35mm for M5

african_jon · Jul 28, 2022

Any recommendations for a 35mm for my M5? Currently, have a Summicron 50 on there but want to try a 35.
What do you guys and gals like?
Thanks
Jon

madNbad · Jul 28, 2022

I like the latest version of the Voigtlander 35 2.0 Ultron ASPH. I owned a 35 2.0 Summicron ASPH for a number of years and the Ultron is very close in performance. Plus the price is about a third of the current Leica lens. Another good option would be a 2.8 Summaron. Finding a good copy is getting harder but still a great choice. The 35 2.8 Zeiss Biogon is another great choice but if you use filters regularly, it takes a 43 mm filter. Plenty of choices and good luck!

Eric Rose · Jul 28, 2022

I'm currently working on an article comparing three M type 35mm f2 lenses. The latest Summicron, TTArtisan and VC Ultron. I just finished the test shots and will develop the film tonight.

From just a users perspective the Summicron and TTArtisans are my favorites so far.

The focus of the article will be on real world photography, not test charts.

The person I borrowed the Summicron and Ultron from leans to the Ultron for overall image sharpness and look. He is using a Leica M10R.

I let him shoot my TTArtisans and it blew him away! He immediately went down to the local camera store and bought one.

So that's all I can say so far.

Sirius Glass · Jul 28, 2022

I find that the 35mm lens is too close to the 50mm lens. Save the frustration and buy the 28mm lens.

Eric Rose · Jul 28, 2022

Or buy them both

Sirius Glass · Jul 28, 2022

Eric Rose said:
Or buy them both

Then go for the trifecta and buy the 21mm lens too.

Nitroplait · Jul 28, 2022

Cron 35mm v3.
Better build and cheaper than v4, yet also a Mandler design.

Pieter12 · Jul 28, 2022

I like the Zeiss Biogon 35mm f/2.8 ZM. Sharp, compact, less expensive and about as good as the Leica Summicron f/2.

madNbad · Jul 28, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
Then go for the trifecta and buy the 21mm lens too.

Have the 28 and the 35. Had a 21, sold it and bought a 15.

Rayt · Jul 28, 2022

What is your budget and intended application?

Huss · Jul 28, 2022

Who here uses an M5 and a 35mm lens? First question....
Love it when people who don't even use an RF camera chime in. And then mention a completely different focal length.

;p

The M5 cuz it's big works/balances really nicely with the bigger boned 35mms. I like using the CV 35 1.2 v2 and the smaller v3 on mine. Super lenses.
Also the Leica 35mm FLE is awesome on it, which to me is the ultimate choice.
I also use the Zeiss ZM Distagon 35 1.4 but it doesn't handle as well as it is long/thin but optics are just super.

If I want compact - then I use the CV 35 1.4 v2. (or LLL 8 Elements Replika)

M5 w/ ZM Distagon 35 1.4:

M5 w/ CV 35 1.4 v2:

M5 w/ CV 35 1.2 v2:

Eric Rose · Jul 28, 2022

I love my M5! Use it all the time.

Sirius Glass · Jul 28, 2022

Huss said:
Who here uses an M5 and a 35mm lens? First question....
Love it when people who don't even use an RF camera chime in. And then mention a completely different focal length.

;p

The M5 cuz it's big works/balances really nicely with the bigger boned 35mms. I like using the CV 35 1.2 v2 and the smaller v3 on mine. Super lenses.
Also the Leica 35mm FLE is awesome on it, which to me is the ultimate choice.
I also use the Zeiss ZM Distagon 35 1.4 but it doesn't handle as well as it is long/thin but optics are just super.

If I want compact - then I use the CV 35 1.4 v2. (or LLL 8 Elements Replika)

M5 w/ ZM Distagon 35 1.4:

M5 w/ CV 35 1.4 v2:

M5 w/ CV 35 1.2 v2:

The relationship between focal lens and their field of views is invariant between rangefinders, slr and mirrorless cameras. It is a matter of simple physics. Furthermore just because I prefer and mostly use slrs does not prevent me from owning and using rangefinders occasionally.

