Cheap student 35 cron look-a-like [Archive]

Lance

12-10-2007, 10:50

So. I ultimately want a 35 cron for size, speed and performance. But that is really really no option right now. Next I want the 35 biogon. But that is really no option either.

I have been trying to get an overview of the cheap end of the M-mount 35's, but think I don't know it all.

If everyone can say something about 35's in the 3-500$-ish price-range, good or bad, that would be great.

The ones I know a little bit about (or just know of) is really just the CV offerings. How about elderly lenses? Leica, Minolta, Canon, Nikon, others? Are their any bargains to be made if it doesn't say cron or lux on the ring?

I want smallish size and no more than f2,5 and ofcourse reasonable quality.

So bring it on guys. Challenge my student bank account with GAS.

vrgard

12-10-2007, 11:04

I know you said no more than f2.5, but I would also suggest you consider the Canon 35/2.8 ltm lens. Can be had for relatively cheap (will need an M adapter, of course), is wonderfully small, and is a very high quality lens.

-Randy

hans voralberg

12-10-2007, 11:06

I have a 35 Color Skopar and nothing wrong with it either, perform well, very compact as well, slide into a coat pocket easily.

DeeCee3

12-10-2007, 11:08

I've found my Jupiter 12 to be a cracking good lens for the price. They're available from a number of sources both here in the United States and also in Europe. Except for an occasional bit of flare, I've been well-pleased with my less-than-$100 expenditure.

dc3

cmogi10

12-10-2007, 11:11

I would go with a CV 35/2.5, good performer and affordable.
Plus it's tiny.

Tom A

12-10-2007, 11:33

First choice would be the 35f2.5 VC II. Summicron quality at 1/2to 1/3 of the price and you dont need to find an adapter.
2nd choice. Either the Canon 35f1.8 or 35f2. Small and compact (particularly the 35f2). Difficult to find hoods for either one and you do need the screw to bayonet adapter.
The Jupiter 35f2,8 is most likely the cheapest alternative, but it is a bit slower than you want to have and you still need the adapter. It is also a bit of a pain when it comes to changing apertures! Varied quality too!
If you do look around on the Classifieds you could be lucky and find a user 35f2.8 Summaron. The M3 version is clumsy and thus tend to sell for reasonable amounts.

Broke

12-10-2007, 11:35

Or how about a 40mm 'Cron-C or M-Rokkor? Very similar field of view, similar signature and can be had on the cheap (or relatively so...). You'll find lots of information about it around here -- can be made to bring up the 35mm framelines etc.. I've been really quite impressed with mine, wonderful out of focus rendering.

tbarker13

12-10-2007, 11:49

That little CV35 is a great lens. I'd say the same thing for the 40 summicron.

Paul T.

12-10-2007, 11:54

You don't have to make any sacrifice in terms of quality, speed or price.

Simply buy the 40mm Summicron (or Rokkor) - every bit as good as the 35mm V2 I had, and works well with M6 etc framelines.

Lance

12-10-2007, 13:01

Thanks for the quick replies so far. It gave me something to think about. I have been leaning towards the color skopar, but did not know the alternatives. Looks like it's not that bad.

I will look into some of the oddball Leicas. The 40 cron? Is that the one from the CL? It might be a little too close to the 50mm I've got.

Lance

12-10-2007, 13:06

Well... you could sell your Leica stuff, and pick up a SLR with a 17-55!

Problem solved! ;)

Yeah, well. I'm fully covered in the SLR department. I foolishly wanted to try the rangefinder thing and couldn't be satisfied with a Bessa. :bang: :rolleyes: :)

David Murphy

12-10-2007, 15:32

cmogi10

12-10-2007, 15:35

That's weird, I've heard less then pleasent reports of the 35 Ultron

ferider

12-10-2007, 15:38

That's weird, I've heard less then pleasent reports of the 35 Ultron

It's a great lens, IMO. Some people don't like the ergonomics.

You must have talked to Biogon or Summicron users :)

Roland.

David Murphy

12-10-2007, 16:01

That's weird, I've heard less then pleasent reports of the 35 Ultron
I never read the reports -- just used it and was impressed.

raid

12-10-2007, 16:09

I recommend the following 35mm lenses:

1. Canon 35mm/1.8

This is my favorite 35mm lens, after the Summicron 35mm/2 eight-element. The Canon is very well built and is sharp. I found a push on lens hood by Franka that fits the lens perfectly. My example shows flare when pointing it directly at strong light sources. I will get it cleaned.

