Which is the best 35mm lens for the RD1s?

steinzeug

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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!


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

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...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
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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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.
 
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:
 

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