First budget lens for a R2A?

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capitalK

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My R2A should be on the way soon, it's my first non-fixed-lens rangefinder so I need a lens. A buddy is lending me a 50mm Jupiter f/1.5 with M adapter in the meantime but I need to get something soon.

I really want a 35mm but maybe a cheap 50mm for now. Any suggestions?
 
If you go $229, then Cameraquest still has the wonderful 35/2.5 Color Skopar available. Magnificent, sharp little lens that will do very well with your R2A.

EDIT: Meant the 35/2.5... sheesh! AND it's $100 cheaper!

One other problem you may have is not wanting to give back your borrowed Jupiter 8. They are really very nice lenses as well.

Good light!

William
 
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An M-mount lens for $300 or less: a Minolta Rokkor 40mm f/2 is a great inexpensive choice. You may also find a Collapsible 50mm f/2 Summicron or 35mm f/2.8 Summaron for that price.

As far as LTM lenses go, if you factor in an adapter (about $30-$55), you would still have enough money for a Canon 50mm f1.8 or a Leica Summitar or LTM Summicron. The LTM list for under $300 is pretty big. There are several Voigtlander options for under $300.

It also depends what look you want. Modern/Vintage? Contrast (high or low)? Sharpness? Etc.
 
You should PM NathanJD, he's just got himself his first R2a after having Zorki's and has been in the same situation, though I think he has a 50mm Jupiter already.

I suggested to him an old Canon 35mm 2.8 LTM if you can find one as they're cracking little lenses IMO....having had one before buying a 35mm Summicron v4.

I'd also recommend the Canon 50mm 1.8 if your budget covers it, a great cheap lens...again one I had and am very happy with, I still use it alongside my CZ 50mm f2 Planar.

You'll get loads of good advice from people that have had far more experience with different lenses than I have but eventually it'll be bite the bullet time and you'll have to take the plunge with one of them without having used it before. Unless someone is willing to let you borrow one for a while.

Where are you based?
 
I second cjm's menu and add, with luck, a canon 35 f2, or easier f1.8. Some like the FSU Jupiter 12, the Canon 35 2.8 -- both in the classifieds right now.

Check:
RFF classifieds
photo.net classifieds
cameraquest -- new and used
evil Bay

and you can meet and beat that budget significantly.



cjm said:
An M-mount lens for $300 or less: a Minolta Rokkor 40mm f/2 is a great inexpensive choice. You may also find a Collapsible 50mm f/2 Summicron or 35mm f/2.8 Summaron for that price.

As far as LTM lenses go, if you factor in an adapter (about $30-$55), you would still have enough money for a Canon 50mm f1.8 or a Leica Summitar or LTM Summicron. The LTM list for under $300 is pretty big. There are several Voigtlander options for under $300.

It also depends what look you want. Modern/Vintage? Contrast (high or low)? Sharpness? Etc.
Click to expand...
 
Yah I saw those. I guess a better question would be what CAN'T be put on it. I wasn't sure about the Canon's. I waws told the 35mm Jupiter won't fit.
 
Some people have had luck with the Jupiter 12's fitting, I think most people have not. I *believe* the fitting issues depend on the year of the J12. IMHO, I would just stay clear of the J12 on your Bessa all together because there are other better options for under $300.
 
OurManInTangier said:
You should PM NathanJD, he's just got himself his first R2a after having Zorki's and has been in the same situation, though I think he has a 50mm Jupiter already.

I suggested to him an old Canon 35mm 2.8 LTM if you can find one as they're cracking little lenses IMO....having had one before buying a 35mm Summicron v4.

I'd also recommend the Canon 50mm 1.8 if your budget covers it, a great cheap lens...again one I had and am very happy with, I still use it alongside my CZ 50mm f2 Planar.

You'll get loads of good advice from people that have had far more experience with different lenses than I have but eventually it'll be bite the bullet time and you'll have to take the plunge with one of them without having used it before. Unless someone is willing to let you borrow one for a while.

Where are you based?
Click to expand...


I think Simon is on the right track.

I would add a recommendation for the CV 35/2.5 Skopar Classic and Jupiter 8 50/2 as they both are very good budget lenses well under your price limit.
 
Was going to suggest what Rover just did: a Jupiter 8 and a CV 35/2.5. A single M adapter will be fine on a Bessa.
 
Photovillage probably still has the 35/1.7 Ultron NOS fitting your budget.

The CV 35/2.5 is excellent as well.

For 50s, you can get Canon 50/1.[48], collapsible Summicron screw-mount, Color Skopar 50/2.5, Nikkor 50/2, all excellent lenses and < 300 US.

Sometimes you can find the Canon 35/1.8 and Nikkor 35/2.5 (LTM) for less than US 300 as well.

The best lens for < US 300 is the 28/3.5 Color Skopar :)

Best,

Roland.
 
CV 35mm f/1.7 Ultron or 35mm f/2.5 are probably tops on my short list. The owner of the Jupiter 50mm f/1.5 warned me I might like it :D

I probably would have pressed the button on that Canon 50mm f/1.8 in the classifieds had I not missed it.

Any other suggestions are appreciated.
 
It's been said already, but it's hard to beat a good Jupiter-8 for the money. I like the Jupiter-3 a little better, but they're harder to find in good shape. The Industar-61 is another high-value FSU 50mm. Try fedka.com for Soviet lenses.

Both of the CV Skopars (35mm f/2.5 and 28mm f/3.5) are little gems. Sharp, great contrast, and high-quality.
 
There are some fine suggestions here and from what I can gather any of them will do the job. It’s all down to taste. I have a Jupiter 8 LTM with adapter on my R2A, I’m haven't printed my first roll from it yet but I have printed results from my Jupiter and it's a nice little lens, especially as even though it was attached to a Zorki-4k only cost me $40.

I think I’m right in saying that it’s a Sonnar copy just like many of the Canon 50mm lenses.
 
NathanJD said:
There are some fine suggestions here and from what I can gather any of them will do the job. It’s all down to taste. I have a Jupiter 8 LTM with adapter on my R2A, I’m haven't printed my first roll from it yet but I have printed results from my Jupiter and it's a nice little lens, especially as even though it was attached to a Zorki-4k only cost me $40.

I think I’m right in saying that it’s a Sonnar copy just like many of the Canon 50mm lenses.
Click to expand...

The Jupiter-8 50mm f/2 and Jupiter-3 50mm f/1.5 are both Sonnar copies. So it the 85mm f/2 Jupiter-9 (one of my favorites) and the 135mm f/4 Jupiter-11.
 
You say that you really want a 35. Then thats what I would get. I have a 35/2.5 color skopar and it's a fine lens. One of my favorite 50's is an Industar 61 50/2.8. The late black version is sharp & even has click stops. The best part is they are very cheap. Mine came on a FED 5 I bought off ebay for $10.00.
 
I'd suggest a 35-135 or a 50-75, as you may later get a body with automatic frame lines. Leitz adapters show up on eBay from time to time; there is the CV option; and for just a little less, www.fedka.com has excellent Japanese ones. I wouldn't risk a cheap adapter.
 
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