Leica 35mm for film camera

[thjk]

I am thinking to get a Leica M 35mm for my new MP. My personal taste is the high contrast pictures and I want a smaller lens. The lens I have now are the 35 Summilux FLE, 50 mm Summilux ASPH, 28 mm Elmarit ASPH, Voigtlander 35 mm f/2.5 Color Skopa.

I am thinking about the Summicron V4, V5 and Summarit f 2.5. If I get this I may let go my 35 FLE since I rarely use it.

Just wonder which one is best suit for film camera. Is anyone has the same experience?

 

[aizan]

I would trade the FLE and Color-Skopar for the Voigtlander 35mm f/2 Ultron. The Summicron pre-ASPH often gives harsh bokeh WOCA, and the ASPH can be harsh in similar situations, so they’re basically the same as the Ultron where you need to stop down a little to really smooth things out, but at greater cost. The Summarit-M is nice, but on the slow side for film.

 

[oldwino]

If you want higher contrast, look at the Zeiss 35s.

 

[leo mm]

The 35 Summicron ASPH feels like an obvious choice here – one of the most common objections to this lens is the high contrast, but you say you prefer that look. It's a bit bigger and heavier than earlier 35mm Summicrons, but to my mind it still offers a good balance of speed to size (and the build quality is very good).

Edit: The Zeiss 2.8 Biogon-C is also an excellent choice (compact with high contrast and low distortion), but you said you wanted Leica, and the extra speed of the Summicron is useful with film.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

+1 what oldwino said. Sharp and contrasty the Biogons are gorgeous.

 

[madNbad]

Another vote for the Zeiss 35 2.8 Biogon-C! Over the years I've owned the 35 2.0 Summicron ASPH, the Zeiss 2.8 35 Biogon-C, a 35 3.5 Summaron in LTM and most recently the Voigtlander 35 2.0 Ultron ASPH. All are very capable lenses but if you're looking for something different with a bit more pop, try the Zeiss.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Old Crons are way too overpriced for no reason. Especially plastic-fantastic v4.
If you are using color mostly, Color Skopar is just perfect for color.
Summarit 35 is the best lens I ever owned for BW darkroom prints. It renders very juicy, comparing to totally flat Skopar. I only wish it to be 1.4. Think twice before selling FLE. I wish, I could afford it.

Also, contrast is done during printing or in PP.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Slightly stopped down:

 

[Huss]

I am thinking to get a Leica M 35mm for my new MP. My personal taste is the high contrast pictures and I want a smaller lens. The lens I have now are the 35 Summilux FLE, 50 mm Summilux ASPH, 28 mm Elmarit ASPH, Voigtlander 35 mm f/2.5 Color Skopa.

I am thinking about the Summicron V4, V5 and Summarit f 2.5. If I get this I may let go my 35 FLE since I rarely use it.

Just wonder which one is best suit for film camera. Is anyone has the same experience?

Are us looking for a chrome or black Summicron v5?

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

My favorite 35mm Leica lens is the steelrim Summilux with serial numbers 216XXXX and 206XXXX.


At full aperture!

That picture, and the lens that produced it, are exquisite.

 

[ktmrider]

Another vote for the Zeiss 35f2.8 C-Biogon. Contasty and sharp. Reid Reviews has said it may be the sharpest 35 they have ever tested. And small and cheap compared to anything by Zeiss.

 

[raid]

You already have an excellent 35mm lens. There are several options for a higher contrast 35mm lens. I chose the Zeiss 35/2 ZM. Some prefer the 35/2.8 Zeiss. Save money and get a Canon 35/2 . It is a small lens. Since you like high contrast lenses but are not happy about your asph lens, getting a modern Zeiss lens may be the way to go.

 

[ChrisC]

....My personal taste is the high contrast pictures... I have.. 35 Summilux FLE, 50 mm Summilux ASPH, 28 mm Elmarit ASPH, Voigtlander 35 mm f/2.5 Color Skopa......

Hi – I have the current 28 Elmarit, and had the Voigtlander 35mm Colour Skopar – which I sold and replaced with a Zeiss 35mm C-Biogon f2.8.

The C-Biogon is my go-to everyday lens; it is superb. It is substantially better than the Colour Skopar I had, it is far better than my 28mm Elmarit [bought new].

I use this 3D printed hood on the Zeiss C–Biogon :

https://www.shapeways.com/product/G...5mm-1-4-lens-hood-v5?optionId=953097&li=shops

The hood works fabulously on the C–Biogon.

............ Chris

 

[Deleted member 65559]

The Biogon is currently on sale at BH for under $800.Quite a deal for a high quality lens

 

[Ccoppola82]

Are you shooting color or BW? For BW, meter your shadows and put them where the need to be in the zone scale, and just develop longer to n+1 or 2 for your development. No need for a new lens in that case. Just my opinion.

 

[thjk]

Wow. Seem like almost everyone is a fan of Zeiss C Biogon. I will consider it seriously. Thank you.