Your go to LTM lenses?
p.1 #1Your go to LTM lenses?
Recently acquired a Canon P, and been looking for lenses with unique rendering on it. For references, what are your favorites
Sep 21, 2026 at 04:34 PM
p.1 #2Your go to LTM lenses?
Canon LTM 50/1.4. My only LTM lens but I love it.
Sep 21, 2026 at 04:51 PM
p.1 #3Your go to LTM lenses?
I've got a Canon LTM set for my Canon P, matching the three framelines:
1. Canon 35/1.8 LTM (but the 35/2 is cheaper and has better coatings so a good choice). Vintage rendering wide open with a bit of swirl and lower contrast, very sharp stopped down. Susceptible to veiling flare and it produces alien-spaceship-like ghost flares if you aim it toward the sun. My favourite 35mm lens of all time. I have an album of photos I've shot with that lens; the earlier ones in the album on digital; the film ones (mostly on Canon P) are later in the album: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzDmHd
2. Canon 50/1.4 LTM (surprisingly modern rendering, a bit soft wide open, great for portraits). Flickr group for this lens: https://flic.kr/g/eamQ6
3. Canon 100/3.5 LTM (hard to find one without haze, but if you can find one it's worth it. Very small and light for a telephoto lens, minimal viewfinder blockage.
All three of those are winners and a perfect match for the Canon P. For a more modern rendering I have a set of Voigtländer LTM lenses: the 25/4 Snapshot Skopar (zone-focus only, not rangefinder coupled, and requires a shoe-mounted viewfinder), the 35/2.5 Color-Skopar, and the (expensive) 50/2 Heliar. I like those for travel as they are very small and all take 39mm filters. The Snapshot Skopar is excellent but produces unattractive flares when the sun is anywhere near the frame (Flickr group: https://flic.kr/g/3z2iyG). The Color-Skopar is tiny and sharp, with just the right amount of contrast (Flickr group, which I think also includes photos from the Nikon F mount version: https://flic.kr/g/3UKPdU). The Heliar 50/2 has a bit of glow wide open and I like using it for portraits (Flickr group for this lens here: https://flic.kr/g/bK2et). All three of those lenses are fairly bland in terms of character, but they're sharp and generally good performers.
1. Canon 35/1.8 LTM (but the 35/2 is cheaper and has better coatings so a good choice). Vintage rendering wide open with a bit of swirl and lower contrast, very sharp stopped down. Susceptible to veiling flare and it produces alien-spaceship-like ghost flares if you aim it toward the sun. My favourite 35mm lens of all time. I have an album of photos I've shot with that lens; the earlier ones in the album on digital; the film ones (mostly on Canon P) are later in the album: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzDmHd
2. Canon 50/1.4 LTM (surprisingly modern rendering, a bit soft wide open, great for portraits). Flickr group for this lens: https://flic.kr/g/eamQ6
3. Canon 100/3.5 LTM (hard to find one without haze, but if you can find one it's worth it. Very small and light for a telephoto lens, minimal viewfinder blockage.
All three of those are winners and a perfect match for the Canon P. For a more modern rendering I have a set of Voigtländer LTM lenses: the 25/4 Snapshot Skopar (zone-focus only, not rangefinder coupled, and requires a shoe-mounted viewfinder), the 35/2.5 Color-Skopar, and the (expensive) 50/2 Heliar. I like those for travel as they are very small and all take 39mm filters. The Snapshot Skopar is excellent but produces unattractive flares when the sun is anywhere near the frame (Flickr group: https://flic.kr/g/3z2iyG). The Color-Skopar is tiny and sharp, with just the right amount of contrast (Flickr group, which I think also includes photos from the Nikon F mount version: https://flic.kr/g/3UKPdU). The Heliar 50/2 has a bit of glow wide open and I like using it for portraits (Flickr group for this lens here: https://flic.kr/g/bK2et). All three of those lenses are fairly bland in terms of character, but they're sharp and generally good performers.
Sep 21, 2026 at 06:14 PM
p.1 #4Your go to LTM lenses?
