CV 35/2.5 with Bessa L, Zone focusing

[DHu]

Hi,

Can zone focusing a 35/2.5 render reasonable sharpness? I am contemplating a Bessa L with a 35/2.5 as my travel camera. Can someone post some sample shots please?

TIA

 

[peter_n]

I've used a 28mm Nikkor AIS on a Leica with acceptable results. I would think that if you keep the aperture small you'll do OK. Haven't got any scans of my 28, sorry. Make sure to take a film that will allow you to use small apertures...

 

[djon]

Of course it's accurate, just as would any 35 be if the photographer had his act together and knew what positon corresponded to what accurately guessed distance. If you use it at f2.5, or even 8 youll usually be wrong, of course. If you're zone focusing it's important to use fast film so you can use f11 or smaller as often as possible. In any case, the L focuses very accurately if it's in good adjustment.

 

[pvdhaar]

There's no reason why it shouldn't work. The Minox35GTE is a zone-focussing camera with 35mm lens. I've made some spectacular pictures with these (although there was a fair share of badly focussed ones as well).

Up till the seventies, zone focussing cameras with 45mm and even 50mm were sold. Although judging from the photo albums of that time, these focal lengths were pushing it in terms of well focussed shots.

So I'd say: go for it, and learn to estimate distances..

 

[ChrisN]

Just looking at the depth-of-field scale on the CV 35/2.5: at f16 you are in focus roughly from infinity to 1.3m; at f8 from infinity to 2.5m. Use fast film and keep the lens stopped down (it goes to f22) and you'll have no problems.


Here's a couple of photos taken with the CV 25/2.5 mounted on Canon Rangefinders. From memory these were probably shot around f11 or f16.

 

[DHu]

Thanks all

Thanks all

I also did a little more homework and found the depth of field page. Found it very useful for my purpose.

http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

 

[djon]

I've seen Leica lenses with colored tape attached, color coding distances. No help in low light, of course 🙂