7Artisans has unveiled a new large-aperture prime lens for the Leica M Mount, the M35mm f/2 Mark II, an upgraded edition of its previously discontinued 35mm f/2 for Leica rangefinders.  The upgraded lens has undergone considerable design and performance upgrades compared to the original. According to the company, it produces greater bokeh effects and dreamlike out-of-focus images for creative inspiration.

The 7Artisans M35mm f/2 Mark II manual focus lens comprises eight elements grouped in seven groups, a completely new optical formula from the original’s seven elements in five groups design.  The new lens also differs from the original in that it has an aperture range of f/2 through f/22 controlled by a 10-bladed diaphragm that is clicked. The original lens could only be closed down to f/16.

Compared to the original version of the optic, the lens’s overall design is smoother and cleaner overall, and 7Artisans has added some red accents to what was previously a strictly black-and-white affair.  The new M35mm f/2 Mark II for Leica M-mount includes an all-aluminum construction and a focus dial with a noticeable finger hold, just like the original model. Also included are a 55mm front filter size and a 0.7 meter near focusing distance (about 27.6 inches).

In contrast to the original model’s round lens hood, the upgraded version has a square hood. According to the manufacturer, the lens can be used with a wide range of different camera bodies, including the Sony E, Leica L, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X, Fujifilm GFX, and Hasselblad XCD, even though it is intended to be used with Leica M-mount rangefinders.

Here are some sample pictures: