Dbrass Posted December 8, 2022 Author Share #41 Posted December 8, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) 5 hours ago, Keith (M) said: My two-pennies worth regarding a 35mm lens for film use - Summaron f2.8. Small, compact, beautifully constructed and capable of excellent results on colour & b&w. My go-to choice for film in preference to my Biogon f2 and Nokton III f1.2. If it is of any use a quick search of my Flickr page reveals quite a few examples with M7 & MP . thanks Keith, sounds ideal, but I do want a black lens and can see that it only appears to come in silver! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 8, 2022 Posted December 8, 2022 Hi Dbrass, Take a look here Best 35mm compact lens for Leica film M. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
S Maclean Posted December 8, 2022 Share #42 Posted December 8, 2022 (edited) i have expereinced nothing but perfection from the Summicron 2. it's light, precise and renders beatifully. I am eager, although scared due to all the issues, to get the lux fle2. Also, the CV Nokton 1.2 has given me incredible results. Here are some examples taken with the Cron. At F2 max aperture you can still get great results on low light and great 3d rendering and out of focus areas. And a few images with the Nokton 1.2. Lens is a little bulkier but not badly balanced on the M11. Great performer. Sharp where it needs to be and pure silk on the out of focus areas. It renders like a 50 or 75 at 35mm. It is less than 1g in the US to buy. No hood, but you can get a compatible on for about 40 bucks. First 5 images are Cron. The rest (starting with the car engine) are CV Nokton 1.2 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! Edited December 8, 2022 by S Maclean 8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/353475-best-35mm-compact-lens-for-leica-film-m/?do=findComment&comment=4593022'>More sharing options...
Dbrass Posted December 8, 2022 Author Share #43 Posted December 8, 2022 4 minutes ago, S Maclean said: i have expereinced nothing but perfection from the Summicron 2. it's light, precise and renders beatifully. I am eager, although scared due to all the issues, to get the lux fle2. Also, the CV Nokton 1.2 has given me incredible results. Here are some examples taken with the Cron. At F2 max aperture you can still get great results on low light and great 3d rendering and out of focus areas. And a few images with the Nokton 1.2. Lens is a little bulkier but not badly balanced on the M11. Great performer. Sharp where it needs to be and pure silk on the out of focus areas. It renders like a 50 or 75 at 35mm. It is less than 1g in the US to buy. No hood, but you can get a compatible on for about 40 bucks. First 5 images are Cron. The rest (starting with the car engine) are CV Nokton 1.2 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! thanks S, I would take the summicron in a heartbeat but my budget is around half or less. great shots and nice to see hardly any vignetting !! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted December 8, 2022 Share #44 Posted December 8, 2022 On 12/6/2022 at 11:11 AM, Dbrass said: Trying to nail a good quality, well priced fairly compact 35mm lens for my first film M (MP), I don’t want to buy another 35mm later, I prefer to buy once, use and keep using. Voigtlander seems to be the best bang for buck. Generally I hate vignetting and understand reading reports that vignetting occurs differently depending on whether you’re on a digital or film body. Here are my choices Ultron f2.0 Nokton f1.4 ii New release f1.5 I like a sharp lens but mainly what is important is less vignetting and less distortion. Look forward to hearing your feedback and thoughts. 35mm for a film M? Then a fast lens is key as it expands your shooting envelope when the light fades. I currently use the Leica 35 1.4 FLE, the Zeiss Distagon 35 1.4, the Light Lens Lab 8 Elements replica 35 f2, and the CV 35 1.4 v2. I lost interest in the new CV 35 1.5 when I saw how much vignetting it has - which is not surprising seeing it has a 39mm filter size for a 1.5 lens. The CV 1.4 v2 has a 43mm filter size in comparison. People talk about micro-contrast, sharpness etc etc but on film none of that stuff is apparent in actual pics. Film cannot resolve like digital on a pixel peeping level, so just look at the overall pic. Out of all my 35s, the no-brainer if price is an issue is the CV 35 1.4 v2. Thing is, I love it anyway. Great results, tiny and fast. Some shots taken w it on film (Leica M5) 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! 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/353475-best-35mm-compact-lens-for-leica-film-m/?do=findComment&comment=4593050'>More sharing options...
