Cheap system advice

[agentsim]

Hi guys,

I'm a long-time lurker here at RFF, posted a few times last year when I was considering a Bessa R2. I've since bought a dSLR and dislike using it, so I'm fairly certain an RF is the way to go -- and the r-d1 seems like a good choice to me.

I'm going to sell my SLR to fund lens purchases in a few months (once I'm sure RFs are the thing for me) and in the mean time I'd like some advice on a decent set of cheap lenses for the Epson to start with.

So far I'm thinking:
Jupiter-8
Jupiter-12
Jupiter-9
+ maybe a CV21 or 40 Nokton (these are kind of pricey for a startup kit tho!)

I'm missing options for the 21-28 range -- any ideas?

 

[sevres_babylone]

I have the old cv 25mm (not rangefinder coupled). While I don't use it much (I bought it in part so I could use the finder with the 15mm), you might be able to find one for a good price. You can do without an external finder for it, sort of, by using the whole 28mm and assuming you will also be getting what's outside the lines.
It is not a fast lens though. But it is very sharp. And often there is enough depth of field that it is not a problem focusing using the markings on the lens.

I think the 40 is pretty versatile for its price.

There are also sometimes good deals on the Nokton 50mm in the classifieds here, and it is an excellent lens.

I don't know the Jupiters.

 

[Kim Coxon]

A J8 can be a very good lens for the RD1. I am not certain but I don't think the J12 will fir because of the rear element. Unless you manage to find a J9 that has been succesfully used on an RD1, I would avoid them. The focus issues are even more of a problem with the cropped sensor.

IMHO, the CV lenses are the way to go.

Kim

 

[foto_fool]

I was thinking about this yesterday. Out of all my kit I think maybe the best bang-for-buck has been the 5cm/f1.4 Nikkor SC in LTM. Great build, fast, lovely images wide open (if you like Sonnar softness) and sharp enough stopped down. If you can find one at all you might be able to close the deal, with adapter, for under $300.

That said, IMO the 40mm Nokton also ranks high on the bang-for-buck scale. When faced with the choice of selling the Nokton or the 40mm Summicron, I kept the Nokton.

I have no experience with the Jupiter lenses but have heard that the J-3 and J-8 can be great if you get a good example.

 

[veraikon]

Jupiter-12

check out first, if there will be any problems with the J12 back lens on a Epson RD1

 

[mrb]

My J8 has been a good performer, especially when it's not wide open.

 

[mwooten]

Here's one I shot with my J8 & RD1.

 

[mwooten]

Here is another RD1s & J8 shot.

 

[ZorkiKat]

Ju-12 on R-D1

Ju-12 on R-D1

Jupiter 12 can fit on R-D1 without problems. I've two of different vintages which fit and couple without problems. In fact, the J-12 is my current "normal" lens for this camera. Another R-D1 shooter I know also uses J-12 on his camera. The only problem I found so far is that J-12 may tend to vignette slightly when used full open- but this will only be obvious in certain situations. In most shooting situations, this isn't even noticeable.

The J-8 and J-3 50 mms will work well too. But be wary of the possibility that some specimens of these lenses may not couple properly.

The J-9 is also good, but you'd need to get an external finder for it. The 135mm finder for RF cameras should work fine.

Here's two with a J-12:

And with a J-3 at f/1.5:

Jay

 

[agentsim]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I guess now all I need is the camera 😀