CV 35/2.5 Pancake II

[Stephen23]

I'm on the verge of another gas attack and am looking at the CV35/2.5 Pancake II to use on a recently acquired Leica M6 Classic. Any experiences or comments would be appreciated.

Cheers

Stephen

 

[Gerold]

Stephen - rather than expanding on all the good things which I like so much abut this lens, I just post a link to pictures I recently took with it. This lens offers tremendous bang for the buck. The aperture ring takes a little getting used to it since it moves very easily, but once you got the hang on it - no problem. The lens shade is a must. Mounted on the M6, you will have a small, very capable package.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gerold/tags/colorskopar3525pii/

Buying this lens can't be a mistake. Cheers.

 

[Stephen23]

Thanks Gerold the shots look great and the lens really performs well, what body did you use?

 

[Gerold]

an M7 and a Bessa R2A. The latter makes for a truly briefcaseable combination. Cheers

 

[Trius]

Gerold: Magnifique; merçi.

 

[Gerold]

Trius: Révérence - merci !

 

[peter_n]

Stephen it's a very good lens. I have the Pancake I and it's main disadvantage is that it only focuses to 0.9M. But the Pancake II goes down to 0.7M which I think is necessary for a wide lens. It is contrasty like the first version - you will never need a yellow filter for it. 🙂 The link below is the only one in my gallery here that was taken with this lens.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=4630&cat=3334

Peter

 

[ZeissFan]

I had the original, and I was always pleased with its performance. A terrific lens for everyday use. The old one was a bit slow at f/2.5, but otherwise I couldn't find any reason to complain.

Cosina did an excellent job with its Voigtlander series of lenses.

 

[Finglas]

Stephen, I'm strongly considering this lens myself (only my second lens) to go with my MP.
I haven't seen the CV35mm f2.5 PII in Dublin anywhere - and ffordes don't have it as yet either - but I can wait till early in new year & then get it new.

 

[Avotius]

I have also had gas for this lens, its a great performer and fantastic value, but something tells me I should hold off for my 35 cron asph, but still...

 

[Adam-T]

I have the Pancake 1 and it`s amazingly sharp even wide open, has far more contrast and punch than the fast 28mm Ultron - apart from the min focus distance I think all the 35 F2.5s are the same optically, only that the PC1 and PC2 handle really well due to having a proper foucs ring unlike the "Classic" which has that awful focussing lever (never got the hang of fine focussing with those things, the lever is never in the right place for some diatances)..
I can`t see anyway you would regret buying eiher a new PC2 or a used PC1 unless youget a dud with a soft side.

 

[terrafirmanada]

Pii

Pii

These are a couple examples of mine. As stated earlier the aperature ring is very easy to bump into while focusing. I also find the tab a bit hard to use, but I am getting used to it. The b/w I have had some trouble getting highlight detail into my prints, but I am not so good in the darkroom, so that might just be my own fault.

 

[pan]

Hello,

I own the pancake II and i'm very happy with it, here my gallery :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/panjp/tags/colorskopar35/

 

[markinlondon]

Here's acouple of b&w examples. The first at f2.5, and the other at about f8.

 

[Stephen23]

Bankruptcy looms as I feel the hand creeping towards the credit card even as we speak. How many shots can you take in a six by six cell?

 

[markinlondon]

Bankruptcy looms as I feel the hand creeping towards the credit card even as we speak. How many shots can you take in a six by six cell?

At least the Skopar will focus down to 70cm, that may help in that situation 🙂 BTW, my two shots were from the same roll of Tri-x.

 

[Adam-T]

There is one consolation Stephen - it`s one of the cheaper CV lenses (although none of them are exactly bank breaking) and you don`t have to buy a silly screw-mount adapter 🙂 . the "Classic" seems cheap (and looks cheap too, like a £5 russian lens off E-Bay ;-) but you have to add £40 for the adapter if you`re on an M mount ..

I lucked out and got FOUR used genuine CV adapters from dealers (right place, right time) but a real M lens like the PC2 is a lot less hassle, as it happens I`ll be using my PC1 on the Leica III so I don`t feel too bad ;-)

 

[peter_n]

Bankruptcy looms as I feel the hand creeping towards the credit card even as we speak. How many shots can you take in a six by six cell?

LOL Stephen, I'm afraid once you join this forum you are doomed. Sometimes you see people posting for "help" in resisting the siren call of a lens or a body, and all they get is an avalanche of replies urging them to buy before someone else snaps the item up... 😉

 

[mwooten]

Stephen,
I have the Pancake II and, like the other folks, I love it. It took me a little while to get used to it since it was my first rangefinder lens, but then all was sweet. As Adam said since it is an m-mount you don't need the adapter, but you do need the hood -- so it sort of evens out.
At least half the stuff on my rff gallery is through the cv 35/25 p2.

Take care,
Michael

 

[Adam-T]

I have to admit that the 35PC 1 was my first RF lens too and after a lifetime of SLR glass (especially Nikon and Pentax Manual stuff) I spent half the time trying to focus with the aperture ring - LOL - Oly OM owners will have an easier time as the rings are the same layout as RF stuff ..