Leica LTM Help me decide! CV 35mm 1.7 ltm vs CV 35mm 2.5 c ltm

[Miles.]

Hi all,

Having troubles deciding which CV 35mm ltm lens to purchase and would love to hear some opinions!

I'll be shooting either almost exclusively on B+W film, mostly T-MAX 400. I like that both have 39mm filter threads. I typically go for more "classically" rendering lenses.

The 1.7 has the extra stop but the 2.5 has the focus knob and smaller profile.

Which would you go for and why?

 

[Deleted member 65559]

I'd split the difference and choose the Ultron II 35mm f2.... black paint.

 

[Miles.]

I'd split the difference and choose the Ultron II 35mm f2.... black paint.

Fair enough, but I'm looking for the versatility of an LTM lens.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Note that the 1.7 lens has the aperture ring up front. Some people (including me) find that feature distracting. The 2.5 is a lovely little lens.

 

[f.hayek]

Fair enough, but I'm looking for the versatility of an LTM lens.

Then get a Canon 35/2 LTM. Smaller than the fungus-prone CV 1,7. Faster than the 2,5.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Fair enough, but I'm looking for the versatility of an LTM lens.

Gotcha, I guess i should pay closer attention when i'm reading. I've used the 35 2.5 and it's a pretty compact lens with all the sharpness you could want. If you're mostly using Tmax 400...you could get by without the 1.7

 

[Miles.]

Then get a Canon 35/2 LTM. Smaller than the fungus-prone CV 1,7. Faster than the 2,5.

Neat lens but I'm looking to stick with 39mm filters for the simplicity of the kit (all others in the set use 39mm).

 

[Miles.]

Gotcha, I guess i should pay closer attention when i'm reading. I've used the 35 2.5 and it's a pretty compact lens with all the sharpness you could want. If you're mostly using Tmax 400...you could get by without the 1.7

No worries and good point about the film speed.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I used both for BW.
CV 35 2.5 was always not impressive on BW darkroom prints. Something was missing.
CV 35 1.7 was close to Leica lens I have now on BW darkroom prints. Very good. It has this special rendering of small details. Micro contrast or something.
It should be possible to add focus tab on this lens. One which sold on eBay with sticky tape (I had it on J-12).
But those are prons to haze. Make sure lens is checked with flashlight correctly.

 

[Shac]

The 2.5 has the aperture ring at the front also.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

If cost isn't an issue there are always the Summaron LTMs

 

[Miles.]

I used both for BW.
CV 35 2.5 was always not impressive on BW darkroom prints. Something was missing.
CV 35 1.7 was close to Leica lens I have now on BW darkroom prints. Very good. It has this special rendering of small details. Micro contrast or something.
But those are prons to fungus. Make sure lens is checked with flashlight correctly.

Thanks for the input! Yes, seems like many of the 1.7s on eBay show pretty heavy haze or fungus, though I did see a nice one listed by MAP camera that looks good.

 

[maddoc]

I don't think that it is haze of fungus but element separation of an inner group. I have one of those lenses, bought from Yahoo! Auctions (Japanese platform) described as "very slightly hazy". The lens arrived and it looked slightly hazy without flash light but really bad, shining a flash light through. I sent the lens therefore to Cosina Japan to get it cleaned but received a reply quickly telling that they wouldn't have a spare element anymore and nothing could be done. Therefore, I would not recommend buying the 35/1.7 in LTM.

 

[Ricoh]

When it comes to choosing the size of pupil of a photographic lens, I like the fastest I can afford. Sometimes I like to shoot without the lens hood and the big pupil allows light to bounce around and make it messy. Not everyone’s taste.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I have a later model of the LTM 35mm f2.5 Ultron. No haze whatsoever. Beautiful at full aperture.

gelatine silver print (ultron 35mm f1.7 ltm) leica m2

Erik.