kidtexas
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
|
 p.121 #9 · Leica M/X/T/S/Q/CL/SL Picture Thread | |
h00ligan wrote:
Alright members, I need some advice. I'm discussing the purchase of a used m9.. 4 months old at a reduction of about 22%. Were I to buy it it would become my main camera. That said what would you advise for a 35mm lens. I can only justify one lens for a bit, not a matter of afford but certainly a matter of justify, and I prefer 35mm for people photos. Caveat, it has to be fast because I like low light.
Any non-Leica lens will possibly have some issues with coding since the codes are tailored for Leica lenses. Something to keep in mind. Don't know if it is always an issue.
CV 35/1.4 - fast, small, cheap, reasonably sharp, might have some focus shift on the M9, some don't like the bokeh in certain situations
CV 35/1.2 - even faster, large, still not that expensive, somewhat low contrast wide open, but as someone once said, "If it had the Leica name on it, people would sing it's praises for eternity" (see Noctilux 50/1 for example). Don't think it has focus shift issues.
CV 35/2.5 - small, cheap, reportedly a great lens. Might be too slow
Leica 35/1.4 ASPH (new) - If you got the money, this is probably the one to buy. Everyone seems pretty happy with theirs
Leica 35/1.4 ASPH (old) - Just like the new one, but has focus shift. Possibly a bit softer up close as well due to the lack of the floating element. Maybe not though - not seen any tests. Whether or not the focus shift will affect you depends on your tolerance and shooting style.
Leica 35/2 ASPH - I've seen no complaints about this lens. Small, sharp, a great lens. Don't know if f/2 works for you.
Leica 35/2.5 Summarit - small and supposedly good lens. Might be too slow for you.
Leica 35/1.4 and 35/2 pre-ASPHs - Good lenses but will not be as sharp as the ASPHs wide open. I personally think the 35/2 pre-ASPH's bokeh can be a bit strange at times despite it's nickname.
Zeiss 35/2 - I had this lens for a year and thought it was awesome. It's not as big as some people say. It's plenty sharp wide open. It's very consistent. It seems to be getting a bad rap on this forum, but it's a pretty awesome lens in my book with almost ZERO distortion.
Zeiss 35/2.8 - the new favorite on rangefinderforum. People seem to love it, probably too slow for you. I'd only buy a lens like this if I had a faster alternative to pair up with it. And then probably never use the slow one, judging from my behavior at 28mm.
There are a couple of other good 35/2's out there (Konica Hexanon-M, etc), but you should be able to find something you like in the list above. Personally, I'd say try out the Zeiss 35/2 and form your own opinions about it. You should be able to pick up a used one for ~$700ish, and if you don't like it, sell it for about the price. If you got the cash, maybe try out the 35/2. You can do a lot with f/2.
|
These shots were taken at f/1.4 which give the creamy and paintlike appearance. Once you stop down, to f/2.8 - f/4.0 it behaves differently but still maintains this style of rendering. A very unusual lens...lots to learn 