Ooh! Thabk you for your insights!! The color skopar and especially the 50/2 Heliar has got my attention. Im going to look at more photos and decide, and maybe both one day Thanks!
bjhurley wrote:
I've got a Canon LTM set for my Canon P, matching the three framelines:
1. Canon 35/1.8 LTM (but the 35/2 is cheaper and has better coatings so a good choice). Vintage rendering wide open with a bit of swirl and lower contrast, very sharp stopped down. Susceptible to veiling flare and it produces alien-spaceship-like ghost flares if you aim it toward the sun. My favourite 35mm lens of all time. I have an album of photos I've shot with that lens; the earlier ones in the album on digital; the film ones (mostly on Canon P) are later in the...Show more →
bjhurley wrote:
I've got a Canon LTM set for my Canon P, matching the three framelines:
1. Canon 35/1.8 LTM (but the 35/2 is cheaper and has better coatings so a good choice). Vintage rendering wide open with a bit of swirl and lower contrast, very sharp stopped down. Susceptible to veiling flare and it produces alien-spaceship-like ghost flares if you aim it toward the sun. My favourite 35mm lens of all time. I have an album of photos I've shot with that lens; the earlier ones in the album on digital; the film ones (mostly on Canon P) are later in the...Show more →
Sep 21, 2026 at 11:11 PM
p.1 #5Your go to LTM lenses?
Patrickzee wrote:
Ooh! Thabk you for your insights!! The color skopar and especially the 50/2 Heliar has got my attention. Im going to look at more photos and decide, and maybe both one day Thanks!
Great! Unfortunately the 50/2 Heliar LTM is rare and thus quite expensive; I hesitated to buy it but I wanted a very small 50mm that takes 39mm filters so I could use it for travel along with my other Voigtländer LTM lenses and share filters among them (I mostly shoot B&W film and often use yellow or red filters). There's an M-mount version that's cheaper and has the same optics; the LTM version was produced in a smaller quantity. The ergonomics on the LTM version are weird (the aperture ring rotates as you focus, so sometimes you have to turn the camera upside down to see what aperture you're using) and it looks like a collapsible lens but isn't (I think the M version is actually collapsible). But it's an amazing lens and I've grown to love it.
Ooh! Thabk you for your insights!! The color skopar and especially the 50/2 Heliar has got my attention. Im going to look at more photos and decide, and maybe both one day Thanks!
Great! Unfortunately the 50/2 Heliar LTM is rare and thus quite expensive; I hesitated to buy it but I wanted a very small 50mm that takes 39mm filters so I could use it for travel along with my other Voigtländer LTM lenses and share filters among them (I mostly shoot B&W film and often use yellow or red filters). There's an M-mount version that's cheaper and has the same optics; the LTM version was produced in a smaller quantity. The ergonomics on the LTM version are weird (the aperture ring rotates as you focus, so sometimes you have to turn the camera upside down to see what aperture you're using) and it looks like a collapsible lens but isn't (I think the M version is actually collapsible). But it's an amazing lens and I've grown to love it.
Sep 22, 2026 at 03:29 AM
p.1 #6Your go to LTM lenses?
rji2goleez wrote:
Canon LTM 50/1.4. My only LTM lens but I love it.
Same here. Its got a nice gentle draw that works well for portraits.
Columbia Road Market by burchyk, on Flickr
Untitled by burchyk, on Flickr
Canon L2 with 50mm f/1.4 LTM by burchyk, on Flickr
Canon LTM 50/1.4. My only LTM lens but I love it.
Same here. Its got a nice gentle draw that works well for portraits.
Columbia Road Market by burchyk, on FlickrUntitled by burchyk, on FlickrCanon L2 with 50mm f/1.4 LTM by burchyk, on FlickrSep 23, 2026 at 05:48 PM
p.1 #7Your go to LTM lenses?
Patrickzee wrote:
Recently acquired a Canon P, and been looking for lenses with unique rendering on it. For references, what are your favorites
Canon 50/1.4 LTM (swirly bokeh wide open)
Canon 50/1.2 LTM (no swirly bokeh wide open but unique background blur)
Nikkor 50/1.4 S.C. LTM (painterly look wide open, no swirly bokeh, sharpest of the first three listed here in center). Hidden gem!
Canon 35/2.8 Serenar LTM (affordable and small size lens - does the job but no special blur or something).
Voigtlander 25/4.0 Snapshot-Skopar LTM (no rangefinder coupling but also not required here, zone focusing works really well with this lens. Very small, sharp and contrasty lens for film - not usable attached to digital Leica M cameras due to significant purple fringing in corners).
Chiyoko Super-Rokkor 45/2.8 LTM (small and sturdy lens which delivers. Only con: aperture and focus ring are connected)
Recently acquired a Canon P, and been looking for lenses with unique rendering on it. For references, what are your favorites
Canon 50/1.4 LTM (swirly bokeh wide open)
Canon 50/1.2 LTM (no swirly bokeh wide open but unique background blur)
Nikkor 50/1.4 S.C. LTM (painterly look wide open, no swirly bokeh, sharpest of the first three listed here in center). Hidden gem!
