Good 35mm ltm lens?

[mscott2757]

So I've just got my first ltm rangefinder with a 50mm lens and I'm considering investing in 35 as well.

I know this question has been asked many times, but my primary dilemma is deciding between the canon 35/f2 and the cv skopar 35/f2.5 primarily due their affordability and they both tend to be around the same price. Thanks!

 

[Jerevan]

If you want a more modern look, take the Color Skopar - if you want more vintage feeling the Canon.

I liked the Canon but there is always the nagging thing about 40+ year old stuff ... something might not be up to snuff. Shop carefully.

As for the Color Skopar - fantastic value for the money, I think.

 

[Brian Legge]

Agreed on all counts. I'd also suggest looking at ergonomic differences to see if they matter to you.

I tried a Canon 35/2.8 and decided that I preferred a more modern look. I moved on to the CV 35/2.5. That happened to be early fall as Seattle was rapidly losing light. Having fallen for the focal length, I swapped the 35/2.5 for a CV 35/1.4.

All of them are killer lenses. I spent more time with the Canon than the 35/2.5 and took a bunch of photos with it that I really appreciate. I didn't spend enough time with the 35/2.5 which I regret in ways. It was a stellar lens, both in handling and quality. I'd have no hesitation going with it as my main 35... but I always seem short on light up here with the shorter days and heavy overcast weather.

There really isn't a wrong answer as long as you pick up a lens in good condition.

 

[k__43]

I had until recently the 35/2 canon which is really great!
I also had before the canon 35/1.8 that is no match to its younger brother.
The CV 35/2.5 is a no brainer if you want excellent optics and don't care about f/2 or faster.
I had that in M-mount but the ltm version has the same design.
It is sharper (in the corners) than the canons and has also much less distortion, I'd also say it's even contrastier than the already quite contrasty canon f/2 although I never compared side by side.
I also had a Jupiter12 which is cheap (and that's all I can say about it on its positive side). It really differs from copy to copy tho, other people love that lens.

 

[bastian a.]

Most things about the Skopar 2.5/35 and the Canon 2/35 are written. There is a third lens with M39 mount that would be a good choice: the Ultron 1.7/35. I haven't tested it so far but you can read a lot of good things about it, maybe somebody knows more ...

 

[Vobluda]

Beside price there is one mayor difference between Skopar 32/2.5 and Canon 35/2 and that is minimal focusing distance as Skopar can focus to 0,7m while Canon is 1m.
I have both and both is great lens but if I would have to choose only one of them I would go for Skopar because of the focusing distance.

 

[WJJ3]

save up a little more and get a 2.8 SUMMARON!

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I'll second the Summaron; although they are a bit dearer, I think...

Regards, David

PS Had the CV in 35mm but didn't think it looked right on either the IIIc or M2. In everyday use, no difference noticed.

 

[john neal]

If you can find a Komura at the right price they are great lenses too. Look for rebranded ones such as the Asanuma King - sometimes people don't realise that these are Komura in disguise.

I use mine on a II and my XE-1 with good results - I have the CV Pancake as well which is sharper than the Canon or the Komura, but misses some of the bokeh and feel of the other two.

 

[thejameskendall]

+ 1 on the Canon f2. Fantastic lens.

 

[Dralowid]

save up a little more and get a 2.8 SUMMARON!

An LTM 2.8 Summaron is an expensive thing.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Summaron 35 3.5 if you want lens with character in the rendering, Skopar 35 2.5 if you want lens without any problems.

 

[Luddite Frank]

FWIW - I have a Canon f:1.8 / 35mm, and have never been impressed with the results.

Wound-up using a 1940 Elmar 35mm instead.

If I were to get other 35mm in LTM, I would like to try the various C-V lenses, as well as the 35 mm Summaron.

Somewhere, I have an f: 3.5 / 35mm Komura that came with a 1934 Leica III, but I haven't tried it out yet.

 

[Erik van Straten]

An LTM 2.8 Summaron is an expensive thing.

An LTM 3.5 Summaron is at least as good and is a lot cheaper.

For all those lenses: watch out for fog between the elements. Have your lens cleaned by an expert.

Erik.

 

[02Pilot]

I had just begun to curb my 35mm Summaron/Elmar/Komura lust and now this thread comes along. You all are not helping. 😉

I don't think I can be of too much help here, but I will say that the Canon 35/2.8 is really a lovely lens. I've been very happy with the monochrome results from my Jupiter-12 as well, though it sometimes produces a pronounced flare (I believe it's an internal reflection - I've never been able to track it down) which, on color film, appears very purple.

 

[presspass]

If you want faster, try the CV 1.7. It's out of production in LTM, but occasionally available used. It can be a bit dear, and it only focuses down to 1 meter, but it's a wonderful lens.

 

[MaxElmar]

Erik - Thanks - I always wondered about the 35/3.5 Summaron - in LTM it's pretty much the only affordable Leica choice. I already have the CV 35/2.5 - it's quite modern and wonderful - but you can't live on that all the time.

 

[Blavbec]

An LTM 3.5 Summaron is at least as good and is a lot cheaper.

Just wondering: why is the E39 version of the 3.5 Summaron in general more expensive than the A36 version? Is it because of the possibility to put a threaded filter on it?

Regards, Wim

 

[splitimageview]

Nikkor 35/2.5 if you can live with the oddball filter size

 

[Erik van Straten]

An LTM 3.5 Summaron is at least as good and is a lot cheaper.

Just wondering: why is the E39 version of the 3.5 Summaron in general more expensive than the A36 version? Is it because of the possibility to put a threaded filter on it?

Regards, Wim

The E39 version is quite rare, the A36 is much more common. The E39 version handles much easier. Setting the f-stop on the A36 is something like a Chinese puzzle. I've painted the f-stop index red so I can find it when I am in a hurry.

Erik.