Zeiss 2/35: Inexpensive or Impressive

[wlaidlaw]

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ah- I had forgotten all about Strong Bad- thanks for the reminder- takes me right back to 2006 good stuff!

 

oh- and concerning the framelines just grind the lug so that the 35 lines come up instead of 50- much closer match.

 

If you grind off the frame lines tab, not only do you reduce the value of the lens but if at some point you get a CL, then it will not bring up the 40 mm frame lines. As I posted above, with my specs on, the outside of the VF frame is very close to 40 mm. I have to take my specs off to see the 35 mm frame lines properly and the 28 lines at all.

 

Wilson

[wlaidlaw]

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Strong Bad - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

s-a

 

This softie is called Opera-Act 2 so I suspect any resemblance to the Strong Bad character may be coincidental. I think it is supposed to look like a traditional Chinese Opera devil. It was a free sample from my friend Tim Isaacs of Match Technical, to check that the modified thread worked on shutter release of the production M240, since I had one of the first production ones out in the wild.

 

Wilson

[AlexanderR]

It depends for what you are going to use the 35 lens on the m8.

 

for landscapes, architecture at f4-f8: you schould by the Zeiss but then you could just buy the Zeiss Biogon -C 35 2.8 which is even better on FullFrame then the f2 Version. Its also much smaller! and as sharp at f4-f8

Both are much much sharper at f4-f8 than the cron 35mm asph.

 

Yes I ve reviewd all of them (not the lux)!

 

for people and lowlight You def schould buy the cron or even the 28 f2 cron! wide open its is the sharpest of all of them. The 35 cron asph. is also much sharper at f2 then the Biogon!

 

And if you decide to buy the Biogon f2 you should concider sending it directly to Zeiss in Oberkochen .. I tried 2 of these and both of them needed adjustment for Inifinity focus which was very visible at f2-f4! With Leica in 99% of the time you wont need focal flange adjustment.

[jaques]

If you grind off the frame lines tab, not only do you reduce the value of the lens but if at some point you get a CL, then it will not bring up the 40 mm frame lines. As I posted above, with my specs on, the outside of the VF frame is very close to 40 mm. I have to take my specs off to see the 35 mm frame lines properly and the 28 lines at all.

 

Wilson

 

Um- that's not the case as far as the CL goes- I am pretty sure: a modified lens still brings up the 40mm lines- in fact they are there default- it just doesn't change them... ? can check if need be- but if memory serves correctly- that's how it is.

 

and as to devaluing the lens- I am not so sure- they are already pretty undervalued ;-) (just like the CL)- and I might even pay a little more for a modified one if I was using a digital M. I have seen modified ones advertised and fetching normal prices. Best way to get one- is to get the CL with it- you end up with the camera for next to nothing...

 

Finally- forget the value- usability is all- The framelines are far more accurate at 35mm:)

[lct]

40mm framelines are fixed in the CL's viewfinder but i don't remember if 35mm lenses bring up its 50mm framelines as well. Normally no. Only 40mm and 50mm lenses do that if memory serves but i may be wrong. Any CL owner around?

[wlaidlaw]

What you both say is logical in that the only other two lenses as standard for a CL are the 28 and 90, both of which would move the framelines cam further, so that the rest position is 40mm. I was parroting something written in RFF and it must be wrong - shock, horror

 

Wilson

[lct]

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What you both say is logical in that the only other two lenses as standard for a CL are the 28 and 90, both of which would move the framelines cam further, so that the rest position is 40mm...

28mm lenses were not a standard on the CL contrary to the CLE. They must bring up 90mm framelines i guess but what about 35mm lenses in your opinion?

[wlaidlaw]

28mm lenses were not a standard on the CL contrary to the CLE. They must bring up 90mm framelines i guess but what about 35mm lenses in your opinion?

 

Since I already have a wonderful if very heavy ASPH chrome 35 Summilux and a poor 35/2.5 Colour Skopar, plus the 35 mm length on my MATE, I felt I did not need another 35. The 40mm length seems a good compromise. I was not prepared to risk another poor Voigtlander lens, since I seem to have poor luck on them, so the 40 Summicron seemed a good compromise. I used to think they were second rate Leica lenses but some forum members said how much they loved it for both its size and results. Once one accepts its propensity to veiling glare, and take precautions against that, I think it will become a favourite lens. Maybe on my film M's as well as digital. I am tempted to get a CL at some point as a pocket camera.

 

Wilson

[lct]

The Summicron 40/2 is probably my favorite lens on the Epson R-D1 where it matches almost perfectly the 35mm framelines at long to medium distance. I still can't figure out what framelines, if any, 35mm lenses do bring up in the CL's viewfinder though.

[jaques]

a 35mm lens- or a 50mm lens- both employ the 40mm/50mm framelines on the Leica CL. I just checked to be sure (the camera has 50mm framelines alongside 40mm ones). So get out there and modify your lenses- and don't believe everything you read on the RFF forum!

 

But if you do modify your lens- only remove the necessary amount of material. There is a how to posted on the web somewhere but whoever made it removed more material than is necessary. This is fine but rear lens caps do not stay on the lens as well as they should if you take off that much.