mangamonster
Established
So, just picked up a really nice Epson RD1x from a forum member here, and I love it so far. It's a real gem to handle and hold. But now, I need lenses. I have a 50mm Russian lens, which is fine, but will be wanting to purchase some Voigtlander lenses soon. I'm fairly new to anything related to M mount lenses and would love to hear your opinion on what lenses you would choose?
I shoot anything and everything that my eye finds interesting. Moments, travel, portraits, studio, street, cafes, food, etc etc. If you were in my shoes, and had a budget of $1k, what two (or more) lenses would you purchase?
I know that the Russian lens that I have isn't the sharpest wide open, so please don't dismiss a 50mm if that's what your preference is. I prefer Voigtlander, since I cannot afford fast Leica lenses. But, if you have other suggestions, please don't hesitate to suggest.
I shoot anything and everything that my eye finds interesting. Moments, travel, portraits, studio, street, cafes, food, etc etc. If you were in my shoes, and had a budget of $1k, what two (or more) lenses would you purchase?
I know that the Russian lens that I have isn't the sharpest wide open, so please don't dismiss a 50mm if that's what your preference is. I prefer Voigtlander, since I cannot afford fast Leica lenses. But, if you have other suggestions, please don't hesitate to suggest.
bonatto
looking out
I think the 28mm 3.5 voigtlander would be a nice companion to an rd1x
kzphoto
Well-known
This camera has an APS-C sensor, I believe. I would look for a nice 21 or 25mm lens, but I prefer wides. Ymmv.
The CZ21/4.5 is nothing short of amazing I second the recommendation on the 28/3.5. I wonder how the CV 21/1.8 handle on your camera?
The CZ21/4.5 is nothing short of amazing I second the recommendation on the 28/3.5. I wonder how the CV 21/1.8 handle on your camera?
anerjee
Well-known
I use the 40mm rokkor almost exclusively on my RD1S.
So, just picked up a really nice Epson RD1x from a forum member here, and I love it so far. It's a real gem to handle and hold. But now, I need lenses. I have a 50mm Russian lens, which is fine, but will be wanting to purchase some Voigtlander lenses soon. I'm fairly new to anything related to M mount lenses and would love to hear your opinion on what lenses you would choose?
I shoot anything and everything that my eye finds interesting. Moments, travel, portraits, studio, street, cafes, food, etc etc. If you were in my shoes, and had a budget of $1k, what two (or more) lenses would you purchase?
I know that the Russian lens that I have isn't the sharpest wide open, so please don't dismiss a 50mm if that's what your preference is. I prefer Voigtlander, since I cannot afford fast Leica lenses. But, if you have other suggestions, please don't hesitate to suggest.
sevres_babylone
Veteran
I started with the CV Nokton 50mm ltm and the CV 35 F2.5. Both give a modern look which you could use alternatively with your Russian lens. I didn't really need any other lenses but subsequently bought a slew of 50s especially.
When I preferred a more vintage look, I was using the Canon 35 2.8 ltm and the Canon F1.5 sonnar. (I don't know which 50mm you have now, but a Jupiter 3 would be a good substitute for the Canon)
Although I didn't use it as much as the 35mm and 50mm, the CV 15mm (I had the ltm version) gives a nice angle of view is quite good on the Epson. You would need an external VF though with an angle of view of approximately 22mm though.
I late got an M9, but I have to say that when I go through my older Epson files, either to work on or to view, I am impressed with their quality.
Sean Reid wrote a couple of articles on the Luminous Landscape site about how different lenses performed on R-D1; I'll see if I can find them and provide the links.
When I preferred a more vintage look, I was using the Canon 35 2.8 ltm and the Canon F1.5 sonnar. (I don't know which 50mm you have now, but a Jupiter 3 would be a good substitute for the Canon)
Although I didn't use it as much as the 35mm and 50mm, the CV 15mm (I had the ltm version) gives a nice angle of view is quite good on the Epson. You would need an external VF though with an angle of view of approximately 22mm though.
I late got an M9, but I have to say that when I go through my older Epson files, either to work on or to view, I am impressed with their quality.
Sean Reid wrote a couple of articles on the Luminous Landscape site about how different lenses performed on R-D1; I'll see if I can find them and provide the links.
sevres_babylone
Veteran
Here is a link to Sean Reid's article on fast lenses on the R-D1. It might be of interest to you. http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/fastlensreview.shtml
Darthfeeble
But you can call me Steve
Mine just loves the CV28/2.
kuujinbo
Established
All things considered - (small) size, speed and price, the 40 Nokton is hard to beat. IIRC the last one I saw here in excellent/like new condition went for ~$350. It's glued to my R-D1x.
If you like Voigtlander and don't mind a little larger size, besides the 28 ultron (mentioned directly above, either version) the 35 ultron is very good if you can find one.
If you like Voigtlander and don't mind a little larger size, besides the 28 ultron (mentioned directly above, either version) the 35 ultron is very good if you can find one.
back alley
IMAGES
a 21 and a 40…and then add as you discover what type of images you are more drawn to!
my rd1 album...https://www.flickr.com/photos/back_alley/sets/72157614738057877/
my rd1 album...https://www.flickr.com/photos/back_alley/sets/72157614738057877/
mangamonster
Established
Wow, thanks for the ton of awesome info, guys. I'll read through the posted links and start looking online for deals on 28mm and 40mm glass. Really great info here.
Out to Lunch
Ventor
I have been using the Epsons for a number of years and especially like the following lenses: CV 15/4.5, CV 25/4, CV 35/1.2, CV 50/1.1.
ped
Small brown dog
I've tried a few and found that the 28/1.9 was best for both sharpness, accuracy with framelines and feel. It gives about 42mm equiv which works nicely. I messed about with a few others, including a 35 skopar which was nice, but found them too constricting both in terms of speed and FOV.
