I WANT (not need) another 35mm lens.

[kxl]

I'm in the early stages of looking for another 35mm to complement (whatever that means) my current 35's: Summicron ASPH v6, LLL Eight Element and Thypoch Simera.

I'm thinking the Summicron V3 would be a nice addition. I'm also considering a Summaron f2.8, although finding a good, clean sample may require a bit of patience.

The Rokkor 40mm f2.0 Type II, while obviously not a 35mm, is also intriguing.

I'm in no rush. Again, nothing to justify here--I just WANT one.

Thoughts?

 

[Miles.]

Go old school and tiny: Elmar 3.5cm f3.5

 

[Formerly presspass]

Another vote for the Elmar. As far as I know, it only came in LTM, but it is sufficiently sharp and, at least with my uncoated version, does a wonderful job recording the full gray scale as well as blacks and whites.

 

[kxl]

Go old school and tiny: Elmar 3.5cm f3.5

Hadn't thought about that. I'll add it to my list. Thanks.

 

[38Deardorff]

Hadn't thought about that. I'll add it to my list. Thanks.

A lovely tiny lens....

 

[sojournerphoto]

Zeiss c-biogon 2.8/35?

 

[38Deardorff]

Although bigger, the Summaron 2.8 is a gem of a lens. I had the LTM version ...regret selling it. I like it better than the super sharp modern 35s.

 

[kxl]

Zeiss c-biogon 2.8/35?

I had both the f2.8 C-Biogon and the f2.0 Biogon a while back--nice lenses, especially the micro contrast, but a Zeiss ZM doesn't feel like what I'm looking for at this time. Also, given the real possibility of a nasty wobble, I'd probably only buy one that I can see and touch in person.

 

[kxl]

Although bigger, the Summaron 2.8 is a gem of a lens. I had the LTM version ...regret selling it. I like it better than the super sharp modern 35s.

Definitely on my list.

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

I recently bought a Voigtälnder 35mm F3.5 Color-Skopar Aspherical (black paint) VM lens and I like it a lot.

Image from the Cosina website


This is an image I made with this lens


Sony A7III camera
Voigtälnder 35mm F3.5 Color-Skopar Aspherical
August 2025

All the best,
Mike

 

[santino]

Since you already have „normal“ 35 lenses I second Mike. The color Skopar looks so cool and is really capable of excellent results.

How is the build quality? I didn’t like my 35 Biogon‘s build quality either (though the optics were superb).

 

[38Deardorff]

Since you already have „normal“ 35 lenses I second Mike. The color Skopar looks so cool and is really capable of excellent results.

How is the build quality? I didn’t like my 35 Biogon‘s build quality either (though the optics were superb).

S, I don't have the 35, but i did have the similar in look 40mm heliar. While they look retro, the lens character is modern. Since kxl has modern lenses, both the Elmar and Summaron will give a different image character.

 

[Dogman]

I'm currently in love with the C-Biogon but I'll throw in the cheap, tiny and nice Color Skopar 35/2.5 for consideration. Of course everyone probably already has that particular lens.

Also the 35/1.4 Nokton Classic II. Small, sharp and "glowy". I ordered the SC version but got the MC by mistake. Shot it a few times and "from my cold dead hand...."

And I've also been looking at the 35/3.5 Elmar myself. It's kinda interesting, isn't it?

Lotsa good 35s out there. I can't decide whether I love 50s or 35s the most.




........................

 

[Rayt]

I have a coated 35mm Elmar for the vintage look, 35mm Summilux pre-A for low light, and a Summilux Asph pre-FLE as the can do all lens. If I get another lens it’ll have to be a v3 Summicron because it’s the best handling Leica 35mm I have used and renders nicely with black and white. I was sorry the day I sold it. A friend begged me to sell it to him. I don’t like modern rendering so no Voigtlanders and I can’t afford the APO Asph.

 

[kxl]

I'm currently in love with the C-Biogon but I'll throw in the cheap, tiny and nice Color Skopar 35/2.5 for consideration. Of course everyone probably already has that particular lens.

Also the 35/1.4 Nokton Classic II. Small, sharp and "glowy". I ordered the SC version but got the MC by mistake. Shot it a few times and "from my cold dead hand...."

And I've also been looking at the 35/3.5 Elmar myself. It's kinda interesting, isn't it?

Lotsa good 35s out there. I can't decide whether I love 50s or 35s the most.




........................

There are a couple of Voigtlanders on my list (35/1.5 and 35/1.4 SC or MC), but the Elmar and Summaron really pique my interest.

Don't get me started on 50's (or 28's for that matter)--there aren't enough hours in a day to even think about "what's next?" for those FL's. 😁

 

[kxl]

I have a coated 35mm Elmar for the vintage look, 35mm Summilux pre-A for low light, and a Summilux Asph pre-FLE as the can do all lens. If I get another lens it’ll have to be a v3 Summicron because it’s the best handling Leica 35mm I have used and renders nicely with black and white. I was sorry the day I sold it. A friend begged me to sell it to him. I don’t like modern rendering so no Voigtlanders and I can’t afford the APO Asph.

Yeah, I may yet end up with a Summicron V3--it just seems like a very good fit between my LLL 8 element and Summicron ASPH v6.

 

[Rayt]

Yeah, I may yet end up with a Summicron V3--it just seems like a very good fit between my LLL 8 element and Summicron ASPH v6.

And the v3 is also the least expensive Leica 35mm Summicron.

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

Also the 35/1.4 Nokton Classic II. Small, sharp and "glowy". I ordered the SC version but got the MC by mistake. Shot it a few times and "from my cold dead hand...."

Hello Dogman!

I'm no lens expert but my understanding from reading the Cosina website is that "MC" and/or "SC" is beneficial for color photography.

Per Cosina website: Two types of lens coatings to choose from
Multi-coating (MC) aims for the most neutral color reproduction possible, while single-coating (SC) reproduces classic color tones. Choose your preferred lens coating from our lineup.

Since you seem to only shoot B&W maybe it doesn't make a difference which you use.

All the best,
Mike