Cheap flat lens?

Juan Valdenebro

Juan Valdenebro

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Hi,


I wish I had an almost flat lens to take my R4M with me those days I don't plan to shoot... Small enough to add almost nothing to the camera's thickness so it fits easily into a small pocket... Speed does not matter...


The lens I want does not exist: a black pancake or collapsible 40mm in M mount, so I will have to get rid of part of what I desire...


The 28 3.5 skopar is a bit wide as an all around lens, and the elmar M is a bit expensive...


Any experience or recommendation with the collapsible russian lenses?



Thanks!
 
40 Rokkor and Summicron are small:

145826755_CAS9z-M.jpg


Here is another good one: Nikkor 35/2.5:

381238740_J4PTV-M-1.jpg


But the 35/2.5 PII beats all in terms of flatness. See here

http://cameraquest.com/voigtpma2004.htm

Roland.
 
Had a great I-22

Had a great I-22

several years ago that collapsed to near flatness. You might have to go through a few to get a good one, or have one cleaned.

Juan Valdenebro said:
Hi,


I wish I had an almost flat lens to take my R4M with me those days I don't plan to shoot... Small enough to add almost nothing to the camera's thickness so it fits easily into a small pocket... Speed does not matter...


The lens I want does not exist: a black pancake or collapsible 40mm in M mount, so I will have to get rid of part of what I desire...


The 28 3.5 skopar is a bit wide as an all around lens, and the elmar M is a bit expensive...


Any experience or recommendation with the collapsible russian lenses?



Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
Thank you all...

Ferider, no, I had not considered the 35 2.5 because it doesn't look too different in length to the 40 1.4 I own, looking at a shot that compares both on cameraquest, but checking the specifications, now I see it's really shorter... Then it could be a very good option, and I really like it being new, black, and non decollapsible... Yet I would like to find a shorter one, even if the quality is not the best: I guess I'll be carrying it even without hood or filter so I can really keep it where a point and shoot could be placed... Looks like I was wrong when I thought the Elmar-M was as flat as the classic screw 50 3.5... That's why I've been thinking of a real flat lens... Perfect would be the Nikon 45 2.8P if I could find how to mount it... Anyway I did not know some samples of the russian ones are sharper than the Leica, but with cheap mechanics, so I am really lost by now... Thanks for all the inputs!
 
Be careful with Industars and classic Elmars. They go deep. Not sure you can collapse them into the Bessa.

That being said, if you are OK with a 50, the collapsible Summicron did fit into my Bessa R3a.
 
Most of the collapsible Leica/Russian lenses will collapse on the Bessa - but not fully as they hit the "ledge" around the shutter gate.
The 35f2.5 without hood is about as compact as it is possible - and still retaining access to controls. The Nikkor 35f2.5 and 3.5 are even smaller, but it gets difficult to handle - aperture ring turns usually result in focussing turns too.
A plausible alternative is the Canon 35f2.0 - similar in size to the VC 35f2.5 II. If you are going to use the camera for "street" shooting (however you define that) - the 1 st version 35f2.5 is unbeatable. The large diameter makes it extremely quick to focus - and it is truly "flat". Same performance as the version II.
 
That's right, I forgot about the 35/2.5 P I (There are 3 versions of the Color Skopar, Juan, this is the very first one that you can still find occasionally).
 
I find that collapsible lenses are a hassle. If you are carrying the camera - it adds to the time it takes to 'set it up" - having to pull out the lens, lock it in place etc.I rarely collapse any lenses (exception being the 90f4 Elmar). For "quick" shots - you can't beat a rigid lens of compact dimensions. Considering that I have 17 collapsible lenses - I know whereof I speak (I just did a story in the last LHSA Viewfinder on these lenses - that's why I know).
 
Another flat choice is the 45mm Rokkor in LTM. I think there is one on sale in Classifieds right now. Look for the picture of a Tower. With an M mount adapter it couples with the rangefinder.
 
That Canon 35/2 is sweet little lens. Very compact and very good quality. Currently my own favorite. It rarely leaves my M2.
Tom A said:
Most of the collapsible Leica/Russian lenses will collapse on the Bessa - but not fully as they hit the "ledge" around the shutter gate.
The 35f2.5 without hood is about as compact as it is possible - and still retaining access to controls. The Nikkor 35f2.5 and 3.5 are even smaller, but it gets difficult to handle - aperture ring turns usually result in focussing turns too.
A plausible alternative is the Canon 35f2.0 - similar in size to the VC 35f2.5 II. If you are going to use the camera for "street" shooting (however you define that) - the 1 st version 35f2.5 is unbeatable. The large diameter makes it extremely quick to focus - and it is truly "flat". Same performance as the version II.
Click to expand...
 
I'll check the canon... Thanks, Brian, length differences are minimal, so it's true: my decision must be taken based on other qualities... Maybe to fill the space between my 15 and my 40 and go for that flat 28...

Thank you all!
 
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