Affordable lens for Bessa-R?

[Cameron]

Recently I've been in the market for a solid, permanent rangefinder. I've been dreaming about the Bessa's for a long time now, and may have a chance at winning one on eBay. However, if I do, I need some information, as I have never owned a interchangable lens RF before.

What is a good affordable prime for the Bessa-R? Sorry if all these seems way to "newbish" but I'm just trying to get some good, solid information.

 

[rover]

50mm or 35mm CV Color Skopars are good options. As would be a Canon 50/1.8 or 35/2.8. Any LTM lens properly calibrated (meaning some FSU lenses may be an issue) would work perfectly fine on the R.

 

[lonemantis]

Do you have a budget in mind? The cheapest you could get is definitely a Jupiter-8, a Russian-made 50mm F2. It's a great lens, but with not so great build-quality. You can easily find them for under $100.

If your budget is a bit higher, the Canon/Serenar 50mm F1.8 is also a great choice, excellent image quality and much more solid build.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Another vote for Color-Skopars. Newer optical designs; newer lenses; less likelihood of bad samples after 30-60 years unknown care.

Cheers,

R.

 

[ibcrewin]

Cameron, You and I are on the same boat. I have a bessa r and I love it. The two cheapest lenses that give you pretty good results are the Jupiter 8 which can be bought for under $100. Next one up would probably be 35mm Color Skopar. There's one in the classifieds for about $300 irrc. In black no less. Everything else seems to be $400 and up.

 

[Cameron]

Thanks for all the quick and helpful replies guys. I will definitely check the Color Skopars out.

 

[carpark]

Another vote for the Colar Skopars. I have the 35 and it is sharp and solidly built for the money. They seem to come up a lot on Craigslist here for around $250.
Having played with some Jupiter lenses I have found that the quality varies a lot. That said I have seen some nice photos shot with them.

 

[dbarnes]

+1: Any Color Skopar is a sure bet.

Between the beautiful, bright viewfinder of the Bessa R and the sharpness of the Skopar, you'll have maximum performance for minimal coin.

But beware: Bessa R + Color Skopar = Entry Level Drug! ;-)

 

[mgilbuena]

If you're coming over from digital, keep in mind that you no longer are able to change ISO on the fly. Thus, if one is using a film speed of 100 ISO, you can quickly run out of speed if you're shooting indoors.

The Color Skopar tops out at f/2.5. A few other lens options for faster speed, if this scenario applies to you:

Voigtlander 50mm f/2 50/2 Nickel Heliar
Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 50/1.5
Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f/1.7

Older lenses:
Leica Summitar f/2
Leica Summar f/2
Canon 50 f/1.4

 

[mgilbuena]

Looking ay Jupiter-8's since they currently fit my budget.

How's this one look? This'll fit my Bessa without an adapter or anything, correct?

They will, but keep in mind that they are designed to be used with the Russian rangefinder cameras. They can exhibit front or back focus at certain distances.

I have had good success working with Fedka (http://fedka.com/catalog/) and letting him know that I intended to use the Russian lens on a Leica / Voigtlander body. You can ask him to check or adjust the lens before sending it your way. You can also return it if you find front/back focus.

 

[ibcrewin]

Looking ay Jupiter-8's since they currently fit my budget.

How's this one look? This'll fit my Bessa without an adapter or anything, correct?

That's what I got on my R. Just screw it in and happy shooting. I had the silver one once (I lost my first one) and if I recall, the apperture ring in next to the camera on that one. The throw for focusing is kind of long compared to something like the skopar, but it's still pretty good. I must have got a pretty decent copy. I did a test wide open at a pre determined distance and the DOF seemed pretty spot on.

my scanning skill blows donkey chunks, but here's a shot with that lens.

 

[pdexposures]

When I had my Bessa-R I used a J8 almost exclusively. Looked great on the camera, performed even better. I will say though that interchangeable lens rangefinders are a slippery slope. My Bessa-R quickly lead me into the realm of Leica


94f0f4de3d6d11e19896123138142014_7 by pdexposures, on Flickr


Busted by pdexposures, on Flickr


Untitled by pdexposures, on Flickr

 

[Cameron]

That's what I got on my R. Just screw it in and happy shooting. I had the silver one once (I lost my first one) and if I recall, the apperture ring in next to the camera on that one. The throw for focusing is kind of long compared to something like the skopar, but it's still pretty good. I must have got a pretty decent copy. I did a test wide open at a pre determined distance and the DOF seemed pretty spot on.

my scanning skill blows donkey chunks, but here's a shot with that lens.

