I picked up this lens for £150 second-hand. It was my introduction to M-mount lenses and a way to test whether I liked the compact size, focus throw and focus tab, but more importantly, whether I would find the minimum focus distance of 70cm too limiting. As it was going to be adapted onto a Leica SL, there were some additional nuances I needed to consider too, such as whether there would be any issues with vignetting. However, from what I had read online, it was a great little lens with impressive build quality. It almost seemed too good to be true.
When this little lens arrived in the post, I was shocked. It was solid, and I mean solid. The focus was smooth, with the stunning brass rangefinder coupling cam protruding from the back. While I had not originally wanted the chrome version, I chose it as it was the only one I could find at the time. In the end, the chrome actually became a real selling point.
The image quality, though… I have had this lens for two years now, and I have used it extensively for travel, documentary, street and even portraits, so I feel I understand how it performs. There are two ways of looking at it. In the context of other lenses such as Leica, Voigtländer or Zeiss, this sits at the bottom of the pile and renders more like a heritage lens, particularly wide open. There is flare, softness and noticeable vignetting. However, stopped down, it is actually quite good. The vignette and softness largely disappear, contrast increases and flaring reduces. It is no Leica 35mm Summicron, of course. But taking into account the price point and the level of build quality, the image quality is very respectable. You are getting a lot of lens for your money, and if you are after something where ultimate sharpness and minimal distortion are not essential, then you are quids in. That is exactly how I have been using it.
While it was my only 35mm for a time, it has now become an alternative to my Leica 35mm f2 Summicron when I want something I can throw on my camera and keep in my bag. I am not worried about it taking a knock, but I know that if I am out with it, I will still get photos I am happy with, particularly when shooting street, where I am typically at f8. That slightly vintage rendering can really be played into, and I feel that with a little added contrast and warmth, it can almost flirt with a Kodachrome look. Almost.
It is also ideal when travelling in areas that feel less familiar than my usual haunts in London or the UK countryside. Losing not only my camera body but an attached Leica lens would be too much for my bank account to manage. In those moments, the 7Artisans 35mm f2 is ideal. I still act accordingly, of course, but I appreciate the reduced financial risk while continuing to shoot.
I have to admit there is a simple joy in using this lens. Because it is not technically perfect, it removes the pressure to seek technical perfection in every photograph, forcing you to focus more on story and composition. It removes certain complications and decisions that might otherwise hinder creativity. You know it will not produce a clinically perfect image, and so you embrace the imperfections. The glow, the softness and the vignette can all add character when used well, though they can also be frustrating if not handled carefully. One thing this lens has taught me, which I have carried forward to other lenses, is not to be afraid of stopping down, even for portraits. If you focus on the light and the composition, and ensure the subject and complementary elements within the frame are working together, these perceived flaws tend to fade away.
The tactile feel of this lens, the smooth focus, the well-clicked aperture ring and the solid construction all continue to make it a valued part of my kit. Do I think about adding a Voigtländer 35mm to have a more technically capable backup? Yes. It is such a versatile focal length, intimate enough for portraits while maintaining context, yet wide enough for an uncluttered landscape. But there is something telling me I do not need it, and that this lens, used thoughtfully and with careful attention to light and storytelling, will serve my photography just as well as any technical upgrade.
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