Which small 35mm for film M

Faced with the same decision 3-4 months back, I went with the 35 Summicron V.3. Got lucky and found one in almost mint condition for $900.
It's actually one of only two Leica lenses that I own. Really, it's hard to go wrong in the 35mm FL. For me, this one was compact and I love the image quality.
 
Third version Summicron. Picked one up with all the caps and a 12538 hood thrown in for $900 as well. That seems to be the going rate. The unloved middle child doesn't attract collectors.

Why not when the Canon 35/2 regularly goes for over $400 these days?
 
+1 on V3 Summicron. Great signature:

1012740778_2gPDf-L.jpg


1090503015_HJAYn-L.jpg


Tiny and built like a rock.

204794055_VYb6G-L-2.jpg
 
Last edited:
What do pre-aspheric Summiluxes go for nowadays? That's been my standard lens for 30 years or so. When the first was stolen, I replaced it with another (my first ever new Leica lens).

Cheers,

R.
 
Roger Hicks said:
What do pre-aspheric Summiluxes go for nowadays? That's been my standard lens for 30 years or so. When the first was stolen, I replaced it with another (my first ever new Leica lens).

Cheers,

R.
Click to expand...

Don't see any currently listed but bargain/user condition pre-aspheric Summiluxes frequently come up for sell at Keh and Adorama for between $1600 and $1800.
 
I would highly recommend what I use 🙂

35mm F2.8 Summaron, and 35mm F1.5 Canon.

Two really good lenses, different but both very useful.
 
40mm Minolta Rokkor-M ~ not too big or expensive ($400), takes regular 40.5mm shades and filters, excellent build, nice bokeh, smooth yet sharp, in between a modern and a vintage lens, great for B&W, prefer it over the Summicron.

The 35/2.5 VC M lens is well built and renders nicely too, same league as the Rokkor.

I did not like the 40/1.4 VC but IDK about the 35/1.4 VC.

The 35/2.8 Summaron is quite wonderful, it is one of the best built Leica lenses and it renders beautifully.

I've had the V.3 Summicron and it is very good, about like the Rokkor only with a concave tab ;-)

I've also had the old Summilux and the ASPH Summilux. You (and I) can't afford them but they are sweet.

I wouldn't be afraid of a f/2.8 lens in low light. When you shoot a f/1.4 lens in low light you get a lot of focusing errors, so it is almost a toss-up whether you get the shot or not. I rather have it render well and stop shooting a little bit earlier. The main reason for getting a wide f/1.4 lens is for subject isolation, so you ought to be doing a lot of near-far subjects to rationalize those faster, expensive lenses.

I might get an old 35/3.5 Summaron someday if I find a clear unhazy one. I like the size most of all.
 
Last edited:
I was just on the CameraQuest site & found this:

USED 35/2.5 C Black Voigtlander Screw Mount Mint $299 (New $379)

Add an lsm-to-m adaptor for $59 and you are set!

Best regards,

Bob
01.14.11
9:00 PM PST
 
Voigtlander 35mm f2.5 PII is brilliant lens - pretty similar to the summicrons in rendering. It's also extremely cheap and extremely small, and that small difference in speed doesn't really translate to anything...

I'd go that.
 
The Baby Biogon (35/2.8) was my choice, and I picked it in favor of lenses with substantially higher up-front price tags (my previous 35 was a Summilux ASPH but after using it for a decade I did sell it for more than I paid for it).

I've used the Biogon-C (a.k.a. Noisy Cricket) for about 6 months, many dozens of rolls without a moment of regret. Its only shortcomings are a bit more vignetting at full aperture than with the bigger Biogon or the Leica Summarit, and the lack of f/2. Just means I shoot a lot of film at EI800 in the winter/indoors.

In all other respects it's simply the best standard lens I've ever used.

Here is a RFF thread on the Biogon-C, with links to other threads.

Second choice would be the v. III Summicron. The 35 Hexanon has a stellar rep., too. Dunno what the going price is, though.

Heed Mr. Petronio's advice above, too. He knows what he's talking about.
 
Last edited:
Oh, and one more thing. Someone here recently posted a hack, where you can modify one of these focusing tabs slightly and attach them to ZM lenses. I did this with my Biogon-C last week, and it's perfect.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom