Fast, small, not to contrasty 35mm?

[el.nino]

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Why didn't you consider the CV Nokton 35/1.4?

 

Very cheap and also available as single-coated version which will give you even less contrast.

[dodger]

There's another one to consider: the all black Canon 35mm f2. The 1.8 is softer and not as contrasty, but the f2 is sharper....a good one is as flare-resistant and sharp as a good later Summicron .... but less contrasty. A good Canon 35 f2 would be a beltingly good and economical choice for what you're looking for. But like any 40-year-old lens, you'd have to shop around quite determinedly for a good one.

Edited September 19, 2009 by dodger

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[lct]

Why didn't you consider the CV Nokton 35/1.4?

Very cheap and also available as single-coated version which will give you even less contrast.

With focus shift and lot of flare though. I can't use it at slower apertures than f/2 due to focus shift personally. But at f/1.4 it really shines if there are no light sources in the frame.

[lumpidu]

I bought a 1,7/Ultron today on the Bay for 259 EUR. If it doesn't please me, I have no trouble selling it again and even if I will not get the original price, the loss would have been only modest.

 

But from what I have read, I think it will be good.

 

 

Regards,

 

Dan.

[Maggie_O]

I adore the Ultron 35/1.7 on my M8. It's sharp and medium contrast, and has a look all its own that I find very pleasing. The only downside is the 1m minimum focusing distance.

 

Here is my Flickr photoset of photos taken with it: Voigtländer Ultron 35/1.7

 

I also use the Nokton Classic 35/1.4 and the Color Skopar 35/2.5 but I'll be danged if I can tell you which one I like best- they're all great in their own way.

[batmobile]

As with some but not all CVs, the 35 1.7 seems to come with every comment from 'soft wide open' to 'sharp as a tack, but mmodest contrast'. I get the impression there is a certain amount of sample variation, btu judging from the sample on Reid Reviews, it is clear that it can perform very well indeed, while also delivering only medium contrast.

[hookonclassic]

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...hookonclassic, please confirm the filter size for the pre-asph 35 Summilux. For some reason I was under the impression it took either a Series VI or VII filter, which was secured by the 12504 hood. Thanks.

 

Correction. You are absolutely right. The 35 Summilux pre-ASPH does not have any threaded mount filter. Only uses 12504 hood with Series VII filter.

[lct]

Yes and no. Depends on the vintage of the lens. See http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/1045136-post13.html

[ampguy]

The lux can use 49mm filters in the round 12504 hood, if you can't find the proper series VII filter. Also, the rect asph cron hood, the 12526 I think, works better than the circular filter, but has no provisions for a filter on the pre-asph lux.

 

The v3, v4 pre asph crons, and asph crons are all good f2 lenses, but the pre-asph lux gives a unique soft glow wide open that can be desirable.

 

Thank you all for the response! That odd filter size on the lux seems inconvenient. I'm tending towards a v3 or v4 cron after reviewing the above.

[nickmeertens]

I thought I'd give an update.

I've been making bay-bids on 35mm version 3 Summicrons and Ultrons 1.7 for about a month now.

I choose these because they both have a convenient filter size (same as the 35mm Color Skopar I now use) and seem to offer good performance for the money.

The Ultrons bonus is that it is a little faster than the Cron and screws right in the coded adapter I use for the skopar. The Leica's plus is... well, it is a Leica.

I'm cheap by necessity so I set myself a maximum of €200 for the Ultron and €500 for the Summicron.

Yesterday one finally came through; I won a black mint(ish) Ultron, original box included, for €167 .

That should get me through a few dark winters until I can afford a Summilux.

[Printmaker]

500 euros would be a great price for a 35 cron V4. I paid $1,399 for a mint one two years ago. That one replaced one that was lost overboard... ouch.

 

The V4 is slightly larger and heavier that the CV 35/2.5, which I also have. Image-wise, the CV is slightly more contrasty while the Cron V4 has wonderful sharpness with all of the Leica glow you'd ever want. Its the perfect lens.

 

Tom

[grduprey]

I have the pre-asph 35 summilux and love it on my M8. I have owned and used the CV 35/1.7 Ultron and hated it, it flared horribly so I sold it. I also have the 28/2.8 Elmarit asph, and love it, it is even smaller than the summilux, I probably use it the most.

 

Gene

[lct]

I have the pre-asph 35 summilux... I also have the 28/2.8 Elmarit asph, and love it, it is even smaller than the summilux...

Almost true

 

[Nicoleica]

Don't rule the Summarit 2.5 out. it's lovely and small with great image quality. I really love this lens.

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[cidereye]

Also a nice "proper real life" test of the Nokton 35mm f/1.4 just been posted by Steve Huff at his blog site:- The Voigtlander 35 Nokton 1.4 Classic Lens Review | STEVE HUFF PHOTOS

[Big T]

Don't rule the Summarit 2.5 out. it's lovely and small with great image quality. I really love this lens.

 

Ditto...... I use this lens a lot and it is really a gem of a lens. Very under rated......

[Photoskeptic]

Most of the pre-ASPH lenses will give you what you want. IMO, what you are looking for would be a 35 lux type IV. While I don't have one (donations kindly accepted ) I do have a 50 cron IV which is very sharp without the biting contrast of the ASPH. However, I find the ASPH to be better on the M8 than on a film M. My two cents.