cv 50/2.5 question

[back alley]

how did it get so popular all of a sudden?

when it first came out it met with luke warm reviews and slow sales (so i am lead to believe) and now they seem very sought after.

what happened?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

The prices of other 50mm RF lenses like the Leica Summicrons and Konica M-Hexanon went through the roof. The CV is all a lot of people could afford, but its getting costly now too

 

[paulfish4570]

't'is a fine lens. mine likes living on my IIIf ...

 

[FrankS]

There was a negative internet review of the lens when it first came out. This kept getting repeated.

 

[back alley]

and now folks have discovered/decided that it's a good lens?

 

[Bingley]

I think Frank's right. I also think the lens has developed a following in part b/c of the threads here devoted to it, particularly the one started by Erik van Straten. I first became acquainted w/ this lens about 5 years ago, when I borrowed a sample from a friend. I wasn't that impressed. But then I noticed the photos in the RFF threads on this lens, and reconsidered. I got one of the last new ones from PhotoVillage. At the time, it was a bargain, particularly when compared to the Leica Elmar-M 50/2.8. I think it's just taken some time for people to realize just what an excellent performer this lens is.

 

[back alley]

anyone remember what it first sold for?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

It was about $300.

 

[Bingley]

IIRC, it was under $300 USD, just. Something like $289. Less than half what used Elmar-Ms were selling for at the time.

 

[fixbones]

I think the situation is exactly like what happened the VC 28mm/3.5
Cheap and always around (or so we thought).
But when cosina decided to cease production... thats when ppl start buying them up.
I have both the 50/2.5 and 28/3.5. The biggest advantage for me is their size.

 

[rover]

and now folks have discovered/decided that it's a good lens?

Well, they decided to try it rather than just read comments about it from other people who never tried it.

 

[helen.HH]

Great lens ...Fantastic Build, easy handling

 

[Larry H-L]

At one time it was the top selling C/V lens in Japan, not sure if it still is.

 

[RFluhver]

I am also an admirer of this lens. I love it so much I have two of them! But tonight I am planning to get 50/1.5 Nokton. I hope that this is good lens.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I am also an admirer of this lens. I love it so much I have two of them! But tonight I am planning to get 50/1.5 Nokton. I hope that this is good lens.

The 1.5 is a great lens. I deeply regret having sold mine

 

[gb hill]

I want a 75/2.5 color heliar for the Bessa R but that lens jumped over $100.00 over night. It's now $429.00. Everything has gone crazy. If I could sell my Sun record collection I'd buy one!

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I want a 75/2.5 color heliar for the Bessa R but that lens jumped over $100.00 over night. It's now $429.00. Everything has gone crazy. If I could sell my Sun record collection I'd buy one!

I got a used one in nearly new condition earlier this year for $250. I don't think the used price has gone up a lot for that lens. Its a good lens, you'll like it!

 

[roundg]

I used to have CV35/1.7, 50/2.5,50/1.5 and 28/3.5 when they were still cheap and sold them cheap also. Always confused by the price up on these lens.

On the other hand, some lens like CV21 is still at a very affordable level.

 

[Doug]

It did get a bad review early-on, saying it just wasn't sharp. It was a CVUG mailing list member's ongoing pictures of the week with this lens that caused me to question the issue, and I bought a used one from a Photo.net member for $175 in June 2004. It was like-new-in-box and had a $275 price sticker on it.

As for the 2.5/75mm Heliar, I got a new one from Dodd Camera in Cleveland for $212.50, in Oct 2003. At the time, list price was $299. I should use this lens more.

 

[uhoh7]

I think the situation is exactly like what happened the VC 28mm/3.5
Cheap and always around (or so we thought).
But when cosina decided to cease production... thats when ppl start buying them up.
I have both the 50/2.5 and 28/3.5. The biggest advantage for me is their size.

the 28 is a beauty, with a far heavier build than the other skopars--as you know I'm sure.

I looked for weeks in the early spring and was finally able to find one for 300USD. I found an expired ad from 8 months earlier and contacted the OP

I'm sad to say the lens, while it shifted color badly on the original nex-5, now shoots very well on the nex-5n 😉