The lens that never was..

[Larry H-L]

Every time I get the urge to pull out the RD-1, I get frustrated because there isn’t a good choice for a 35mm equivalent lens. Where is the 23mm f2 in M-mount? Fuji makes a beautiful one, and an f1.4 version. Leica makes one but in L-mount. Several third-party manufacturers make 23mm lenses, but none are in M-mount. Not one? Yes, some 21mm lenses are close, but they seem either too big or two stops too slow. Pixii owners must be feeling the same?

 

[jsrockit]

Surely you can make do with a 24mm or 25mm in M mount? I mean the M mount was never a 1.5 crop APSC so it would be an awkward mm for Leica.

 

[Rob-F]

The 24mm ASPH might be pricier than the OP wants; but good 25mm lenses (37.5 equivalent) are available. I like the 25mm Voigtlander in LTM mount. An LTM to M adapter is all that is needed to use it on an M body, and it's a good, sharp and contrasty lens. Compact, too.

 

[Darthfeeble]

Not only does CV make the 25, the RDs Love it. I don't know why I got rid of the one I had, I think because the LTM mount wasn't coupled if I remember right. The M mount is and I should try one out.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Some lenses come close enough. There is the small CV Color-Skopar 3.5/21 and I have been using the even smaller CV Color-Skopar 4/25 for many years on my Epson. There are also the more expensive fast Zeiss equivalents. On a beside the Epson does not perform well in very low light even when used with very fast lenses. Cheers, OtL

 

[Larry H-L]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have the CV 21mm f3.5, 28mm f3.5, 28 Elmarit. All are OK, slower than f2 though. I am hoping that a third-party manufacturer will see a business opportunity to put an M-mount on already existing 23mm lens formulas. Small and two stops faster than a 25mm f4. I think both RD-1 and Pixii owners would buy it. If nothing appears, I think the 25 Zeiss might be the best option? Anyone using it on the Epson?

 

[jsrockit]

I am hoping that a third-party manufacturer will see a business opportunity to put an M-mount on already existing 23mm lens formulas. Small and two stops faster than a 25mm f4. I think both RD-1 and Pixii owners would buy it.

How many of those users exist to cater to over just doing 24mm and 25mm like they always have?

 

[Out to Lunch]

"If nothing appears, I think the 25 Zeiss might be the best option? Anyone using it on the Epson?" I am using the Zeiss Biogon 2.8/28 and it shines on the R-D1:

 

[Larry H-L]

Since I originally posted this 23mm question back in January, Voigtlander in March announced a new 23mm f1.2 in Fuji X-mount. Maybe my 23mm wish will eventually come true for M-mount? Fingers crossed.

If Voigtlander doesn’t put in M-mount, maybe Sonnar Brian will know a way to convert it for RD-1 and Pixii owners.

 

[Asahizuiko]

If Voigtlander, 7Artisans or one of the others came out with a fast, compact 23mm I'd definitely buy it

 

[jsrockit]

The problem is that he wants it for M mount. It exists for X mount and Z mount. Leica just killed their APSC cameras. The only m mount APSC is the Pixii. That said, I had not realized that there really are not too many 24mm lenses for m mount either. Something like the latest CV 21mm 3.5 would be very nice if you could handle it being a little wider. I would go 25mm. I solved the problem by going M240.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Skyllaney could do a conversion- but it would not be cheap. There are no cheap donor 23mm lenses, so a custom cam needs to be manufactured.
As with many problems, it can be solved by throwing money at it.