ZM Sonnar like 28mm or 35mm

[pevelg]

I am now a happy owner of the M8. In the past, when I owned the RD1, I used 35mm lens mainly, ZM Biogon, which was basically a 50mm lens on the RD1. Well, I love that FOV and after letting go the RD1 and getting a M4 instead, I purchased the Zeiss Sonnar 50/1.5 A most spectacular lens. Just love its renditions. However, with the M8, I am getting a 66.5 FOV, a little too tight for me. I do like the 35mm FOV, so I now need a lens that is either 28 or 35mm (37 & 46.5 effective).

My question is which lens in those two focal lengths has a similar rendition to the Zeiss Sonnar AND is at least f2.0, though preferable faster. Any advice?

[jsrockit]

Zeiss 35mm Biogon f/2? Not the same... but maybe close enough?

[ferider]

The only 35 that comes close in rendition is the Summilux ASPH, IMO. But, due to price, probably not what you wanted to hear ....

If f2 is OK, 35/2 Biogon, M-Hexanon, and any Summicron are nice, but not as smooth.

[pevelg]

I've owned the 35/2 Biogon in the past and it was my favorite 35mm at the time ( I had tried 35mm Ultron, 40mm Nokton, a 35mm Jupiter, and maybe one other). However, if I remember correctly, it drew differently than the Sonnar. I'll post some examples from my M8 tonight.

Just read a couple reviews of the 35 Summilux ASPH and WOW, what an amazing lens. But, as you say, the price prevents me from going that direction.

Any other suggestions?

I am going to a street event this Friday and Saturday and will try getting used to the Sonnar on the M8. Maybe I'll have to stick with it until I get the M9 (once available used and much cheaper).

[Krosya]

Here is a great lens that you might like - rare to and at a good price (no connection to seller):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130419406682&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I have one of thes and like it a lot. Not a Sonnar, but very nice regardless.

[Bavaricus]

However, if I remember correctly, it drew differently than the Sonnar. I'll post some examples from my M8 tonight.
You remember right it draws differently. But i'm sorry to disappoint you the shortest Sonnar available is a Rollei 2.8/40 in LTM. It's not possible to build lenses of this kind in shorter focal length. The Rollei is a rela fine lens but very rare due to a short production time and low quantitiy (<1000 pcs.)

[morback]

You remember right it draws differently. But i'm sorry to disappoint you the shortest Sonnar available is a Rollei 2.8/40 in LTM. It's not possible to build lenses of this kind in shorter focal length. The Rollei is a rela fine lens but very rare due to a short production time and low quantitiy (<1000 pcs.)

The Contax T3 has a Sonnar 35/2.8...I always wondered about the truth of that claim since, as you said, Sonnars usually don't go below 50mm...

Maybe a hack job is in order? :P ;)
If you have enough duct tape, it may work?

[ferider]

Two lenses that also come close in rendering IMO, are the Ultron 28/1.9 and 35/1.7. Where the 0.9m min. focus of the 35 might bug you. Or maybe the 35/1.2 ? (never used that one myself, since it does obstruct the viewfinder too much for me).

Roland.

[MCTuomey]

great thread - i've mulled this one over myself, being a big fan of sonnars ...

zm biogon 35/2: no, no, no, nuh-uh, not sonnar-like relative to bokeh and rendering, unless you shoot sonnars stopped down to f8. while it softens up a bit at f2, it just doesn't do the sonnar thing, at least for me.

zm c-biogon 35/2.8: just acquired one, so too early to tell. but even after a few shots wide open i feel it's fair to say its bokeh is a good deal smoother than its faster brother. sonnar-like? i'm hoping so.

vc ultron 35/1.7: had one awhile ago, very smooth bokeh at wide apertures. sonnar-like? a fair likeness, i think.

m-hex 35/2, uc-hex 35/2, m-hex 28/2.8: all good candidates, although i think they are more like the cron 35/2 IV than not, meaning they hold background definition more than a sonnar, shot wide open.

[Krosya]

I think M-Hexanon 35 and UC-Hexanon 35 has somewhat Sonnar-ish signature

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/2877096590_9f06f8c717.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/73041278@N00/2877096590/)
.......... by krosyagms, on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/73041278@N00/2877096590/)


Does anyone know how to link photos from Flickr now?

[thomasw_]

I think ... UC-Hexanon 35 has somewhat Sonnar-ish signature.....

Yes, tersely put. I was trying to suggest the same about the W-Nikkor (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasw_/4899062932/)35/1,8 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasw_/4899062932/). I believe they are related designs?

BTW. re flickr:>

Use the "Share This" > "Grab HTML" > "BBCode" > Cut/Paste code into your RFF message like so...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4899062932_5217c6fc18.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasw_/4899062932/)
Remembrance of surf... by thomasw_, on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasw_/4899062932/)

[xhrl]

Such a beautiful photo there thomasw! Is that a W-Nikkor 35/1,8?

[Krosya]

BTW. re flickr:>

Use the "Share This" > "Grab HTML" > "BBCode" > Cut/Paste code into your RFF message like so...



Thank you for this - I couldnt figure it out! They used to be so much simpler at flickr.

[thomasw_]

Such a beautiful photo there thomasw! Is that a W-Nikkor 35/1,8?

Thanks heaps for the compliment. Yes, it is. As I have said elsewhere, it has become my go-to 35. In fact, right now my copy is being converted to M-mount! I got the inspiration from Nate here on RFF as Mister E; he was the first that I know to convert the re-issued 2005 W-Nikkor 35/1,8 to M-mount. Truly it is a smashing lens, xhrl!

[pevelg]

Here are some examples from my Sonnar.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4901849094_2d8a311527_z.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4901853532_58e2c261f7_z.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4901264259_8c05beede9_z.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4901262879_577fba6f5d_z.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4901268641_7b41fc59cc_z.jpg

[ferider]

Here is the 28/1.9 on film, Pevel, so you see what I mean:

http://ferider.smugmug.com/Portfolio/People/silvester-6/53320365_4BADS-XL-1.jpg

Remember, besides the smooth focus, the 50/1.5 has basically zero distortion. The 28/1.9 shares this feature.

[Phil_F_NM]

The Canon 35mm f/1.5 would be a close candidate as well.

Phil Forrest

[pevelg]

Wow, thats a great photo! I like the lenses price as well. I'll go over to flickr and browse photos from this lens. Any difference between the M-mount version verses yours?

EDIT: I am leaning towards the 28mm side to get the 35mm equivalent.

[ferider]

Thanks ! I have never used the newer 28/2, Pevel. But what I know is that on the M8 you will have no problem with focus shift, etc, with the 28/1.9. A bunch of reviews (Puts, Reid, etc) confirm this.

If you decide to go for the 28/1.9, make sure you can test it. There is some sample variation.

Roland.

[pevelg]

What is your experience with veiling flare? Anybody use this with M8 and IR filter?

[raid]

I recommend the 28mm 3.5 Kobalux. I love the sharpness and the OOF rendering with this lens. In 35mm I would recommend the Summicron.

[Phil_F_NM]

I use the CV 28mm f/1.9 ASPH with Leica UV/IR filter on my M8. It's a fantastic lens. There could be a bit of veiling flare wide open but I also think that the filters have a lot to do with this. They are not multicoated and the way they block UV/IR is through reflection but this also causes reflections. With or without the filter, it's a great lens. I've not seen any focus shift with this sample and highly recommend one for a wide-normal 35mm-ish lens equivalent for the M8.

Phil Forrest