Advice welcomed_ "normal" lens for Bessa-T

[traveler_101]

I bought a Bessa-T and will pick it up soon. I am contemplating the purchase of a "normal" lens for the camera.
My budget is in the $250-375 range, i.e. not all that much in these circles 😀.

Some background:
I am completely new to RF photography and haven't shot film since the late 1980s (SLR). Right now I shoot an Olympus E-P1.
My interests: landscape and cityscape, architecture, urban details, street scenes.

Current Lenses:
I have the 15/4.5 and 25/4 CV lenses neither of which is RF-linked; using the distance scale seems o.k. with the 15mm on the E-P1,
less so with the 25 which might indicate that that lens will be less useful on the Bessa :dance:.
I also recently purchased a Industar 61 55/2.8, but have read on this board that it is impossible to get accurate distance scale readings
with the RF without modifying the lens, making it useless on the Bessa :dance: 🙁.


Relevant points:
I want to do b&w, but not exclusively.

I am not clearly a 35 or 50 shooter.

Questions:
What should I be asking myself in deciding between 35 and 50?

35 isn't that awfully close to 25--which might suggest a 50?

If 35--the CV Color Skopar/2.5 or the Ultron 1.7? I like the speed of the Ultron, I must admit.

If 50--what is available in my price range? It seems all the CV 50s are out of production--except those out of my price range.

 

[haempe]

I would recommend a 50mm.
I have a similar set of: 15 and 25 in use with the Bessa L, 35 and 2 x 50 for the Bessa R.
The 35mm I use almost only when I go out with only one body and one lens, as a compromise. Otherwise, I prefer 25 and 50 and 2 bodys (I´m lazy with lens-changes).
If you want a 50mm, I would either look for a CV 50/2.5 or a Canon 50/1.8 with M adapter. One of this two lenses would not stop the GAS for all times, but you will see, what you really need and you can take pictures without worry about the lens-quality. Both lenses (in good condition) are fine performers.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

A fast 50mm is just the ticket on the T. The high magnification makes focusing dead easy.

 

[Bingley]

I agree w/ haempe. I use my bessa t a lot, both as a travel cam for hiking/backpacking and as a second body w/ a wide lens. One of the delights of the bessa t, besides the magnified focusing, is its compact size - like a Leica III but w/ mod cons (eg metering). A small sharp 50 is perfect. I used a CV Skopar 50 on mine this summer, and it was great. Given that you already have a 25, a 50 makes sense to give you a look w/ neutral perspective. And if the 50 doesn't work out, you can sell it for what you paid, and try a different focal length. Other 50s to consider for a t include the canon 50/1.8 mentioned above, or a small collapsible 50 like a Leica Elmar or CV Heliar.

I've also used a 40 on my t, but the 40 vf is quite a bit larger than the vf for 50.

 

[Pablito]

This is truly one of those, "only you can decide" questions. What's normal to me may be all wrong for you.
BTW, there is a huge difference between 35mm and 25mm.

Or: if you need to ask strangers on an internet forum, maybe just use what you have until you can decide for yourself.

 

[back alley]

Or: if you need to ask strangers on an internet forum, maybe just use what you have until you can decide for yourself.

what is your problem?
keep up this rude crap and you will be gone.

or maybe you think this forum is only for the experienced and how dare a new guy ask a question here?

 

[Ezzie]

50mm is the normal focal length as it were, and if I was looking for a 50 I'd consider the CV 50/2.5. I very much like mine. It can work indoors too, at least in daylight and with 400 film. Very compact, and mine seems very well put together. They should not be too difficult to find used.

 

[pvdhaar]

I also recently purchased a Industar 61 55/2.8, but have read on this board that it is impossible to get accurate distance scale readings with the RF without modifying the lens, making it useless on the Bessa

This all depends.. Some lenses have been converted already, some lenses were made for LTM from the get go, and others merely have the 39 mm thread and are shimmed to different standards.

Why not test it out first? And even if it's not shimmed exactly to the LTM standard, the f2.8 aperture isn't awfully wide, so you may be saved by depth of field. I'd say give it a try with a cheap roll of film.

I'm using an unmodified FED 50/3.5 myself, and can't fault it for its focus.

 

[traveler_101]

I agree w/ haempe. I use my bessa t a lot, both as a travel cam for hiking/backpacking and as a second body w/ a wide lens. One of the delights of the bessa t, besides the magnified focusing, is its compact size - like a Leica III but w/ mod cons (eg metering). A small sharp 50 is perfect. I used a CV Skopar 50 on mine this summer, and it was great. Given that you already have a 25, a 50 makes sense to give you a look w/ neutral perspective. And if the 50 doesn't work out, you can sell it for what you paid, and try a different focal length. Other 50s to consider for a t include the canon 50/1.8 mentioned above, or a small collapsible 50 like a Leica Elmar or CV Heliar.

Thanks for the advice, Steve. It's nice to hear from someone who has experience with the Bessa-T and really likes the camera. It is important to keep in mind the capabilities of the camera when you are buying gear and the focusing qualities of the T make a higher FT a good bet .

I appreciate also the messages from Pickett Wilson and haempe, especially in regard to which lens would best contribute to a useful kit.

Pablito, I certainly will make the decision myself. I am just asking other people what they would do. Your point about using what I have and waiting is not entirely irrelevant.

Ezzie, thanks to you for your recommendation of the Voightlander 50/2.5.

Peter, I will definitely try the Industar 61 on the Bessa. I am using it now on my E-P1 with a 35mm equivalent FL of 100 or so. In fact I'll be using it today!

Thanks all.

Mark

 

[heatherselkie]

Hi, I recently got a bessa t and am looking for lenses too. My budget is small. Good luck with it, my shooting with the bessa t has been interesting so far. Not great results so far but I'm sticking with it. Be careful buying lenses on ebay etc.. The lens I bought has definite problems.