In the market for new 35mm lens for M2.

[leica M2 fan]

I have a Jup-12 2.8 in the LTM mount and a Jup-12 for the Kiev mount. I feel I need something in the f2 category. My dilemma- should I go for the CV Ultron 1.7 or go for the f2 summicron directly. There is quite a dollar difference in the two, would the summicron give me that much more in enlargements up to 11 x 14 or is the CV as good as people claim and there would be negligible difference. This is a reference to the real world not the world of chart and target shooters. Any input as usual is welcomed. Am really excited to hear any and all comments. TIA 🙂

 

[sebastel]

have you noticed how small (= convenient for carrying around) the 4th version summicron is? as far as i can see, that is a good reason for this lens ... makes a very nice "all the time" combo with the M2.

cheers,
sebastian

 

[Avotius]

this topic has been beaten to death but if it was me and I was on a budget the cv 35 pancake would be high on my list, if I was not tight on cash, a 35 asph summilux sounds fine to me. Of your picks the summicron is a known winner, but the cv 35 1.7 has had a lot of good talk around it. In the real world resolution isnt going to be the biggest problem, the signature of these two lenses is very different. Either you will love the high high super high contrast of cv lenses or you will prefer the subtle tones of the summicron, thats a matter of your opinion and I would buy on that basis rather then which one will give the best resolution.

 

[jtm]

The CV 35 f/1.7 is a pretty subtle lens -- not a "high high super high contrast" CV lens -- in case that makes any difference to you.

 

[BillBingham2]

Just for giggles, take a look at the CV 40/1.4. It handles like the 'cron, a bit bigger, but a lower cost option. The 35/1.7 does not handle the same (no finger tab). I have all three and would say if price is not an issue, go 'cron. If price is an issue, the 40/1.4. You will need to spend a few dollars to have the 40 to bring up the 35 frame lines, but shouldn't be more than $40 USD.

B2 (;->

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Not considering the size difference, I'm sure the CV lenses are on par with the summicron.

The question you have to ask yourself is, after you buy the CV, will you still have Leica lust ? If so, it is false economy to buy against your personal nature. If you feel you might have Leica envy or lust later, buy the Leica and be done with it. If you feel like you can live with very comparable performance at a fraction of the price, then you have your answer.

On the question of size, the 4th summicron is simply a joy to use, incredibly compact compared to the CV.

good luck with your choice

 

[triplefinger]

I'm a fan of my ZM35/2, I also have a cron40-c which is very nice.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

No bad choices. I like the 35/1.7 - it is a capable performer and neither large nor unwieldy. You should be able to find it used for a very reasonable price. The Leica glass is all worth it. I shot a friend's wedding in 2000 with a Nikon F4 and 35/2 and a Leica M6 and 35/4th gen. The 11x14 prints showed a slight edge for the Leica . . . but slight. In my experience, there are lots of limiting factors in getting a good 11x14 print. Most enlargers, for instance, are not critically alligned, which can make a huge difference in getting the best out of a negative.

I'd echo what was said about the compact nature of the Leica 35/2 4th gen. However, that said, the lenses weigh about the same.

Good luck in your choice.

Ben

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[sharpf8]

Hi, B2! I have been wanting to buy a CV 40 f/1.4, but its abilitiy to bring up the 50 framelines has deterred me from doing so. Could you please recommend a place that can do the modification (for $40) so that it brings up the 35 framelines? Thnx.

The CV Pancake II is an excellent lens, for people who are currently on a butter-and-jelly sandwich diet.🙂 However, for people, who are on a filet mignon diet, the aspherical Cron and Lux aspherical are IMHO good choices.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Bottom line is that the capabilities of CV, Zeiss, Konica and Leica lenses far surpasses the skills of most photographers to distinguish them.

And great photographers on this forum, like Todd Hanz and Beniliam (David), can make any lens look good, regardless of which lens they use 😉

 

[vrgard]

Not considering the size difference, I'm sure the CV lenses are on par with the summicron.

The question you have to ask yourself is, after you buy the CV, will you still have Leica lust ? If so, it is false economy to buy against your personal nature. If you feel you might have Leica envy or lust later, buy the Leica and be done with it. If you feel like you can live with very comparable performance at a fraction of the price, then you have your answer.

On the question of size, the 4th summicron is simply a joy to use, incredibly compact compared to the CV.

good luck with your choice

Tom makes a very good point here. I started with the CV 35/1.7. Very nice lens. Then I picked up a 4th version 35 cron. Haven't used the CV since. The size and feel of the cron is just superior to me. Handles great, looks right on the camera, slides in and out of the case or my coat pocket so easily, the squarish hood is perfect, etc., etc.

As for the bokeh comments, I agree to an extent. The 4th 35 cron bokeh is good but not otherworldly as some as expressed. I have read that it's a bit better stopped down just slightly but I haven't carefully tested that theory. As for what I have experienced, here is a recent pic taken with my 4th version 35 cron mounted on my M6 and it shows less than heavenly bokeh. However, I would be very happy if all my pics came out as good. Bottom line is I am very happy with the 4th 35 cron and consider it one of the very last lenses I would ever sell. Of course, I am keeping the CV 35 if for no other reason than it's chrome which looks better on my M3 than does the black 35 cron! (I know, I know, vanity... 😱 )

-Randy

 

[leica M2 fan]

Thanks to all :

Thanks to all :

I appreciate all your comments.
Sharpf8- soon after posting the thought came to me about the CV 40mm, it will be under consideration.

Tom: There are so many fellow RFF photogs that do amazing work with lenses that might be "mediocre" to some. Add Frank S to this list, he does great work, too. Thanks again to all. 🙂

 

[pvenables]

Don't discount the Hexanon 35, or the 35 Biogon as already suggested. I would imagine either of these to be a match for the V4 Summicron. I do like mine because it's so small, but I don't doubt for a moment that if portability wasn't an issue I'd be perfectly happy with any modern 35 rangefinder lens.

Paul

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

... here is a recent pic taken with my 4th version 35 cron mounted on my M6 and it shows less than heavenly bokeh.

-Randy

Well, that goes to show how subjective this 'bokeh' concept is, I happen to think that is nice bokeh under those circumstances, in addition to being a very good photo 🙂

 

[Xmas]

Unless you use slow film, and a tripod, 20x16" AgBr, and wider then F5.6 and no hood you wont see any (much) differences in the lenses.

So the choics is size, speed and £, and buy the best hood? The j12 aperature control can be impossible, the Leitz really easy, depends on your hand size and eyesight.

Noel

 

[markinlondon]

I've had the CV Ultron and PII Skopar. Now I have the 4th type 'cron. My 35 buying is done (sorry, Magus 😉 ). The Ultron was great, but the Skopar gave me a taste for a smaller lens. The 'cron just fitted the bill and I didn't pay an extortionate price for my Solms version (although it took two goes 😡 ). It does all I could ask of a 35 and is fast enough.

 

[leica M2 fan]

Paul

Paul

Don't discount the Hexanon 35, or the 35 Biogon as already suggested. I would imagine either of these to be a match for the V4 Summicron. I do like mine because it's so small, but I don't doubt for a moment that if portability wasn't an issue I'd be perfectly happy with any modern 35 rangefinder lens.

Paul

So which of these lenses do you have? Or do you have both? I certainly would consider the Hexanon or the Biogon. I think Zeiss glass would be wonderful. I had a very nice Tessar lens for my Exacta VX lla back in the 60's and had really good pictures from it. Thanks.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[FrankS]

Thanks for your kind words, M2fan!
My moderate wide angle needs are met by a Summaron f3.5, a J12, and a 40mm Rokkor-M.