S Maclean Posted December 8, 2022 Share #45 Posted December 8, 2022 2 minutes ago, Dbrass said: thanks S, I would take the summicron in a heartbeat but my budget is around half or less. great shots and nice to see hardly any vignetting !! I hear you. Try the Nokton then, you wn't be disappointed. The one I use is Version III as well. I actually add Vignette to some images. (Like the Umbrella and the cactus and engine) to focus the image to center. The dog image to me is a great example of shallow DOF on the Nokton. I tis less nervous than the Cron, even on a busy background and small space. What I like about the Nokton is still renders modern when needed, although images like the kids in the car do have a very classic output that matches the intent of the shot. On a relative budget (it is still like $900 us) the CV delivers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted December 8, 2022 Share #46 Posted December 8, 2022 1 hour ago, Dbrass said: thanks Keith, sounds ideal, but I do want a black lens and can see that it only appears to come in silver! Well yes, but it is still a thing of beauty! 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunyforreal Posted December 8, 2022 Share #47 Posted December 8, 2022 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) 1 hour ago, Dbrass said: thanks Keith, sounds ideal, but I do want a black lens and can see that it only appears to come in silver! Seeing as you’re looking for a black lens and like the 35 Summaron, I wholeheartedly recommend the Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 8 Element. Have had mine for nearly a year and love it, I’m only selling it now since I just got a 35 lux pre-asph. Let me tell you, in black paint that lens pairs incredibly with a MP. Never noticed any bothersome vignetting with mine, here are some example photos: 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! it pairs fantastically with black and white film, and has a vintage, slightly desaturated look with color film that I really loved. I also really liked the bokeh and the flare characteristics of the lens. In black paint on brass, if your MP is black paint it will match perfectly and brass with it over time, a natural pick if you’re into that sort of thing. I think what you’ll learn from this thread and plenty of others like it is that there is no “best lens”. There are so many great m mount lenses, ultimately it falls to what you like and don’t like out of a lens, and picking what aligns most with your interests. We’re all going to suggest things to you that make sense from our experience, perspective and point of view, but really they’re all great picks. Find the one that fits most with your budget and what you like, and buy it. As much as you might think it’ll be your lens for life, you’ve been bitten with the bug just like we all have, and eventually you’ll find yourself lusting for something else, trust me (and my wallet)! Edited December 8, 2022 by Sunyforreal 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! it pairs fantastically with black and white film, and has a vintage, slightly desaturated look with color film that I really loved. I also really liked the bokeh and the flare characteristics of the lens. In black paint on brass, if your MP is black paint it will match perfectly and brass with it over time, a natural pick if you’re into that sort of thing. I think what you’ll learn from this thread and plenty of others like it is that there is no “best lens”. There are so many great m mount lenses, ultimately it falls to what you like and don’t like out of a lens, and picking what aligns most with your interests. We’re all going to suggest things to you that make sense from our experience, perspective and point of view, but really they’re all great picks. Find the one that fits most with your budget and what you like, and buy it. As much as you might think it’ll be your lens for life, you’ve been bitten with the bug just like we all have, and eventually you’ll find yourself lusting for something else, trust me (and my wallet)! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/353475-best-35mm-compact-lens-for-leica-film-m/?do=findComment&comment=4593121'>More sharing options...