Canon 35/2.8 Serenar LTM (affordable and small size lens - does the job but no special blur or something).
Voigtlander 25/4.0 Snapshot-Skopar LTM (no rangefinder coupling but also not required here, zone focusing works really well with this lens. Very small, sharp and contrasty lens for film - not usable attached to digital Leica M cameras due to significant purple fringing in corners).
Chiyoko Super-Rokkor 45/2.8 LTM (small and sturdy lens which delivers. Only con: aperture and focus ring are connected)
Sep 28, 2026 at 06:17 AM
p.1 #8Your go to LTM lenses?
Hi,
My LTM assortment includes the 35mm f2 (V1), 50mm f1.4 (V2), 85mm f1.9 (V2), 100mm f3.5 (V2), and a recent purchase of the 50mm f2.8 "Zebra" (Tessar formula). That last one is glued to my Canon P, and it proved its' worth so far...
Regards,
Edd
My LTM assortment includes the 35mm f2 (V1), 50mm f1.4 (V2), 85mm f1.9 (V2), 100mm f3.5 (V2), and a recent purchase of the 50mm f2.8 "Zebra" (Tessar formula). That last one is glued to my Canon P, and it proved its' worth so far...
Regards,
Edd
Sep 28, 2026 at 08:36 AM
p.1 #9Your go to LTM lenses?
CV 50/2.5 LTM has a really wonderful pop and sharpness in the middle focus range, so killer on portrait distances. They are dense brass with a focus tab and feel really sublime. I like the tonal reproduction out of it much more than the Canons. It's not highly resolving but it feels sharp. Vogelius has a pretty accurate review of it here: https://gear.vogelius.se/-reviews/voigtlander-skopar-50-ltm/index.html
Here it is on a Leica M digital: https://photos.app.goo.gl/fb7jjDM8ybB7j4o86
In B&W interior: https://photos.app.goo.gl/X147F1ZJsx193t1fA
And on film, Agfa APX 100: https://photos.app.goo.gl/9egmXgdNcYuVihRR6
CV 35/2.5 LTM is perfectly fine on film and I used it on a Canon LV. It was always nice to focus even if the build quality wasn't Voigtlander's best.
Example on Portra 160
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yy7FmZVvj2UNBxv38
I'll only add that the Canon 50/1.4 is really easy to service too. Usually all of the dust build up is oil particulate so you just split the halves around the aperture blade and clean. I've regreased them before. Do those two things and they come back to life.
It's a very symmetrical 6 element gauss design and has a great blend of Helios bokeh and resolving power. It can be a bit stifling to gradient fidelity so don't expect loads of pop.
Here is is on crop sensor digital (Fuji XP3) wide open: https://photos.app.goo.gl/FywSRjXmkiNkdx2y7
Here it is on a Leica M digital: https://photos.app.goo.gl/fb7jjDM8ybB7j4o86
In B&W interior: https://photos.app.goo.gl/X147F1ZJsx193t1fA
And on film, Agfa APX 100: https://photos.app.goo.gl/9egmXgdNcYuVihRR6
CV 35/2.5 LTM is perfectly fine on film and I used it on a Canon LV. It was always nice to focus even if the build quality wasn't Voigtlander's best.
Example on Portra 160
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yy7FmZVvj2UNBxv38
I'll only add that the Canon 50/1.4 is really easy to service too. Usually all of the dust build up is oil particulate so you just split the halves around the aperture blade and clean. I've regreased them before. Do those two things and they come back to life.
It's a very symmetrical 6 element gauss design and has a great blend of Helios bokeh and resolving power. It can be a bit stifling to gradient fidelity so don't expect loads of pop.
Here is is on crop sensor digital (Fuji XP3) wide open: https://photos.app.goo.gl/FywSRjXmkiNkdx2y7
Sep 29, 2026 at 10:27 AM
p.1 #10Your go to LTM lenses?
Very timely topic for me since I have just acquired a Barnack III camera, and I was looking for some LTM lenses.
I do have the Chiyoko Super-Rokkor mentioned above, mine has a "slipery" focusing action, but the main inconvenience, for me, is its clickless aperture ring.
