Compact Super Wide Angle

[Rogier]

During the last RFF San Francisco Meetup I had the opportunity to compare a Barnack to my M4-P and was surprised how much smaller and lighter there old Leica III was compared to the M.

I am thinking about a compact super wide angle (21mm) setup with a Leica III and a Voiglander Color Scopar (other suggestions?) to use exclusively as a low profile camera.

Any thoughts about this?

 

[yossarian123]

I think you hit the nail on the head with the 21 skopar. Another option would be the 25mm skopar. I use the 21 for a LOT of my street shooting, it's particularly useful on a barnack where (for me at least) I could never focus fast enough through the tiny rangefinder.

 

[Rogier]

I think you hit the nail on the head with the 21 skopar. Another option would be the 25mm skopar. I use the 21 for a LOT of my street shooting, it's particularly useful on a barnack where (for me at least) I could never focus fast enough through the tiny rangefinder.

Thanks, I just sold a 15mm as I found it just a bit toooo wide for me, 21mm fits the bill. There will be plenty d.o.f available for scale focusing and snapping a quick shot out on the streets.

 

[Archlich]

21 skopar, 21 c-biogon. Packs of those.

In the end of compactness stands the GR21...

 

[B.J.Scharp]

The first 21 Super-Angulon (f4 version) is both screw and M mount. (It has a screw-M adapter with a locking screw). It's about the same size as the Skopar, I think.

 

[__hh]

Bessa R4 and 21mm using the built-in VF is also a good contender for a compact kit (no external VF)

 

[Lflex]

How about the finderless Leica LTM bodies. I think the model designation is something like Ic or If - don't know if they are expensive or hard to find though. That would be very compact.

 

[kossi008]

Yes, but the new CV 21/25 metal finder is really tiny...

 

[presspass]

If you go the Ic, If route, make sure it has all the shutter speeds you need. I seem to remember - and this may not be accurate - that one of the cost savings of these cameras was either no 1000th or no slow shutter speeds.

 

[FrankS]

The Leica CL also makes a compact platform for a CV 21 lens.

 

[Bingley]

Another vote for the CV 25/4. It's a great little lens, not rangefinder-coupled but then you really don't need it to be. Would work great on a Barnack.

 

[raid]

I would not rule out SLR wide angle lenses. I use a Canon FL 19mm 3.5 and a Minolta 21mm/4 with adapters on my Standard Leica.The look is more vintage than what I get with the CV 25mm/4.

 

[Bobbo]

One of the cost savings of these cameras was ---- no 1000th -- AND -- no slow shutter speeds.

There, fixed it for you 🙂. The Ic and early If cameras had shutter speeds from 1/30s to 1/500s, and that's it. Late If cameras have a 1/1000s setting, while the Ig (which are very expensive/rare and have a big top plate like the IIIg) had a full shutter speed range.

A IIIc or IIIf will be cheaper than any of these, plus it's usable with a 50mm lens. Als would be far nicer than any Cosina camera (minus the meter, but a $50 used meter of eBay will fix that).

 

[bigeye]

Rogier: I've pretty much dedicated a IIIf to the CV 15mm this year. Aside from having knob wind and a slow speed dial, it is pretty much the same as a film M in use. You need the VF and a meter with either and it's a bit smaller package.

(The 50mm Elmar goes in it's little aluminum can which is just larger than a film canister, if I need 'normal'.) It's a small tidy package that fits into a briefcase and is with me all the time.

If not the Leicas, the alternative is some kind of Nikon or Canon with a 20mm or 17-35 or so, which won't work for me. Voightlander made a couple of finderless models ("L", I believe) a couple of years ago as dedicated super/ultra wide bodies for their new lenses. They can be had for ~$100.

I would like a 21mm CV (or a LTM SA) very much on the IIIf; one of those perfect pairs, I think. (I am still entertained by the 15's selfishness and rewards, though.)

- Charlie

 

[Rogier]

Thanks for all your input.
The Ricoh GR1 sounded like a great alternative, but these puppies are hard to find and expensive. Not the least don't look nearly as cool as a Barnack ;-)
On the other hand the GR1 will make a very inconspicuous street shooter. But I am not that much into stealing shots from non suspecting people any way.

 

[Rogier]

Since I am thinking about using a Barnack exclusively for wide angle where a external viewfinder is needed regardless. I think a I c/f would be great.
However these seem to be more rare and more expensive than a III g/f.
Is there indeed engoigh of a difference in size and weight to justify the cost?

 

[Bobbo]

Since I am thinking about using a Barnack exclusively for wide angle where a external viewfinder is needed regardless. I think a I c/f would be great.
However these seem to be more rare and more expensive than a III g/f.
Is there indeed engoigh of a difference in size and weight to justify the cost?

Leica made far fewer of the Ic/f/g cameras (133,000 IIIc to 12,000 Ic cameras; 183,000 IIIf to 16,000 If cameras; more than 41,000 IIIg copies opposed to 5,900, according to Pacific Rim Camera's website).

They're collectors items compared to the III-series cameras. That's why they cost more. Usability has nothing to do with it. I'd rather have a rangefinder and slow speeds and not need them, rather than need them and not have them.

 

[Rogier]

Makes total sense, thanks!

 

[250swb]

A IIIF and a 21mm CV Skopar is a dream combination.

Steve

 

[Dralowid]

How's about something like this? OK so the finder is a bit obtrusive but it is great to use. 21mm CV

Michael