Decided to go back to basics and spend more time with one focal range (35mm) for a month (I hope) to train my eye. I must admit that I have not been much of a 35mm enthusiast in terms of focal range, as my favourite has always been a 50mm. Bearing in mind that this is all in comparison with a full-frame format, you will have to take a 1.5 (or equivilent) crop when you are using a crop sensor.

My recent purchase of a Leica 35mm 2.8 Summaron (M-Mount) has reignited my joy in shooting with the 35mm focal range. I always found it 'not punchy' enough as compared to the Zeiss 25mm 2.8 or any wider focal ranges.  The main advantage of shooting 35mm is that it is very versatile where it can produce portraits, environmental portraits, close ups (depends on lens capability), shots of buildings and some architechure, group shots of people and images of people on the streets doing their 'thing'.

If you have a 'fast' 35mm like the little Voigtlander 35/1.4, you will get relatively good/useful bokeh. Though not as sublime as the bokeh from the Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar, it would still produce fairly useful bokeh in enhancing your subject with its OOF (out of focus) depth. There is though, no denying that a 50mm or longer focal range will be more appropriate in portraiture.

Shot with Ilford Delta 100 and developed with Rodinal.

The other reason for switching back to 35mm FOV is that working with an M2, the 35mm framelines are clean and clear. Usually will 'wing it' during composition when I shoot with my Zeiss 25/2.8 on my M2, but the vertical alightment is difficult to adjust accurately. This is where the Voigtlander comes in.

It is fast, has a focus tab, and has a certain vintage and raw character to its images. The price is so 'right' to boot.

 Exposed with the Sunny 16 Rule ( more like 'guess the exposure mode') for me, I had to adjust a luttle on the Levels & Curves to get the tones out. But, oh my, this is one reason why I enjoy the thrill of film. Its tones!

I think this is from a roll of Delta 100 souped in Rodinal as well (same roll as the above) but with tweaks in the contrast via Lightroom 3.

I have been neglecting my 50mm focal range for at least 4 months after I realised the joy of shooting wider lens such as the 28/1.9 Voightlander (which I sold), and the fantastic Zeiss 25/2.8 ZM. The other draw of the Voigtlander 35/1.4 is...the lens size. Its weight is fair, and I would rate it very well built for its price point.

Lets explore a little more on the 'character' of this little beast. More often than not, we want a lens that is sharp across all apertures. This is not easy to achieve in lens construction all the time, and you will have to pay a price for it. The VC 35mm has a load of character where you either love it, or loath it. For me, I have found it extremely hard to let go for it gives me a certain flair in my images that I cant seem to not do without.

Look at the top of the images where the leaves seem to fade and all those jargons of abberations and cromatic stuff comes into play. I love it!

If you have been wanting a fast 35mm on the cheap, or a light little lens for your daily use and do not mind character in your images, take this little Voigtlander.