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35mm lens for M2


seaninsurrey

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Hi everyone. Last month I bought a Leica M2 with Canon 1.4/50mm and I am very pleased to say the least. I'm now looking for a 35mm lens - maybe the Canon f2. What are your thoughts on this lens and what alternatives are there for a similar price? I would buy the Canon just by the recommendations alone, but can't find one for sale anywhere! I've checked eBay but with no joy (except one which is dented). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Congratulations on your step onto the slippery slope, and welcome to the forum!

 

If you want a great cheapie, then find a clean 35 f 2.8 Summaron. If you find two, let me know. ;)

 

I sold one a couple of years ago, and wish I hadn't.

 

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If you have more money to spend, try to get the 35 f2 ASPH. Middle ground is an older 35 f2 non-ASPH

 

Be aware that the 35 frame line in an M2 is a bit of a challenge if you wear spectacles....

 

You will get hundreds of responses to your enquiry, by the way

;)

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I agree with the idea of the Summaron 35 2,8, very good and light: in Italy (and Europe in general) one can find good items for 400 to 600 Euros depending on cosmetics and accessories (hood, container...) the 3,5 version costs less but not as good to use and even more difficult to find in the version for M2 ("no spectacles"). Classic Summicrons 35 (non asph, of course) are usually priced 25% 30% more than Summarons 2,8 and are easy to find. Do not know if these prices are so much higher tha Canon 35s: thik is anyway a pity to have an M2 a not one Leitz lens...

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Luigi,

the Canon 2/35 goes for 200-300 Euros on ebay.de

 

I had the Summaron 2,8/35 on an M3 in use for years, and I must say it is a very bad performer compared to the Canon 2/35. The Canon is much sharper, has a better contrast and is absolutely flare resistant. To my mind it can compete with any of the pre aspherical 35mm Summicrons.

3 or 4 years ago I did a direct comparison of my Canon 1,4/50 to a then new 2/50 Summicron. At F2 to F5,6 there was no difference in sharpness and contrast, but the Summicron had star shape reflections in spot light sources, the Canon had none.

 

Regards

 

Oliver

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The Canon is much sharper, has a better contrast and is absolutely flare resistant. To my mind it can compete with any of the pre aspherical 35mm Summicrons.

 

I, too, own the Canon 35/2 and agree with you that it is a sharp, contrasty lens, even wide-open. But to be fair, I also have to say that It has some of the most terrible bokeh I've ever seen in 35mm lens. OOF highlights look like donut rings, almost to the point of resembling a mirror lens. I rarely use the Canon 35/2 aymore, just so for this reason.

 

Jim Bielecki

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The 35 pre ASPH is low contrast wide open and soft. It improves on closing.

 

Early ones took E41 filters. Later required a ser VII filter in a special vented hood that split revealing a filter grove. The shade is expensive and rare. The regular 35/50 vented hood can be used without filters.

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The Summaron 2.8 was my first M lens in the late 1960s and it was a stellar performer...I've always regretted selling it in spite of now using the most recent 35 Summicron. I doubt that you'll be disappointed with any 35mm Leica or Canon lens you get.

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Well, in the end I bought a Voigtländer Ultron 1.7 / 35. The Canon 2 / 35 was impossible to find, especially in good condition and the Summicrons are just a bit too expensive for me! Can't wait for it to arrive and hope that I'll be pleased with the results. Thanks for the input everyone.

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I never had reason to complain about the "bokeh", and as far as I remember I have never noticed "donuts". But I rarely use that lens wide open, most between F4 to F8.

 

Not to hijack this thread, but the attached is a shot taken with the Canon 35/2.0 wide-open. Note the donut-shaped highlights in the background. Some folks, like me, find this to be annoying,

 

Excuse the light leak. I load my own film (Efke 25) and this was the last shot on the roll.

 

Jim Bielecki

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

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I have a summaron f3.5 with "eyes" for an M3 and this should work with M2 by simply popping off the "eyes". The f3.5 max aperture is not much different from the f2.8. You can probably find one on eBay for about $ 200.00 then sell off the "eyes" to another buyer.

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If I were looking to purchase another 35/2 M lens based on cost/performance criteria my first choice would be the Zeiss ZM Biogon. If I wanted something faster the VC 35/1.2 would be high on the list.

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