Favourite lens for R-D1/s

[jjcha]

R-D1 is a very versatile camera, for which many lenses will work excellently for many different shooting preferences.

Personally, I agree with the 35mm f/1.2 recommendation. Truly a poor man's digital 50mm Noctilux if there ever were one.

Best,

-Jason

 

[santi-u]

Well, i've purchased recently a 25/2.8 Biogon ZM to find out the 35 FOV on the RD1. i was reading Yanidel some lines above and in my case i find it really difficult to accurate the frame. I made several shots to find out my way but i'm pretty unsatisfied with results. Finally i decided to buy a 35mm viewfinder which, in other way, it makes the camera not so discret. Both finder and lens are chrome and don't match very well with the black body.
For me 35 is the most preferable focal lenght but maybe with the RD1 i think a 28 is better option.

 

[JeffGreene]

My 35/2 4th v. summicron never comes off my R-D1, except for portraits when I like my 50/2 collapsible summicron.

I also like my 35/2 Summicron Type 4 and also use my Canon 50 1.4 for portraits.

 

[morgan]

I also primarily use the cv 35/1.2. Not just because it's fast, but I love the way it renders. As usual, my only gripe is the size, but it's worth it.

 

[Philip Whiteman]

Latterly, I have been using a 1950s Summitar: this lens produces superb, subtle tones for R-D1 digital capture, is very sharp – even next to a 3rd generation Summicron – and safely collapses into the camera body.

I like the 25/4 M-mount Skopar very much too. It is lovely and compact, handles like a 35mm Summicron and gives the same field of view as a standard 35mm finder. As someone else has said already, one of the sharpest Voigtlander lenses (better than my 28mm Ultron and 15mm Heliar) – and it is far from expensive.

I like my 28mm Ultron's tonal rendition, but find the true focal point to shift backward (i.e. ears, rather than eyes being in focus) as it is stopped down. A good 'standard' lens to leave on the camera, but a rather weighty one.

 

[mani]

The lens that stays on the RD1s at all times these days is the Canon 1,2 that I'm very grateful I bought from santi-u on this forum. I totally love the creamy drawing, and the slightly soft in-focus areas (compared to the Nocti) make it perfect for close-up portraits.

A seriously underrated lens imo.

 

[santi-u]

Thanks Mani, i'm glad you like it so much!
I liked the Canon 1.2 either, but found it a bit bulky. Having my summicron as a well-balanced 50, sometimes thinking on buing a faster one without blowing up my pocket. Perhaps a Nikkor 50/1.4 SC, or a Summarit.

 

[mani]

Thanks Mani, i'm glad you like it so much!
I liked the Canon 1.2 either, but found it a bit bulky. Having my summicron as a well-balanced 50, sometimes thinking on buing a faster one without blowing up my pocket. Perhaps a Nikkor 50/1.4 SC, or a Summarit.

Thank you! The lens operates perfectly and I love the fact that it looks a bit 'scruffier' on the camera than the Noctilux. When people see me using it on the RD1s I always get that smile which implies they think I'm using an old film camera. 😉

 

[Lord Fluff]

Hi all - thanks for the replies so far 🙂

 

[Furachan]

I've been going round and round trying different combos but so far The ZM Sonnar 50 factory adjusted for focus wide open at F1.5) is a sure winner, as are the CV Skopar 25 and 28 (unbelievable value for money). One caveat the F4 on the 25 can be limiting and makes one dream about brighter lenses like the ZM Biogon 25, etc.
While I'm at it, dunno if you all agree or not but on the one hand the Skopars are sharp, colorful and great value but one has to look elsewhere for "character" or "signatures"...

 

[yanidel]

While I'm at it, dunno if you all agree or not but on the one hand the Skopars are sharp, colorful and great value but one has to look elsewhere for "character" or "signatures"...

I agree, this has probably to do with the fact that you can't throw background off easily therefore difficulty to have bokeh. I feel many times signature refers to that.

 

[CourierCam]

Best lenses

Best lenses

I'd have to vote for the Voigtlander 28mm f:2 Ultron as the lens that gets the most use on my R-D1. It is usually the best focal length for the job and a great performer. I also rely on a 15mm CV, a 21mm CV, a 50mm Summitar (awesome), a 50mm f:1.4 MIOJ Nikkor (rarely as I like the Summitar's images more?) and an shot is taken through my old 90mm f:4 Elmar once and a while.
I have always liked the vignetteing produced by the 15mm CV lens. In fact I've been adding a lot of vignettes to my images lately.
If you don't like the len's vignetting properties, I suggest shooting raw and adjusting forthe 15mm len's vignetting through the Epson program. It works wonderfully to remove just the right amount of darkness at the edges of the frame.

Jim Headley
Gering, Nebraska USA

 

[Furachan]

I found that just about any lens you stick on the end of the R-D1 works fine (in its own way). Spectacular lenses are - Skopar 25 F4 (handy replacement for the 35mm FL) and the excellent and tiny SKopar 28mm F3.5. Then at night (when it makes up its mind to focus right) - the incomparable ZM Sonnar 50 F1.5.
My 2 Yen...

 

[deepwhite]

I found that the joy of using an RF is that, you got so many choices.

My favorite lens on the R-D1s varies from time to time.

Lately it's the Ultra Wide Heliar 12/5.6.

 

[Tuolumne]

Update: I've been using the 75mm Summarit alot lately for theater photography. It's a great lens on the R-D1.

/T

 

[thegadsby]

favourite lens for R-D1/s

favourite lens for R-D1/s

Hi there

My RD-1 seems to have a particular affinity for my Leica 35 f2.0 cron Its such a light small lens with outstanding performance and suits the camera perfectly. Had a VC 28 f1.9 wonderful lens but soo bulky that I sold it.

I usually carry as an outfit the RD-1 and 35 f2.0 cron, 90 f2,8 hexanon and 15 f4.5 heliar and find this outfit light and versatile enough for me

The M6/ Hexar RF/M2/M3 and all other lenses ( 8 of them) tend to be left behind!!!

The Tri-elmar 28/35/50 also excellent if just want a single lens with me but to be honest my 35/90/15 is really ideal

In reality my pre asp 35 f2.0 is the perfect lens for my type of pic

Hope not added to your confusion all the previous comments strike chords with me too.

John

 

[Stefcuoz]

CV 21 mm f4.... in nikon rf mount, with adapter obviusly.

 

[lensjunkie]

favorite lens....

favorite lens....

Tough tough choice....

I've had great success with the CV15.
The CV25 is also very nice. Both these lenses are steals at the price IMHO.

I've got a 28-35-50 tri-elmar that I love for traveling, which I'd REALLY love to supplement with a konica 21-35 or a WATE. With the crop factor of my R-d1s, my go to camera at the moment, I've been strongly tending towards wider lenses.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

CV 40/1.4. Love it!

Cheers - John

Agree fully, 40mm is the perfect standard lens for the Epson. Further I use the 25mm Biogon: you can use it without external viewfinder: just take the whole view of the viewfinder (so byond the 28mm framelines)!

 

[mightyecho]

minolta 40/2 rocker

jupiter-3 50/1.5