Nevertheless, I have also bought, for this Barnack, a collapsible Elmar 50/2.8, but, appart from that, I still want a 35mm and a 28mm. And quite tempted by the Voigtlander 40/2.8 Heliar - which seems to have reached its EOL (could not find a new or used copy in Europe).
So I will keep an eye on this topic, as well.
I do have the Chiyoko Super-Rokkor mentioned above, mine has a "slipery" focusing action, but the main inconvenience, for me, is its clickless aperture ring.
Nevertheless, I have also bought, for this Barnack, a collapsible Elmar 50/2.8, but, appart from that, I still want a 35mm and a 28mm. And quite tempted by the Voigtlander 40/2.8 Heliar - which seems to have reached its EOL (could not find a new or used copy in Europe).
So I will keep an eye on this topic, as well.
Sep 30, 2026 at 08:05 AM
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p.1 #11Your go to LTM lenses?
catacore wrote:
Very timely topic for me since I have just acquired a Barnack III camera, and I was looking for some LTM lenses.
I do have the Chiyoko Super-Rokkor mentioned above, mine has a "slipery" focusing action, but the main inconvenience, for me, is its clickless aperture ring.
Nevertheless, I have also bought, for this Barnack, a collapsible Elmar 50/2.8, but, appart from that, I still want a 35mm and a 28mm. And quite tempted by the Voigtlander 40/2.8 Heliar - which seems to have reached its EOL (could not find a new or used copy in Europe).
So I will keep an eye...Show more →
The Barnack was my gateway. Mine was an original III from 1934.
CV 50/2.5 and a Leica M thumbgrip which almost works!
CV 21/4 and a 21mm VF from TTartisan (nicely made but no frame lines)
Very timely topic for me since I have just acquired a Barnack III camera, and I was looking for some LTM lenses.
I do have the Chiyoko Super-Rokkor mentioned above, mine has a "slipery" focusing action, but the main inconvenience, for me, is its clickless aperture ring.
Nevertheless, I have also bought, for this Barnack, a collapsible Elmar 50/2.8, but, appart from that, I still want a 35mm and a 28mm. And quite tempted by the Voigtlander 40/2.8 Heliar - which seems to have reached its EOL (could not find a new or used copy in Europe).
So I will keep an eye...Show more →
The Barnack was my gateway. Mine was an original III from 1934.
CV 50/2.5 and a Leica M thumbgrip which almost works!
CV 21/4 and a 21mm VF from TTartisan (nicely made but no frame lines)
Sep 30, 2026 at 04:37 PM
p.1 #12Your go to LTM lenses?
ottokbre wrote:
The Barnack was my gateway. Mine was an original III from 1934.
Nice-a-roni! I guess it to be a IIIa which, with the IIIb, are the best looking Barnack models:
I own just two LTM (Summaron 35/2.8 and Elmar 50/3.5 RS). The Summaron is top-tier but the Elmar is a tiny classic with well regarded performance:
The Barnack was my gateway. Mine was an original III from 1934.
Nice-a-roni! I guess it to be a IIIa which, with the IIIb, are the best looking Barnack models:
I own just two LTM (Summaron 35/2.8 and Elmar 50/3.5 RS). The Summaron is top-tier but the Elmar is a tiny classic with well regarded performance:
Sep 30, 2026 at 08:08 PM
p.1 #13Your go to LTM lenses?
Then what would be your choice for a 28mm LTM lens? I am still pondering between the Color-Skopar versions.....
Oct 03, 2026 at 11:24 AM
p.1 #14Your go to LTM lenses?
The main LTM 28mm of interest to me (based on images) is the Minolta G-Rokkor 28/3.5 that was released quite late as a vanity product. Same lens as the fabled TC-1 film P&S. Unfortunately, eBay prices are well over $1K these days. Ricoh GR 28/2.8 is a similar product but also expensive. I'm attracted this catagory of lens: Japanese, 1990s, all-metal build, multicoated.
Oct 03, 2026 at 02:47 PM
p.1 #15Your go to LTM lenses?
rico wrote:
The main LTM 28mm of interest to me (based on images) is the Minolta G-Rokkor 28/3.5 that was released quite late as a vanity product. Same lens as the fabled TC-1 film P&S. Unfortunately, eBay prices are well over $1K these days. Ricoh GR 28/2.8 is a similar product but also expensive. I'm attracted this catagory of lens: Japanese, 1990s, all-metal build, multicoated.
These are very nice 28mm LTM lenses but very pricey. I have been using a Voigtlander Color-Skopar 28mm f/3.5 since early 2000s. It's also a multi-coated lens and its optical performance is very good.
