Which is the best 35mm lens for the RD1s?

[steinzeug]

Hi,

I have recently got hold of my first R-D1s, now i just need to find a good sharp lens, can´t really afford the prices of the Leicas, and I´ve heard so much positive about the new range of Voigtländers.

I have been using a Nikon system until now and love the Nikkor 45mm 2.8 P pancake, which is sharp as razors, has great bokeh and good contrasty colors.

So therefore I´ve been looking into the Voigtländer Nokton 35mm 1.4 and the smaller 2,5 Color-Skopar Pancake.

Want to use them in documentary (not arty) low light & daytime streets and interiors.

Grateful for any tips!

 

[LCT]

I don't like the CV 35/2.5 bokeh personally, but i use both the Nikkor 45/2.8 and the CV 35/1.4 'SC' (single-coated).
Different beasts indeed.
If you know a bit Leica lenses, the Nikkor is not far from the current Elmar 50/2.8 and the CV 35/1.4 'SC' ressembles the latest Summilux 35/1.4 pre-asph.
Contrary to the CV 'MC' (multi-coated), the CV 'SC' has a smooth bokeh, in fact very close to that of the Summilux, and is sharper than the latter at f/1.4.
But the CV 'SC' flares a lot and is hard to focus from f/2.8 to f/5.6, reason why it use it only at f/1.4 and f/2 AFAIC.
Would be due to focus shift according to Sean Reid. FWIW.
Edit: Did you think of the Summicron-C 40/2? Tiny lens, plenty sharp, bright colours, reasonable contrast, smooth bokeh, a perfect match with the R-D1 IMHO.

 

[Sam N]

You can find a used ZM 35/2 Biogon for around $600 used. That puts it relatively close to a new Nokton 35/1.4. It's a great performer.

 

[rogue_designer]

For fast 35's on a budget...

I love the VC 35/1.7 Ultron - very sharp, excellent contrast - usually around $300.

I'm also personally a fan of the Canon 35/1.8 and 35/2 - both of these are plenty sharp, and lower contrast than the more modern lenses, which I find to be a help in digital to keep your dynamic range in check. Also can usually be found for less than $300.

 

[kxl]

If you can manage the size and bulk... Nokton 35/1.2

 

[mwooten]

The best 35mm for an RD1?
40mm M-Rokkor.

 

[wintoid]

If you can manage the size and bulk... Nokton 35/1.2

I agree with this!

 

[phototektour]

35mm Summicron M, v4 (pre-asph.) "King of Bokeh", small, light and even fast.
Looking for a good used one saves also money, less expensive than a new Nokton 35/1.2.

 

[LCT]

A clean Summicron 35/2 IV is difficult to find out for less than 900 EUR in Europe, which is more than a new Nokton 35/1.2 (http://tinyurl.com/dyp29n). The Summicron-C 40/2 is much cheaper for the same fingerprint as that of the 35/2 IV. See for instance http://tinyurl.com/cwsyam.

 

[phototektour]

@ LCT
Sorry, no. Look e.g. at google for "Meister" and Leica. There are two shops and have a call. I got mine for 750,-€, clean and with warranty. And btw. sharpness is not everything at all.

 

[LCT]

Congratulations to you and to Meister sincerely but in my modest experience it is difficult to find out the price you've got in Europe for a clean 35/2 IV nowadays. Otherwise the 40/2 has roughly the same sharpness as that of the 35/2 IV, also the same smooth bokeh. I own both and i tend to prefer the 40/2 for the better accuracy of 35mm frame lines at long to medium distance with it. Matter of tastes (and wallet size) though.

 

[phototektour]

Congratulations to you and to Meister sincerely but in my modest experience it is difficult to find out the price you've got in Europe for a clean 35/2 IV nowadays. Otherwise the 40/2 has roughly the same sharpness as that of the 35/2 IV, also the same smooth bokeh. I own both and i tend to prefer the 40/2 for the better accuracy of 35mm frame lines at long to medium distance with it. Matter of tastes (and wallet size) though.

"...the 40/2 for the better accuracy of 35mm frame lines..." that´s right and drives me crazy. 28, 35 and 50mm lenses don´t match the frame lines, you have to add "something".

You are not from Europe? Last times I was wondering because the 35mm crons are going even for less than 750€ at ebay.de ... but, you know, you don´t see them before and there is no warranty.

And if someone is interessted, there is a R-D1 lens test at luminous-landscape.

 

[payasam]

Ultron 35/1.7, like rogue_designer. Attached photo taken yesterday, f/2.8. Not the best scan, 6" by 4" print satisfactory.

 

[LCT]

...the 35mm crons are going even for less than 750€ at ebay.de ....

Are you sure those are 35/2 IV prices? All 'crons 35 have not the same value as you know. Just took a glance on eBay.com and the lowest price i can seem to find out is 907 EUR from the USA which makes more than 1,100 EUR including shipping & EU taxes.
http://tinyurl.com/cb79xz
Edit: same on eBay.de apparently: http://tinyurl.com/ctzh67

 

[phototektour]

Are you sure those are 35/2 IV prices? All 'crons 35 have not the same value as you know. Just took a glance on eBay.com and the lowest price i can seem to find out is 907 EUR from the USA which makes more than 1,100 EUR including shipping & EU taxes.
http://tinyurl.com/cb79xz

35mm Summicrons,
this one is IV #3417695 716€
also mine is IV #3116XXX 750€
And okay,
these are III #2618285 412€ and #2936627 298€

Serial # you can see here.

 

[LCT]

Makes two 35/2 IV only but i have hardly seen prices that low to be honest so thank you for sharing. I wish i'd bidded for the #3417***. BTW Puts code numbers are usefull indeed but a bit faulty / outdated. See for inst. # 11310, 11606, 11637, 11856, 11868, 11869, 11891.

 

[phototektour]

... See for inst. # 11310, 11606, 11637, 11856, 11868, 11869, 11891.

??? 😕

 

[LCT]

Somewhat OT here so you might wish to open a new thread eventually but in a couple of words some lenses are not current any more: 11310 (35/2), 11311 (35/2), 11856 (50/1.4), 11868 (50/1.4), 11869 (50/1.4) and other ones are missing: 11606 (28/2.8), 11637 (75/2), 11891 (50/1.4). Haven't checked all Puts numbers though.

 

[phototektour]

Thank´s, nice to discuss 35mm´s and crons.

 

[Arie Intveld]

Another 40mm M-Rokkor fan

Another 40mm M-Rokkor fan

I concur with mwooten. I have no Leica 35mm on which to base a comparison but my Minolta M-Rokkor 40mm f/2.0 is my most used lens on my R-D1s. Field of view is near perfect match for the R-D1(s) 35mm framelines, contrast is moderate, it renders amazing detail, it's compact and with copies regularly selling for around $400, it's a bargain.

Here's a sample image: