What is the CV 50/2.5 worth?

porktaco, I was wondering how long it would take to get someone to offer that nugget to the conversation. very helpful and appreciated :)
 
For colour the cv 50/2.5 a hard act to follow, enough contrast for nice punchy photos in most light, and it's built like a brick, chrome on brass and beautifully made ... well except for the polycarbonate tab that spoils it a bit. I use the big hood, just to improve saturation it doesn't seem to flare, and to keep my lingers off the glass bits

 
Last edited:
back alley said:
as i recall it, the lens was applauded for it's sharpness but criticized for not having much 'character'...
Click to expand...

Several years ago I borrowed a Skopar 50 from a friend and shot a couple of rolls through it, and wasn't blown away by the results. Then I started noticing image threads here on this lens, and started looking more closely at what it could do. I reconsidered my evaluation, and picked up a new one from PhotoVillage. And I've been very happy w/ it. My experience w/ it tends to confirm what Tom A and Stewart have reported: nice snap to color, contrasty but not overly so. In fact, I like it w/ b&w as much if not more than w/ color. The lens draws like the 28/3.5 Skopar: sharp, good contrast, but also gives very nice tones in b&w. So, speaking as a convert, I have to say that I like the character of this lens.

Also, check out the photos that Erik Van Straten has taken w/ the Skopar 50. I'd say the lens has plenty of character.
 
Erik van Straten's photos are what got me thinking about the CV 50 as being a good choice for my needs. I have the CV 35/2.5 LTM as my one and only lens and have been very pleased with it. I have a bit of an issue with the 35 frame lines with my glasses but when I look at the 50 frame on the R2 I can't help but love the clear unobstructed view with lots of space around the frame. That type of view is what got me to give this rangefinder thing a go.
 
Double Negative said:
It's not that common, but when it does, oh boy. Here are two, offhand... The first blew my mind; the second just annoyed me.

L1000558.jpg


L1013325.jpg
Click to expand...

I've been taking photos for over 40 years and I've never seen anything like that, had the cv 6 or 7 years, thousands of picks and hardly a smudge, that looks like a fault to me
 
I was in Australia this past February and managed to get the odd shot with a similar but not as extreme flaring using my CV 35/2.5. It was super bright out which may explain it but it was a weird flare for sure. The worst thing about it that the red flare managed to cover up the best part of the bikini clad young lady I was shooting :)
 
I'm sure a fine hood - the CV LH2 or the Leitz 12585 - will solve the problem of direct sunlight into the lens.

Leica II, Voigtländer Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5, Tmax400, negative scan.

Erik.

5478649103_d2498417c2_b.jpg
 
Scrolling back through threads in '04 and '05, many of the negative comments come from people who are not posting photos made with the lens, just people who 'heard' or 'were told' about pincushioning, close focus etc etc etc. There was a fair amount of anti-Voigtlander sentiment before the lens line became more established.

I use the 28/3.5, 35/2.5C and the 50/2.5 with the standard round hoods on a couple M-mount bodies and have been more than happy with the results in color and b&w.
 
Last edited:
After seeing Steve (Bingley) with his little VC's at numerous meet-ups I kept my eye out for one in black. I finally snagged one here on RFF the other day and I'm looking forward to it's arrival.

I own the same lens in S mount and have been quite impressed, terrific little daylight lens. Here's a quick drug store scan from a recent SP outing:

5040118319_f272f3caa7_b_d.jpg
 
Well, if Kent is going to post pix w/ his Skopar 50, I'll have to post a couple of mine.

Tri-X, yellow filter:

5077046189_de483f44ed_z.jpg


TMax 400:

4773099967_8ec2c346a5_z.jpg
 
Steve- I really like that boat shot, very nice! It turns out I didn't get the 50/2.5 in black like I had thought for the M but I'll have to keep on using the S mount version!

Kent
 
Erik van Straten said:
I'm sure a fine hood - the CV LH2 or the Leitz 12585 - will solve the problem of direct sunlight into the lens.

EDIT>

Erik.
Click to expand...

I just tried a 12585 and and it fits quite well ... but it's probably cheaper to lose an LH2 (I'm trying to push the price of the 12585 up by leaving them on pub tables all over the world)
 
I don't have the 28, just the 35 and 50 f2.5 but any lens that does that must have something wrong with it ... or maybe a filter on it

This is what my 50 makes of light on the front element

5550177272_2781f5f3bb_z.jpg


5549595579_d36496038e_z.jpg


5549597521_02a31caa88_z.jpg


5550181006_3c0991a7f1_z.jpg


5550181652_357d6588dd_z.jpg


.. all taken at first light, I don't do sunsets
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom