Which '35 M mount and Why?

Which '35 M mount and Why?


  • Total voters
    445
The first version Wetzler is the only 35 I own.I bought it 25 years or so ago on consignment in a shop in Santa Fe.I didn't know at the time exactly what I was buying.I needed a 35 for my M2.At the time I was shooting Tri-x and all was well. Today I use it on my M8 and all is still well....and yes it goes back on the M2 as I am still shooting film from time to time.....this is a wonderful lens without harshness (hope I'm making sense) I had Sherry give a once over a couple of years ago.A well deserved tune up. Regards,Bill
 
Currently the only 35mm I have is a very early V2 Summilux (with infinity lock.) It became my most used and also my favorite lens over the last few years. The one I miss is my old UC Hexanon. If I ever get rid of the 'Lux, I'll be replacing it with a UC Hexanon for sure.

Phil Forrest
 
Konica L-Hexanon 35/2.0.

Screw mount lens. 1,000 pcs made in 1996.

I'm not selling it, ever. The prices on the equal-quality Summicron 35/2.0 have risen way beyond 'insane' and nobody seems to appreciate this lens for what it is, there have been several for sale for a long time on eBay while nobody picks them up. I have yet to meet somebody else online who owns one. (anybody here?)

It's a stellar lens and it handles real nice.


Yes, I do own one- Black. It is an incredible lens- a "sleeper" in these days of insane prices.
 
I have both the Nokton 1.2 and 'Cron ASPH, and greatly love both of them - especially how different they are. If I had to have one, it would be the 'Cron (as I use it more, and it is easier to handle). I've also has a Color Skopar "Classic", which I sold after I got the 'Cron ASPH.

Some samples from both lenses:

Summicron on M7:


Art Connection by The Johann Espiritu™, on Flickr

Summicron on M9:


Loot by The Johann Espiritu™, on Flickr

Nokton on M7:


Marga by The Johann Espiritu™, on Flickr

Nokton on M9:


Bunny [+Honey] by The Johann Espiritu™, on Flickr

(All M9 photos processed with Silver Efex Pro 2)
 
Leitz Summaron 35/2.8, wide open. Arista EDU 100. Adonal 1/100 @ 60 mins.
6926757521_b242ecbfbe_b.jpg


Summaron 35/2.8 - because it's very sharp wide open, it gives extended and lovely tonality in black and white. Colour work has a very nice "vintage" look. It has no chromatic aberrations and this is extremely important for my colour photography. It's a legendary lens - small, compact - great focus tab. It has an edge over the Summicron in my opinion.
 
over the years, i've tried several 35's ... the pre-ASPH 'lux is definitely a keeper ... and it is on one of my camera bodies always. small and fast.

i had bad luck with the Biogon 2/35 ... it is longer than the 'lux, longer still with the metal hood. i also had the barrel wobble, i don't think the wobble affects image quality though. and worse of all the helicoid dried up on me making focus using a one or two fingers impossible.
 
Summilux-M 1.4/35 ASPH

The best all around lens I have ever used. It's been welded to one of my M bodies ever since I bought it about 8 years ago.
I really don't know what I would do if something happened to it, especially in light of what the new one costs. I paid $1800 for mine, as a dealer demo unit.

- Razor sharp even at f1.4, but far from clinical.
- Medium contrast, but good micro contrast. The faintest touch of glow.
- Incredibly versatile. Neither too wide nor narrow.
- The size is perfect, especially if you dump the square hood. I replaced mine with a screw in hood from Contax, that I cut a vent in to.

Close second:

Summicron-M 2/35 (v4)
Just makes great pictures, especially in b/w. Performance at f2 is surprisingly strong.
Love the compact size.
 
Accidently got my hand on two Cron v4's.

I didn't used to like 35mm, I thought it was somewhere in between 28 and 50, a sort of a no-mans-land, but this lens is looovely.
 
The answer is obvious - Nokton 1.2. It is the only 1.2 lens to start with, and it also has several other desirable traits: very sharp from f2.0 on, very flare resistant, medium contrast ( thus very much suited for b&w), very high build quality,great bokeh, reasonable price. The negatives: slight distorsion and relatively big size and weight . This lens balances perfectly on Zeiss Ikon, which is my favourite low light combo.


