Leica LTM Leica iiif/g vs canon vs nicca vs leotax etc

[Ko.Fe.]

Well, I own a VC 35/2.5 MC LTM, and passed on the SC version.

PF

I owned all three versions in Leica mounts (two LTM, one M). None were made as SC.
The only SC 35 2.5 was made is for Nikon mount. This thread is not about Nikon mount RF cameras, if I'm not mistaken.
Where are C and P versions of Leica mount 35 2.5, they are MC.

The 35/2.5 C, 35/2.5 PI, 35/2.5 PII and 35/2.5 SC in Nikon Rangefinder mount all share the same optics.

https://cameraquest.com/voigtlen.htm

 

[analogpics]

I don't think you'd go wrong with the Canon 35/F2, although one of my favorites is the 3.5cm/F2.8 Topcor, using on a Leotax FV body.
Great combination and also has the worlds largest 35/50 finder, which is not extremely pocketable!

Thanks Hilltime! I actually ended up getting a canon 35 f2 ltm. I looked for the Topcor 3.5cm, but couldn't find one (well there was one on eBay but it was close to $1100 I believe). I did pick up the Topcor 5cm f2 though and the handling is fantastic. Really sharp too!

Since you have the FV body, I wanted to ask how the viewfinder is? Since I'd mostly be using 35 and 50mm and need to use with flash (so no shoe mounted external VF) does it have framelines for 35 and 50? Or do you use the entire VF area to guesstimate? Thanks!

 

[analogpics]

Unless you want to build a system of lenses, consider fixed lens compacts.

Olympus and Canon made some exceptional ones.

Hey Phrons! I actually have the olympus 35 rc and rd which have been really fun to use. The canonet ql17 giii i'll never sell as it has sentimental value. But yes, there are definitely some fantastic fixed lens RFs. Also curious about the minoltina S/AL-S. The minolta 7sii has turned out to be a solid cam too 🙂

 

[hilltime]

Thanks Hilltime! I actually ended up getting a canon 35 f2 ltm. I looked for the Topcor 3.5cm, but couldn't find one (well there was one on eBay but it was close to $1100 I believe). I did pick up the Topcor 5cm f2 though and the handling is fantastic. Really sharp too!

Since you have the FV body, I wanted to ask how the viewfinder is? Since I'd mostly be using 35 and 50mm and need to use with flash (so no shoe mounted external VF) does it have framelines for 35 and 50? Or do you use the entire VF area to guesstimate? Thanks

No frameline for the 35 but a nice viewfinder. You could possibly use the whole frame for that view, although I have relied on accessory viewfinders.
It was the best Leotax for me as it had all the features I was looking for:
Lever wind, 1/1000 sec top speed, and small crank built into the rewind knob. I have a IIIG and I'll have to say, I like the FV as well if not better.

I was lucky and bought the 3.5cm/2.8 Topcor a number of years ago, before they became ridiculously priced, even though I spent $500 on it.
I love using the Leotax 35/50 finder which I couldn't believe when I first saw. It is so huge, looks more like a Cyclops eye than the Contarex. It always draws a look and comment," Like, what's that thing, Man?"

I'm sure you'll be very happy with the Canon. It is probably the next to last 35mm focal length LTM lens I have acquired, only because I had to find out if it lived up to it's sterling reputation. It does!

I have found I have many 35 focal length, LTM lenses to chose from if I only had the time to shoot them all; 35/2.8 Sankyo Komura, 35/2.8 W.Tanar, 35/2.5 Nikkor, 35/3.5 Chiyoda Rokkor (Minolta), Schneider 35/2.8 Xenogon (traded a 35/3.5 Summaron heads up for that) and my final find after looking for 15 yrs, a Sankyo Komura 36/1.8.

I have been doing this for 25 years, so some came quite easy and others like the Komura, were a very long wait.

Good luck and enjoy the Canon.

 

[analogpics]

No frameline for the 35 but a nice viewfinder. You could possibly use the whole frame for that view, although I have relied on accessory viewfinders.
It was the best Leotax for me as it had all the features I was looking for:
Lever wind, 1/1000 sec top speed, and small crank built into the rewind knob. I have a IIIG and I'll have to say, I like the FV as well if not better.

I was lucky and bought the 3.5cm/2.8 Topcor a number of years ago, before they became ridiculously priced, even though I spent $500 on it.
I love using the Leotax 35/50 finder which I couldn't believe when I first saw. It is so huge, looks more like a Cyclops eye than the Contarex. It always draws a look and comment," Like, what's that thing, Man?"

I'm sure you'll be very happy with the Canon. It is probably the next to last 35mm focal length LTM lens I have acquired, only because I had to find out if it lived up to it's sterling reputation. It does!

I have found I have many 35 focal length, LTM lenses to chose from if I only had the time to shoot them all; 35/2.8 Sankyo Komura, 35/2.8 W.Tanar, 35/2.5 Nikkor, 35/3.5 Chiyoda Rokkor (Minolta), Schneider 35/2.8 Xenogon (traded a 35/3.5 Summaron heads up for that) and my final find after looking for 15 yrs, a Sankyo Komura 36/1.8.

I have been doing this for 25 years, so some came quite easy and others like the Komura, were a very long wait.

Good luck and enjoy the Canon.

Oooh i see, yeah, wondering if i'm better off sticking with my M4 for now. The ltm-m adapters have been working well on these two lenses so far on the m9. I ended up sending my iiig back as the vertical alignment was off, the 1000th shutter speed wasn't firing and the slow speeds were off. The camera shop's technician is going to look it over, but i may just stick with what i have lol. Also was considering a canon 7s or P, but we'll see 🙂

Do any of your 35mm ltm's have a 0.7 min focus distance? That's the only bummer about the canon vs my 35 cron asph. But yeah, I'm one of the few that prefers focusing with the barrel instead of a tab. Sacrilege i know hehe 😛

 

[hilltime]

I'm looking at most and the min focusing is usually 3.5 ft or a bit over a meter. I have them scattered here and there, but I doubt any of these classic lenses focused any closer, usually because of parallax issues, close up. If you have an aspherical Cron, why would you want anything else?

 

[analogpics]

I'm looking at most and the min focusing is usually 3.5 ft or a bit over a meter. I have them scattered here and there, but I doubt any of these classic lenses focused any closer, usually because of parallax issues, close up. If you have an aspherical Cron, why would you want anything else?

Ahhh i figured, i know some of the newer ltm lenses (like my ricoh gr 28mm 2.8) have a 0.7 min distance but thats a much newer lens.

Haha, my friend said the same thing about the asph cron. One, sometimes i prefer to take out a less expensive lens, and two, i dont absolutely love using a tab after all these years lol...which is why i like the canon as well. Too bad that lens doesn't focus to 0.7m 😛

 

[Goody]

Canon 35mm 2.8 is a nice lens at a reasonable price. There are two versions -- smaller silver with tab, and a newer larger black one that's styled more like an slr lens. I think similar optically.

 

[farlymac]

I owned all three versions in Leica mounts (two LTM, one M). None were made as SC.
The only SC 35 2.5 was made is for Nikon mount. This thread is not about Nikon mount RF cameras, if I'm not mistaken.
Where are C and P versions of Leica mount 35 2.5, they are MC.

https://cameraquest.com/voigtlen.htm

I stand corrected. Could have sworn they did that on the screw mount 35/2.5 also. I should have checked the master list at the Head Bartenders site. Thanks, Kostya.

PF

 

[CameraQuest]

I owned all three versions in Leica mounts (two LTM, one M). None were made as SC.
The only SC 35 2.5 was made is for Nikon mount. This thread is not about Nikon mount RF cameras, if I'm not mistaken.
Where are C and P versions of Leica mount 35 2.5, they are MC.

https://cameraquest.com/voigtlen.htm

hmm its a bit more complicated

MC Multi Coated and SC Single Coated versions are produced for the 35/1.4 and 40/1.4 M lenses only - never Ltm

Cosina also used the SC designation to mean Nikon S / Contax
for the Voigtlander Nikon rangefinder mount 21/4, 25/4, 28/4, 35/2.5 wide lenses,
all of which are Multi Coated

 

[CameraQuest]

Leica Barnacks vs Canon LTM vs Leica copies

I've owned most of these different models.

The Barnacks are beautifully made, beautiful to look at, but slow inconvenient picture takers and much less trouble free than Nikon or Canon rangefinders.

The better Canon LTM rangefinders are much more efficient, faster and easier to take pictures with, overall much more convenient picture taking machines, and less expensive too than the Barnacks.

The best Canon Rangefinders come down to:
Canon L-1, Canon VL, and Canon 7sZ
-- the best of the best LTM picture taking machines among all camera makers


Stephen