Al Brown Posted December 18, 2022 Share #48 Posted December 18, 2022 Testing today. V3, V4, V5. 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/353475-best-35mm-compact-lens-for-leica-film-m/?do=findComment&comment=4604189'>More sharing options...
muju79 Posted December 18, 2022 Share #49 Posted December 18, 2022 2 hours ago, Al Brown said: Testing today. V3, V4, V5. 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! I haven't tried the V4, but the V3 is truly special with b&w film. It draws very similarly to the Summilux 35/1.4 pre-ASPH with the added benefit of the closer MFD. I usually tend to avoid ASPH lenses, they're too clinical and have a higher contrast compared to pre-ASPH ones. I'd stay away from the V4 for reliability in the long term, it has some plastic component in the lens assembly that is notoriously weak. The V3 has a better construction, don't let the "Made in Canada" fool you as it does with many out there. Cheers. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBestSLIsALeicaflex Posted December 18, 2022 Share #50 Posted December 18, 2022 (edited) Really blessed to have so many different choices in M and thread mount optics these days. Many very affordable. Truly the golden age of rangefinder lenses. It's the only focal length I use on a rangefinder now, but I have multiple as they render differently Over the years I've used the following in this focal length, the vast majority with B&W film. Here's how I would rate them based on practical considerations size/weight, taste and optical performance. 1.4 Nokton II SC 1.4 Nokton II MC Summilux Asph (1990's) 35/2 Light Lens Lab 3rd Summicron 35/1.2 Nokton I 4th Summicron 35/2 Ultron Asph 35/1.7 Ultron Summicron Asph (5th) pre-asph summilux (late, German) The 3rd Summicron terribly underrated. I've owned multiples of the 4th and I always come away feeling it's overrated. It does everything good, but lacks character. Think it's a better color shooter, or if only one lens in this focal length. Modern aspherical tend to be a bit clinical for my taste (e.g., Summicron Asph, Ultron). The 35/1.2 is a good lens, unique with the 1.2 but big and heavy. The only one I really didn't like was the pre-asph Summilux ????, and a haze filled 35/1.7 Ultron. Ironically, my fave is the least expensive, but good to have a variety because they render differently. I can usually look at a roll of negs now and tell which lens took the pictures. Still, to each their own, everyone is different. Variety is nice. Probably get bored with it if I only had one of them. So much also depends on film used, developer, how developed, scanning software, ect. Edited December 18, 2022 by TheBestSLIsALeicaflex 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
28framelines Posted December 20, 2022 Share #51 Posted December 20, 2022 What I’m gathering from this thread is that a lot of people like the Voigtlander 35mm f1.4 II, is that correct? Anyone have issues with the distortion, or do people find that easy to correct in post? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hasenvater Posted December 20, 2022 Share #52 Posted December 20, 2022 Am 8.12.2022 um 17:59 schrieb S Maclean: i have expereinced nothing but perfection from the Summicron 2. it's light, precise and renders beatifully. I am eager, although scared due to all the issues, to get the lux fle2. Also, the CV Nokton 1.2 has given me incredible results. Here are some examples taken with the Cron. At F2 max aperture you can still get great results on low light and great 3d rendering and out of focus areas. And a few images with the Nokton 1.2. Lens is a little bulkier but not badly balanced on the M11. Great performer. Sharp where it needs to be and pure silk on the out of focus areas. It renders like a 50 or 75 at 35mm. It is less than 1g in the US to buy. No hood, but you can get a compatible on for about 40 bucks. First 5 images are Cron. The rest (starting with the car engine) are CV Nokton 1.2 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! Amazing pictures. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
muju79 Posted December 20, 2022 Share #53 Posted December 20, 2022 4 hours ago, 28framelines said: What I’m gathering from this thread is that a lot of people like the Voigtlander 35mm f1.4 II, is that correct? Anyone have issues with the distortion, or do people find that easy to correct in post? Since I only shoot with film M bodies and I don't fix aberrations in post, way too much distortion for my likings in that lens (but probably on par with others). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fotoklaus Posted December 20, 2022 Share #54 Posted December 20, 2022 (edited) Ultron 2/35, Tmax 400 at f 4 or 5.6. Not a real Test, but it may help you perthaps. 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! Cut out 1: Cut out 2: Here is another Test of the lens: https://jacktaka.com/voigtlander-35mm-f2 Edited December 20, 2022 by Fotoklaus Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Cut out 1: Cut out 2: Here is another Test of the lens: https://jacktaka.com/voigtlander-35mm-f2 ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/353475-best-35mm-compact-lens-for-leica-film-m/?do=findComment&comment=4607538'>More sharing options...
cboy Posted December 20, 2022 Share #55 Posted December 20, 2022 (edited) Whilst new I don't think the OP will get a better compromise for compactness, low distortion and price than the new 35mm f1.5 double asph... The others mentioned have either more distortion/character or not as compact, and or is more relatively more expensive. Either f1.5 or Ultron if speed isnt priority. It depends on use case, which I don't think the OP described. Often a modern lens pairs well with film Edited December 20, 2022 by cboy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fotoklaus Posted December 20, 2022 Share #56 Posted December 20, 2022 vor 14 Minuten schrieb cboy: Whilst new I don't think the OP will get a better compromise for compactness, low distortion and price than the new 35mm f1.5 double asph... The others mentioned have either more distortion/character or not as compact, and or is more relatively more expensive. Either f1.5 or Ultron if speed isnt priority. It depends on use case, which I don't think the OP described. Often a modern lens pairs well with film I don´t think that any of those modern lenses will deliver bad results on film, to be honest. I´d choose an f2 over f1.2 due to size and weight. And the more open lenses often tend to flare in my opinion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted December 20, 2022 Share #57 Posted December 20, 2022 6 hours ago, 28framelines said: What I’m gathering from this thread is that a lot of people like the Voigtlander 35mm f1.4 II, is that correct? Anyone have issues with the distortion, or do people find that easy to correct in post? My experience is limited to Nokton 35/1.4 SC v1 and v2 on digital. Both have more distortion than the Summilux 35/1.4 pre-asph but distortion has a classical barrel shape on the CV lenses that i don't find difficult to adjust in PP. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinobi2012 Posted December 20, 2022 Share #58 Posted December 20, 2022 Am 18.12.2022 um 13:09 schrieb muju79: I haven't tried the V4, but the V3 is truly special with b&w film. It draws very similarly to the Summilux 35/1.4 pre-ASPH with the added benefit of the closer MFD. I usually tend to avoid ASPH lenses, they're too clinical and have a higher contrast compared to pre-ASPH ones. I'd stay away from the V4 for reliability in the long term, it has some plastic component in the lens assembly that is notoriously weak. The V3 has a better construction, don't let the "Made in Canada" fool you as it does with many out there. Cheers. You are correct. The V3 Summicron 35 is very close to the Summilux 35 v2, not to the V4 Summicron (very different rendering on film, especially in B&W). When I tested v3 and Summilux 35 v2, I found that the Summilux draws a little more nuances than v3 and is slightly sharper at all apertures, especial f2. Summilux also showing more details compared to v V3. But 20 cm MFD is a huge difference, but I voted for the Summilux and sld the V3. Because on film one stop is one stop at the end. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinobi2012 Posted December 20, 2022 Share #59 Posted December 20, 2022 What is a good lens on film is Summilux 35 ASPH (pre FLE). It is not to modern for Color Shooting, I tested to against FLE. The Pre Fle is very nice for color, also in B&W it can be nice. But it is bigger than the Summicrons or Summilux pre ASPH. So I would not say its compact. Some Samples Summilux 35 ASPH 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! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/353475-best-35mm-compact-lens-for-leica-film-m/?do=findComment&comment=4607766'>More sharing options...
shinobi2012 Posted December 20, 2022 Share #60 Posted December 20, 2022 Summicron 35 V3 vs Summilux 35 V2 MFD 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! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/353475-best-35mm-compact-lens-for-leica-film-m/?do=findComment&comment=4607778'>More sharing options...
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