I guess I should start off by saying that I’m not a fan of the 35mm focal length and with SLRs at least, I’ve never gotten on with it. It feels too wide but then again, not quite wide enough – a no man’s land of the focal length world (for me). This is the first roll of film I’ve shot on this focal length in at least four years.
I recently received one of the very first production samples of the new M-mount 7artisans 35mm f/2 Sonnar lens and set about shooting a few rolls to see what it was all about. The five frames you see below were taken with my Leica M6 TTL 0.85 and 7artisans 35mm f/2 on Fujicolor C200.
I wear glasses and specifically purchased the 0.85 M6 TTL to shoot with a 90mm lens. The viewfinder magnification with glasses means seeing the 35mm frame lines isn’t super easy but I think I’ve gotten it pretty much down to pat.
Here are my five…
I love the way a Sonnar renders.
The images you see above were taken mostly at f/4 or f/5.6, my personal “sweet spot” for the lens. In terms of build quality and feel in the hand, I’ll reiterate Hamish’s thoughts: the lens is strides ahead of 7artisan’s M-mount 50mm f/1.1. There’s a click-stop aperture (evenly-spaced full stops) and the new integrated focus tab is solid and nicely scalloped. It’s also quite a bit heavier than it looks.
Great build, great feel, great rendering: it’s a loud warning to third-party M-mount lens manufacturers that they should not rest on their laurels.
If you want to read more about the lens, the first official review is up right now on EMULSIVE.
Thanks for reading,
EM
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Saptarshi on 5 frames with a Leica M6 TTL and 7artisans 35mm f/2 Sonnar – by EMULSIVE
Comment posted: 19/04/2018
Lens review: the 7artisans 35mm f/2 M-mount lens - first production batch exclusive review | EMULSIVE on 5 frames with a Leica M6 TTL and 7artisans 35mm f/2 Sonnar – by EMULSIVE
Comment posted: 19/04/2018
Art Tafil on 5 frames with a Leica M6 TTL and 7artisans 35mm f/2 Sonnar – by EMULSIVE
Comment posted: 19/04/2018
jeremy on 5 frames with a Leica M6 TTL and 7artisans 35mm f/2 Sonnar – by EMULSIVE
Comment posted: 20/04/2018
Regarding the 7Artisans lenses, I handled the prototype which Hamish has. I was very impressed with the build quality and size. Had I not a 35/2 Biogon, I'd have been first in the queue to buy one.
These five images show how nicely it renders colour and seems to have character.
Scott on 5 frames with a Leica M6 TTL and 7artisans 35mm f/2 Sonnar – by EMULSIVE
Comment posted: 22/04/2018
But on rangefinder cameras it seems entirely natural and appropriate.
I have no idea why.
Comment posted: 22/04/2018
Steve on 5 frames with a Leica M6 TTL and 7artisans 35mm f/2 Sonnar – by EMULSIVE
Comment posted: 24/04/2018
Comment posted: 24/04/2018
Comment posted: 24/04/2018
Bent_Brent on 5 frames with a Leica M6 TTL and 7artisans 35mm f/2 Sonnar – by EMULSIVE
Comment posted: 01/05/2018
Comment posted: 01/05/2018
5 Frames with Film Never Die IRO200, a Leica M3, Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2 - By Steven Bleistein - 35mmc on 5 frames with a Leica M6 TTL and 7artisans 35mm f/2 Sonnar – by EMULSIVE
Comment posted: 14/04/2019
Lens review: the 7artisans 35mm f/2 Leica M-mount lens - first production batch exclusive | EMULSIVE on 5 frames with a Leica M6 TTL and 7artisans 35mm f/2 Sonnar – by EMULSIVE
Comment posted: 26/08/2019