dwrz Posted May 30, 2011 Share #1 Posted May 30, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm trying to plan the development of my Leica M kit. I currently have the 50mm Elmar-M, but would like to eventually expand to a 35mm and 90mm lens (eventually, 21mm and 135mm as well). I figure the next lens I should shoot for is the 35mm. Considering I'm on a tight budget (I am actually selling a lot of other gear to fund this and pay for my M6TTL), these are the lenses I came up with: Leica Summaron f/2.8 Zeiss C Biogon ZM f/2.8 Voigtlander Nokton f/1.4 I think I'm leaning towards the Zeiss, though it seems pretty difficult to find (especially in Black). It seems to be a great lens and it's small and light. The Summaron seems like the more budget option, plus it seems like it has character. I do think the chrome on black looks annoying, but that is a minor consideration. The Voigtlander is "budget" and gives me a low-light lens, but I've read mixed things with regards to quality. Can anyone offer any insight? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 30, 2011 Posted May 30, 2011 Hi dwrz, Take a look here 35mm: Leica Summaron vs Zeiss C Biogon vs Voigtlander Nokton. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Stealth3kpl Posted May 30, 2011 Share #2 Posted May 30, 2011 You might like to consider the Jupiter-12 35mm f/2.8 wich is a direct copy of the Zeiss. Have a look at this link and the link to Tom Abrahamsson's site. The Summaron 2.8 seems quite expensive at the moment, similar if not more than the Zeiss. Nokton is the bargain. Pete (not sure why this font is in bold:confused:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted May 30, 2011 Share #3 Posted May 30, 2011 Summaron was the pick because of price/performance ratio. Now with the revised S/H price regime we have it is running about the price of the Zeiss that makes the Zeiss the winner. Modern coatings, newer build, excellent quality. The Nokton is BIG (look I can do bold as well ) which may be a consideration. If you buy any S/H you should be able to test and re-sell without much loss. For what it matters I shoot the Zeiss and it runs alongside the IV Summicrion, different characters but you haven't got to multiple variations of the same focal lengths ..... yet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivar B Posted May 30, 2011 Share #4 Posted May 30, 2011 I would most definately go for the Zeiss Biogon 2.8/35. I sold my Summicron-M 2.0/35mm ASPH and bought the Zeiss just to release some funds, and I find that the Zeiss is at least as good as the Summicron ASPH. What I particularly like is freedom from flare. It is also razor sharp and technical build quality is very good also. I have personally not used the Nokton 1.4 but a couple of friends of mine bought it but they immediately sold it again as that lens did not live up to expectations at least at the wider stops. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl E Posted May 30, 2011 Share #5 Posted May 30, 2011 I would agree with the post above that the Zeiss Biogon alternative is probably your best bet. I have earlier used the Zeiss Biogon 2,0 on my M8 and it was tack sharp. I am now using a Summaron/2,8, but although this lens has a superb mechanical touch and feel quality to it and is a joy to use, it is a bit soft in the edges. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted May 30, 2011 Share #6 Posted May 30, 2011 Hi You may want to consider the CV f/2.5 35mm there are three mechanical variations with the same optical cell, they are all cheaper than your posted options, and all take the same filter 39E as the Elmar. Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gift Posted June 3, 2011 Share #7 Posted June 3, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Go for the C-Biogon if you can. There's nothing better at its price. And if you really are in a budget option and like the "good old style pics" but perfectly usable in terms of quality then go for the jupiter 12. Cheers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobYIL Posted June 3, 2011 Share #8 Posted June 3, 2011 I have the C-Biogon and the Summaron. I would recommend you to go with the C-Biogon as I presume you would rather be obsessed at this stage with sharpness before anything else. Later you might start looking some other characteristics too, like smoother and longer gradation or even the reknowned "glow" of some Leica lenses of which 2.8 Summaron is a nice candidate. C-Biogon is a perfect sample of modern lens design, high contrast as well as high microcontrast (Zeiss) not unlike the asphericals. No visible distortion at all (but with Summaron too)... Summaron on the other hand is rather like the DR Summicron in rendering, having a tad less contrast but longer gray scala especially with high speed films and probably the sharpest Leica 35 around the mid-frame with a little softness toward corners. Summaron's bokeh is inferior to that of the Biogon. Shortly the Biogon and Summaron are of different signatures and both of them are stellar lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted June 3, 2011 Share #9 Posted June 3, 2011 Hi You may want to consider the CV f/2.5 35mm there are three mechanical variations with the same optical cell, they are all cheaper than your posted options, and all take the same filter 39E as the Elmar. Noel Absolutely you should add the Voigtlander Skopar to your shortlist. I bought one after reading Sean Reid's reviews. It's a very compact lens, available in silver or black in different styles (I have a 'classic' screw lens which I use on my M2) and its as good in real life use as the Summaron or a Summicron. The Summaron comes in M3 goggled version (I have one) or for the M2 without goggles. Both can be used on any M, but the non-goggled version tends to sell for 50% more than the goggled lens, which makes it overpriced IMHO. The Voigtlander and Zeiss lenses are made by the same company (Cosina Japan). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted June 22, 2011 Share #10 Posted June 22, 2011 If you don't need the speed, go for the 2,8/35 C Biogon. It's an astounding lens in every measure. It doesn't get sharper than this and there's absolutely no distortion. If you do need the speed, go for the 1,4/35 Nokton - though it has a bit more than average barrel distortion and the wide open bokeh might not be to your liking. A decent lens for not a lot of money and small. If you don't mind the size/weight difference, I'd suggest the 1,2/35 Nokton though. Much nicer looks wide open (admittedly subjective), a tad faster and less barrel distortion. Another lens to consider is the 2,5/35 Color Skopar. Very small and rather good! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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