Cheap LTM Lenses for my Bessa R?

[cameron.knight]

So, I took the plunge and purchased a Bessa R from KEH. it's been on my list for awhile, and the price was too good to pass on, especially considering KEH's rating system and my great experiences with them.

In terms of rangefinders, I have up to this point shot main two types. One, FSU Zorki's. Two, fixed lens types from the 70s and 80s.

So now, I'm looking for some LTM lenses. And you may be saying, well, you've already found them. That Ruskie glass is the cheapest crap out there.

I know. I have several 50mm lenses already and plan to get more. What I want is something wider and something longer. The Jupiter 35mm won't mount to the Bessa in the all the docs I've read, and frankly 35mm is crap. The Jupiter 9 (85mm) is on the table.

But what I'm really wondering is where are all these LTM lenses I've heard about. The widest LTM lens on KEH right now is a 50mm, they literally have nothing wider.

So I know about the newish Cosina Voigtlander lenses, all super expensive, but they have all the focal lengths I want.

I know about the Leica lenses, great.

I know about the Russian lenses, ya hoo.

I know there are more brands to look at, I just don't know what's out there. Please help!

 

[Roger Hicks]

It's mostly luck, and whatever turns up. The thing is, though, that most older LTM lenses except FSU are now worth more to collectors than to users, especially to complete 'period' outfits (Yashinon on Nicca/Yashica, etc. or even Dallmeyer on Reid). They're also pretty thin on the ground, hence 'whatever turns up.' The best buy in 90s is probably the 90/4 Elmar, which frankly is silly-cheap, common, light and tiny.

The FSU 85/2 is good in its way (great portrait lens) and the 135/4 is excellent. If I were you, I'd REALLY stick with Voigtländer for anything wider than 50mm -- and that includes 1950s or earlier Leica lenses too.

Cheers,

R.

 

[johannielscom]

Have a look here: http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/39mm_screw_lenses

🙂

Best you can do is Google those for looks or check eBays (completed) auctions to see the best pictures of them. Then try to locate the interesting ones with dealers where they sometimes go for less-than-eBay. Have fun!

 

[S.H.]

For cheapish lenses, some old japanese brands can do the job (search for Komura / Acall or ask buzzardkid, he knows 😉 )

Cheap ltm, i. e. something that works on a Leica, is hard to find now (everybody wants Leica-compatible lenses, even FSU prices have risen). And you are in collectors territory, so it does not help.

A ltm J9 that accurately focus in all the range on a western l39 body ? I thought they wer not really compatible...

 

[Roger Hicks]

Have a look here: http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/39mm_screw_lenses

🙂

Best you can do is Google those for looks or check eBays (completed) auctions to see the best pictures of them. Then try to locate the interesting ones with dealers where they sometimes go for less-than-eBay. Have fun!

Dear Johan,

Thanks for the link. Having run through the list, and having seen/used surprisingly many of them (I surprised myself, anyway), I think I'd stand by the observation that many of them are rare and of far more interest to collectors than to users, and some are pretty bad lenses too.

A couple of points for the OP are first, that some LTM lenses have a VERY different register (especially for Paxettes and early Zenith SLRs, as noted on the site) and second (which I don't think I saw on the site) that surprisingly many lenses that do fit Leicas were non-coupled, especially NOC for Periflex. I seem to recall that I had a (very good) uncoupled 35/3.5 British lens -- Dallmeyer? -- on a Reid I.

Cheers,

R.

 

[ottluuk]

The Leica 9cm f/4 Elmar is surprisingly good, tiny, plentyful and cheap. Mine was €120 but you should be able to find them somewhat cheaper as well. Very few reasons not to have one. Some people swear by the Canon 100/3.5, might be worth a look.

Wider than 50, you basically have the modern Voigtlanders, Canon 28/2.8 and 28/3.5 and Leica Summaron 35/3.5. There are various obscure 35mm lenses (and far less 28mm-s) but they are generally as expensive (or more) as a Summaron and not any better. I've seen the Canon 28mm-s on sale for less than €300 and that's pretty much the best value you can get in wider than 35mm.

In 35mm, it's a draw between the CV Skopar and 3.5 Summaron. The former for modern look, the latter for vintage. Some would add the Canon 35/2.8, but again, costs the same as a Summaron and from what I've seen, not better in the IQ department.

These days, a good deal seems to take a lot of patience, with lots of crap on the market, including mundane stuff stratospherically overpriced.

 

[S.H.]

These days, a good deal seems to take a lot of patience, with lots of crap on the market, including mundane stuff stratospherically overpriced.

True. With Internet, you can find anything, really. But Patience is mandatory.

 

[eyesglassy]

With patience I was able to aquire several CV lenses. I think they're great. I also use a Jupiter 12 on my Bessa L and I like that too. A very cheap set-up with a Yashica tele/wide finder. But it's Sunny 16 and focus by distance. I focus that way with all my lenses 35 and wider. So it works for me.

 

[cameron.knight]

Thanks for all the tips, guys. I think a 90mm might be in the works. After having used the camera a bit more today, I think I'll be pretty happy with a 50mm for most everything.

I wear glasses, so the camera would become cumbersome with a 28mm, an accessory viewfinder and all. Doesn't mean I won't get one, it's just not top of my list. And to me, a 35mm is just not really wide. It has it's place, but to me, that place is not next to a 50mm.

It's currently mounted with an Industar 61 (talk about cheap), but the lens has proven to be sharp on other cameras. We'll see about the register.

I can't get over the viewfinder. It's SOOOOO nice compared to FSU cameras. And not that I've done a side by side comparison, but it seems noticeably brighter than the Leicas I've handled.

I'm very happy with my choice. If this does end up being primarily a 50mm camera, there are plenty of great 50s out there for cheap. Especially, FSU. Just don't drive the price up on me guys.

My Bessa R got shipped to my house within days of my new Kiev 4 (complete with Jupiter 8, so fancy). I'm just too excited. I need to go shoot..... bad!