Which 35mm do you recommend?

[Makten]

That's definitely not the case with the Minolta CLE versions of these lenses, which have a more typical M-mount slope.

Edit: Oops, my post crossed with your edit. BTW, I don't know whether the M-Rokkor 40/2 that was issued with the CL focuses like the Summicron-C or the M-Rokkor 40/2 for the CLE.

I've read alot of the Summicron-C being very good on M cameras on this forum, but I suppose it's because many RF shooters often stop down for "full" DOF. The misfocus at MFD on my M8 is about 2-3 centimeters, which isn't much. But it's enough to get your subject soft. At larger distances, it'll miss even more in terms of distance, but then DOF has increased equally. So the results will be sort of soft wether at infinity (according to the viewfinder) or at MFD.

The lens seems very good in every other respect though, so I'm thinking of trying to alter the slope to get good results on M's. My CL has a faulty meter anyway.

 

[thomasw_]

With respect, I disagree, and realize it's subjective. v3 is built as well as v1 and Summaron, and better than the standard v4 and ASPH.......Maybe we can agree on the build quality being close on all of them ? 🙂

Yes they are all quite close, but the v4 was not the pinnacle. I had a good copy but it didn't give me those subjective "sturdy" vibes 😉 In terms of build quality, the current ASPH BP and titanium summicrons are outstanding, and I mean so solid as if to remind me of perhaps Leica's best built lens: the Summicron 50/2 DR or Rigid. Of course this is just my personal experience here so take it with a shot of single malt 🙂

 

[ferider]

I've read alot of the Summicron-C being very good on M cameras on this forum, but I suppose it's because many RF shooters often stop down for "full" DOF. The misfocus at MFD on my M8 is about 2-3 centimeters, which isn't much. But it's enough to get your subject soft. At larger distances, it'll miss even more in terms of distance, but then DOF has increased equally. So the results will be sort of soft wether at infinity (according to the viewfinder) or at MFD.

The lens seems very good in every other respect though, so I'm thinking of trying to alter the slope to get good results on M's. My CL has a faulty meter anyway.

I've used Summicron-C, CL Rokkor and CLE Rokkor on my film Leicas and they were perfect. Currently own a 90 Elmar-C that is perfect too, and very, very sharp; an amazing lens really.

Meybe something specific to your lens or camera or combo ? Sometimes both lens and camera are in specs, but the combo is not ?

The CLE Rokkor has a flat cam, much like the Summicron 35/2 pre-asph, so should be less sensitive than the CL lenses with the strong cam gradient.

Roland.

 

[Makten]

I've used Summicron-C, CL Rokkor and CLE Rokkor on my film Leicas and they were perfect. Currently own a 90 Elmar-C that is perfect too, and very, very sharp; an amazing lens really.

Do you use the Summicron-C wide open at short distances and the Elmar-C wide open at far distances? That's where I've encountered problems. The Elmar-C is perfect at MFD, but off at infinity. The Summicron seems off all over, but not much.

Meybe something specific to your lens or camera or combo ? Sometimes both lens and camera are in specs, but the combo is not ?

I can't guarantee that my M8 is fine (yet), but I hope so.

The CLE Rokkor has a flat cam, much like the Summicron 35/2 pre-asph, so should be less sensitive than the CL lenses with the strong cam gradient.

Both of my CL lenses have "flat" cams/slopes. I think the problem is the angle, since there's no curvature.

 

[Vincent.G]

Dear guys

I guess I owe you guys a cuppa for the all wonderful advice offered. RFF is really a nice place with nice and knowledgable RF shooters.

I went to the camera store to try out the nokton 35mm f1.2. First impression, it's big and heavy compared to 35mm f1.4 and 35mm f2.5 PII. Yes, there is quite a substantial amount of VF intrusion with the hood on and removing the hood helps a little. But I don't think it will affect picture taking. Although I love the rendering of bokeh by this lens, I guess I can live without it for the time being.

After much deliberation, I have decided to go for the leica summaron 35mm f2.8. As what ernstk and ferider mentioned, if I am willing to consider the 35 PII, I should consider this lens as well. I have looked through photos in flickr as well as those posted in RFF and I like the rendering of the tones in B&W very much. It handles contrast very well. Importantly, it seems to be a good value leica glass to me based on my budget.

