Canon 25/3.5 rangefinder on nex?

[usaa13]

I'm a lurker-turned poster. My new NEX-5r is in the mail, and I'm working on a lens kit. I'm hoping to find a 35mm equivalent that is extremely compact that I can keep on the camera 50% of the time to go along with my 50mm Elmar and perhaps a wider lens. Since size is perhaps my primary consideration here, I am considering the very tiny old 25mm Canon.

I guess I really have three questions: First, are there any issues mounting the lens?

Second, how does it perform on the NEX (examples most welcome!)?

And third, are there any alternatives?

I know that the 25mm CV is an option, though I'd really like an old lens (why? just because I find it fun!). Also, I'd rather find something faster, but other than spending upwards of $2k for a Leica-M I'm finding no options that wouldn't at least double the length. I'd say my other possibility at this point is the 25/4 Pen-F. So, I'll probably go with one of those unless someone here has a brilliant suggestion that I've not yet unearthed.

Thanks very much!

 

[kxl]

The Canon 25/3.5 is an LTM so you would first need an LTM to M adapter, then an M to NEX adapter. I'm not sure if there are LTM to NEX adapters. Your options are about as many as there are available adapters, limited only by size (since that is your primary consideration).

 

[usaa13]

Guess I will reply to myself on point 1 -- thanks to Nokton48, who advises that this lens (unlike the 19mm model) will mount.

Questions 2 and 3 are still fair game, though. Thanks.

 

[kbg32]

How about the 25/2.8 ZM?

 

[rogue_designer]

You've hit about the same lens options I have... the 25/3.5, CV 25/4, and Pen F 25/4 - I settled on the CV when a good deal came around.

I've had no issues mounting Canon LTM lenses with a decent M-adapter, and an M-NEX adapter. They've performed well. The 5R should do better in the corners than my 7, as well, so I think that will be a good combination.

I find it hard to believe nobody makes a good manual focus 24/2 that isn't huge and/or tremendously expensive. But there it is. Maybe CV will find a way.

 

[rogue_designer]

How about the 25/2.8 ZM?

Enormous in comparison. And still expensive (at least double the price of the CV or Canon lenses, for one extra stop). Wasn't worth the tradeoffs to me.

 

[usaa13]

Yes, that was my major qualm with the ZM, as well as options like the Voigtlander Ultron 28/2 or 1.9. I think the 25/2.8 is the smallest, but it is still about double the size of the really compact options I'd prefer. While still plenty compact for most applications, I really want the Nex to be something that I can throw in my pocket with 2-3 lenses and use for most everything.

i really wish there was something like the Voigtlander 35/1.4 Nokton for M mount at a wider focal length, because I think the effective ~52mm length is a little longer than I want.

I am tempted to buy the cheaper Pen 25mm to pair with my 50, and put the nice compact 35 in the middle of them, but I hate to have such a ... err ... compact range of lenses.

One other option I thought of was to buy the 21/4 Voigtlander and pair it with the 35/1.4 and 50, but 21 is a bit wider than I prefer and thus I fear I'll be constantly swapping all 3 lenses instead of using just one for most applications.

 

[Bimjo]

The Canon 25/3.5 is an LTM so you would first need an LTM to M adapter, then an M to NEX adapter. I'm not sure if there are LTM to NEX adapters. Your options are about as many as there are available adapters, limited only by size (since that is your primary consideration).

There are LTM to NEX adapters. The advantage of adapting from LTM to M and then to NEX is using a M mount to NEX helicoil adapter. Thus those longish minimum focus distances become a non-issue. 🙂

 

[Nokton48]

If you like using rare and unusual lenses, you will get that that with the Canon 25mm. It is a "Zeiss Topogon" formula, which is pretty radical, indeed. It flares into the sun; but you will see that, when you chimp, and can adjust positioning.

 

[usaa13]

There are LTM to NEX adapters. The advantage of adapting from LTM to M and then to NEX is using a M mount to NEX helicoil adapter. Thus those longish minimum focus distances become a non-issue. 🙂

Interesting, I didn't realize that. Can you maintain infinity focus with that setup? From a quick ebay search, I can't seem to find anything that fits the bill. I'd be grateful if you could share sources for finding the appropriate adapter. (I assume the M to NEX adapter is just a regular one?)

 

[Bimjo]

Interesting, I didn't realize that. Can you maintain infinity focus with that setup? From a quick ebay search, I can't seem to find anything that fits the bill. I'd be grateful if you could share sources for finding the appropriate adapter. (I assume the M to NEX adapter is just a regular one?)

Use this search string: "leica m helicoid nex adapter" and you should be able to find one that suits your needs. The helicoil is the M to NEX adapter.

The Hawk's seems to be the ne plus ultra, I got the $55 one and it works fine. No issues with infinity focus with mine. Like any NEX adapter it might focus slighty beyond infinty though mine doesn't seem to.

 

[usaa13]

Use this search string: "leica m helicoid nex adapter" and you should be able to find one that suits your needs. The helicoil is the M to NEX adapter.

The Hawk's seems to be the ne plus ultra, I got the $55 one and it works fine. No issues with infinity focus with mine. Like any NEX adapter it might focus slighty beyond infinty though mine doesn't seem to.

Ah, I was searching for "helicoil," which didn't get hits.

FYI, I found an M to NEX helicoil adapter from "cardany_chan" that is only about $30 and seems to work from a few random internet reviews.

 

[Bimjo]

Ah, I was searching for "helicoil," which didn't get hits.

FYI, I found an M to NEX helicoil adapter from "cardany_chan" that is only about $30 and seems to work from a few random internet reviews.

That's who I got mine from. Prices are all over the map, $55 was the lowest price when I got mine. Thirty is a steal, jump on it. 😉

 

[johannielscom]

What is considered a steal when it comes to the canon 25mm prices? And what a decent price? eBay specimens all are expensive to my taste!

 

[jordanatkins]

I'm currently using a Pen-F 40/1.4 on my NEX-7, and I have a Pen-F 25/2.8 on the way sometime this week. I'll share my impressions in a few days when I have the lens in hand.

The 40/1.4 is an amazing lens that is tack sharp from F2.8 upwards. It's a tad soft wide open, but still good. I like the color rendition and bokeh, and the build quality is top notch. Focus is well dampened and has a long throw so fine focusing is very easy. I expect the 25/2.8 will be the same. Plus, they are some of the most compact 35mm lenses ever, and they were designed for half frame.

P.S.- I'm using a Rainbowimaging Pen-F to NEX adapter, but are there any better ones anybody can recommend?

 

[Nettar]

Let me make a minor comment, usaa13, just in case it turns out to be important. A 25mm lens on a NEX camera is really equivalent to 38.46mm, not 35mm, in 135 format. That's getting on for 39mm. (Here I'm standardising using the diagonal, but other approaches give approximately the same result.) Yes, I know the factor is supposed to be 1.5, but actually it's 1.53846, and that .03846 can make a difference, if you are as used to a fixed focal length as I. (Actually, 35mm in 135 format is not my favourite wide -- mine is 28mm -- but the same argument applies there too.) So, if you are not set in your ways, a 25mm might be just fine for you, but if you are, you may get a bit of a surprise... Nettar