"Enduring" lens for Bessa L and beyond

[MartinL]

. . .in other words, a lens that will serve me well as I move closer (maybe) to RF/ Leica-or-nearly-equivalent. I've spent some time with a couple of fixed lens RFs and now picked up an "L" as the "next step."

I'm trying to balance my immediate niche need for a wide angle on a not-coupled, not-RF camera, with a lens that will fit into a future RF, high-quality kit.

I'm assuming that a rangefinder-coupled lens will work on the Bessa L. Correct? My target is $300-$400 for the lens, withholding greater lens investment until I've settled on an RF body. Looking for balance among speed (love fast), weight (prefer light), and wide (28 minimum).

CVs seem a logical choice. Which ones? Others?

Thoughts?

Thanks
Martin

 

[brachal]

Try www.cameraquest.com for complete specs and detailed descriptions of all of the CV lenses. I have the 28mm f/3.5 Color Skopar and love it. It's very compact and produces very sharp, contrasty images. Not terribly fast, but I'm not sure you can get small, wide, and faster in the same lens ... at least not for $400. This lens was recently discontinued, so I'd jump on one if you have the chance.

 

[dostacos]

for price the non-coupled 25/4 with viewfinder is $275 in black on the L this is a good lens at f16 it's depth of field is 2.5ft to infinity

the 21 has even a greater DOF $329 with viewfinder

both of these lenses are discontinued so jump quick.

the 35 classic is also available at $209 but you will need to find a viewfinder

since the Bessa's [execpt the t, L & R3s] have frame lines for the 35 you might stick with the 21 or 25. IF you really do not want a non coupled lens then the 21 would be a good choice.

the 12 & 15 are not coupled [ DOF huge so...] but do come with finders, most people say the 15 is great BUT of limited use[fun to play with but not an every day lens] My L and non coupled 25 are my combo that lives in my car just in case.

 

[dostacos]

I see you are in LA, if you want to get together some Saturday you can see what the various lens are like on an L or R2 [or even the R4M 😀] hands on before you buy

 

[MartinL]

Try www.cameraquest.com for complete specs and detailed descriptions of all of the CV lenses. I have the 28mm f/3.5 Color Skopar and love it. It's very compact and produces very sharp, contrasty images. Not terribly fast, but I'm not sure you can get small, wide, and faster in the same lens ... at least not for $400. This lens was recently discontinued, so I'd jump on one if you have the chance.

Thanks Bill- - - -I've spent some confusing moments on c-quest. It appears that the wider lenses (up to 24?) come with included viewfinder. Considering that the "L" needs one, I can't figure what's the best economical package. and will serve as I move beyond the "L"

In a sense, I'm expecting to use the L+ ?lens as a fixed lens camera, since I'm unlikely to buy a second lens dedicated to this body. Current economy and use has me leaning is toward the 21/4 Scopa (VF included), and carrying my ultra quiet, small, and reasonably fast 1.7 Canonet as well.

Heck, any two of my now-3 film cameras with lens weigh less than one of my Canon "L" zooms.

Still figuring, and appreciate any insights / opinions.

Martin

 

[dostacos]

your 21+L is a good choice as the 21 will move on to another RF that will be rangefinder coupled, is wider than your current cameras and WILL create more GAS 😀

 

[MISH]

if you put a 25 or a 21 on a L you just might find you don't need a camera with a range finder. i own the 25 and just love the click stops on the focus. I keep it set on 5 feet (the focus tab vertical) one click to the left is 3 1/4 feet one to the right is 10 feet and two clicks to the right is infinity. By the time i lift the camera to my eye for framing i allready have the focus set ( I wish this was available on more lenses ) in my experiance the CV lenses sure give alot of bang for your buck

 

[aizan]

since most of the wide angle lenses have been updated to m-mount versions, i would opt for the lens that started it all: the 15mm super wide heliar.

 

[MartinL]

since most of the wide angle lenses have been updated to m-mount versions, i would opt for the lens that started it all: the 15mm super wide heliar.

Question about the 4.5. This is slower than anything I've owned. At what point do you all find 4.5 or 4 too slow? This isn't a deal-breaker on my lens choice, but I'm interested. I'm all into atmospherics, but I've seen so many posted RF examples that are just plain annoying because someone is trying to pass off as art and drama shots that, IMO, simply lacked adequate light, or in some cases a respectable amount of sharpness.

The 15-super wide is a very appealing lens. I've gotten a lot of use of my Canon 16-35 L 2.8 wide open on my 1D Mk II (which translates to 21mm). But I need some help thinking about speed.

My new Bessa L will be a single-purpose / dedicated-lens camera (If there's to be a second lens, there will be a second or different camera as well.) So for the short term, it means decent daylight, scenic; and possibly 400 ASA as my default film. In this case I might want to have at hand one of my fixed lens cameras (the Canonet III 1.7 or maybe a Lynx 1.4 that I have my eye on) as a street walk-around.

Anyway, pls respond to the speed issues (if they make any sense).

Apologies (my first, but surely not last) for the length of this post.
Martin

 

[RML]

For me it all started with a Bessa L + CV 25/4. I've shot extensively with that combo before moving up to a Bessa R.

I've used the R + CV 25/4 and a Jupiter-8 50/2 for years and never wished for more.

That was until I was able to afford the Epson R-D1. I use the 25/4 now sporadically but that has more to do with my not being in Mongolia very often the past couple fo years (where I used the 25/4 extensively for available light shots inside the nomadic ger of my relatives and street photography).

IMO the CV 25/4 is one of the best wide angle lenses image-wise, quality-wise and price-wise.

 

[RML]

If you don't mind the vignetting, the 15/4.5 is a good lens.

Like I said, I've used the 25/4 extensively and the speed is only a problem when you make it one. I always loaded my cameras with iso400 film, which even in the evenings and indoors let me shoot handheld, though sometimes I had to push myself (and bracket 2-3 shots) to get a good shot at 1/4 sec. And otherwise a little table top tripod will work well.

 

[Doug]

The Bessa-L and 25mm Snapshot Skopar are a great partnership.

 

[jobo]

Since you like the FL, the 21/4 Scopar seems like the best bet, IMO. It'll also couple to the RF of a R4*, should you have one in your future. With an f/4 lens, I use EI80 during the day and 640-800 in the evening or indoors; one needs a tripod for night pictures.

 

[Bryce]

I have a Bessa L and 15mm as my only 35mm Leica based equipment and love it.
It lives in my bag with a fixed lens 645 camera (40mm perspective) and the pair work beautifully together.
The 15mm is a little slow, but I seldom feel I've missed an opportunity because of it.

 

[MartinL]

Since you like the FL, the 21/4 Scopar seems like the best bet, IMO. It'll also couple to the RF of a R4*, should you have one in your future. With an f/4 lens, I use EI80 during the day and 640-800 in the evening or indoors; one needs a tripod for night pictures.

Owning the 15 is very persuasive; it will be some time before I'm even considering such a lens again. But the 21/4 is my current leaning. Even at 21, a width I'm familiar with, I worry about the presence of the camera / lens whispering behind the printed image. IMO, there's a whole skill set for doing super-wide really well, and I'm on safer ground not going there now.

I'll let this settle for a while, and then pull the trigger.
Martin

 

[like2fiddle]

whichever way you go, you will be happy. I happen to have my 25/4 parked on a Bessa L. The 25/4 is a wonderful lens, but many folks here really like the 21 as well. Good luck, it will be fun either way.