days.
Heavystar offers a nice adapter and hood set. But if you want tiny, skip the hood. 
40 Cron is by far the best value in any Leica M lens...love it!
40 Cron is by far the best value in any Leica M lens...love it!
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
I sold my 35/2.8 Biogon-C to RFF'er MaggieO and missed it so much that I bought another one. Phenomenally good lens. The people who complain that it's only f/2.8 mostly haven't used it.
The Leica 35/2.5 Summarit is also a little scorcher of a lens.
Another one to add to your list is the Minolta Rokkor 40/2. From what I've seen it's every bit as good as the 40 Summicron-C.
The Leica 35/2.5 Summarit is also a little scorcher of a lens.
Another one to add to your list is the Minolta Rokkor 40/2. From what I've seen it's every bit as good as the 40 Summicron-C.
msbarnes
Well-known
I think I will lean on 40 Cron/Rokkor or Sonnar as the reviews are generally positive while CV opinions are mixed.
back alley
IMAGES
for 35...the zm 2.8 is phenominal and not that big. if one is not happy with it then one is way too fussy!
redisburning
Well-known
the c-biogon is an excellent choice.
in the past, I would have said just deal with the size of the f2.0 version because I mistakenly thought peak mtf for 40 lp/mm at infinity meant it was a sharper lens. frankly, under almost ALL circumstances the c-biogon will appear sharper. it also has better OoF rendering. conjecture only, I would rank the c-biogon as the 2nd best 35mm lens in existence after the Lux ASPH.
for me, this is an easy recommendation.
1. used c-biogon
2. used m-rokkor
3. new c-biogon
4.... everything else
in the past, I would have said just deal with the size of the f2.0 version because I mistakenly thought peak mtf for 40 lp/mm at infinity meant it was a sharper lens. frankly, under almost ALL circumstances the c-biogon will appear sharper. it also has better OoF rendering. conjecture only, I would rank the c-biogon as the 2nd best 35mm lens in existence after the Lux ASPH.
for me, this is an easy recommendation.
1. used c-biogon
2. used m-rokkor
3. new c-biogon
4.... everything else
Bingley
Veteran
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
I have both the C-Biogon and the Summilux ASPH (second version, not FLE).
In fact, I'm currently on my second copy of both lenses.
If you can shoot at f/2.8 or smaller, the C-Biogon is the better of the two. It is the best, most predictable, most generally useful lens that I have ever owned. It has no significant weaknesses. I view the Summilux as a specialist lens. It is reserved for when I need to shoot at wide apertures.
sparrow6224
Well-known
Summicron-C 40/2 is a beautiful lens -- I'm baffled that people recommend the Rokkor ahead of it (same lens design, different glass) as the Summicron to my eye gives a richer rendering especially in the blacks. Anyway you can use your 39mm filters with the Summicron, just screw them in very gently and stop as soon as you feel tightness, which will about 40 percent of the turns you're accustomed to. Gently and never ever overtighten and you'll be fine. Otherwise if you buy Heavystar's Ser. 5.5 to 39mm adapter, it's so small and discreet you'll hardly notice it. The Summicron is so tiny and so good that even holding it in your hands is a pleasure.
ferider
Veteran
If you like the idea of the Summicron-C, get the CLE (last) Rokkor instead. Same size, and much better built (including the straight RF cam).
Otherwise, pictures say more than 1000 words .... All great lenses, and about the size of the 35/2.8 Biogon or smaller:
The highest center resolution of all the above is given by the 35/2.5 Nikkor, in my experience. A smaller and cheaper choice than the Summaron, with similar optics (straight 6 element Gauss). Depending on the camera you use, the 35 Nokton might be a better choice than the 40 Nokton. I have used the 40 on M6 and M3, and the 35 on M2 and M4P.
My favorite ? The above 35 Summicron v3 (shown on lizard-skin M2). Great all-rounder, superb build, 39mm filter size, 0.7m min. focus, deeply recessed front element, very rectilinear, great rendering and micro-contrast, price-wise comparable these days with both Biogons or a clean Summaron.
My keepers ? Nokton, 35 Summicron v3 and both Nikkors.
Roland.
Otherwise, pictures say more than 1000 words .... All great lenses, and about the size of the 35/2.8 Biogon or smaller:
The highest center resolution of all the above is given by the 35/2.5 Nikkor, in my experience. A smaller and cheaper choice than the Summaron, with similar optics (straight 6 element Gauss). Depending on the camera you use, the 35 Nokton might be a better choice than the 40 Nokton. I have used the 40 on M6 and M3, and the 35 on M2 and M4P.
My favorite ? The above 35 Summicron v3 (shown on lizard-skin M2). Great all-rounder, superb build, 39mm filter size, 0.7m min. focus, deeply recessed front element, very rectilinear, great rendering and micro-contrast, price-wise comparable these days with both Biogons or a clean Summaron.
My keepers ? Nokton, 35 Summicron v3 and both Nikkors.
Roland.