If you can only have 1 lens

Jamie Pillers

Jamie Pillers

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There are a number of threads recently that get close to answering my conundrum. Like RayPA's recent interesting thread about the focal length members prefer. But I'm interested in a slightly different slant. What if you could own only one lens, what would it be? And to get even closer to my conundrum, assume it could only be a lens in the price range of the CVs... not those wonderful, but out-of-reach Leicas.

I'm asking this questions for two reasons. First, I can't really afford to own more than one lens at this point in my unemployed life. Second, I have a feeling that I'd be more creative and quicker to react to the passing scene if my small brain wasn't burdened with the extra thoughts of that other lens and "shouldn't I be using it instead".

:bang::bang::bang:
 
Do you want people to post their favourites or what they think YOU should buy? For example I think a few here would pick the Noctilux - which I can't see being in your budget somehow.....
 
For me it is really simple - if you like a normal FOV, then get a Canon 50/1.8. if you like a wider FOV get a Canon 35/1.8; do long lenses the same way.

There is no better "bang/buck" than Canon glass.

None.

William
 
If you cannot afford the 35 Nokton (most versatile lens ever made) or the 35 Biogon, the lens of choice might be the upcoming 35/1.4 from CV, or, as stated above , the 40/1.4 CV.
 
If I had to have only one lens in the price range of the CV lenses, it would be the M-Hexanon 50/2.0.

If I was on a really tight budget, then the Industar-61 or Jupiter-8 (or both).

Best regards,
Uwe
 
Oh, that's easy. The CV 40/1.4. It's small and fast, and fits nicely between 35mm (my preferred focal length with DSLRs) and 50mm. It's the lens I use about 80% of the time anyways. I've got two bodies and I'm always alternating that lens between the two. Methinks it's time to consider getting another 40/1.4 to alleviate this issue 😀
 
I'll second the Industar 61LD, I got mine for 7$ and it's really crisp. only downside is the slow speed of f2.8
 
Cv 50

Cv 50

Jamie Pillers said:
There are a number of threads recently that get close to answering my conundrum. Like RayPA's recent interesting thread about the focal length members prefer. But I'm interested in a slightly different slant. What if you could own only one lens, what would it be? And to get even closer to my conundrum, assume it could only be a lens in the price range of the CVs... not those wonderful, but out-of-reach Leicas.

I'm asking this questions for two reasons. First, I can't really afford to own more than one lens at this point in my unemployed life. Second, I have a feeling that I'd be more creative and quicker to react to the passing scene if my small brain wasn't burdened with the extra thoughts of that other lens and "shouldn't I be using it instead".

:bang::bang::bang:
Click to expand...

Well, if only one lens I'd choose CV 50/2,5 Skopar or better 50/3,5 Heliar..
Lowering the price range, anyway, I think I could live also with a black Jupiter 8 the ones for export...

My 2 cents,
Rob.
 
With RF lenses, there is no magic bullet and you have several parameters to choose among:

size
speed
handling
signature/image quality
focal length
price (you want below US$500)

did i miss anything? you might specify the mount if it's M-only, since that would rule out LTM lenses.

since you haven't mentioned a body and you're on a budget, why not consider a fixed lens job?

You need to decide what is your priority, after price. Then there are people here who can really help YOU.

for one all around lens in your budget that you can keep for the rest of your life no matter how you upgrade, i say go for a used version of the current Zeiss ZM Planar 50/2.
 
Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I currently have a Voigtlander R4A and the CV 40/1.4 and 25/4P. The reason I posted the original question was that I'm looking for my personal "magic bullet" lens. It would be a lens that I could put on the R4A and leave it there and not have to think about "which lens". I understand that to some of you this is a silly endeavor... for all the reasons I read about here on RFF (different situation.. different lens; different "look".. different lens; pleasure of ownership; GAS; etc.). For me its different. I like the feeling of being limited to a simple bit of equipment... I like the challenge of working with simple gear in a complex visual world.

For the moment, I think I'll keep the CV 40, sell the 25 and then see how things go... out on the streets of the SF Bay Area where I like to walk and look. Thanks again for your advice. 🙄
 
With an R4, the 50/2 would be a good choice. If your budget is tight, get a J-8 or in I-61. The latter is very sharp. I modified one for my Nikon RF's. The J-8 "might" need to be shimmed for use wide-open. I've used J-8's that were every bit as sharp as a Nikkor 5cm F2.
 
Based on the lenses that I own:

I compared the Summicron 40-C to the more costly Pentax 43mm/1.9 Limited [ a loaner], and the results were very similar. Both lenses are superb. I may go for the Summicron 40/2-C as my only lens, but I also may go for the Canon 50mm/1.2 as my only lens, or maybe the Zeiss Sonnar 5cm/2, or maybe the Summicron 50mm/2 or maybe the Summicron 35mm/2.

It would be an agonizing choice to make.

I may go for the Summicron 50mm/2 in the end. It has so much class and character.
 
For an only lens on the Bessa R4A (I have one too), I'll suggest either 28mm or 35mm depending on your preferences. The forthcoming 35/1.4 Nokton would be a dynamite choice! On that camera 28 is a nice one too because it has its own frameline, not shared with others in the viewfinder. Sorry to see you ditch your 25P, as that is a great wide companion for the 35/40.
 
I'm an Old Fud. I shot with a Leica 50/3.5 Elmar for years on a IIIc. Now, years later, my grandkids presented me with a 50 Summilux ASPH. That is still (50mm) my preferred lens.

However, with macular degeneration, I now have a 24mm 2.8 ASPH glued to my M7, as the DOF cam compensate for focussing errors.

George (84+)
 
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