Need 35mm lens for spare body M2

ericdan · May 1, 2020

I have a spare M2 and need a lens for it.
On my main body I shoot a 6 element 35mm summicron.
Is there anything else out there with a similar qualities but maybe less expensive?
I don’t like the newer asph lenses. many suggestions?

David Reynolds · May 1, 2020

The Summicron is hard to beat
Look for a 35mm Summaron with goggle. There are two to chose from; the f2.8 and f3.5. The f2.8 is more expensive however I have read that the f3.5 is a great lens for the price.

ericdan · May 1, 2020

Do you need the goggles on an M2

David Reynolds · May 1, 2020

After some research I am not sure whether you need goggles on the Summaron 35mm for viewing with a M2. I know with my M3 you do. Someone on this forum with a M2 should advise.

David Reynolds · May 1, 2020

ericdan said:
Do you need the goggles on an M2

I hope I did not give you incorrect information.

David Reynolds · May 1, 2020

Ken Rockwell states that the Summaron 35mm lens does not require goggles on a M2. Regular M mount works

Patrick Robert James · May 1, 2020

The Canon 35mm f/2 is often referred to as the Japanese Summicron. Very nice lens and they aren't very expensive. There is also an f/1.8 version that has a little less contrast.

There is a new copy from China of the Summicron but I don't remember offhand what version it is a copy of. It might be a copy of the eight element original. Supposed to be pretty good though.

John Koehrer · May 1, 2020

M2 has 35/50/90 frame lines so no need for goggles. Goggles were needed to correct for the greater magnification on the M3.

Huss · May 1, 2020

I use the 7Artisans 35mm f2 as a "beater" lens on my "beater" M4-2. But was surprised as to how good it is, so pretty much use it all the time on that camera.
(I also have 35mm lenses from Leica, Zeiss, CV and still recommend it!)
I paid $200 used like new for mine.

Here I compare it to my Leica 35mm Asph f2. The results are, umm, surprising...

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167382

howardpan · May 1, 2020

Patrick Robert James said:
The Canon 35mm f/2 is often referred to as the Japanese Summicron. Very nice lens and they aren't very expensive. There is also an f/1.8 version that has a little less contrast.

There is a new copy from China of the Summicron but I don't remember offhand what version it is a copy of. It might be a copy of the eight element original. Supposed to be pretty good though.

The 7 Artisan 35mm f3 is great lens.

etn · May 4, 2020

Look at the Zeiss ZM 35mm f/2 or f/2.8. They are wonderful lenses. The 2.8 is said to be even better than the 2.0 and it is smaller and cheaper.
Not sure how the 2.0 compares to the older Summicron in terms of rendering but it is for sure a ton of lens for the money. The rendering is probably more „modern“. It compares well with modern summicrons im term of sharpness, distortion etc. The 2.8 has even better optical qualities at the expense of 1 stop.

A lens i would like to try is the Voigtlander 35 1.4 - i haven’t yet, so i can’t comment, but it could be interesting to you. Seems like a modern, cheaper „early Summilux“ remake. They recently announced a version 2 which supposedly corrects focus shift.

etn · May 4, 2020

We all assumed you are looking for a 35mm... but what about a 50? e.g. summicron rigid (love that lens)

ericdan · May 6, 2020

etn said:
We all assumed you are looking for a 35mm... but what about a 50? e.g. summicron rigid (love that lens)

Yes that’s a nice lens but I don’t shoot 50mm much. Mostly 35mm. The Zeiss Biogon 35mm is indeed a nice option.

BradS · May 6, 2020

Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 Color-Skopar
Inexpensive, very small and light weight and excellent.

Need 35mm lens for spare body M2

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