M mount 35's I want your imput

[Gong]

Ive been looking into buying a compact(ultron nokton are too big) 35mm lens with a fast and useable top aperture for my M4. After looking at the options I am considering the CV 35/1.4, 35/2 cron and the ltm 35/2 canon. Any others that I shoud consider?

I am interested mostly in how the CV compares to the cron as they are my top choices.

 

[payasam]

An LTM Canon lens will give you less contrast than a CV lens. Incidentally, I use an Ultron f/1.7 now and do not find its size inconvenient. For 17 years I used a Summaron f/3.5 and found it too small to be managed easily with fat fingers.

 

[Gong]

The only reason size is an issue to me is that size is one of the main reasons I switched from my Nikon F3 slr to the Leica M i have a decent 35 on the Nikon but its huge in comparison to some of the 35s available for the M. I also love having the ability to take the occasional 1/4 second shot without the use of a tripod.

 

[Merkin]

I have the CV 35mm f/1.4 sc, and I love it. I really don't think you could go wrong with that lens.

 

[bidnez]

just mentioning ...

just mentioning ...

Yes; just so it isn´t forgotten; the CV 2,5/35 is small, cheap and very good!😀

 

[dap]

If you can manage to find one you might want to consider a Konica Hexanon 35/2 UC in ltm. Expect to pay about the same as a 35/2 summicron though.

 

[Sam N]

It might be too big for you, but the ZM 35/2 is pretty much perfect as far as I'm concerned. The colors are phenomenal.

The summicron 35s are all pretty compact.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Oh dear!...here we go again - for the weekly repeats on "what should I get?"....yawn,yawn - wonder what's on tv? :bang:

 

[Gong]

Oh dear!...here we go again - for the weekly repeats on "what should I get?"....yawn,yawn - wonder what's on tv? :bang:

Go watch the tellie then instead of posting on this thread haha

But back to the choices, how does the bokeh of the CV 35/f1.4 compare to the 35 cron version 3 and 4, as well as the biogon?

Thanks for all the input

Eric

 

[Rafael]

But back to the choices, how does the bokeh of the CV 35/f1.4 compare to the 35 cron version 3 and 4, as well as the biogon?

Have a look at the m-mount Flickr group HERE. You can answer the question for yourself.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Get the cron 35/2 3rd or 4th version and you won't look back.

 

[Erik L]

Get the cron 35/2 3rd or 4th version and you won't look back.

is it a big upgrade from a first version to a 4th version?

 

[raid]

I have a first version 8-element Summicron 35/2 that I find just beautiful for photography. I also like to use the small sized Canon 35mm/2.8 and the 35mm/1.8. The 35mm/2.8 is quite sharp and the 35mm/1.8 shows a lovely glow [or call it flare] when pointed directly at light sources. Cost wise it may be better to go with a CV lens, but signature wise I enjoy my 35mm lenses for what they are and what they deliver. It is quite surprising how the market value of the Canon 35/1.8 has been going up. I have added a Canon 35mm/1.5 to complete the set. The latter lens often has negative review by former users of such a lens, but I found it to be a superb lens when I compared over thirty 35mm-40mm RF lenses. Others concurred here. The Version 1 Summicron has become a collectible lens, and therefore its price is higher than expected. Some claim that it has a special "signature", and others say that this is bogus. Definitely, it is an extremely well made lens that shows how Leica can make lenses.

Canon 35mm/2.8 ............ $150
Canon 35mm/1.8 ............. $350+
Canon 35mm/1.5 ............. $350+
Summicron V1 ................. $750+

Prices can vary depending on the moods of the buyers and sellers when a transaction is being made. The 35mm/2.8 is a best buy.

 

[Nando]

A 3rd generation Sumicron would be my choice.

 

[raid]

Oui, non, oui, non, oui, NON!

 

[venchka]

Oh good grief. Learn how to search. The verbage relative to 35mm lenses on this forum alone would fill the US Library of Congress. Flickr will show you photos taken with every lens ever built. Nobody but nobody knows what you like to see. We don't know what you like to photograph. Look for yourself. Read for yourself.

Then go buy a lens. If you hate it, sell it. You'll get 95% to 105% of your money back. Buy another lens. Try again.

In the meantime, you could buy a Canon or Konica or Zeiss or Voigtlander or Lietz 35mm lens and be tickled pink.

If size matters, I own two little Gems: An early, all chrome, Canon 35/2.8 and the Pick of the Litter: 35mm/2.0 UC-Hexanon.

Good luck!

 

[venchka]

ps: 3rd Version and newer Summicrons will be the most expensive choice. If you look long and hard you might find a 2nd Version Summicron in good shape for a reasonable price. Legend says that the 2nd & 3rd are optically identical.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

I think it would be a good idea for the forum to have a regular 'best buy' list of old and new ltm and M lenses, then the dreamers, attention seekers, and genuinely confused could refer to it, instead of invoking six or seven page repeats every week. Trouble is - there would be too many disagreements over it's compilation! 😀 and while we're at it, a ' what to take on vacation' list? 😉
Dave.

 

[maddoc]

.... and while we're at it, a ' what to take on vacation' list? 😉
Dave.

... "What is your favorite neck-strap" list ! 😛😉

35mm lenses ... buy something that is in your budget (after having looked at example photos, e.g. flickr), shoot ~ 100 rolls of film (different films, different conditions) with that lens and then you know pretty well what YOU really want and like. There are plenty of different 35mm lenses and even more opinions ...

Good luck with your search !!

Cheers,

Gabor

 

[photogdave]

I have the CV 35 1.4 and a 35 Summicron 4th version. The only reason I have the Summicron is because someone gave me a broken one and I fixed it cheap. Otherwise I would NEVER pay the kind of prices they command at the moment.
I love the CV lens. If you want the fastest lens at the best price this is the way to go! I use it more than any other lens I have.