20099003 by mfogiel, on Flickr
 
After owning/using all the lenses mentioned, I had to pick the 35 lux ASPH.
A well balanced lens when it comes to size and performance, essentially a perfect lens on film.
 
After owning/using all the lenses mentioned, I had to pick the 35 lux ASPH.
A well balanced lens when it comes to size and performance, essentially a perfect lens on film.


How long (counting from the camera body) is the Lux ASPH (FLE and pre-FLE)?

I'm looking to buy a 35mm and have my eyes on the Cron ASPH because it is so small.

Still, as a film shooter, I always try to go for 1.4s if possible. That said, size of the lens is important and I would prefer a small lens. If the Lux is much longer and heavier than the Cron, I'd go for the cron, f2 notwithstanding.
 
I find myself with five 35s and none of them are on the list... Need to thin the herd.

If I had to keep one it would be the 35UC Hexanon, partly for its imaging properties, and partly because it fits both my Hexar and Canon P.
 
I joined the ASPH summicron crowd, though I've never had one. I just think that the results I see here and on flickr searches stand out from all the rest. Mind you, I'll never be able to have one...
 
Ultron 35/1.7.
Why?
That's my only 35mm lens for my M4-P.
Come to think of it. That's my *only* lens for my M4-P.
 
Well, if size is important and you want 1.4, a 35 summilux pre-asph would be your best bet.
When it comes to the 35cron vs 35lux asph, the cron is much smaller and lighter.
The 35 lux asph is half an inch longer and weighs 2oz more.



How long (counting from the camera body) is the Lux ASPH (FLE and pre-FLE)?

I'm looking to buy a 35mm and have my eyes on the Cron ASPH because it is so small.

Still, as a film shooter, I always try to go for 1.4s if possible. That said, size of the lens is important and I would prefer a small lens. If the Lux is much longer and heavier than the Cron, I'd go for the cron, f2 notwithstanding.
 
I've owned a couple of 35mm LTM lenses but by far my favourite is the Canon 35mm ƒ1,8 their ƒ2 version is good too (the skopar is a copy) which has a little more contrast.
I prefer the gentler contrast of the ƒ1,8 so much so I sold my 'cron.
Here is a shot inside a dark church I think it was at full aperture on Kodachrome 200

79389974.jpg


And another with Adox CHS 25
76832954.jpg


Softer wide open and very sharp at ƒ5,6 this lens is for my use one of the best.
(I voted other)
 
well Nigel who is Thinking 35mm anymore... :eek::eek::eek:
Seriously !

After I bought your 50 cron v5....Life is Supreme
I'm Drunk on LOVE with this Lens ...creamy Bokeh Smoooooth, Beautifully sharp
it has Ignited my Passions to go shooting again
so as I said
who needs a 35 when you have Found your Favorite 50 :angel:

must Thank YOU & 'Our Man in Tangiers' for giving her up... ;)
 
I purchased the 35 Summilux ASPH used for $2200 USD many years ago.
I used Kodachrome a lot and frequently needed the i.4 aperture.
It's the best 35mm, period.
I suspect your pole would be different if you asked which 35mm regardless of cost.
As to size and weight, I find the 35mm Lux ASPH just fine.-Dick
 
well Nigel who is Thinking 35mm anymore... :eek::eek::eek:
Seriously !

After I bought your 50 cron v5....Life is Supreme
I'm Drunk on LOVE with this Lens ...creamy Bokeh Smoooooth, Beautifully sharp
it has Ignited my Passions to go shooting again
so as I said
who needs a 35 when you have Found your Favorite 50 :angel:

must Thank YOU & 'Our Man in Tangiers' for giving her up... ;)
Hehehe..He....len! Glad to hear the Love Affair continues! :D I hope it's not just a short lived "honeymoon period" ;)
The chrome one I also sold now resides in Texas!
Waiting for my recently acquired Planar, which came from the previous owner with a stiff focus ring, to return from repair so I can finally use it. I'm currently '50 less! :(
 
The Ultron 35/1.7 because it's lovely.

The Summaron 35mm because it's all I had (and could afford) for many years, and it's still really good.

I only wish that they focused closer.
 
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