Under $300 fast 35mm options... opinions.

[Marsopa]

I've been hesitating between the Ultron and the Canon, now I've got the Canon and I feel I've a winner (some pics in this thread)

 

[haagen_dazs]

you might want to consider the 40mm rokkor

 

[sanmich]

Just another thing to think about (critical for me):

minimum focus distance is 1m for the canon lenses.
I often usen WIDES to get CLOSER and on a 35, this really start to be a llimitation.
I have the canon 35mm 1.5 that I keep because it's such a nice lens, but I would never keep it as my main 35, just for that reason.
Just my 2c...

 

[Kyle]

The Canon 35/2 is a great lens. It was my only lens on my M2 for a long time and I loved it but I found the 1m close focusing to be limiting for me.

I don't have any of my scans on this computer so the only example of the 35/2 I can share is this one, but it was shot wide open, probably at around 1/15s or 1/30s.

 

[Sonnar2]

Wide open the 35/1.7 is probably better than any CANON RF wideangle but I missed contrast and improvement when stopped down. Secondly the C/V behaves bad with backlite (ugly ghost pictures) whereas the old Canon 35/2 just shows a mild backlite flare (nearly identically to the last 35mm Summicron). Thirdly, I never liked the handling. Big lens, okay, but why is the f-stop ring smaller than the focus ring? So my vote is for the CANON 35/2, which is the best "Barnack/ vest pocket camera" lens too... The 35/1.8 is great too, just misses some contrast wide open and shows a bit more flare.

 

[lic4]

Ultron for its color rendition - color seemed more natural for me.

 

[retnull]

I like my Summaron 35 / f3.5. They are available for under $300. A sleeper, I'd say.

 

[rogue_designer]

I like my Summaron 35 / f3.5. They are available for under $300. A sleeper, I'd say.

you might want to consider the 40mm rokkor

Yeah - I have no problem getting slower lenses for the price I want. I already have a 35/3.2 - it's finding an f2 or faster in LTM. Thanks for the suggestion tho, Retnull.

Haagen_dazs, the Rokkor, as far as I know was only in M mount? is that incorrect?

Cheers,
L

 

[januaryman]

Popping in to reiterate what I and some others have said already.

Best modern 35 in that range is the Ultron. Really. Check out my Ultron set on Flickr.

I really like the feel and character of the Canon 35/2.8 I just got, but have not had a lengthy experience with it. I like the older chrome version, compact and classic-feeling, with less contrast than the moderns without that "digital camera quality" sharpness.

I think you don't do much color foliage/nature, or my advice would be the 35/2.5 Skopar. I have woods shots that are amazing to me.

(I still wish I'd have found a Canon 35/2.0 that get such glowing comments from its owners. But I now have enough 35s.) 🙄 (Yeah, sure you do, Jim...)

 

[rogue_designer]

Thanks Jim.

I ended up getting a Canon 35 1.8 in great condition from Roland. Putting it through its paces, but I like what I'm seeing so far. The moderate contrast suits the way I shoot (pushed film). And it's plenty sharp.

I may track down another Ultron at some point. Or if I end up with an M mount body, the Nokton. But for now, I think this little gem will do the trick.

 

[venchka]

Not even close to Budget Friendly...

Not even close to Budget Friendly...

35mm
1:2.0
LTM
😎
Konica UC-Hexanon.
When you hit the lottery.

 

[wlewisiii]

I owned the 35/1.8 - you should be able to search the Canon RF forum for my samples - and considered it to be the finest lens I've ever owned. I really don't understand why it has the rep it does - the 2.0 isn't that much (if at all) better from everything I've seen. A truely great lens that anyone should consider.

William

 

[Bingley]

Thanks Jim.

I ended up getting a Canon 35 1.8 in great condition from Roland. Putting it through its paces, but I like what I'm seeing so far. The moderate contrast suits the way I shoot (pushed film). And it's plenty sharp.

I may track down another Ultron at some point. Or if I end up with an M mount body, the Nokton. But for now, I think this little gem will do the trick.

