60HzShuffle Posted March 28, 2018 Share #1 Posted March 28, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello All - this is my first post. I was thinking I wanted to get a 35mm as my first lens as I like that focal length when traveling with one lens, but there are so many versions. I would not mind saving a little money and getting a used lens, but can consider new as I want to purchase once. What are the thoughts on F1.4 v. F2 and which versions are your favorites? Thanks in advance.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 28, 2018 Posted March 28, 2018 Hi 60HzShuffle, Take a look here New to Leica - 35mm for M240 and which version??. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Ko.Fe. Posted March 28, 2018 Share #2 Posted March 28, 2018 Yes, versions are many! You could get new 2.4 and save comparing to 1.4, 2 used prices. Or you could get new, compact 1.4 for little money and save even more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted March 28, 2018 Share #3 Posted March 28, 2018 (edited) 35 Summicron asph (used in case) is imho the SAFE and RIGHT choice : a CV (or Zeiss) could be a savvy alternative.. wasn't it for the sentimental reason that, when going out with one lens only... is a pity isn't a Leica one.... Edited March 28, 2018 by luigi bertolotti Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicaec421 Posted March 29, 2018 Share #4 Posted March 29, 2018 35 Summicron asph (used in case) is imho the SAFE and RIGHT choice : a CV (or Zeiss) could be a savvy alternative.. wasn't it for the sentimental reason that, when going out with one lens only... is a pity isn't a Leica one.... +1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted March 29, 2018 Share #5 Posted March 29, 2018 (edited) Welcome to the forum . Depends on your tastes obviously. My own favorites are: - F/1.4: Leica Summilux 35/1.4 FLE for sharper results and Summilux 35/1.4 v2 otherwise. - F/2: Leica Summicron 35/2 asph for sharper results and Summicron 35/2 v4 otherwise. - F/2.4: No experience. - F/2.5: Leica Summarit 35/2.5. - F/2.8: Zeiss Biogon-C 35/2.8. FWIW Edited March 29, 2018 by lct Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiggiGun Posted March 29, 2018 Share #6 Posted March 29, 2018 1./ Start with 35mm is a good choice 2./ if 35mm will be your only or must used general purpose lens, take a 35LUX ASPH 3./ If you don't need very high performance in the near focus zone, take version -1 (no FLE) as alternative, of course the 1.4/35 Zeiss lens is very good as well but bigger... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted March 29, 2018 Share #7 Posted March 29, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) Leica: f2.4/2.5 excellent. low flare. sharp. good contrast. highly recommended. f2.4 is nicer made but bargains can be found at f2.5. nice and light f2 previous version - not my favourite, however good deals available f2 latest version - better contrast then previous, haven't used yet f1.4 lovely handling and sharp at 1.4 if you can afford it. wavy MTA chart Zeiss: f2.8 very sharp but only 2.8 f2 very good, sharp and contrasty and flat field. Not so great at f2 however f1.4. probably one of the sharpest 35mm ever made. f1.4 unreal. a bit long Voigtlander f1.2 ethereal and very special lens. soft on the edges but centre is sublime. heavyish f1.4 cheap but not great. ok at f2 and above f1.7 the best value 35mm at the moment. sharp and contrasty and light. not much to criticise. focus ring is an acquired taste 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cp995 Posted March 29, 2018 Share #8 Posted March 29, 2018 ...Voigtlander f1.7 the best value 35mm at the moment. sharp and contrasty and light. not much to criticise. focus ring is an acquired taste... For my taste the only alternative to a 'lux 1.4/35 apsh. FLE. If the Ultron had a focus tab, I wouldn't even think about the 'lux ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktmrider2 Posted March 29, 2018 Share #9 Posted March 29, 2018 Don't forget the Voightlander 35f2.5 Color Skopar in M mount. They are small, light, sharp and cheap. New for $409 from CameraQuest or PhotoVillage. I have used one and no regrets. Presently my favorite 35mm is the Zeiss C Biogon which is about double in price compared to the Color Skopar but may be the sharpest 35mm made today. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
60HzShuffle Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share #10 Posted April 2, 2018 Thanks to all for your advice. I ended up buying a new 35 Summicron ASPH. I am thinking about finding a Zeiss or Voightlander 50mm to hold me over until I can afford a Leica. Any thoughts are on a 50mm are welcome.... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted April 2, 2018 Share #11 Posted April 2, 2018 Thanks to all for your advice. I ended up buying a new 35 Summicron ASPH. I am thinking about finding a Zeiss or Voightlander 50mm to hold me over until I can afford a Leica. Any thoughts are on a 50mm are welcome.... 50mm f/1.5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ko.Fe. Posted April 2, 2018 Share #12 Posted April 2, 2018 Thanks to all for your advice. I ended up buying a new 35 Summicron ASPH. I am thinking about finding a Zeiss or Voightlander 50mm to hold me over until I can afford a Leica. Any thoughts are on a 50mm are welcome.... Nice move on 35mm! I also have Leica 35 aspherical lens. I have tried all kind of 50mm lenses on Leica. Many of then on digital M. Including Zeiss Planar and Vioghtlander Nokton. And sold them quick. To be honest, it is hard to find 50mm lens among alternatives, once you get Leica 35 ASPH lens. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted April 2, 2018 Share #13 Posted April 2, 2018 Congrats....35 Summicron was my first M lens in the 80’s and remains at the core of my kit. My next lens was a 50 Summicron, which was eventually replaced with the Summilux ASPH, a wonderful lens. The 50 Summicron ASPH is still a great lens, albeit a bit prone to flare. You can pick up a new one at Popflash for $2088 (they call it mint used since Leica doesn’t permit discounts, but it’s new). Another good value is the 50 Summarit, with less tendency to flare than the Summicron, and $1795 new. The Summarits are undervalued, with the 35 even exceeding the Summicron in some respects (less flare and focus shift). Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted April 2, 2018 Share #14 Posted April 2, 2018 (edited) Thanks to all for your advice. I ended up buying a new 35 Summicron ASPH. I am thinking about finding a Zeiss or Voightlander 50mm to hold me over until I can afford a Leica. Any thoughts are on a 50mm are welcome.... Answer only on bold text. This is something you can find simply in threads some lines from here. For me every 50mm ( Leitz/Leica or not) is fine so every answer is some sort of no-answer . I use dozens of different 50mm, some sold but some stay, so how I know. Best IQ for money is Summarit-M lens line. Summarit-M 2.5/50 is my favorite but not for long, I fear. Just take one with the price you can afford now, then move on to another if required, and so on. Edited April 2, 2018 by a.noctilux Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
60HzShuffle Posted April 3, 2018 Author Share #15 Posted April 3, 2018 Nice move on 35mm! I also have Leica 35 aspherical lens. I have tried all kind of 50mm lenses on Leica. Many of then on digital M. Including Zeiss Planar and Vioghtlander Nokton. And sold them quick. To be honest, it is hard to find 50mm lens among alternatives, once you get Leica 35 ASPH lens. That’s why I appreciate everyone’s contributions to this thread. I have, on mulitple occasions, settled for second best and upgraded shortly after. Sometimes that is a good decision, sometimes not! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-A-C Posted April 3, 2018 Share #16 Posted April 3, 2018 Thanks to all for your advice. I ended up buying a new 35 Summicron ASPH. I am thinking about finding a Zeiss or Voightlander 50mm to hold me over until I can afford a Leica. Any thoughts are on a 50mm are welcome.... Congrats on the Cron. You can't go wrong with it. A good combo of performance and Haptik it is. Get out and shoot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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