Hey everyone,
I'm ordering a Bessa R kit from Stephen at CameraQuest on Monday, and Ive decided to pick up the kit with the 35/2.5 C Color Skopar Classic. Ive never shot this glass and wanted to know how it performs basically. I do a lot of street work, but being unfamiliar with these lenses, I figured Id tap your minds and see what you all had to say. Im heading down to FL to shoot the Rolex 24 Hour race, and am planning on bringing this setup for my street style shots of the people there etc. If anyone has used or is currently using this lens, just let me know what you think, if anyone has photos from this lens Id love to check those out as well! Thanks alot.
Bryan
I'm ordering a Bessa R kit from Stephen at CameraQuest on Monday, and Ive decided to pick up the kit with the 35/2.5 C Color Skopar Classic. Ive never shot this glass and wanted to know how it performs basically. I do a lot of street work, but being unfamiliar with these lenses, I figured Id tap your minds and see what you all had to say. Im heading down to FL to shoot the Rolex 24 Hour race, and am planning on bringing this setup for my street style shots of the people there etc. If anyone has used or is currently using this lens, just let me know what you think, if anyone has photos from this lens Id love to check those out as well! Thanks alot.
Bryan
peterc
Heretic
Sparrow
Veteran
Thanks for the replys guys! Im really looking forward to this setup more now!
RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
Nostalgie said:
I think it might be safe to say that this lens is probably the most popular (widely owned) CV lens on this forum. Hmmm...maybe a lens CV poll?
It's great for street. It's small and well-built. It's sharp and contrasty, and great with color negative film.
.
Sparrow
Veteran
some say it's the second best 35 ever?
:angel:
:angel:
pau3
Well-known
Stewart,
That's an interesting point of view, taking into account its price.
Do you think that it really stands comparison with, say, some
35 summicron, or a biogon?
Pau
That's an interesting point of view, taking into account its price.
Do you think that it really stands comparison with, say, some
35 summicron, or a biogon?
Pau
Thats definetly encouraging Sparrow! I shoot mostly BW, and mostly street with my rangefinders, I saw this focuses to a little under 2.5 feet, thats something I definetly will like about it as well! I checked the Flickr set and there were definetly some very good examples on there! So thanks for that link.
RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
Sparrow said:
oh no...don't go there!
Sparrow
Veteran
Not really it's only my option, the high contrast suits my method and of the four 35s I have it’s the best
pau3
Well-known
I was asking because I own a 35 Color Skopar Classic, but I was considering
to buy a 35 asph summicron (well, after some savings). I don't know if, besides
the speed, there is a noticeable difference (hand held, Trix, not too large
enlargement,etc).
to buy a 35 asph summicron (well, after some savings). I don't know if, besides
the speed, there is a noticeable difference (hand held, Trix, not too large
enlargement,etc).
Sparrow
Veteran
I don’t know, sorry, splitting hairs I suspect, this prints 12x18 OK
pau3
Well-known
Thanks, Sparrow, your pics let me think that I can wait to
get a summicron...
Nostalgie, I don't know if it helps, but I think that this pic
was taken at 2.5.
Pau
get a summicron...
Nostalgie, I don't know if it helps, but I think that this pic
was taken at 2.5.
Pau
Last edited:
pau3 said:
It defintley does help, although I dont shoot much at close close range, its good to know I can, like the shot you just posted, i love it. Thanks again.
robin a
Well-known
Get it,you'll like the kit.........Robin
Definitely not like the kit zoom lens you get with your favorite SLR manufacturer's entry level body. The Skopar is the real deal, excellent quality and results.
oscroft
Veteran
Pretty much what others have said, but I love mine. It has high contrast and is very sharp, and with the R it makes a great combination - I think it is superb value for money (especially at Mr Gandy's kit prices).
popstar
Well-known
OK, OK. You're getting a sweet set, and you'll love the heck out of the lens. But I'm jealous of you getting to head down to Daytona for the Rolex 24. That is such a great race!! Nothing like Sunday morning about 7:00AM as the sun rises (hopeully not rain!) looking at the night's survivors. Oh, man. You'll have a great time if you've never been before! Enjoy!!
