Lens suggestions?

[andrewnelles]

I now have a used R2 coming in the mail. I'm trying to decide what lens to pick up with my $500 or less budget. Basically need a 50mm or 35mm that isn't any slower than 2.8. I'm fairly new to rangefinders, any suggestions? I'm looking at the Voigt 35/1.7 or some older used Leica 50/2's. Of the older Leica M mount lenses in this range, which are the best deal?

Thanks in advance.

 

[januaryman]

The CV 35 2.5 is amazing and not too expensive. I also have an Industar 61, which at 55m is a nice second choice. Others will chime in with perhaps better suggestions, but this works great for me so far.

 

[dpetrzelka]

I'll second the CV 35 2.5 for a great 35- crisp and clear. Not too fast, but at a price like that its an unbeatable lens. And its tiny.

 

[ferider]

Welcome, Andrew !

You can get a very decent lens for US 500. Check out

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=481800#post481800

(and ignore the last 10 posts or so 🙂 )

I recommend the 40/1.4.

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[andrewnelles]

Thanks for the help, the 35/2.5 looks nice, I think I could live with 2.5. The size sure is a plus. I'll think about it. Any others I shoudl check out?

Thanks again.

 

[back alley]

if choosing between a 35 and 50 and you are ok with modern then the 40/1.4 is a great lens.
small, very sharp and if you like the focal length then you can easily skip both the 35 and the 50.
you might go for a 40/75 combo and be very happy for 90% of your photo needs.

 

[didotcicero]

Yup, CV 35/2.5 Color Skopar Classic is a great lens and for a 50mm I would recomment the CV 50/1.5 Nokton. You will need a Screw Mount to M Adapter.

Haven't used a CV 40/1.4 but can't imagine that that wouldn't be a great lens (and it allready has a M Mount)...

 

[FrankS]

You can buy (used) both a CV35f2.5 and a CV50f2.5 for less than $500. You'll have money left over for the M-mount adaptor needed. With the Bessa, you can get buy with jsut one adaptor since the frameline selection is manual.

 

[Meleica]

a bit dated, but may help

LENS GUIDE

http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/lsm.htm

 

[andrewnelles]

Thanks guys, the body is coming with an adapter. I dont think the 40 is for me since the R2 doesnt have a 40 frame line (correct?). If i can find both a used 35/2.5 and a 50/2.5 that might work out.

 

[mwooten]

I've got one of the cv 35/2.5 Pancake II lenses, and I really like what it does. It is small in size, has an M mount, and it gives great results.

Having said that, I have been thinking of selling it since I bought a 40mm M-Rokkor from KEH. The two lenses physical size, and field of views are about the same on my RD1, and the M-Rokkor's contrast is, in my opinion, a bit better for digital capture. Then again, I may keep the 35 just incase I buy a bessa.

Michael

 

[Huck Finn]

Thanks guys, the body is coming with an adapter. I dont think the 40 is for me since the R2 doesnt have a 40 frame line (correct?). If i can find both a used 35/2.5 and a 50/2.5 that might work out.

Much better to get an adapter for each lens. Saves lots of time when changing lenses. If you're only going to have two (35 & 50) for the present, the extra adapter will only cost about $35 for a generic version at CameraQuest.

 

[dazedgonebye]

You might also be able to buy one fast CV lens and one slow CV lens for under $500.

Say, Ultron 35mm f1.7 and Skopar 50mm f2.5...selecting the speed option for your favorite FL.

 

[wlewisiii]

There are some marvellous bargains to be had in Canon RF lenses. Many are severely underappreciated (& underpriced 🙂 ). A good starting point is a different page than pointed to above: http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/can.htm

Another resource is Mr. Gandy's pair of pages on screw and m mount lenses. They are linked off of http://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm

Good luck!

William

 

[kshapero]

Welcome, Andrew !

You can get a very decent lens for US 500. Check out

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=481800#post481800

(and ignore the last 10 posts or so 🙂 )

I recommend the 40/1.4.

Cheers,

Roland.

I have to say that the 40mm f1.4 is about as sweet as it gets.

 

[jamxo]

I got my R2a and 35 f1.7 ultron last week and I have to say I am loving this lens so very much! Fast lenses are a must for me, and this is still pretty damned sharp wide open! It also feels sturdy, and has a focusing wheel as aposed to a focusing tab, which I find alot more comfortable to use (and easier to focus with). It's also not nearly as big as i was expected, without the lens hood its small!

Attached are some photos taken with it, all at 1.7!

 

[oscroft]

Another vote for the CV 35/2.5 - very sharp, high contrast, and tiny. If I had to get rid of all my lenses and only keep one, I think that would be the one.

 

[Fabri970]

My personal advice is to buy the cv 35/2.5 Pancake II , it's a great lens, sharp ,clear, and very small, the ideal if you wont to do the street photography.

bye 🙂

 

[no_doubt_kit]

I recommend 40mm f/1.4 S.C. (i get very good comment on M.C. version too).
you don't have to mind the 35mm frameline as the view is only 87% if you use 35mm lens. therefore, using 35mm frameline would be fine to use 40mm lens.

 

[andrewnelles]

Well, I think I'm goin for the 35/2.5 P II to start, and a 50 in the near future. Now I just need to keep my eyes open for a decently priced used one.