CV 35/2.5 Question

[pfogle]

Hi,

I read that the CV Color Skopar 35/2.5 PI has been replaced by the PII with a new optical design that required the mount to be M only.

Does anyone know how the design compares to the C type that Sean reviewed on LL? Apparently that one was the same as the old PI

thanks
Phil

 

[Sean Reid]

I haven't seen first hand but a photographer friend of mine has one of the new versions and the results look great. I think it's a safe bet.

Sean

 

[peter_n]

Phil all I've read about the new pancake is that its as good or better than the old classic/pancake. Yes it is M bayonet only so if you want a lens that can do double duty on an LTM as well as an M you need the classic. Search on PN for PII related threads. Lots of them there.

 

[Huck Finn]

Check www.cosina.co.jp/seihin/voigt/v-lens/v-l-m/index.html.

I can't see any difference between the drawings of the lens designs for the P II & the Classic. I expect that it was tweaked only to make it more compact than the original P, but no real change in the optical formula.

 

[pfogle]

Thanks, all. I'm in a bit of a quandry over this - I would like a compact 35, but I don't get on with the focus lever design - too many years using manual focus SLR's 😉

The PII has gone back to the lever, after the focus ring on the PI, so I'm now leaning towards the 35/1.7 instead. I'll have to try them out, I guess.

cheers
Phil

 

[peter_n]

The lever/tab is a real problem for me too Phil for the same reason - my whole life with SLRs. I was lucky enough to get the CV P1 while they were still on sale. There is also the Zeiss Biogon 35/2 which has a little bump on the focusing ring where the tab would be. However it looks like the bump might be in just the right place to be a nuisance! 🙁

 

[David Kieltyka]

I really like the focus bumps on the new Zeiss lenses. The focus rings are knurled, including the bumps, so you can use the whole ring or just the bump with ease. The bump is more like a hill than a peak so it doesn't get in the way of using the ring.

-Dave-

 

[pfogle]

Hi all, thanks for the input!

Seems I might have sourced a P1, which should arrive at the weekend, so I'll be able to try it out then. From what I've heard/seen, it should be just the ticket 🙂

cheers
Phil

 

[tom_f77]

Seems I might have sourced a P1, which should arrive at the weekend, so I'll be able to try it out then. From what I've heard/seen, it should be just the ticket 🙂

cheers
Phil

You have indeed; I am just about to go home and pack it!

Tom

 

[peter_n]

I really like the focus bumps on the new Zeiss lenses. The focus rings are knurled, including the bumps, so you can use the whole ring or just the bump with ease. The bump is more like a hill than a peak so it doesn't get in the way of using the ring.

-Dave-

Yes I'm familiar with the design (see the attached pic) but without actually using one its difficult to tell. I will rant very briefly and say that I think the whole Leica tab design is a big mistake. Not only is it very awkward to use but it stops you using the index, 4th & 5th fingers on your left hand as a platform under the camera. That platform is important as a counter for when you push the shutter.

 

[Jim Watts]

Yes I'm familiar with the design (see the attached pic) but without actually using one its difficult to tell. I will rant very briefly and say that I think the whole Leica tab design is a big mistake. Not only is it very awkward to use but it stops you using the index, 4th & 5th fingers on your left hand as a platform under the camera. That platform is important as a counter for when you push the shutter.

I suppose it is a case of individual preference. I really like the Leica tabs with with the half moon cut out as on my 35mm Cron. I'm less keen on the VC tab as on my 25mm Skopar but still find it very usable.

Perhaps this will develop into a thread about how we hold our cameras? With the M4 and R-D1 using my 35mm Cron the tip of the first (Index) finger of my left-hand goes in the tab cutout and can swing the focusing movement through nearly its full arc (Infinity down to about 4 feet) without moving my left-hand. 2nd finger of that hand then stretch's along under the camera to support it with 3rd, 4th and 5th finger curled in, but they are still adding some further support. Left thumb presses against left-hand side of camera so that thumb and 2nd finger almost grip camera. To quickly reach the last bit of the focusing arc (4ft down to 28 inches) I straighten these other fingers, slide all my fingers to the left with the tips of the 2nd and 3rd now giving the counter pressure under the base. Right-hand just grips camera and operates shutter. Virtually the same in vertical position but some curve to 2nd finger as well now, with others and hand adding support under (now bottom) left-hand side of camera.

Much more difficult to describe clearly than to do, but it works well for me. 🙂

 

[krimple]

Jim, I absolutely LOVE your avatar...

I own the 35 PII, as it was the first lens I bought for the R-D1. I also have the 28mm Ultron, etc..., which have a large focus grip. To tell you the truth, I find the 35 better for critical focusing, precisely because it has enough resistance to make the focusing more precise.

I also love it for pre-focusing at f/8 for hyperfocal shooting--it is very hard to wack the focus out unless you make an effort to do so.

Frankly, it's my favorite lens for the R-D1, as it is a nice focal length and makes the whole thing pocketable, even with the lens hood.

Here's a sample, replete with +1.5 EV and bokeh...

http://photos7.flickr.com/9469369_e033443fa3_o.jpg

Ken

 

[Jim Watts]

Ken,
Very nice shot with 35 PII, bokeh looks good with this lens. May consider this in future or the 40mm f/1.4 Notkon as my 35mm has a slight front focus problem. That's when I recover from the expenditure on the Avenon 21mm and an inteded 28mm Ultron purchase. When the light is good I also tend to do hyperfocal shooting and the VC 25mm Skopar (no coupling, so your not tempted to'fart about') is good for this as well. It also more closely matches my favourite combination of 35mm lens on my M4. No finder as I know where the framelines would fall with this combination, so the full area of the R-D1 viewfinder is good enough.

Seems both our Avatars are making faces mines on the R-D1 of 'Tilley' a photographer friends grandaughter. She is fed up with my attempts to take her picture. "You just can't get the models these days with out paying". How many tubes of Smarties to hirer Claudia Schieffer I wonder. 😀

 

[tom_f77]

When the light is good I also tend to do hyperfocal shooting and the VC 25mm Skopar (no coupling, so your not tempted to'fart about') is good for this as well.

This is a very good point. I find it surprisingly hard not to 'fart about' with the focus on other lenses - I often carefully set the scale, raise the camera to my eye straight away and... Oops, start again.

I think the 25/4 should be seen as a brilliant attempt to cater for zone and hyperfocal focussers needs rather than a cheap alternative for those who can get by without coupling on a wide lens!

Tom