I had high hopes when I started the month, as M35/2 was my go to lens on APSC. During the month I started to understand the phrase; Too wide and not wide enough. Also corner performance on FF was a bit of a let down. And my performance was also questionable. My first missed day in SIC came right on the first day, when I couldn't tell 85/2 from 35/2, thought I read the lens name couple of times and wondered about narrow FOV. That's what you get for not carrying your reading glasses with you
I've been wondering which one of M35's is better and still don't have clear answer. I go with they are both good and doesn't matter which one you have. Faster lens is bit useless wide open, so they are even about as fast lenses in reality. I took couple of shots wide open during the month, but lens goes too soft for my taste. F2.8 provide much better results and is quite usable. It's better to stuck to classic composition with target in the center, as the corners are bit week even at f8. Lens does handle the sunsets well and brings out acceptable results even shot straight to the sun, which is not bad for lens this old. Bokeh is nice for a wide angle with smooth transition.
As a lens M35/2 is versatile. It takes good landscapes and enjoys scenes where all is sharp. Focus close and open up the lens and it deliveres good separation and nice bokeh. Macro feature wouldn't hurt as it draws real nice with extension tubes.
I seriously consider this lens if I keep carrying 35 in my travel bag. On FF it doesn't feel as essential as on APSC. I have M28/2.8 to finish my FF round of M primes in August and I need to see how I feel about that focal length. Nevertheless I'll keep both of my 35's for now. Too good to let go and I might end up regretting selling them
I guess it's time to let the shots to the talking and continue with M200/4 in July Single In Challenge.
Wide open:
f2.8:
f5.6:
f8:
f16: