Affordable 35mm lens for Voigtlander Bessa -T

[hoyin_lee1]

I'm asking this for a friend, who just bought a Bessa-T. She would like to get an affordable 35mm lens (by "affordable," I guess it'll rule out practically all the current and recent-production M-mount 35mm lenses!) that will fit the Bessa-T. It doesn't have to be a Leica, but it should preferrably be compact. My suggestion to her was a Voigtlander Color-Skopar Pan or Classic 35mm f/2.5. Any other ideas?

[anon_terry]

Why not a used Voigtlander 35/1.7 Ultron ASPH and an M adapter?

[wilhelm]

The Russian lenses ain't bad (get return privileges).

[jose f.]

If you can ignore the 5 mm difference, the 40mm Summicron-C or

M-Rokkor are probably the best bargain going in an M-mount semi-wide.

Voigtlander is supposed to be releasing a 40 mm finder. Shouldn't cost

her more than $300 or so. The V'lander 35/2.5 Classic is nice, but not

as nice as the 40.

[Alex_Es]

Dear Hoyin,

 

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I have a lot to say about 35mm lenses, and probably will say it all

eventually. But okay: Here is my recommendation for an excellent and

affordable 35mm lens: The Voigntlander Colar Skopar Classic 35/2.5.

It is very inexpensive -- I got mine used for just 22,000 yen, which

is under $200 by today's exchange rates. It is small, light (lighter

than the "Pancake" version) and handles well. Optically it compares

with the Leitz 35/2 and 1.4 ASPH's. The only problem is the fairly

slow maximum f-stop.

 

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These days I carry the 35/2.5 along with my my old Summilux 35/1.4--a

pretty awful performer in comparison. The Skopar is for daylight (it

doesn't have the Summilux's flare and ghost problems) and the Summilux

is for available light. Their combined weight is just over 300 g.

 

<p>

 

If speed matters, the 35/1.7 ASPH is not a bad choice. It is not as

good as the lastest Leica 35's, but is very good nonetheless. In the

comparative field test results I've seen it's inferior to all Leica

35's (except my poor old Summilux) wide open in how it handles very

bright objects (street lamps in this case). In the center the Leicas

are quite compact, showing the lights' buttercup shapes; the Ultron's

rendition the lights tend to look globular. The edge quality is

outstanding -- rivaling the new Leica ASPH's. (It makes me wonder if

the editors accidently mixed up images.) The Ultron is infinitely

better than my old Summilux 35/1.4 -- which I happen to cherish.

 

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A new Ultron goes for about the same price as a used 35/2 non-ASPH

(being a little under, generally). I would go for an older 35/2 in

good condition before an Ultron 35/1.7. The build quality is better

and the optics are marginally better -- at least as far as the central

image goes. But---

 

The only problem is that the old Leica 35/2 and 1.4 do NOT fit on to

the Bessa T. That leaves the Ultron 35/1.7. But---

 

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If you use the trigger winder you are better off with a lens with a

focusing tab. The Skopar has one and the Ultron does not. Neither

does the "Pancake" version of the Skopar.

 

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Overall, the Classic Skopar 35/2.5 is the most logical choice in terms

of both affordability and performance.

 

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Tip: If you get the black version, you might not be able to read the

red=pink ft distance scale. Get acrillic yellow and repaint the feet

scale. Dab at the numbers with a Q-tip. Let is set until not quite

dry (fast) and rub off excess paint. You'll get a lovely yellow-

orange color.

 

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Another tip: Have a fast 50mm lens? The slower 35 is somewhat

compensated by it when speed is critical.

[hoyin_lee1]

Thank you Alex, Joe, BMitch and Anon for your suggestions. I've

alerted my friend to your suggestions, and, after reviewing all the

suggestions and going through price-checking, she's seriously looking

into either a Voigtlander Color-Skopar Classic or Pancake 35mm f/2.5

as it seems to fit her budget and other requirements. With the value

of Yen dropping, Voigtlander lenses are quite a bargain. She did

consider the Leica or Minolta 40mm f/2, and I loaned her my Summicron-

C to see if she liked it, but she didn't ("not wide enough," she

said). I also found a used Jupiter-12 35mm f/2.8 that costs only

$45, but the store that sells it has no return policy . . . .

Anyway, it's her call.

[Alex_Es]

Dear Hoyin,

 

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You're welcome! Do whisper in your friend's ear about the focusing

tab on the Skopar Classic. easier to use than the "Pancake."

 

<p>

 

All the best!

[hoyin_lee1]

Alex, before I could do what you recommended me to do, my friend

bought a used Canon 28mm external viewfinder and came and whispered

into my ear, "How about borrowing your M-Hexanon 28mm lens to go with

my viewfinder?" Sigh, what are friends for.