photophorous

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $290.00 from used

Summary:
My review is for the Pancake II version of this lens. It's a fantastic modern lens with high resolution, contrast, and sharpness. It's even sharp wide open. Very compact, except for the lens hood. I've done all kinds of photography with this lens, from grainy B&W street shooting to tripod mounted landscapes with slide film, and it works great for both.

Strengths:
Value. Size. Optics.

Weaknesses:
My only complaint is the aperture ring takes a little getting used to, because it has tabs where you are supposed to grip it, instead of just being a regular round ring...this may be unique to the PII version.

Similar Products Used:
No other 35mm focal length for RF, but I have used a Minolta MC Celtic 35mm which doesn't even compare.

Customer Service:
Not needed.

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
A great, sharp lens that's now my "standard" on my M6. Makes the combination very easy to carry.

Strengths:
Optical quality, size, price.

Weaknesses:
Aperture setting, no lens hood.

Similar Products Used:
Too many to mention!

Customer Service:
N/A

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Price Paid:  $270.00 from Adorama

Summary:
If you want a flat 35mm lens for the Bessa-R or some older rangefinders (like the screw mount Leicas, Canon 7, etc.) this is an expensive choice. In retrospect, I would have preferred the 35mm classic version of this lens as it would be easier to manipulate while focusing and changing apertures.

Strengths:
Pretty darned flat!
A good choice if you want to carry a camera with very little lens protruding forward.
Better than average optics
Light in weight
Low price compared to similar Leica lenses

Weaknesses:
So flat it is difficult to focus and change aperture.
If you are used to using an SLR with a moderate zoom, you will need some practice before you are comfortable with it.

Similar Products Used:
35mm 2.0 Nikkor (SLR)
35mm 2.0 Zeiss (for Contax G)
35mm 1.7 Ultron (for Bessa-R)

Customer Service:
Not needed yet