jeff laitila
Established
I’m thinking about simplifying my rangefinder gear, and selling some of my lenses. I’ve got my own thoughts on which lenses are “keepers” and which ones I could part with. I’d appreciate other people insight on this subject as well. (I’m shooting with an M9)
Let’s start with the 35mm focal length. Here is what I currently have and the reasons why I like them:
CV 35mm f1.2 -This lens owns the night. It’s a beast to carry around, but when the lights go out it is the only game in town.
CV 35mm f2.5 Pancake -Small, sharp, and a good companion to the CV 50/2.5.
CV 35mm f1.4 SC -A good compromise between the speed of the f1.2, and the small size of the f2.5. Low contrast, great for B&W shooting.
MS Optical Perar Super triplet 35mm f3.5 – Smallest M-mount 35mm in existence, sharp as a tack, and low contrast which provides a lot of flexibility in post-processing. Light as a feather.
Canon ltm 35mm f2 – Sharp, and small. Was my go-to 35mm until I got the UC-Hexanon.
Canon ltm 35mm f1.5 – Definitely a character lens. Wide open it is sharp in the center, with soft corners. Stopped down is sharp throughout.
UC-Hexanon 35mm f2 – A rare gem. Small, light, razor sharp, and very well built, very good ergonomics.
M-Hexanon 35mm f2 – Best performing 35mm I have ever used. Tack sharp, even wide open, and excellent contrast, bokeh, and build quality. BUT, it back focuses on my M9.
L-Hexanon 35mm f2 – Very similar to the M-hexanon, but much less of a backfocus problem with my M9. Not quite as ergonomically pleasing to use as the M-Hexanon, but also quite a bit smaller.
On a side note, how hard is it to collimate the Hexanon lenses for accurate focusing on the M9? I’m assuming I would need to send them in to a professional to get this done.
Cheers,
Jeff
Let’s start with the 35mm focal length. Here is what I currently have and the reasons why I like them:
CV 35mm f1.2 -This lens owns the night. It’s a beast to carry around, but when the lights go out it is the only game in town.
CV 35mm f2.5 Pancake -Small, sharp, and a good companion to the CV 50/2.5.
CV 35mm f1.4 SC -A good compromise between the speed of the f1.2, and the small size of the f2.5. Low contrast, great for B&W shooting.
MS Optical Perar Super triplet 35mm f3.5 – Smallest M-mount 35mm in existence, sharp as a tack, and low contrast which provides a lot of flexibility in post-processing. Light as a feather.
Canon ltm 35mm f2 – Sharp, and small. Was my go-to 35mm until I got the UC-Hexanon.
Canon ltm 35mm f1.5 – Definitely a character lens. Wide open it is sharp in the center, with soft corners. Stopped down is sharp throughout.
UC-Hexanon 35mm f2 – A rare gem. Small, light, razor sharp, and very well built, very good ergonomics.
M-Hexanon 35mm f2 – Best performing 35mm I have ever used. Tack sharp, even wide open, and excellent contrast, bokeh, and build quality. BUT, it back focuses on my M9.
L-Hexanon 35mm f2 – Very similar to the M-hexanon, but much less of a backfocus problem with my M9. Not quite as ergonomically pleasing to use as the M-Hexanon, but also quite a bit smaller.
On a side note, how hard is it to collimate the Hexanon lenses for accurate focusing on the M9? I’m assuming I would need to send them in to a professional to get this done.
Cheers,
Jeff
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usayit
Well-known
I would keep the triplet and nokton
kzphoto
Well-known
Get the 35 M-Hexanon sorted out by DAG. He can sort out the back focusing issue. He's working on my 50/1.2 Hex right now.
quadtones
Established
Another vote for the 35mm f1.2 Nokton + v4 Summicron, for low light, and light weight, respectively.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Nine 35mm lenses! 
The Nokton 1.2 is the must keep that stands out to me.
The Nokton 1.2 is the must keep that stands out to me.
jeff laitila
Established
Jon,
Not at all. I'm not going anywhere.
I've just got way to much gear, and would like to simplify my equipment list. Ideally I would generate enough funds through the sale of excess gear to fund a trip to Europe this summer. I've been working a lot of extra compt-time hours in response to the disaster so now I'm starting to think about where would like to spend all of that extra time off.
Not at all. I'm not going anywhere.
I've just got way to much gear, and would like to simplify my equipment list. Ideally I would generate enough funds through the sale of excess gear to fund a trip to Europe this summer. I've been working a lot of extra compt-time hours in response to the disaster so now I'm starting to think about where would like to spend all of that extra time off.
jeff laitila
Established
Keith,
I know. I'm on a 12-step program...
I know. I'm on a 12-step program...
seakayaker1
Well-known
FWIW, I would go with the CV 35/1.2 and the M-Hexanon 35mm f2 just based on you own comments regarding the two. The advise to send the Hexanon down to DAG to check out the back focus seems like a reasonable expenditure for a lens you love.