2. Summaron 35mm/2.8

This lens did remarkably well in my test of 35mm-40mm lenses. You may be able to find a clean one at a manageable price.

3. Canon 35mm/2.8

This little gem is a great little lens. It is tiny and sharp. It does not need a lens hood.

4. If you don't mind getting a 40mm lens, I recommend the Summicron-C or the Rokkor 40mm/2. Both are terrific lenses.

Krosya

12-10-2007, 21:06

I find Ultron to be a great lens. Not the most compact, but very good optics. At least on my sample. But for compact - I'd second Minolta M-Rokkor 40mm/2 - great glass, very compact and close enough to 35mm FL.

ampguy

12-10-2007, 21:10

Or the Hexar AF if you don't mind a whole auto combo kit.

35/1.7 Ultron is OK, but very big relative to the Rokkor.

So. I ultimately want a 35 cron for size, speed and performance. But that is really really no option right now. Next I want the 35 biogon. But that is really no option either.

I have been trying to get an overview of the cheap end of the M-mount 35's, but think I don't know it all.

If everyone can say something about 35's in the 3-500$-ish price-range, good or bad, that would be great.

The ones I know a little bit about (or just know of) is really just the CV offerings. How about elderly lenses? Leica, Minolta, Canon, Nikon, others? Are their any bargains to be made if it doesn't say cron or lux on the ring?

I want smallish size and no more than f2,5 and ofcourse reasonable quality.

So bring it on guys. Challenge my student bank account with GAS.

thomasw_

12-10-2007, 21:36

what sort of shooting do you plan to do with the 35? i assume street shots? accordingly i recommend waiting and buying the zm 35/2 when you can swing it. it is such a smashing lens, it is my favourite all-round 35 irrespective of price. you don't even need a hood with it, so it is quite compact in use; the leica equivalent does need a hood to avoid flare. if you just can't wait, my recommendation would be the cv 35/2,5.

however, i would recommend trying to save....

maddoc

12-10-2007, 21:40

My first RF lens ever was the CV 35/2.5 PII, great little lens but a little to slow (replaced by a Summilux 35mm pre-ASPH). Recently, I got a (googled) Summaron 35/2.8 (for the M3) and like the results so far. The non-googled (M2 versions) went for up to ~ 500$ on the well-known auction site lately.

Back2theFuture

12-11-2007, 04:46

I was at one point thinking too much about about getting a Leica 35mm, or 40 cron.....but after I got my Bessa R with the 35 Skopar Classic, those thoughts just went to the back of my head for more than one reason, I was probably youre age too, 24 now, and youre a student, so youre gonna be using these alot! Which means more wear and tear, the images from my VC 35mm, i Love! And at the same time, I dont feel as protective about actually putting it in situations where if I had say a nice new, or even older 35 Cron, being worried Id scratch the old glass, or bang up such an expensive new lens. For a 35 Id say the VC Skopar all the way, I have the Classic, never tried the pancake etc, but Im sure you cant go wrong with either. As for a 50mm, I just ordered the Nokton 1.5 after snuffing out the GAS of wanting a 50mm Rigid Cron, again, Im sure Ill love that as well, plus 1.5 was the selling point for me anyway :)

Roger Hicks

12-11-2007, 05:06

I never read the reports -- just used it and was impressed.
Dear David,

I wrote some of the reports -- and like you, I was impressed. I prefer my 35/1.4 Summilux (pre-aspheric) for ergonomics, but optically the Ultron is a comparable lens (better in some areas, not as good in others).

A lot of 'negative reports' are, I am sure, written by nit-pickers who don't (? can't) actually take pictures. Human nature being what it is, people tend to remember the negative reports and think they're 'honest', while dismissing the positive ones as 'hype'.

The talk about 'lens contrast' is for the most part wildly overstated, as differences are normally very minor and make no difference to tonality. In B+W, change your dev times; in colour, change films or scanner settings.

Cheers,

R.

Lance

12-11-2007, 09:41

I shoot streets and the occasional landscape.

I'm actually 29. But i get your point, Back2theFuture. DSLR's are my daily work tool, but I will sometimes use the Leica for school to. Mostly I just carry it with me everywhere, so it will be used a lot.

I am heavily leaning towards the Color Skopar. It seems a lot of You give it your stamp of approval. It's about 270€ the cheapest place I can find and the biogon is 890€. It might be cheaper somewhere else, but I would be all done with my education before I can afford it. I'm still in debt over the M6 and 50mm. :-)