The ideal 35mm for me?

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yarinkel

yarinkel
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Aug 3, 2005
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Hi all,

I am considering buying a M-mount 35mm lens for my rangefinder.

I am looking for a lens that has the following characteristics, in order of importance:

1) M mount (LSM acceptable with adapter)
2) Flare resistant
3) Smooth bokeh
4) Compact
5) f/2 or faster
6) Low contrast
7) Sharp

What would be your pick?
 
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2 and (now) 6 don't go together. you'll probably have to deal with the latter apart from the optics. the most flare resistant 35 is probably the 35mm f2 biogon. without a hood, it's smaller than a 35mm summicron asph with the hood on, and it may still be slightly more flare resistant.
 
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Low contrast and flare resistant is hard to match. All a matter
of how much, I guess. A lot of good/modern lenses have high contrast
and I therefore don't include them in the list below. Other lenses
not included below fall out of consideration due to size.

1 - medium contrast, quite flare resistant:
a - If 40mm is OK, I would pick the 40/1.4 SC. Bokeh at f2
is really good and at f1.4 not so bad (but others don't like it).
b - the 35/2 Summicron v3

2 - lower contrast, less flare resistant, controllable with hood, maybe:
a - v1 35/2 Summicron (8 elements)
b - Older 35/1.4 Summilux versions.
c - Canon 35/1.5
d - Canon 35/1.8
e - Nikkor 35/1.8 ? (not sure)

All I can think of.

Best,

Roland.
 
Biogon meets all of the requirements but low contrast. the Biogon is my favorite of all 35's (RF) over the past 40 yers including the v1 summilux, v1 and v4 summicrons that I've owned. The Biogon is an exceptional lens at any price.
 
Leica 35/1.4 Asph. Most flare resistant lens in 35 mm 1.4. I have one.
Leica 35/2 Asph. Supposed to be as good as Leica 35/1.4 Asph, but one stop slower, hence more compact.

ZI 35/2. I don't have one, but quality reputedly great.

Smooth bokeh-- 35/2 iv pre-asph. Nuff said.
 
I bought a Biogon at Map Camera in Tokyo last week for just over $600 - new.
The lens has completely blown me away. I was pleased with my M8 already, and have particularly loved the shots that I've gotten from a Hexanon 50 f/2, and from my CV Heliar 15.
The Biogon takes things to another level, though. What a revelation.
 
yarinkel said:
Hi all,

I am considering buying a M-mount 35mm lens for my rangefinder.

I am looking for a lens that has the following characteristics, in order of importance:

1) M mount (LSM acceptable with adapter)
2) Flare resistant
3) Smooth bokeh
4) Compact
5) f/2 or faster
6) Low contrast
7) Sharp

What would be your pick?
Click to expand...
I would toss requirement 5 and select the Summaron f/2.8 (M2 version) or f/2.8 LTM version (with adapter). It's only one measly stop slower than f/2.

Richard
 
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Well, if we're tossing the f/2 then why not the Voigtlaender 35mm f2.5 PII? Not especially low contrast, but covers most the rest of your demands and is very reasonably priced.

Ian
 
If you get the 35 Biogon without the hood, you get most of what you want, add the hood and you get the best 35mm around, albeit slightly bigger and with stronger contrast.
 
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