Backup for Leica 35/2 v4, which Voigtlander 35/1.4 or 35/1.5

[Fatih Ayoglu]

Hello all!
So my trusty Leica 35/2 v4 needs servicing in Wetzlar, the entire centre core of the lens is loose, I can screw and unscrew it. But the main issue is it does not align with the centre mark, meaning where the arrow is does not align with 2 of the aperture. Anyways it will go to Wetzlar and probably will stay there for some time.

So I need a backup. I use film, M9 or M9M, so not crazy high megapixel cameras and and I am certainly not a pixel peeper. I have 2 options from Voigtlander, 35/1.4 SC and 35/1.5, both latest versions.
Good for 35/1.4 SC, small, vintage look, around £400 in used market. Bad for it, 43mm filter
Good for 35/1.5, newer, moderner look, 39mm filter but more expensive.

But how is the general feedback on both lenses, such as general sharpness, fuzzy bokeh, quality etc.

Thanks for all the feedbacks,

BW,F

 

[loccdor]

I like vintage rendering. And I had a look at pictures from both those lenses, neither one has a rendering I would call modern. Pleasing out of focus areas in both. Since it's just a backup, I'd go with the less expensive option, as both seem to be fine lenses.

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

I like vintage rendering. And I had a look at pictures from both those lenses, neither one has a rendering I would call modern. Pleasing out of focus areas in both. Since it's just a backup, I'd go with the less expensive option, as both seem to be fine lenses.

Tbh that’s exactly my thought, just searching some YG Orange Red filters for it now

 

[david schaller]

You might be able to find a step-up adapter for filters.

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

You might be able to find a step-up adapter for filters.

yes and then I guess I can use a screw in hood as Voigtlander hood seems a snatch type which can be blocked by the larger filter.

 

[RezaLoghme]

How about one of the Chinese "homage" lenses?

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

How about one of the Chinese "homage" lenses?

I always had an eye on LLT 35/1.4 but not quite sure if I should put £1000 over £500 for Voigtlander 35/1.4

 

[RezaLoghme]

I always had an eye on LLT 35/1.4 but not quite sure if I should put £1000 over £500 for Voigtlander 35/1.4

When your Leica lens is back, how much are you going to use the backup lens?

I guess that modern lenses will all make very good images, unless you pixelpeep or manically compare like for like.

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

When your Leica lens is back, how much are you going to use the backup lens?

I guess that modern lenses will all make very good images, unless you pixelpeep or manically compare like for like.

Honestly, I’ll be most likely selling it as Leica lens will be glued in my camera

 

[RezaLoghme]

Honestly, I’ll be most likely selling it as Leica lens will be glued in my camera

Yeah...then why not "slum it" and go for a heavily used TT7Artisans from Classifieds. What can go wrong?

Or simply use other lenses in the meantime. I have accumulated too much gear just from buying backups for backups.

What else have you got?

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

Yeah...then why not "slum it" and go for a heavily used TT7Artisans from Classifieds. What can go wrong?

Or simply use other lenses in the meantime. I have accumulated too much gear just from buying backups for backups.

What else have you got?

Ha, I have plenty, from 21 to 90, some focal length with different apertures... you might be right. Only for few months, I can use another lens...

 

[GregY]

Ha, I have plenty, from 21 to 90, some focal length with different apertures... you might be right. Only for few months, I can use another lens...

Good plan, better in my opinion....

 

[250swb]

I have a Voigtlander 35mm 1.4 SC and it's nice enough but in anything like shade or overcast sky it's difficult to tell it apart from any other good 35mm lens, you have to be in the sunshine for the single coating to add it's own quality. Personally I'd try something another step removed from your Summicron like the Voigtlander 2.5 Skopar in LTM mount. It's a beautiful small lens (all the Skopar's are excellent) and take the adapter off and you have a lens for that Barnack Leica you've maybe always wanted?

 

[RezaLoghme]

Stay with Leica and look for some M39 lenses and you can always sell them.

 

[Oldwino]

I’ve shot with the Nokton 35/1.5, and it’s a great lens. Fairly modern in rendering, almost Zeiss-like. Not sterile. Well made and would be a good compliment to the 35/2 when it comes back from Leica.

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

I have a Voigtlander 35mm 1.4 SC and it's nice enough but in anything like shade or overcast sky it's difficult to tell it apart from any other good 35mm lens, you have to be in the sunshine for the single coating to add it's own quality. Personally I'd try something another step removed from your Summicron like the Voigtlander 2.5 Skopar in LTM mount. It's a beautiful small lens (all the Skopar's are excellent) and take the adapter off and you have a lens for that Barnack Leica you've maybe always wanted?

That last sentence is almost my ticket for a divorce.

 

[250swb]

That last sentence is almost my ticket for a divorce.

It could be either her new handbag or your new camera, but usually it can be decided on who has the fewest pairs of shoes that gets the treat.

 

[Lachlan Young]

If you want something a bit different, and are prepared to work with an adapter, the Zeiss Opton 35mm Planar is excellent. The 35mm Opton Biogon is great too, but doesn't adapt as easily.

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

It could be either her new handbag or your new camera, but usually it can be decided on who has the fewest pairs of shoes that gets the treat.

if it is decided on who has the fewest pairs of shoes, the ln I lose and she wins. We really need to find something I can win on

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

If you want something a bit different, and are prepared to work with an adapter, the Zeiss Opton 35mm Planar is excellent. The 35mm Opton Biogon is great too, but doesn't adapt as easily.

It looks a bit slow, with film (and M9 family) it can be a problem

 

[GregY]

It looks a bit slow, with film (and M9 family) it can be a problem

I used a Summaron 2.8 35mm for years & never had a problem....even back in the days of Kodachrome

 

[Lachlan Young]

It looks a bit slow, with film (and M9 family) it can be a problem

The speed is secondary to the aesthetic - and you would be using it on a non reflex camera, so it's much less of an issue anyway. It's got a lot more personality (in a good way, not really a 'vintage' way) than the V4 Summicron-M (which is highly competent, but not as visually exciting in the way the revised 35 Summicron-R or 35 Elmarit-R can be).