Congrats! Roland is a great guy to do business w/, and the lenses he sells are in great shape (I bought my Canon 50/1.5 from him). I was impressed w/ some shots he posted w/ that 35/1.8 after he got it: impressive flare resistance, I thought, and nice color rendition. Post some shots w/ your "new" 35 over at the Canon Rangefinder (RF) Lens group on flickr. Here's a link:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/canon-rf-lenses/

I'm enjoying the little Canon 35/2.8 a bought several months ago, particularly w/ b&w. It would be interesting to compare.

 

[rogue_designer]

hah - I already had that group linked, and had just forgotten about it.

I've got a dozen rolls shot with this lens now, but haven't processed any but the first test roll yet. With some luck, I'll have time over the next couple of days. 🙂

 

[raid]

35mm lenses are not difficult to design [it seems that way]. Accordingly, there are many excellent options out there. For a more modern look, get a CV lens [$] or a Leica Summicron [$$$$$]. Contrast will be relatively high, along with very high sharpness. If you prefer older design lenses, go for any of the Canon 35mm lenses [$, $$] or go for a Summaron 2.8 [excellent] or 3.5 [very good].

I have tried out many 35mm lenses in a lens comparison project recently [with Roland's great help], and the results may give some indications on the optical performance for 30 35mm lenses or so.

The Canon 35mm 1.5 is a really nice performer with Reala film. While some call it a "dog", others swear by it. Then we have the Canon 35mm 1.8. It is a fast lens, and it sems to have a reputation to flare when directing the lens at light sources. Again, some find this a nice lens while other prefer the more costly Canon 35mm 2.0. I also have tried out the Canon 35mm 2.8. This lens is a classic vintage lens with high sharpness and medium to low contrast. It is tiny, and in its chrome version, it is beautiful with chrome Leica, such as the IIIc or maybe a chrome Canon IVsb or P.

Get a Canon Adapter B, and then use on the Leica camera any FD lens or even any Pentax screw mount lens [with an FD-Pentax adapter]. For example, the Pentax SMC 35mm/2.0 is an awesome lens, and it is cheap to get. Then use zone focusing. It works very well.

It's simply a metter of taste and depth of pocket.

 

[laptoprob]

what happened to your Ultron?

what happened to your Ultron?

So - I was an idiot and between an accident, and a botched repair attempt, I thoroughly destroyed my Ultron 35 1.7.

What happened to your Ultron? Did it get damaged in an accident or did you perform an accident on it? 😱

 

[rogue_designer]

I fell climbing the stairs, and the camera around my neck swung into the steps, lens first. Jamming the focus helical.

Feeling smug about how I repaired another lens I had, I decided to crack open the Ultron to see what I could do. What I could do apparently, is not find the "right" way to get into the lens, causing enough damage to no longer have a functioning optic.

In frustration - I totally disassembled/sacrificed the lens, chalked it up to a learning experience, and ponied up cash for a new lens. So - both.

 

[Joe Vitessa]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the Leica mount Nikon 35mm 2.5. I find it has more contrast than my 35mm Canon 1.8 yet isn't as contrasty as my Ultron 1.7. I really like the look of this lens. I'd scan some images, but my scanner is currently offline, so to speak.

 

[Peter_Jones]

I fell climbing the stairs, and the camera around my neck swung into the steps, lens first. Jamming the focus helical.

Feeling smug about how I repaired another lens I had, I decided to crack open the Ultron to see what I could do. What I could do apparently, is not find the "right" way to get into the lens, causing enough damage to no longer have a functioning optic.

In frustration - I totally disassembled/sacrificed the lens, chalked it up to a learning experience, and ponied up cash for a new lens. So - both.

😱

What are you planning to do with the bits ?

 

[Erik L]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the Nikon mount 35mm 2.5. I find it has more contrast than my 35mm Canon 1.8 yet isn't as contrasty as my Ultron 1.7. I really like the look of this lens. I'd scan some images, but my scanner is currently offline, so to speak.

im sure its nice but its so easily overshadowed by the nikkor f1.8 version.