Pieter12 · Jul 28, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
The relationship between focal lens and their field of views is invariant between rangefinders, slr and mirrorless cameras. It is a matter of simple physics. Furthermore just because I prefer and mostly use slrs does not prevent me from owning and using rangefinders occasionally.

To the original question posed in this thread, what is your preferred M-mount 35mm lens?

Sirius Glass · Jul 28, 2022

Pieter12 said:
To the original question posed in this thread, what is your preferred M-mount 35mm lens?

I like 21mm, 28mm, 50mm for the wide to normal range. I also like the 21mm, 24mm, 28mm and 50mm set of lenses which is my preference and what I have when I work with fixed focal length 35mm lenses.

Pieter12 · Jul 28, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
I like 21mm, 28mm, 50mm for the wide to normal range. I also like the 21mm, 24mm, 28mm and 50mm set of lenses which is my preference and what I have when I work with fixed focal length 35mm lenses.

Those are focal lengths, not individual lenses, such as Leica Summaron-M, Summilux-M, Mummarit-M, Zeiss Biogon ZM, Voigtlander, TT Artisan, etc.

MattKing · Jul 28, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
I like 21mm, 28mm, 50mm for the wide to normal range. I also like the 21mm, 24mm, 28mm and 50mm set of lenses which is my preference and what I have when I work with fixed focal length 35mm lenses.

The OP is asking for advice about which lens of 35mm focal length people recommend.
Not which focal length people recommend for 135 film format cameras.

Eric Rose · Jul 28, 2022

Thank you Matt

mrosenlof · Jul 28, 2022

I've been plenty happy with the CV Ultron f/2 on my M5. I have the first version which I believe has the same optics as the current.

Huss · Jul 29, 2022

mrosenlof said:
I've been plenty happy with the CV Ultron f/2 on my M5. I have the first version which I believe has the same optics as the current.

That’s a really solid choice.

Steven Lee · Jul 29, 2022

Nokton Classic II MC f/1.4 is the Voigtlander to get. It's a character lens at f/1.4 and f/2 and a modern/boring lens at f/4 and smaller. I also dig the way it looks.

guangong · Jul 29, 2022

I have used M5 since it first appeared in stores. Use my early version 35mm summicron. Also a Voigtlander Ultron sm with M adapter.
All of the lenses previously mentioned are excellent lenses, so how much you are willing to spend, and whether new or used should be the deciding factors.
The M5 was my wife’s favorite camera. Good luck on your search for a 35mm lens

film_man · Aug 3, 2022

There’s a bazillion 35s for M mount. I had the ZM 35/2 which I found uninteresting but really like my VM 35/1.4 II single coated.

Some people do like the new 35 Cron APO too I hear. If you’re into that kind of money.

Huss · Aug 4, 2022

film_man said:
There’s a bazillion 35s for M mount. I had the ZM 35/2 which I found uninteresting but really like my VM 35/1.4 II single coated.

Some people do like the new 35 Cron APO too I hear. If you’re into that kind of money.

Really, this is why the M mount is so great. Your choice of lenses is just incredible.

I compared the Leica APO 50 and 35 images on film vs the non APO lenses (from what was available in reviews) and could not see any difference at all. Like zero. Those lenses are really meant for digital sensors and film does not have the resolution to take advantage of them.
And I really was looking for an excuse to buy the 50 APO! But as a film shooter, it made no sense if the end result looks the same as the regular lens.

BradS · Aug 4, 2022

It's a funny thing. I generally dislike the 35mm focal length on small format but the Leica M seems to be made especially for that focal length. I have only one 35mm lens, the Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 Biogon ZM. It is fabulous and I think that if I had to settle for just one lens for my Leica, that would be it. I own no other 35mm lenses for any of my small format outfits....preferring 24/28mm and 50mm instead.

35mm for M5

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