M42
    Wide angle
    Full frame

    Universar 35mm f/2.8 Auto

    4.8
    (47 reviews)
    Optical: 4.9
    Mechanical: 4.9
    Value: 4.7
    Focal Length
    35mm
    Aperture
    f/2.8-16
    Mount
    M42
    Universar 35mm f/2.8 Auto is a manual focus wide angle lens for full frame cameras.

    Optical design

    Has 8 aperture blades, with this amount of aperture blades you will be satisfied with the result. Bright lens thanks to the high aperture value

    Universar 35mm f/2.8 Auto purchase historyTrending down 2.0%/mo

    eBay Price HistoryeBay Auction (high-low)Linear trend

    Prices have been easing around 2.0% per month — sellers are flexible, aim for deals below $95.00.

    Fair value (90-day)
    $95.00
    Don't exceed (P75)
    $214.00
    All-time low
    $8.00
    Latest sale
    $27.00

    Best deals

    989 of 1967 tracked sales (50%) closed at or under the $95.00 fair value.

    • May 1, 2025$8.00$-87.00 / typical
    • May 7, 2025$9.00$-86.00 / typical
    • May 7, 2025$10.00$-85.00 / typical
    • May 21, 2025$10.00$-85.00 / typical
    • May 19, 2025$11.00$-84.00 / typical

    eBay Auctions

    No active auctions found.

    Technical Specifications

    Optical
    Focal Length35mm
    Aperturef/2.8-16
    Min Focus Distancem
    FocusingManual Focus
    Physical
    Filter Threadmm
    MountM42
    FormatFull frame

    Reviews

    Excellent lens.5.0/5

    Excellent lens. The lens is very sharp, corner to corner and wide open (f2.8). It is very small and light (feels about like a potato chip) and the strange hood is very convenient. The cap goes on the hood. Mounting a protective filter does not interfere with the hood. It is an ideal walk about single lens for travel etc. With the full frame high resolution bodies, there is so much detail that you can crop out a very nice portrait from distances usually photographed with an 85 or 100 mm. With an image stabilized body you can take pictures at 1/5 second or or longer which deals with the 2.8 aperture. The focal length is also ideal for an "environmental" portrait, i.e. a person in a setting. On an APS-C camera the framing is equivalent to 52mm. Cartier Bresson found this a convenient focal length. The rest of us could probably manage. In conclusion, I find it a superb lens. With a full frame body, if I could have only one lens, this would be it.Read full review

    A true keeper of a lens!5.0/5

    A true keeper of a lens! Great quality (IQ and build) in an impressively small package. f2.8 is somewhat slow for dim lit indoors shooting or taking photos of kids indoors, otherwise it is perfect. Easy fix for indoors is to bounce a flash from wall/ceiling or crank ISO up. No matter what gets released in the future, I can't see myself parting with this lens. Between this one and a stellar bokeh render of a Sonnar 55mm ZA most people would have 90% of their photo needs covered. Got it as an open box at 20% off through Best Buy eBay outlet and after testing it performed sharper at f8 than the same 35mm I bought earlier at a full retail price.

    The best lens to balance full frame Sony bodies.5.0/5

    The best lens to balance full frame Sony bodies. I have had my Sony A7iii body for just over a year. I have bought several lenses for it including the 24-105 f4 and 55mm f1.8. To me this Zeiss lens is THE lens for this camera. Why, the focal length is the most versatile prime, this Zeiss gives tack sharp results, and it feels just right on this camera body. With this lens the Sony A7iii actually feels right in the hand. I have not found this to be the case with heavier lenses unless you put on the extra grip on it.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the Universar 35mm f/2.8 Auto?

    Universar 35mm f/2.8 Auto is a camera lens with 35mm focal length, a maximum aperture of f/2.8/16, for the M42 mount, supporting the Full frame format.

    What mount is the Universar 35mm f/2.8 Auto compatible with?

    Universar 35mm f/2.8 Auto uses a M42 mount and supports the Full frame format.

    How much does the Universar 35mm f/2.8 Auto cost?

    Based on recent eBay sold listings the Universar 35mm f/2.8 Auto typically sells for around $8.00. Actual prices vary with condition and seller.

    Is the Universar 35mm f/2.8 Auto a good lens?

    Universar 35mm f/2.8 Auto has a community rating of 4.8/5 from 47 review(s).

    Which lenses are similar to the Universar 35mm f/2.8 Auto?

    Similar lenses include Aremac 35mm f/2.8, Carl Zeiss Jena SO-3.1 P-Flektogon 35mm f/2.8, Derek Gardner Automatic 35mm f/2.8.

    Current Pricing

    Latest Price
    Price on request
    Find on eBay

    Review Summary

    Overall Rating
    4.8
    Optical4.9/5
    Mechanical4.9/5
    Value4.7/5
    Based on 70 reviewers

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