. . . . . if nothing else choices are good to have!
I have only shot the Summicron 35/2 with my M9 and love it. So far the choice for me has been simple.
Life is Grand!
Dan
. . . . . if nothing else choices are good to have!
I have only shot the Summicron 35/2 with my M9 and love it. So far the choice for me has been simple.
Life is Grand!
Dan
I would suggest keeping those that appeal to you most, in performance, ergonomics, speed... And if any have focus issues on the M9, that's not so unusual I think, and adjustment is probably possible somewhere in Japan.
The digital M's are pickier about accurate focus than other M's. I've sent every lens used on the M8 and M9 to DAG for focus check/calibration, CLA if needed, and 6-bit coding which adds only a little extra.
The digital M's are pickier about accurate focus than other M's. I've sent every lens used on the M8 and M9 to DAG for focus check/calibration, CLA if needed, and 6-bit coding which adds only a little extra.
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jeff laitila
Established
Great advice on DAG. Thanks all.
I'm thinking of keeping the following:
CV 35/1.2 (low light special)
M-Hexanon 35/2 (general purpose)
Perar Super Triplet 35/3.5 (lightweight/good light)
I'm thinking of keeping the following:
CV 35/1.2 (low light special)
M-Hexanon 35/2 (general purpose)
Perar Super Triplet 35/3.5 (lightweight/good light)
myM8yogi
Well-known
I would keep the Nokton for maximum aperture and a small travel/hiking companion when the weight of the Nokton is not appropriate. If you travel with a fast 50 and just want a small but sharp 35mm for street and landscapes, then the Perar triplet should do nicely (unless you are experiencing flare problems with it, in which case keep the skopar 2.5 instead). If you do not travel with a fast 50mm, keep an 35mm f/2 instead of the triplar. That could be a hexanon if the callibration works, or it could be your trusted canon ltm if you prefer the lower contrast BW look.
The CV35/1.4 sounds like an ideal travel lens on paper, but if you do not like the bokeh you should sell it and use either the glorious 1.2 or a slower 2-2.5. The 1.5 Canon sounds like a bit of an extravagant luxury, and could probably be sold without regret. Make a decision about the best Hexanon and sell the other two. Either the triplet or the skopar must go.
So I think you should at least be able to cut down to three lenses:
1) the Nokton 1.2 low light king and incomparable master of bokeh. Easiest decision.
2) a Hexanon of your choice for general use. Could wait until the calibrated copy comes back before making this decision.
3) the triplet or skopar for occasions when featherweight is far more important than max aperture.
Good luck.
Also, if you just can't bear to part with any of the occasionally lenses on a permanent basis, feel free to loan me any except the Nokton 1.2 to see how much you miss it ;O)
The CV35/1.4 sounds like an ideal travel lens on paper, but if you do not like the bokeh you should sell it and use either the glorious 1.2 or a slower 2-2.5. The 1.5 Canon sounds like a bit of an extravagant luxury, and could probably be sold without regret. Make a decision about the best Hexanon and sell the other two. Either the triplet or the skopar must go.
So I think you should at least be able to cut down to three lenses:
1) the Nokton 1.2 low light king and incomparable master of bokeh. Easiest decision.
2) a Hexanon of your choice for general use. Could wait until the calibrated copy comes back before making this decision.
3) the triplet or skopar for occasions when featherweight is far more important than max aperture.
Good luck.
Also, if you just can't bear to part with any of the occasionally lenses on a permanent basis, feel free to loan me any except the Nokton 1.2 to see how much you miss it ;O)
myM8yogi
Well-known
Unbelievable, you reached the same decision whilst I was writing my response! We must have a telepathic connection Jeff!
(either that, or the decision was obvious....)
(either that, or the decision was obvious....
)Muddy
Newbie
I am 35 mm mania
I can't make decision to let any of them go, so I keep 'em all, (and ranking I use most).
CV 35 1.2 (1st)
Lux pre-ASPH 35 mm(3rd)
'cron pre-ASPH V4 35mm(2nd)
cron ASPH 35mm black paint.(4th)
Summaron 35 mm f/3.5.(5th)
I can't make decision to let any of them go, so I keep 'em all, (and ranking I use most).
CV 35 1.2 (1st)
Lux pre-ASPH 35 mm(3rd)
'cron pre-ASPH V4 35mm(2nd)
cron ASPH 35mm black paint.(4th)
Summaron 35 mm f/3.5.(5th)
I'd keep these for sure...
Krosya
Konicaze
This sounds about right to me
Why the M-Hexanon over the UC?
jeff laitila
Established
The UC is a very good lens, and while it is smaller than the M-Hexanon, it lacks the closes focus, buttery smooth bokeh, and unbeatable contrast/sharpness that the M-Hex is legendary for.
I see... thanks.