I'm sure the 28/2 is also a winner, but having the 1.9 I haven't tried the f2. I think it's a tad smaller though, which is great.
It definitely feels like the R-D1 was made for the 28mm lens...
ped
I'm sure the 28/2 is also a winner, but having the 1.9 I haven't tried the f2. I think it's a tad smaller though, which is great.
It definitely feels like the R-D1 was made for the 28mm lens...
ped
shortstop
Well-known
what is the price of a used Epson RD-1(s)? worth buying it?
mangamonster
Established
I've seen them average about 800-900 on ebay. A lot of them are from Japan.
A lot of Japanese Amazon stores are selling it brand new (RD1XG) for a little over $1800. I guess Epson is still making them or they are NOS.
A lot of Japanese Amazon stores are selling it brand new (RD1XG) for a little over $1800. I guess Epson is still making them or they are NOS.
shortstop
Well-known
I think it's too high a price and that is not worth it. better to spend a little 'more and buy a M8.2. Or not?
f16sunshine
Moderator
Oh you lucky dog! Such a great camera.
The 40mm M Rokkor in the CLE version if you can find one is the lens for the RD!.
I used both Biogon 35's and the 35Skopar as well as trying the Summicron v3 and asph. The 40mm Rokkor has the best look of all of them and fits the camera sweet!
Also it seems to match the RD1 35mm frameline very closely. It's a gem of a tiny little lens.
One tiny advice. get yourself a UV/IR cut filter. It really helps preserve color, fine detail, and contrast.
Some might p00-p00 this idea for the RD1. I compared with and without. The cut filters definetly improve already good IQ
Cheers!
The 40mm M Rokkor in the CLE version if you can find one is the lens for the RD!.
I used both Biogon 35's and the 35Skopar as well as trying the Summicron v3 and asph. The 40mm Rokkor has the best look of all of them and fits the camera sweet!
Also it seems to match the RD1 35mm frameline very closely. It's a gem of a tiny little lens.
One tiny advice. get yourself a UV/IR cut filter. It really helps preserve color, fine detail, and contrast.
Some might p00-p00 this idea for the RD1. I compared with and without. The cut filters definetly improve already good IQ
Cheers!
Monochrom
Well-known
Hi, great camera!!
i used a lot a nokton 40mm lens it gives 60mm fov, enough room to cmpose and to play with dof.
Also used a 28mm f2 VC lens, so so lens but fun with it´s f2.
The epson RF is quite a camera i wonder why didn´t they launch a larger res sensor.
I decided to let it go when i purchased a 35 f2 Zeiss biogon, the epson wasn´t able to deal with such a great lens, but with VC glass it rocks!
Good luck!
i used a lot a nokton 40mm lens it gives 60mm fov, enough room to cmpose and to play with dof.
Also used a 28mm f2 VC lens, so so lens but fun with it´s f2.
The epson RF is quite a camera i wonder why didn´t they launch a larger res sensor.
I decided to let it go when i purchased a 35 f2 Zeiss biogon, the epson wasn´t able to deal with such a great lens, but with VC glass it rocks!
Good luck!
porktaco
Well-known
i love my rd-1. i wish i shot it more often.
lenses i've really liked with it:
28/2.8 canon ltm
35/2 canon ltm
40/2 summicron-c (same as rokkor 40)
50/1.4 canon ltm
50/1.5 cjz ltm
50/1.5 nokton ltm
50/1.8 canon ltm
50/2 cjz ltm
50/2 summicron collapsible and rigid
75/2.5 cv heliar
90/4 elmar-c
i shoot a little long and i love the crop bonus for small lenses. my 50's ended up being 75's, my 35's 50's.
lenses i've really liked with it:
28/2.8 canon ltm
35/2 canon ltm
40/2 summicron-c (same as rokkor 40)
50/1.4 canon ltm
50/1.5 cjz ltm
50/1.5 nokton ltm
50/1.8 canon ltm
50/2 cjz ltm
50/2 summicron collapsible and rigid
75/2.5 cv heliar
90/4 elmar-c
i shoot a little long and i love the crop bonus for small lenses. my 50's ended up being 75's, my 35's 50's.
porktaco
Well-known
if i had to pick one, off of that list, it would be 40 cron.
maddoc
... likes film again.
The Epson R-D1s was my first RF camera (coming from DSLR, which in turn had replaced my F3HP/FM cameras) and my first lenses were the 35/2.5 PII and Nokton 50/1.5 LTM. Later I added an CV 15mm and also tried the ZM Biogon 25/2.8. The 25/2.8 was the best fit for the R-D1s but required an external VF as did the CV 15mm.
I have sold that camera long time ago when starting to use Leicas and going back to film again. However, I have a set of 28/2.8 and 40/2.0 M-Rokkor, which share the same filter size (E40.5) and are terrific lenses for small money. My 28/2.8 was briefly serviced by van Stelten to have it bring up the 28 mm frame lines and also to clean up the front element a little (no white spots but some faint micro spots in the coating). I keep these lenses mainly for the purpose to use them with an Epson R-D1s or maybe a Leica M8 in the future for color photography.
I have sold that camera long time ago when starting to use Leicas and going back to film again. However, I have a set of 28/2.8 and 40/2.0 M-Rokkor, which share the same filter size (E40.5) and are terrific lenses for small money. My 28/2.8 was briefly serviced by van Stelten to have it bring up the 28 mm frame lines and also to clean up the front element a little (no white spots but some faint micro spots in the coating). I keep these lenses mainly for the purpose to use them with an Epson R-D1s or maybe a Leica M8 in the future for color photography.