Looking to try a different 35mm

[analogpics]

Hey all, so as of now, i have a 35 Cron asph for daily stuff, a 7artisans 35 f2 or cv color skopar 2.5 for when i don't want to carry around something so $$$ and recently picked up a canon 35 f2 ltm which i've really taken to for its unique rendering. The only drawback being the 1 meter min focus distance. I didn't realize how often i shoot close and that 0.3 meters makes quite a difference, for me at least.

So...just curious to hear what else you guys could recommend that has a unique signature/character (why i picked up the Canon), but ideally 0.7 meter min focus distance . I know i'm asking for a lot here, since the lenses I've seen with the most unique look to them are older ltm lenses...and all of those are probably 1 meter minimum focus distance. Any ideas? Thanks!

Oh, also curious for 50mm (same criteria) too if you have any recommends 😉

 

[Ambro51]

Close Focus Model 1 A Leica focuses to 18”

 

[lukx]

I experience the same issue with most old lenses. 1m focus is limiting at times, and can be annoying. Good for social distancing, though 😉

I cannot tell you about any 35mm LTM lenses that focus close. That whole mount was based on 1m rangefinder coupling as far as I know. You could look into Leica Summarons, they are lauded for their character and image quality and might offer some versions with 0.7m focus.

For 50mm, have a look at a the Nikkor HC 5cm LTM lenses. These are Sonnar derivatives full of character wide open and decent sharpness stopped down. Both the f2 and f1.4 can be modified for closer focus, as their helicoid allows for greater travel than usual for LTM lenses. The focus ring is even marked down to 1.5 feet / 45cm. So the close focus ability is there, the only thing missing is rangefinder coupling. Usually the rangefinder uncouples below 1m and you have to guess your distances, or use a digital camera.

BUT: it is rather straightforward to modify the lens for close focus rangefinder coupling down to 0.7m. There is a great post by expert user jonmanjiro HERE where he details the process. I have just recently completed the modification on my lens and it works great. I used a set of small files and a lot of elbow grease instead of a dremel. With a bit of patience you can make it work.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Zeiss Biogon 35 mm f/2 ZM. Minimum focus distance of 5.845 cm. BH sells it new for $1,141. The original Zeiss hood is a bit expensive but I suppose you could find an alternative online. I've had one for many years and I like it. Cheers, OtL.

 

[analogpics]

I experience the same issue with most old lenses. 1m focus is limiting at times, and can be annoying. Good for social distancing, though 😉

I cannot tell you about any 35mm LTM lenses that focus close. That whole mount was based on 1m rangefinder coupling as far as I know. You could look into Leica Summarons, they are lauded for their character and image quality and might offer some versions with 0.7m focus.

For 50mm, have a look at a the Nikkor HC 5cm LTM lenses. These are Sonnar derivatives full of character wide open and decent sharpness stopped down. Both the f2 and f1.4 can be modified for closer focus, as their helicoid allows for greater travel than usual for LTM lenses. The focus ring is even marked down to 1.5 feet / 45cm. So the close focus ability is there, the only thing missing is rangefinder coupling. Usually the rangefinder uncouples below 1m and you have to guess your distances, or use a digital camera.

BUT: it is rather straightforward to modify the lens for close focus rangefinder coupling down to 0.7m. There is a great post by expert user jonmanjiro HERE where he details the process. I have just recently completed the modification on my lens and it works great. I used a set of small files and a lot of elbow grease instead of a dremel. With a bit of patience you can make it work.

Wow, thanks for this! I see that someone mentioned that DAG can do the modification, so may contact him 🙂 That would be easier to just have my 35 canon f2 and topcor 5cm f2 modified

 

[analogpics]

Wow, thanks for this! I see that someone mentioned that DAG can do the modification, so may contact him 🙂 That would be easier to just have my 35 canon f2 and topcor 5cm f2 modified

Ok, just got off the phone with Don, he said yes he could do the modification on the nikkor lens, but not my Canon or topcor *womp womp* Well, maybe the zeiss zm biogon is in my future Out to Lunch 😛