Thanks for the info! Photo looks great. J8 is probably the first lens I'll purchase for it.

When I had my Bessa-R I used a J8 almost exclusively. Looked great on the camera, performed even better. I will say though that interchangeable lens rangefinders are a slippery slope. My Bessa-R quickly lead me into the realm of Leica


94f0f4de3d6d11e19896123138142014_7 by pdexposures, on Flickr


Busted by pdexposures, on Flickr


Untitled by pdexposures, on Flickr

Whoa! I watch you on YouTube. Hahaha, but thanks for all the info, man. Photos look good as per usual. Interested in this setup now.

 

[rfaspen]

I use a J-8 on a Bessa R. Now, I'm wondering if I have pdxexposure's Bessa....its very possible. Small world.

BTW, I also like the Summar on the Bessa, and the Canon 50/1.8, and the CV 21/4, the CV 35/2.5, the Summaron 35/3.5, and ... you get the idea. I like the Bessa. Its the lenses that change. Funny, but I have an entire herd of rangefinders, but I use the Bessa R and M3 most of the time. That's how much I like it. Weighs so much less than the M, and the meter is surprisingly useful and accurate once you learn its pattern. Did I say I like my Bessa?

The J-8 can be absolutely wonderful. Mine is a chrome version from 1961. The aperture ring is wobbly, but all works well. The black version is more compact and performs just as nice. However, I'm not thrilled with the rotating front element (and filter ring). Get whichever one you find that's got good glass. You'll probably hang onto this lens forever, even after you get better lenses (and you probably will, I did😀)

 

[pdexposures]

I use a J-8 on a Bessa R. Now, I'm wondering if I have pdxexposure's Bessa....its very possible. Small world.

It's possible. I sold mine to a guy here in Portland via craigslist who goes by the username "UnModernMan" on tumblr/instagram etc. I know he sold it a while back via Portland craigslist for $250ish.

He then bought a Leica M4 with black MR meter and Voigtlander Color Skopar 28mm 3.5 that was then sold a little while later to a member here on RFF. However that user escapes me.

EDIT: Also I seem to remember you saying you bought yours from Pro Photo. If I'm correct it was initially marked at $175 and came in from an employees girlfriend along with a 35mm 2.5 Color Skopar. The Skopar was picked up by Jim (their used camera manager) and is now back on sale at Pro Photo. It was funny timing as I believe this was all late November/early December and I had just dropped off my 35mm 2.5 Color Skopar for Pro Photo to sell as well. That one is now gone.

 

[apostasiometritis]

I've had bessas, jupiters, noktons, ultrons, the lot, though not at the same time due to financial restrictions. My advice is that you start with a canon 50 1.8 or a J8 (no need to be perfect, if you need to adjust them it is relatively easy) and save save save for:

1) nokton 50 1.5
2) ultron 35 1.7

Trust me, it will be well worth the wait.

Especially the nokton, possibly the best lens CV has made so far.

 

[pdexposures]

Whoa! I watch you on YouTube. Hahaha, but thanks for all the info, man. Photos look good as per usual. Interested in this setup now.

Haha thanks!

You'll notice in the 2nd photo especially it is a bit soft. I know it was shot wide open, I may have missed focus, it may have been front focusing a bit. Just something to be aware of, although it should be noted that the J8 I purchased was from some random eBay seller and NOT a reputable seller like Yuri at FedKa.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Looking ay Jupiter-8's since they currently fit my budget.

How's this one look? This'll fit my Bessa without an adapter or anything, correct?

All the lenses noted are quite good but If you are going to consider an FSU you should look at an I61. Its the only FSU I will use because its the sharpest in my experience although a bit slow. If you elect to get an FSU lens try to get one that has been calibrated to the Leica thread pitch not a Fed or Zorki.

Bess R is a good camera!

 

[mretina]

I also use Bessa R most than any other rangefinders. Do not now why. I second the I61 L/D coated, it is more contrasty and widely usable than the J8, which is a very nice lens/smooth portraits, but too soft in my opinion if it should be your only lens. I also think you will like for your only lens to have click stops aperture ring which the I61 has and the J8 does not.

 

[apostasiometritis]

The Jupiter 8 at f2.8 is a sharp lens, perhaps as much as the Industar (which is a 2.8 lens). At f2 it is soft & glowy, perfect for portraits. My opinion of course.

The click stops (or the lack of them) hurt initially, I personally forgot about it later on, especially if you use a lens hood at which point it becomes far less likely to touch the ring.