Which 35mm LTM

drgoose · Sep 15, 2014

Hello everyone, I am looking for a 35 mm lens for my Leica IIIf. Other than buying a Leica lens are there any other good options?
I shoot almost exclusively BW film. I would like to avoid breaking the bank if at all possible.

Thanks in advance.

Joaquin.

Richard S. (rich815) · Sep 15, 2014

What is it you plan to shoot and what are your goals? There's more modern and sharper ones which will give the best contrast and sharpness. And then older single- or uncoated ones that will be more moderate in sharpness and contrast but give a more "classic" look and might even be favored for certain B&W work. I personally love my uncoated 35/3.5 Elmar but many pooh-pooh it since newer lenses have "improved" upon it.

georg16nik · Sep 15, 2014

In case you are on a tight budget, Jupiter 12 - ƒ/2.8 35mm. It fits all LTM Leica, Fed, Zorki. For B&W should be good enough.

The other options approach Leitz prices.

Richard S. (rich815) · Sep 15, 2014

Just to add a bit to my post above. I like to post this photo taken using my inferior, not-sharp, poor contrast, flare-prone 35/3.5 Elmar whenever this lens comes up. Many who have never used it like to reference things they read elsewhere about how Summarons and Summicrons and even newer Voigtlanders are "better". Different might be a better word but I'd argue the "better" part of performance every time. It's also very tiny and compact which I find a plus myself.

SF downtown LeicaIIIf RD 35f3-5Elmar(uncoated) KodakTri-X Rodinal 1-50 11min 22C 1minAg2x 2013-11 VSmac 4000 Scan-140105-0011 by rich8155 (Richard Sintchak), on Flickr

Richard S. (rich815) · Sep 15, 2014

There's another LTM 35 I shoot with that I like and has a nice cult following. The 35/3.5 W.Acall Kyoei lens. Some examples, photos and discussion here:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70060

drgoose · Sep 15, 2014

Richard what is a reasonable price to pay for a 35mm elmar?

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drgoose · Sep 15, 2014

Would a Pentax screwmount lens work on a Leica III?. I called KEH and pentax are the only 35mm lenses that they have in bargain or better condition at this time.

Richard S. (rich815) · Sep 15, 2014

drgoose said:
Richard what is a reasonable price to pay for a 35mm elmar?

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Unfortunately they've become collector's items. I got mine for $400 from Youxin Ye but this includes full-blown CLA. So the can be had cheaper.

ntenny · Sep 15, 2014

I have the Contax-mount version of the Cosina Voigtlaender 35/2.5; it's a very nice lens with a generally "modern" look, sharp and contrasty but potentially too "clinical" for some people.

The Jupiter-12 is a nice lens and I've gotten some photos with it I really liked. No one will ever accuse it of being clinical, but a good example will be quite technically respectable---mine sort of reminds me of a good Tessar in its general rendition, sharp but not cut-yourself-sharp. You certainly can't beat the price. It won't mount on most metered bodies, though, because the giant rear element runs into things.

-NT

georg16nik · Sep 15, 2014

drgoose said:
Would a Pentax screwmount lens work on a Leica III?. I called KEH and pentax are the only 35mm lenses that they have in bargain or better condition at this time.

If I am not mistaken, Pentax never made 35mm lens in LTM mount.

In case you dont want to go the cheapest route with Jupiter 12, then your best bet is Canon, Nikon, Cosina Voigtlander, Accura, Olympus etc. All of them currently going for almost Leica prices.

drgoose · Sep 15, 2014

Just ordered a Jupiter 12.

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georg16nik · Sep 15, 2014

drgoose said:
Just ordered a Jupiter 12.

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White or Black?

drgoose · Sep 15, 2014

black

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nosmok · Sep 15, 2014

You'll be happy with the Jupiter-- great lens, at least mine is. An obscure one to look for is 35mm f/2.8 Xenar from Schneider.They seem to be rare in this focal length but mine was not expensive, and it works a treat. Great color rendition too.

--nosmok

Xmas · Sep 15, 2014

If you want multi coated modern lens the cheapest is the Cosina Voiglander /2.5 5cm.

If you want cheap a late J8.

If you want single coated performance into corners on a budget the Canon /1.8 5cm.

Alas all these are inflating in price.

Richard S. (rich815) · Sep 15, 2014

Xmas said:
If you want multi coated modern lens the cheapest is the Cosina Voiglander /2.5 5cm.

If you want cheap a late J8.

If you want single coated performance into corners on a budget the Canon /1.8 5cm.

Alas all these are inflating in price.

You mean J12, yes?

bdial · Sep 15, 2014

I have been pleased with the J12. Mine is a silver one from '53

Arklatexian · Sep 15, 2014

Look at it this way. Within reason, whatever you pay for a Leitz/Leica lens, if you use it for ten or fifteen years, you will probably beat inflation if you went to sell it. The 50mm, f:3.5 Elmar talked about earlier is (for B&W) one of the best lenses that Leica ever made. By the way, does a lens used strictly for B&W have to be coated to be any good?....Regards!

Xmas · Sep 15, 2014

Richard Sintchak (rich815) said:
You mean J12, yes?

No I was only considering 5cm lenses.
A 35 mm lens will need a finder at additional expense.
I'll give you some people use a separate finder for 5cm as well but that is also an expensive option.

If you must have a 35mm a J12 and a Russian turret finder are the minium cost at about twice a J8.

georg16nik · Sep 15, 2014

oldtimermetoo said:
Look at it this way. Within reason, whatever you pay for a Leitz/Leica lens, if you use it for ten or fifteen years, you will probably beat inflation if you went to sell it. The 50mm, f:3.5 Elmar talked about earlier is (for B&W) one of the best lenses that Leica ever made. By the way, does a lens used strictly for B&W have to be coated to be any good?....Regards!

Note that the 50mm f:3,5 Elmar you are talking about and the 35mm f:3,5 Elmar suggested by rich815 are quite different lenses.
The 35mm Elmar's curvature of field and overall signature might be of interest to some shooters but historically never gained real momentum.
The pre-WWII Biogon on which the Jupiter 12 is based, leads optically.

gzinsel · Sep 15, 2014

my vote is a Canon P with the 50mm f/1.8 or more expensive 1.4, I also like the 100mm f3.5, I also like the 35mm f/2 AND surprisingly the 2.8. all canon lenses of course. all real great buys/

frank · Sep 15, 2014

Yes, look into canon lenses! I have the 35f2, aka Summicron killer.
Also have 28f2.8, 28f3.5, 50f1.8.

Ko.Fe. · Sep 15, 2014

If setting of aperture starts bugging you, check next affordable lens, which is easy to find in non trashed condition - CV Color Skopar 35 2.5 LTM. Superior to J12, by everything, costs less comparing to old Leitz.

Richard S. (rich815) · Sep 15, 2014

Xmas said:
No I was only considering 5cm lenses.
A 35 mm lens will need a finder at additional expense.
I'll give you some people use a separate finder for 5cm as well but that is also an expensive option.

If you must have a 35mm a J12 and a Russian turret finder are the minium cost at about twice a J8.

Got it. Sorry for my error. J8 a good lens. I have a nice black one I got for a song.

ntenny · Sep 16, 2014

Xmas said:
If you must have a 35mm a J12 and a Russian turret finder are the minium cost at about twice a J8.

The turret finder is nice, but a lot more expensive than the 35mm finder. I got one of the latter with my J-12---I don't remember if it was a package deal or what---and it's a good-quality, usable finder.

-NT

Which 35mm LTM

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