juzmister
Member
Seems unanimous...I will pick one up. Looking forward to hear some feedback on my pics 
back alley
IMAGES
unanimous?
for which lens?
for which lens?
juzmister
Member
the cv 35/2.5?
peppermill
Established
I find the 28mm best for an 'all rounder'. For around 6 months I used the M-hexanon 28mm f2.8 but recently replaced with with a Ricoh GR 28mm f2.8. I would recommend either. You could also check out the Minolta M-rokkor which goes cheap due to some 'slight problem'. I have the 40mm f1.4 nokton but I don't find it suitable for a lot of situations.
juzmister
Member
I've got a Ricoh GRD2 with the 28mm...Do you think a 28mm on the Epson would complement it well?
peppermill
Established
If you can find one for sale. I managed to borrow one from Ricoh, liked it but it wasn't for sale. Got mine on ebay from a chap in singapore. Although I got a good price , the lens is way too expensive, I keep thinking if I got the M-rokkor instead I would have an iphone by now...
juzmister
Member
Lol, still easy to sell?
I can't find a well priced Rokkor. http://www.adorama.com/VT3525P2.html?searchinfo=color+skopar is this the one?
I can't find a well priced Rokkor. http://www.adorama.com/VT3525P2.html?searchinfo=color+skopar is this the one?
LCT
ex-newbie
The Rokkor 28/2.8 is a Minolta lens. Probably the smallest 28/2.8 ever made. Its IQ matches well that of Leica lenses from the same period like 50/2, 40/2 & 35/2. Beware of white dots on the glass though.
PCB_RF
Established
The digital crop factor makes choosing lenses a bit tricky. You kind of have to work backwards from film.
I think you need to start with two questions, keeping in mind you'll only have one lens (until you buy your second):
1. What's my ideal 35mm-film focal length?
2. What's my budget?
Then look at the handy focal length converter on the back of your R-D1 and pick the cropped focal length that comes closest to your ideal film focal length. Then try to figure out if you can afford it. Then figure out if you have to compromise, either for budget or handling reasons.
RF for me is primarily working close and tight, so I need wide angle. I almost never shoot over 50mm on a film rangefinder, and I rarely use a 50mm. If I only have one lens for a film RF, it's going to be a 35mm.
On an R-D1 that means something between 21mm (32mm equiv) and 25mm (38mm equiv), which is a more expensive range than 28mm or 35mm. The cheapest is probably a used C/V 25 LTM, but that isn't rf coupled, which I find a pain. The M-mount 25mm C/V is rf-coupled, but pricier. In 21mm you have used C/V, used Kobalux/Avenon, and used FSU (20mm, not RF-coupled, maybe won't meter?).
If the budget won't stretch for a 21mm>25mm, the next step is 28mm (42mm equiv). A little tight for me, but I could live with it. My first rf was a Minolta CLE w-40/2.0, and I used that one lens for a few years. 28mm gives you more options, both modern and vintage.
The most/best bargains are clearly 35mm lenses, as long as the focal length works for you. 53mm on film is way too tight for me most of the time, so I'd be unhappy with a 35mm as my only R-D1 lens. But that might not be the case for you.
The C/V 35/2.5 is indeed a fine lens, and priced affordably used. You can also find vintage Canon 35s on the cheap, as well as FSU lenses. Some find they get more digital dynamic range from lower-contrast vintage lenses...
Good luck with the search!
I think you need to start with two questions, keeping in mind you'll only have one lens (until you buy your second):
1. What's my ideal 35mm-film focal length?
2. What's my budget?
Then look at the handy focal length converter on the back of your R-D1 and pick the cropped focal length that comes closest to your ideal film focal length. Then try to figure out if you can afford it. Then figure out if you have to compromise, either for budget or handling reasons.
RF for me is primarily working close and tight, so I need wide angle. I almost never shoot over 50mm on a film rangefinder, and I rarely use a 50mm. If I only have one lens for a film RF, it's going to be a 35mm.
On an R-D1 that means something between 21mm (32mm equiv) and 25mm (38mm equiv), which is a more expensive range than 28mm or 35mm. The cheapest is probably a used C/V 25 LTM, but that isn't rf coupled, which I find a pain. The M-mount 25mm C/V is rf-coupled, but pricier. In 21mm you have used C/V, used Kobalux/Avenon, and used FSU (20mm, not RF-coupled, maybe won't meter?).
If the budget won't stretch for a 21mm>25mm, the next step is 28mm (42mm equiv). A little tight for me, but I could live with it. My first rf was a Minolta CLE w-40/2.0, and I used that one lens for a few years. 28mm gives you more options, both modern and vintage.
The most/best bargains are clearly 35mm lenses, as long as the focal length works for you. 53mm on film is way too tight for me most of the time, so I'd be unhappy with a 35mm as my only R-D1 lens. But that might not be the case for you.
The C/V 35/2.5 is indeed a fine lens, and priced affordably used. You can also find vintage Canon 35s on the cheap, as well as FSU lenses. Some find they get more digital dynamic range from lower-contrast vintage lenses...
Good luck with the search!
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jmkelly
rangefinder user
Caveat here - I'm not into wide lenses so my suggestions are biased to longer FL.
1) It's not cheap, it doesn't show up for sale that often, and it's not wide enough for some, but the Konica 35mm/f2 UC Hexanon spends more time on my R-D1 than any other lens I own.
2) I recently picked up an early 50mm Summicron DR (just over $200 w/o goggles) and am just ASTONISHED at how much I like the first shots I have made with this lens on the R-D1.
3) And just to give you something to think about other than the 21/24/28 recommendations - I shoot quite a bit with the 85mm/f2 Nikkor P.C on the R-D1 - this is a great portrait setup.
1) It's not cheap, it doesn't show up for sale that often, and it's not wide enough for some, but the Konica 35mm/f2 UC Hexanon spends more time on my R-D1 than any other lens I own.
2) I recently picked up an early 50mm Summicron DR (just over $200 w/o goggles) and am just ASTONISHED at how much I like the first shots I have made with this lens on the R-D1.
3) And just to give you something to think about other than the 21/24/28 recommendations - I shoot quite a bit with the 85mm/f2 Nikkor P.C on the R-D1 - this is a great portrait setup.
back alley
IMAGES
any tips on how you frame with that 85?