I am looking forward to receiving the package soon!

Here's my heartfelt thanks to everyone for your wonderful advice!

 

[JustPlainBill]

Hi,

I still like my 35 mm f2.5 Nikkor in LTM. Sorry I don't have any scanned photo from it to post.

Cheers,
JustPlainBill

 

[Bingley]

Hmm, I have both the Summaron 35/2.8 and the M-Rokkor 40/2 (CLE version), but I've never consciously compared results from the two. They're both among the best lenses I've ever used in terms of (subjective, non-scientific) image quality. Off the top of my head, I think the Summaron images have more of a particular character, and maybe nicer rendering of b&w tones than the M-Rokkor. But it's hard to fault the M-Rokkor anywhere, and I think it's a bit higher in contrast than the Summaron. I'll try to shoot a comparison tomorrow on my R-D1.

::Ari

Thanks, Ari. I'm interested in what you find. I've got the Rokkor 40 CLE (which is a wonderful lens), but have never used a summaron. There's a lot of folks here who praise the latter, and I see that the OP just opted for it over the CV 35/2.5.

 

[air23]

would anybody who owns/knows both the nokton 1.2 and the lux, favor the nokton if both would have the same price?
(maybe because of speed, image-quality, focus-issues,...?)

Michael

 

[ferider]

Do you use the Summicron-C wide open at short distances and the Elmar-C wide open at far distances? That's where I've encountered problems. The Elmar-C is perfect at MFD, but off at infinity. The Summicron seems off all over, but not much.


I can't guarantee that my M8 is fine (yet), but I hope so.


Both of my CL lenses have "flat" cams/slopes. I think the problem is the angle, since there's no curvature.

Makten, when I said "flat" I meant no slope/angle in the CLE lenses, while CL Rokkors, Summicron-C and Elmar-C have a slope.

Trust me, I tested 40 Summicron and CL Rokkor, and 90/4 Elmar-C thorougly on film, including close up and wide open and they worked. Here are some of the results for the 40s:

http://ferider.smugmug.com/Technical/Tests/40mm-Tests/2727734_MNe74

Best,

Roland.

 

[Sparrow]

I have and use both, the Summaron for monochrome and the Colour-Skopar for … errr, colour, where the bit of extra contrast is helpful. However I’m probably being obsessive I’m not sure I could tell which was which from the negs.

PS I’ve never had any problems with the 90/4 Compact

 

[nordleadx]

I own the CV 35mm f1.2 and recently CV 35mm f2.5 ltm.

I find the f1.2 very low in contrast and sharpness. The size and weight is really a problem too. The thing about this lens is , its only good when one uses it wide open.

So far I have own the 35mm f2.5 ltm for a day. I find it more contrasty and sharp wide open but it does seems to vignet more than CV 35mm f1.4 and f1.2.

took this today, nice, small and cheap lens.

 

[Makten]

Makten, when I said "flat" I meant no slope/angle in the CLE lenses, while CL Rokkors, Summicron-C and Elmar-C have a slope.

Trust me, I tested 40 Summicron and CL Rokkor, and 90/4 Elmar-C thorougly on film, including close up and wide open and they worked. Here are some of the results for the 40s:

http://ferider.smugmug.com/Technical/Tests/40mm-Tests/2727734_MNe74

Best,

Roland.

Ah, I see! Yes, the Summicron-C has a slope, but it isn't curved, which was what I thought you meant. 😉
Mine does not focus accurately, and today I got confirmed that there's nothing wrong with the camera. I got a Voigtländer 28/2 that's spot on at any distance, while the 40 is equally off at all distances (too close).

Could there be different versions of the lens (and the CL camera)? Or do I see the problems more clear because of the slight crop of the M8 sensor?
Anyhow, the Summicron-C seems to be very very good optically, if you can get it to focus accurately. Nice, smooth rendering with lovely bokeh wide open. 🙂

 

[35mmdelux]

This is the SC in conditions about as bad as possible (Arista 100):

...

It takes a really good lens to handle the extreme contrast of shade and light. Niice.