The main LTM 28mm of interest to me (based on images) is the Minolta G-Rokkor 28/3.5 that was released quite late as a vanity product. Same lens as the fabled TC-1 film P&S. Unfortunately, eBay prices are well over $1K these days. Ricoh GR 28/2.8 is a similar product but also expensive. I'm attracted this catagory of lens: Japanese, 1990s, all-metal build, multicoated.
These are very nice 28mm LTM lenses but very pricey. I have been using a Voigtlander Color-Skopar 28mm f/3.5 since early 2000s. It's also a multi-coated lens and its optical performance is very good.
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Oct 04, 2026 at 07:48 AM
p.1 #16Your go to LTM lenses?
@ocean2059 Nice rig! If I had to guess, IIIf RS with C/V 28mm metal VF.
Oct 04, 2026 at 10:35 AM
p.1 #17Your go to LTM lenses?
The later Canon LTM lenses are legendary for a reason.
35/2 is way better and generally pricier than the 1.8, contrary to an earlier comment on this thread. I've had at least half a dozen over the last decade.
The 50/2.2 is rare and lovely
50/1.4 is easy to find, but wide price range. Great glass and bokeh.
50/1.2 is swirly in some conditions. REALLY fantastic lens if you get a clean copy but so many have haze or separation, or both, and/or fungus lol.
100/3.5 is lovely but difficult to find without problems.
35/2 is way better and generally pricier than the 1.8, contrary to an earlier comment on this thread. I've had at least half a dozen over the last decade.
The 50/2.2 is rare and lovely
50/1.4 is easy to find, but wide price range. Great glass and bokeh.
50/1.2 is swirly in some conditions. REALLY fantastic lens if you get a clean copy but so many have haze or separation, or both, and/or fungus lol.
100/3.5 is lovely but difficult to find without problems.
Oct 23, 2026 at 04:51 AM
p.1 #19Your go to LTM lenses?
I loved the Voigtlander 50/2 Heliar in M mount, and I would look for the LTM version if you can find it.
My only two current LTM lenses are the W-Nikkor 3.5cm f/1.8 and Konica UC-Hexanon 35mm f/2. Optically similar but the coatings are quite different.
If I had a Canon P, I'd specifically look for a Canon 35mm f/1.5 and 25mm f/3.5, two interesting lenses from that era!
My only two current LTM lenses are the W-Nikkor 3.5cm f/1.8 and Konica UC-Hexanon 35mm f/2. Optically similar but the coatings are quite different.
If I had a Canon P, I'd specifically look for a Canon 35mm f/1.5 and 25mm f/3.5, two interesting lenses from that era!
Nov 05, 2026 at 06:06 AM
p.1 #20Your go to LTM lenses?
Pianisimo wrote:
I loved the Voigtlander 50/2 Heliar in M mount, and I would look for the LTM version if you can find it.
My only two current LTM lenses are the W-Nikkor 3.5cm f/1.8 and Konica UC-Hexanon 35mm f/2. Optically similar but the coatings are quite different.
If I had a Canon P, I'd specifically look for a Canon 35mm f/1.5 and 25mm f/3.5, two interesting lenses from that era!
The 50/2 Heliar in LTM is indeed great, but rare and expensive. I really like it for portraits (shot with Canon P and Tri-X):
Veronica on film 6 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Speaking of expensive, the Canon 35/1.5 LTM is super pricey (I sometimes see it going for $4,000), but the 1.8 is a good compromise. The 35/2 is better in every way but the 1.8 has a little more character, especially wide open, and that's the one I chose.
I loved the Voigtlander 50/2 Heliar in M mount, and I would look for the LTM version if you can find it.
My only two current LTM lenses are the W-Nikkor 3.5cm f/1.8 and Konica UC-Hexanon 35mm f/2. Optically similar but the coatings are quite different.
If I had a Canon P, I'd specifically look for a Canon 35mm f/1.5 and 25mm f/3.5, two interesting lenses from that era!
The 50/2 Heliar in LTM is indeed great, but rare and expensive. I really like it for portraits (shot with Canon P and Tri-X):
Veronica on film 6 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrSpeaking of expensive, the Canon 35/1.5 LTM is super pricey (I sometimes see it going for $4,000), but the 1.8 is a good compromise. The 35/2 is better in every way but the 1.8 has a little more character, especially wide open, and that's the one I chose.
Nov 05, 2026 at 06:13 AM