35/2,5 VC and 28/35 Minifinder (and the 50/3,5 Heliar S)

I do have a 35 f2,5 VC and the Minifinder. We were in Japan in

February and Mr Kobayashi gave me these two items. I saw this lens

last year in a proto-type form and I was very impressed with the size

and smoothness of its operation. The hood is great, bayonets on and

it brings back memories of using Hasselblads with the "snap" of the

hood being securely locked on. The performance of the lens is similar

to the 1980's 35 Summicron. Sharp and with a nice rendition in

black/white. The bokeh is pleasant and has none of the harshness that

the Aspherical Summicron/Summiluxes exhibit. It is slower than the

Summicron, but not so much so that I find it a bother. Wide-open it

performs as well as the 35/2. It is small but with the "ears" (

shades of the old Summilux 35) and the focussing tab it is very easy

to use. At the moment it is more or less permanently on my MP 0,58. I

can see this lens as a perfect fit for a CL or CLE or on one of my

M2's. Nice lenscap too, clicks in place with two springloaded catches.

My lens is a pre-production sample and it lacks the indicator dot on

the hood for the aperture mark ( there is a white dot on the hood

flange but that is for mounting the hood). I fixed that with a

small "burr" on my Dremel tool.

The Minifinder is truly that. Very bright and contrasty and I can

see the 28 and 35 frames even with glasses. The VC finders are truly

outstanding, all glass and apherical elements and the Minifinder is

no exception. I have been using it on a IIIg and this gives me 28 (

28/3,5 VC), 35 ( 35/3,5 Summaron), 50 (weird 50/2,8 Sonnar in screw

mount) and the 90/3,5 VC. One screwmount Leica and four lenses! The

finder is small enough that you can leave it on the camera all the

time. I do have the VC 28 and the VC 35 finders too, but the

Minifinder is more convinient for a light load. It is so small that

it is better to leave it on the camera than to have to rummage

through the camera bag and try to find it!

Oh yes, I also have the 50/3,5 Heliar in Nikon RF mount (at the

moment my lens represents 50% of the production!). It is just as good

as the T101 lens and that is high praise. Yes it is a f3,5 (but so is

the Elmar Red Dial) but with slow 25 or 100ASA film it is superb. I

like the rigid mount as it feels more secure than any collapsible

mount. Very sharp and with nice contrast but more important, it has

a "roundness" to the image that sets it apart.I have only had time to

shoot about 25 rolls with it and I have had no time to get in to the

darkroom yet, but with a 30x magnifier it looks great. I am taking

some credit for this lens as last year I suggested it to Mr Kobayashi

as a possible " special" lens for the Bessa R2S. I dont know if it is

the best 50 made but it is certainly up there in the top.

Tom A

Hi Tom,<p>

Interesting review - Thanks.<br>

I would be interested to know how you find the build quality of the new VC 35/2,5 compared to the other 35mm offerings from VC?<p>

Regards,<p>

Niels

Tom, is the new 35/2.5 similar in performance and "signiture" as the "Classic" 35/2.5? Which is also a very good lens.

Hello, Tom, and welcome back to the forum! Great you chime in and provide some real world input on a couple of less than common products. Bests to you and T and Barnack ;-) - hope this finds everybody fine.

Tom, nice to read from you, wish you all a nice spring, up there. Regards, Roberto.

Hello there, Tom!

 

Good review. Best to Tuulikki and Mr. B.

 

Cheers,

 

Alex

Hi Tom,

 

Thanks for the review. Hopefully I will have my new CV 35/2.5 in time for the "Spring Shoot". It should arrive either today or tomorrow.

I will talk to you more about it when I see you in Victoria, BC. this weekend. Pray for sunshine !.

 

Bob Langjahr