Any super wide alternatives within reason?

[NelsonFoto]

Hello -

A while back, I purchased a Bessa-L from a RFF member. Since receiving it, it sits in its box waiting for a nice short lens.

Trouble is, no way in hell I can afford the CV Ultra Wide of my dreams. Not now, at least.

Still, I hate thinking of that little L sitting on hold.

Are there any alternatives for superwide that will bolt onto a Bessa-L? Preferably alternatives that cost less than $300. This is more or less a fact-finding mission.

Any info will be met with gratitude.

 

[Roger Hicks]

What do you call 'super wide'?

Cheers,

Roger

 

[rover]

The CV 25/4 with viewfinder is only $245. It is a match made in heaven with an L.

http://cameraquest.com/inventor.htm

 

[laptoprob]

Finding a 15mm in your budget should not be that great a problem, should it?

Where are you located, Hither?

 

[Theo-Prof]

Are there any alternatives for superwide that will bolt onto a Bessa-L? Preferably alternatives that cost less than $300. This is more or less a fact-finding mission.

Any info will be met with gratitude.

I got my mint silver CV 15/4.5 with caps, finder and box for $250, including shipping. There was not a mark on it. You can see some of the shots I have taken with it in my gallery. I have been very happy with it.

Kevin

 

[phototone]

The only reasonably priced Leica-thread wide angle lenses are the Cosina/Voigtlander ones. Used, you should be able to find the 15mm, or the 25mm for under $300, if you are patient. There are two FSU Leica-thread wide angles, the Orion 15, which is a 28mm f/8 lens which is very sharp but as you can see is quite slow, and there is the Russar 20mm, which is supposed to be quite a good lens, but is rare and more expensive than the CV lenses. Outside of the above mentioned lenses, all other Leica thread lenses will be more expensive, or rare and more expensive.

 

[NelsonFoto]

The 25 is a bit long. I'm interested in under 20mm for that almost sureal quality to the FOV. I dont want fisheye.

Anybody got sample images from their 15mms?

And thanks for the info provided thus far.

 

[NelsonFoto]

Oh, Rob... I'm in the US. I guess I need to spend more time cruising CV lens auctions on eBay. I didn't realize there was any option under $300 in sub-20mm.

 

[Roger Hicks]

The only Russar I ever had was AWFUL -- and I've never met anone who owned one; had the opportunity to compare it with anything else (Canon 19, any 21mm); and reckoned it was worth having.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[rover]

How about an M42 mount lens with an adaptor?

 

[kiev4a]

At one time I had a 17mm Takumar M42 mount that I used with an adapter on my Nikon with very good results. Wish I still had it as I have a M42 to LTM adapter and I could try the Takumar on my Zorki 1. Of course it might block the viewfinder a teeny bit and there's the matter of a viewfinder. The 17mm Takumars show up once in awhile in the $300 range.

 

[Beniliam]

I have the color skopar 21 mm. The perspective its like photograph with both eyes open. Very natural portraits I made with this little lens.I really like the viewfinder; that is the same of the other lens: 15, 25

 

[NelsonFoto]

Question: would a WA M42 on an adapter interfere with the L's meter?

 

[phototone]

Question: would a WA M42 on an adapter interfere with the L's meter?

NO, the glass elements of the lens would be far enough out to not interfere on any Cosina/Voigtlander Leica-thread body. Remember the M42 mount lenses had to be retrofocus designs because they were meant to be put on a reflex camera with a flapping mirror. Had to clear that mirror. Mounting said lens on yet another adaptor to convert it to Leica-thread mount would put that pesky rear element even farther away from the Cosina/Voigtlander innards.

There were a few "rare" early extreme wide angles that required the mirror to be up and for you to use an auxiliary finder on top. These rare examples might possibly not work. Nikon had a 21mm like this. Don't know about in M42 mount. Any of the reasonably priced M42 lenses made in the 1980's and 1990's would certainly clear.

Of course you know you would not have rangefinder coupling, but this is not really an issue with extreme wide angles. You pre-set the distance and shoot. All is good. The Cosina/Voigtlander 12mm, 15mm and 25mm are also not rangefinder coupled. In Cosina/Voigtlander wide angle LTM lenses, only the 21mm and 28mm are rangefinder coupled.

 

[NelsonFoto]

Gene - which lenses do you have for your Bessa? Any chance I might come down and shoot a few frames through my L to get a taste?

Also, wife and I did a U-turn in front of the guitar shop a week ago or so, saw you coming out of the warehouse, but didnt wanna bother ya. Hope you're doing well.

 

[NelsonFoto]

Kevin - totally overlooked yer suggesting I see your 15mm samples. Thanks for posting that info.

 

[peter_n]

There was a LNIB CV 15mm that was BINned on eBay for $225 about two months ago. It sold about 4 hours after it appeared. If you are patient and keep your eyes peeled, you will find what you want eventually.

 

[NelsonFoto]

I have the color skopar 21 mm. The perspective its like photograph with both eyes open. Very natural portraits I made with this little lens.I really like the viewfinder; that is the same of the other lens: 15, 25

Your work is quite nice, Ben. Thanks for pointing it out to me. I think the 21mm might be the best bet until I can afford a 12.... man the 12mm is just friggen psychotic, though. Amazing perspective tricks for street around buildings, etc.

 

[NelsonFoto]

Hi, Peter... yes, I noticed a 12mm out there on the bay tonight, but nothing else. Seems like those wideangles were all over the place just a few months ago. Did Gandy dump his stocks or something?

 

[ray_g]

Here's a 15mm at a reasonable price -

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00DAa2