5 frames with a Leica M6 TTL and 7artisans 35mm f/2 Sonnar – by EMULSIVE

By EMULSIVE

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…

Leica M6 TTL 0.85, 7artisans 35mm f/2
Leica M6 TTL 0.85, 7artisans 35mm f/2
Leica M6 TTL 0.85, 7artisans 35mm f/2
Leica M6 TTL 0.85, 7artisans 35mm f/2
Leica M6 TTL 0.85, 7artisans 35mm f/2
Leica M6 TTL 0.85, 7artisans 35mm f/2
Leica M6 TTL 0.85, 7artisans 35mm f/2
Leica M6 TTL 0.85, 7artisans 35mm f/2
Leica M6 TTL 0.85, 7artisans 35mm f/2
Leica M6 TTL 0.85, 7artisans 35mm f/2

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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About The Author

By EMULSIVE
Self confessed film-freak and film photography mad-obsessive and OVERLORD at emulsive.org. I push, pull, shoot, boil and burn film everyday, and I want to share what I learn.
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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

[…] you’ve already seen my recent 5 Frames With on this lens over at 35mmc, you’ll be aware that I’m not exactly used to the 35mm focal length. In fact, bad eyesight […]
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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

[…] color negative stock, but judge for yourself. There are other examples of Fujicolor C200 on 35mmc here and […]
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Bent_Brent on 5 frames with a Leica M6 TTL and 7artisans 35mm f/2 Sonnar – by EMULSIVE

Comment posted: 01/05/2018

These shots are spectacular - those first two images have resolution and micro-contrast out the yin-yang. This is a very impressive lens. Wow.
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EMULSIVE replied:

Comment posted: 01/05/2018

You are too kind, thank you!

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Steve on 5 frames with a Leica M6 TTL and 7artisans 35mm f/2 Sonnar – by EMULSIVE

Comment posted: 24/04/2018

Have you weighed your copy? I find the stated 320 grams weight a bit unlikely...
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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 24/04/2018

It's about 210 grams

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EMULSIVE replied:

Comment posted: 24/04/2018

Hi Steve. Guessing it was you who asked the same question on the pre-production review. I've provided a complete answer for you here: https://www.35mmc.com/18/11/2017/7artisans-35mm-f2-pre-pro-sample-photos/#comment-193142

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Scott on 5 frames with a Leica M6 TTL and 7artisans 35mm f/2 Sonnar – by EMULSIVE

Comment posted: 22/04/2018

Interesting. In 40 years, I've never been able to use a 35mm lens on an SLR, or a 35mm equivalent on a DSLR. The focal length seems too narrow or too wide for everything I try to shoot. But on rangefinder cameras it seems entirely natural and appropriate. I have no idea why.
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Son Pham replied:

Comment posted: 22/04/2018

Scott, I think it might come down to how we compose on different systems. With a regular 0.72x rangefinder, one can see just enough of the scene outside the 35mm frame lines. In my experience, it tricks the mind into thinking that the lens is a tad wider than it seems. But of course while paying attention to the frame lines for the real shot, we know that it isn't really too wide either and subconsciously compensate for the extra space in the viewfinder. I think it makes composing the shot with a 35mm lens very easy and natural. (Hope that makes sense) To achieve a similar effect on an SLR/DSLR, I find that using a camera with a large, high-magnification viewfinder helps (the amazing 0.96x viewfinder on the Bessaflex first comes to mind).

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jeremy on 5 frames with a Leica M6 TTL and 7artisans 35mm f/2 Sonnar – by EMULSIVE

Comment posted: 20/04/2018

For me 35mm is a good compromise as a one lens solution. Ideally a 45 or 50 with a 28 would be better. 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.
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Art Tafil on 5 frames with a Leica M6 TTL and 7artisans 35mm f/2 Sonnar – by EMULSIVE

Comment posted: 19/04/2018

Hole I’ve never shot with the 7 Artisans 35 f/2 sonar lens, I do have and use the Zeiss 35 f/2 Biogon for a normal lens on my M9 and my M5. It gives me that just a little more room in the frame so I can crop later.
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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

[…] you’ve already seen my recent 5 Frames With on this lens over at 35mmc, you’ll be aware that I’m not exactly used to the 35mm focal length. In fact, bad eyesight […]
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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

I so agree with the opinion of 35mm. It’s wide but not enough nor narrow enough. Maybe because I’ve seen too many 35mm images growing up? Personally I prefer the 24mm which considerably wider can also provide a sense of drama
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