Please advise regarding first lens for Bessa R3A

[amin_sabet]

I'm new to rangefinder photography, just bought a used Bessa R3A, and need to pick out a first lens. I'd like a compact lens, f/2 or faster, in the 40-50mm range. I primarily plan to use this lens to take photos of people. The two that have caught my eye are the CV 40/1.4 Nokton and the Zeiss 50/2 ZM. In favor of the Nokton are the speed of the lens, lower price, and that I slightly prefer the 40mm FOV. Also, do I understand correctly that a wider lens is easier to focus with rangefinders? In favor of the Zeiss are that the framelines will be easier for me to view with my glasses on, and (more importantly) that there is something about the images from this lens that just appeals to me. I assume both have good build quality and feel while focusing. Both lenses seem rather compact. What else should I be considering here between these two lenses? I'm also open to suggestions regarding lenses other than the two I've mentioned, but I don't want to spend more than ~$700. Thanks, Amin

 

[photobizzz]

I have a R3A as well and in that range I have a 50/2 Summicron and 40/2 M-Rokkor. I love both lenses and would recommend them both. Just to give you an idea of the cost, the 50 Cron was $385, one little pin mark in the coating, otherwise beautiful glass, $295 for the 40 M-Rokkor, mint/like new w/rear cap and original hood. Both were from the bay, and I looked for a few weeks until I found either one. Hope this helps.

 

[amin_sabet]

I had a feeling there were going to be some great choices I was overloking =). Thanks for the suggestions. I'll definitely check out some auctions as well.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

The CV lenses are all very good and excellent value. I have the 1.4/40 Nokton as my main lens on the R3A - I've always felt the 50 lenses were not quite accommodating enough. After that I'd suggest going for a 21 or 25 mm focal length CV. The aperture is only f4 in that case but use an ISO 400 film and enjoy the versatility!

 

[mfogiel]

Amin
If you wear glasses, stick to the 50mm fl on the R3A - I can barely see the 50mm frames on mine, and I wear the thinnest type of glasses. As for the lens, in my opinion, Planar is the best all purpose lens on the market at any price. It is very flare resistant and very sharp. I suggest, once you get a lens, shoot a ruler at 45° and F 2.o to check the close focus precision of your camera.

 

[kshapero]

I used to own a R3A and I wear glasses. I never had anything but fantastic results with the CV 40mm/1.4 MC. What a fine como.

 

[MRohlfing]

... 40/2 M-Rokkor. I love both lenses

I too have the M-Rokkor and love it. Very small lens, great picture quality. Paid Euro 162,- at the Bay.
The Summicron-C 40/2 should be more or less the same lens.

There are eye correction lenses available for the R3A - thus I can see the 40mm frames very well.

Michael

 

[amin_sabet]

Thanks all - I'll keep looking at samples from the 50 Planar and the three 40s (Nokton, Rokkor, Summicron-C). Difficult decision as I don't see myself buying another lens for some time.

I suggest, once you get a lens, shoot a ruler at 45° and F 2.o to check the close focus precision of your camera.

How far away should the ruler be? The seller said the RF was accurate, but since I'm buying used, I won't have much recourse if I find otherwise when I geta lens. I hope it's okay! If not, is that something I can adjust myself?

 

[mfogiel]

Amin, no you better not fiddle with it, you can shoot at the closest distance your lens will focus, like 70 cm to 1m, or at the closest distance you think you will be using the lens, like, presumably ard 1.3m for portraits. My R3A backfocuses 5 cm at 1 m distance since new, and I had it altready adjusted once with no improvement...

 

[dazedgonebye]

The CV lenses are all very good and excellent value. I have the 1.4/40 Nokton as my main lens on the R3A - I've always felt the 50 lenses were not quite accommodating enough. After that I'd suggest going for a 21 or 25 mm focal length CV. The aperture is only f4 in that case but use an ISO 400 film and enjoy the versatility!

Yep...what he said.

 

[mackigator]

There are a couple of 40/2 m-rokkors on KEH right now.

 

[BillBingham2]

Blow the bank, go with a 75 'Cron!

You have a 1:1 finder and the 75 does not share frame lines with anyone else on her!

B2 (;->

 

[foto_fool]

Another second on the 40mm Nokton suggestion. I bought the lens for my Hexar RF originally but ended up buying a nice well-used R3A body to give the Nokton a permanent home. It's a great combination - the lens is compact, tack-sharp, low flare, fast; the body handles and meters well, and the 1:1 finder is addictive.

 

[amin_sabet]

I appreciate all the advice. Anyone have both the 50/2 Planar and 40/1.4 Nokton? Wondering about the relative performance at f/2.

 

[amin_sabet]

There are eye correction lenses available for the R3A - thus I can see the 40mm frames very well.

Can someone tell me more about this? 40mm is probably my favorite focal length, and the Nokton looks like a great lens.

 

[MRohlfing]

Can someone tell me more about this? 40mm is probably my favorite focal length, and the Nokton looks like a great lens.

I just walked into my local foto store (http://www.leicashop.at) and bought one. It is apparently made by Cosina, you can screw it into the eyepiece, the ring around the lens is rubber coated. The price was a little more than Euro 30, if I remember it right

Michael

 

[amin_sabet]

Okay, I'm leaning towards the Nokton 40/1.4, though the likelihood I won't be able to see the framelines with glasses on is concerning me. The other frontrunner right now is the M-Hexanon 50/2. I love the look of the Hexanon images, but I slightly prefer the 40mm focal length. Also, if I am not mistaken, the 40 Nokton is much more compact than the 50 Hexanon. Would love to hear more positive reports about the 40 Nokton on the R3A. Also strongly considering the Voigtlander 50/1.5 with the adapter.