Leica M39 fast 35mm, what's to choose?

[johannielscom]

Guess I'll hang on to the Nikkor for now. It might increase in price in the future and maybe then I'd be able to swap it against an UC-Hexanon 2.0/35mm with closed wallets. Or maybe I'll even get an L-Hexanon 2.0/35mm if the UC-Hex stays out of reach...

 

[Kent]

A good modern option is the CV 35mm F1.7 ASPH. It has a pretty good reputation generally, and definitely has a modern level of contrast.

I'd like to second that.

 

[menos]

Johan, the UC-Hex is not much more contrasty than the W-Nikkor, you have already.
Actually, it surprised me, how so very contrasty the W-Nikkor is for an early 50's lens!
All other Japanese fast LTM 35mm, I have tried, have either much lower contrast, as the W-Nikkor or have much less resolution than the W-Nikkor (this is actually the major strength of the W-Nikkor - resolution!).

The only lens, I can think of in LTM mount, that would be an upgrade for you in resolution (apart from the LTM Voigtlander lenses, which I didn't have), is the UC-Hex.

I use my UC-Hex a lot, whereas the W-Nikkor moved into dry storage almost permanently (as the UC-Hex is so nice).

The problem with your situation is, that you would likely have a straight trade from one very nice, rare lens to a more modern, not as rare lens.

Are you willing to let go of the Nikkor? I wouldn't do that.

There is a medicine for your issue, if you use Lightroom - create a development profile for your W-Nikkor shots, that helps the contrast.
Always use a lens hood and when shooting B/W, use filters to alter contrast.

I wouldn't pay any money on a limited edition LTM 35/2 Summicron (mostly, because I don't like that lens' rendering anymore, compared to the beautiful W-Nikkor/ UC-Hex rendering).

 

[johannielscom]

Hi Dirk,

thanks for your suggestions, both here and per email!

I've decided to stick with the W-Nikkor and put my back into it to get it to do what I expect from it. As you say, it's a rare and really nice lens, why trade it for anything else?

Hopefully soon I will have some time off to go out and shoot it another round, lately I've been swamped with work and family life...

Happy shooting man, post some stuff of that 😎 CZJ Jupiter-9 you got from me!? :bang:

😀

 

[menos]

Nice!

I hear you about the Jupiter - I owe you some shots with it - gimme some more time please ;-)

 

[ZeissFan]

If you're slapping these onto a digital body, what difference does it make if it's LTM or M mount? Just get another adapter.

 

[f16sunshine]

Hi Dirk

How about I buy back that W Nikkor 😀

 

[menos]

Hi Dirk

How about I buy back that W Nikkor 😀

With all due respect Andy, that would be … unthinkable 😀

Its a very, very special lens and I am most happy to have a sample.
I wanted one for years, even contemplated many times over the years, to get a S-mount sample and a S body instead …

Now if I only could find a reasonably priced original lens hood for it :bang:

 

[johannielscom]

With all due respect Andy, that would be … unthinkable 😀

Its a very, very special lens and I am most happy to have a sample.
I wanted one for years, even contemplated many times over the years, to get a S-mount sample and a S body instead …

Now if I only could find a reasonably priced original lens hood for it :bang:

Dirk,

I found this lens hood on eBay and it works fine. Unmarked, matte finish, resembles the original somewhat: I'll take it! 😀

For a back cap I use the modern nylon Voigtlander cap I received with my Tanar 2.0/50mm, the front cap is an original Nikkor cap. Bought one on eBay after I had lost the cap it came with:bang:

I'll do a picture of the full kit soon too:

• Tower with film wind lever and film back door
• W-Nikkor 1.8/35mm
• Tanar 2.0/50mm
• Tower chrome filter holder and lens hood
• Voigtlander Minifinder
• Konica strap with metal hooks, from the T4 Autoreflex

What's not to like?

 

[Roel]

Keep it. Maybe very radical but wouldn't it possible to screw on some kind of filter to get a bit more contrast..

Hi Dirk,

thanks for your suggestions, both here and per email!

I've decided to stick with the W-Nikkor and put my back into it to get it to do what I expect from it. As you say, it's a rare and really nice lens, why trade it for anything else?


😀

 

[menos]

That's a nice looking hood!
I got a beautifully made Japanese hood with mine, when I bought it from Andy, but I like the cone shaped hoods better for this lens as for more finger space (it is really a very tiny lens) ;-)

 

[Luddite Frank]

I'm late to the party, but as for the Canon 35 f: 1.8, I have one in LTM, and I've never been impressed with its performance.

It has never seemed that sharp, and contrast is low.

Most of the time, when I'm shooting wide, I use my 1940 Elmar 35mm.

 

[menos]

Frank, if you can, try out a later Canon 35/2 LTM (these are the last generation Canon RF all aluminium barrel lenses without infinity lock before Canon abandoned rangefinders sadly).

The 35/2 is a very sweet lens - tiny, super lightweight, respectable contrast, ver sharp in center. It is nowhere near the performance of the W-Nikkor though (which is why it would not be a good suggestion to swap to from a W-Nikkor, except for getting a huge amount of money freed up in the process).

 

[johannielscom]

Ha Dirk,

your chant 😀 is starting to work, I'm less and less considering letting go of the W-Nikkor! Keep it up buddy! 😉

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

This topic interests me a lot. Since I got Konica UC-Hexanon 35 2, Nikkor 35 1.8, Leica 35 2 pre-a, Canon 35 1.5 etc... I would like to recommend UC-Hexanon and Leica 35 2 pre-a. Actually,include Nikkor 35 1.8 they all perform excellent and worth to have. But I use UC-Hexanon and Bokeh king much more than the other 35 lenses. Because they are tiny and have a focus tab. That is the main point. They can provide me a comfortable using experience.

By the way, recently I got a Fujinon 35mm f2 in LTM. This is a beautiful lens and I never seen anybody use this one. Wish I will have time to try on it.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Flickr 上 KEVIN is listening Begin...... 的 Fujinon 35mm f2 in LTM

 

[johannielscom]

Flickr 上 KEVIN is listening Begin...... 的 Fujinon 35mm f2 in LTM

Very nice lens indeed! How does it render, got any pictures to show Kevin!?

I only have a Fuji 3.5cm viewfinder that is supposed to go with the lens, but never had the lens itself. With the W-Nikkor I only use the Voigtländer Minifinder, so the Fuji viewfinder is gathering dust. Oh well...

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Sadly, I don't have time to go around with this lens to take some photos. But in the future I will post what I have under this topic.

Fuji 35 viewfinder is another interesting item. Ha . The viewfinder may rarer than the lens

 

[menos]

Yes Kevin, please share some shots with the Fuji, if you can.
With that 35mm collection, how about a portrait comparison of each lens wide open and stopped down to the same aperture for us 35mm geeks to pixel peep ;-)

Congrats on the gear find - you had a good month there - hehe.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Yes Kevin, please share some shots with the Fuji, if you can.
With that 35mm collection, how about a portrait comparison of each lens wide open and stopped down to the same aperture for us 35mm geeks to pixel peep ;-)

Congrats on the gear find - you had a good month there - hehe.

Hey Dirk! Long time no talk my friend. Yes, I will find a good day during this weekend going outside and try to kill a roll of film. Let's see how the performance this lens will give. Now,I only have UC-Hexanon, M-hexanon 35, Nikkor 35 1.8 and Fujinon with me. So I will do the comparison among them.