LocalHero1953 Posted September 18, 2017 Share #1 Posted September 18, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) I shoot portraits mainly with the SL and its zoom lenses, which are fabulously sharp. From time to time I also shoot mature people for whom a softer style with that Hollywood glow (yes, I know, low contrast, lots of flare etc) works rather better. For this I have a Hektor 7.3cm f1.9 which lays on soft Hollywood glow with a trowel (and is easy to focus on the SL). I'm looking for a wider angle lens with similar characteristics that I could use for groups. I have a photo shoot coming up with a group of ladies who brunch - strong personalities all of them, and enough self esteem not to worry about the occasional wrinkle (or quite a few wrinkles in some cases), but nevertheless I would like to use a more forgiving lens for some of the shots. Any recommendations for an M or LTM lens in the 28-50 range? 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 18, 2017 Posted September 18, 2017 Hi LocalHero1953, Take a look here Recommendations for a soft 35mm. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
NB23 Posted September 18, 2017 Share #2 Posted September 18, 2017 Summicron 35 V1, V2. Haven't used te V3 but I wouldn't exoect it to be different than the V2. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ko.Fe. Posted September 18, 2017 Share #3 Posted September 18, 2017 Not shimmed for M Jupiter 35 2.8. It will be not OOF, but softer. It is Biogon copy, so, not so much of distortions on group portraits and interior parts. And it is fine for digital colors, at least on M Leica digital cameras. Jupiter-3 50 1.5 ("original") is going to be soft on digital and with glow. But why not to use dedicated lens filters instead? https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Soft-Effects-Pro-Mist/ci/117/N/4026728340/?gclid=CjwKEAjw3f3NBRDP_NHS9fq53n4SJACKIfEYs2Du699SvSowv0lfuLW01sVUqIGB9PdPfUuMrc4FBBoC9ADw_wcB 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 18, 2017 Share #4 Posted September 18, 2017 Summilux 35mm non-aspheric, Voigtlaender 1.2/35mm first version, early SLR Nikkor 1.4/35 or 2.0/28, same from the Olympus OM system (distance ring turns like a Leica; diaphragm too, which imo is irrelevant because the described purpose is to use one of them wide open.), Canon-FD 1.4/35mm or 1.4/24mm. Hamilton used Minolta lenses, if I remember correctly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted September 18, 2017 Share #5 Posted September 18, 2017 I would suggest, instead of a lens, you do the softening in post processing as you will have much more finite control. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 18, 2017 Share #6 Posted September 18, 2017 Why not just PP the images to soften them or even use a soft filter like in the olden times? Even my 'soft' Summar lens will still show wrinkles clearly! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted September 18, 2017 Author Share #7 Posted September 18, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Yes, PP, filters or vaseline are all options, but I'm curious to explore lenses as well. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted September 18, 2017 Share #8 Posted September 18, 2017 (edited) Summarit 1.5/50 or Summilux 1.4/50 first version. Also first version of 35mm Summilux ... Canon LTM 1.2/50 is not as that soft, depend on lighting. Nikon F 1.4/35mm wide open is soft. And most SLR 1.2/50 or 1.2/55 wide open use must do that kind of "natural softer". Edited September 18, 2017 by a.noctilux 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
g2van Posted September 24, 2017 Share #9 Posted September 24, 2017 Based on what I've used, this is the from most "glow-iest" down: Canon 50/1.2 LTM (Ok it's not a 35 but I still regret selling this lens) 35lux pre-asph Voigtlander 40/1.4 35cron v3 Voigtlander 35/1.2 v2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted September 24, 2017 Share #10 Posted September 24, 2017 Canon and Nikon also made several 35mm RF lenses in LTM that you may want to consider for your purpose. The Canon 35/1.8 and 35/2 in particular are relatively easy to find and won't break the bank. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted September 24, 2017 Author Share #11 Posted September 24, 2017 Thanks for all the recommendations, people, all of which I have looked hard at (including alternative processing, vaseline and fllters). I decided on a Summaron 35/2.8 and have put an order in to a dealer I trust. My decision was greatly helped by Thomas Kaspar's comparisons in this thread, both in low contrast and high contrast lighting. Other considerations were: - The group portraits I have in mind will need a reasonable depth of field, so I don't need f/1.4 or f/2, nice though they are to have. - Summicron 35 v1 lenses seem to have a big following from collectors. Many of those on offer are well above £2000, though it's difficult to tell if those are real selling prices. There's one at a lower price that looks in good condition in the forum Buy & Sell section at the moment though . - The Summilux 35 pre-Asph is available for less, but not much. I would also probably have to get the rear modified to use on the M, even though I envisage most use being on the SL. - A Jupiter might be suitable, but only if I could find a good one among all the indifferent copies. I'd rather not have the hassle. - A Nokton 35/1.2 v1 was a strong possibility based on recommendations, but my highly subjective eye was not attracted to the sample images I saw. - A Summaron 35/3.5 would have been fine, but they seem to have a reputation for haze, which hasn't stuck to the f2.8. - A Canon 50/0.95 was a tempting wild card, but having got approval from my domestic finance manager for a 35mm at something under £2000 (she appreciates soft focus lenses as much as the next finance director of her age), I didn't want to reopen negotiations about an expensive non-Leica 50, however good. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted September 24, 2017 Share #12 Posted September 24, 2017 (edited) [...]But why not to use dedicated lens filters instead? https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Soft-Effects-Pro-Mist/ci/117/N/4026728340/?gclid=CjwKEAjw3f3NBRDP_NHS9fq53n4SJACKIfEYs2Du699SvSowv0lfuLW01sVUqIGB9PdPfUuMrc4FBBoC9ADw_wcB Thanks for the nudge! I have a lot of black dot filters (random dots) in glass mounts from some kind of pre-history intended for matte box cine work. Their invention is an impressive invention in optical rendering. I have tried to make physically smaller versions for the rest of us. I should get back into that. Edited September 24, 2017 by pico Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
6bit Posted September 24, 2017 Share #13 Posted September 24, 2017 Vogtlander Nokton Classic 35/1.4 is soft on my a7Rii. I love the lens but on high resolution sensors it doesn't have it. Which doesn't mean it is bad, it just has character. Probably not as soft as you need? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted September 25, 2017 Share #14 Posted September 25, 2017 The MS Optical 35/3.5 Perrar. Pete. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted September 25, 2017 Share #15 Posted September 25, 2017 I would suggest, instead of a lens, you do the softening in post processing as you will have much more finite control. Yes, photoshop. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted September 25, 2017 Share #16 Posted September 25, 2017 Yes, photoshop. It is not the same. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted September 25, 2017 Share #17 Posted September 25, 2017 (edited) The MS Optical 35/3.5 Perrar. Pete. Sonnetar 50mm f1.1 It even has a nifty dial at the rear element to modulate coma, focus shift, softness. Minimum focus distance. Infinity (me vehicle, house) Edited September 25, 2017 by pico 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rramesh Posted September 26, 2017 Share #18 Posted September 26, 2017 (edited) Hate to help you release your gas, but as what others have said, post processing is the cheapest and most flexible way to go. Edited September 26, 2017 by rramesh 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.