Steve,
Yeah, its my first time at the Rolex 24, my Dad's business partner is racing a Porsche 997! So, needless to say I got pit passes, etc, basically anywhere I feel like going Im allowed. To be honest, Ive never even been to any car race, Ive never been a car race fan, but everyons going, and I was asked to come shoot it! Even though Im not familiar with racing, Im damn sure there will be some good photo ops, Ill definetly be up the 24 hours! I agree though, once in a lifetime shot. Thanks for the reply!
Bryan
Yeah, its my first time at the Rolex 24, my Dad's business partner is racing a Porsche 997! So, needless to say I got pit passes, etc, basically anywhere I feel like going Im allowed. To be honest, Ive never even been to any car race, Ive never been a car race fan, but everyons going, and I was asked to come shoot it! Even though Im not familiar with racing, Im damn sure there will be some good photo ops, Ill definetly be up the 24 hours! I agree though, once in a lifetime shot. Thanks for the reply!
Bryan
popstar
Well-known
Bryan - Just a few hints if this is your first race. Use any as you choose!
First, despite how 'sissy' or unnecessary you may think it, use ear protection! The cars are a lot louder than you think they'll be, especially when there are 65 or so roaring at the same time. You'll have the high-pitched 'buzz' of the Porsches, to the throaty growls of the bigger cars. At the end of the race, you'll still be deaf, but glad you took a bit of effort to save some hearing!
Photographically, look for detail shots, especially with the Bessa R and 35. You mention you'll be bringing this for your street-type shots. That implies to me you'll have a different kit for track shooting, which is probably a good idea. The 35 won't be long enough to bring any of the cars close enough when they're on track. I would use the RF kit for detail shots of the cars and the people who work on them.
I hope your team is in the race for a long time. If so, you'll see a lot of tired faces by Sunday morning, and that's when the interesting shots develop. After racing for so long, people are beat and nerves are on edge. The tension is palpable, and you might have the opportunity to capture that. By the end of the race, teams want to beat the clock as well as opponents. If you can capture that feeling you'll have done well.
Just a recommendation - When you get to the track, walk around the infield as much as possible to get an idea of where you want to be during the race. It is a 3.5 mile track after all! Check out the Daytona 24 website here and take a look at the photography there. It will give you an idea of what to expect. While the cars are on the banking, they will likely be moving far too quickly to get a good shot. Try to find somewhere near the twisting infield section and you'll probably do OK.
Most of all have fun. If you've not been a racing fan this will either make you one or ensure you never attend again! There's nothing like Daytona, and there's nothing like the Rolex 24. Post any good shots you have when you get home!
First, despite how 'sissy' or unnecessary you may think it, use ear protection! The cars are a lot louder than you think they'll be, especially when there are 65 or so roaring at the same time. You'll have the high-pitched 'buzz' of the Porsches, to the throaty growls of the bigger cars. At the end of the race, you'll still be deaf, but glad you took a bit of effort to save some hearing!
Photographically, look for detail shots, especially with the Bessa R and 35. You mention you'll be bringing this for your street-type shots. That implies to me you'll have a different kit for track shooting, which is probably a good idea. The 35 won't be long enough to bring any of the cars close enough when they're on track. I would use the RF kit for detail shots of the cars and the people who work on them.
I hope your team is in the race for a long time. If so, you'll see a lot of tired faces by Sunday morning, and that's when the interesting shots develop. After racing for so long, people are beat and nerves are on edge. The tension is palpable, and you might have the opportunity to capture that. By the end of the race, teams want to beat the clock as well as opponents. If you can capture that feeling you'll have done well.
Just a recommendation - When you get to the track, walk around the infield as much as possible to get an idea of where you want to be during the race. It is a 3.5 mile track after all! Check out the Daytona 24 website here and take a look at the photography there. It will give you an idea of what to expect. While the cars are on the banking, they will likely be moving far too quickly to get a good shot. Try to find somewhere near the twisting infield section and you'll probably do OK.
Most of all have fun. If you've not been a racing fan this will either make you one or ensure you never attend again!
There's nothing like Daytona, and there's nothing like the Rolex 24. Post any good shots you have when you get home!