Got the Body - now how about a lens?

[dogbunny]

I finally picked up a Hexar after lusting over one for many years. I've owned the AF for many years, so I figured this would be the next step for me. I thought I'd ask some advice on picking up some lenses.

Unfortunately, I'm not super wealthy. I'm looking to pick up some thing cheap short term and then get something more substantial in February (getting a nice Lunar New Year bonus). I generally like 35mm lenses from years of shooting the AF, but I was considering going a bit wider. I'm not so picky about the lens I get short term, I just want something to use. I'm interested in what ya'll would recommend for the cheap one and the keeper. I would like it to be fairly wide and fairly fast so I can take advantage of the higher shutter speeds during the day. I dig lenses with at least some character. Anyhow, I welcome your opinions.

DB

 

[noimmunity]

Cv

Cv

Either:

CV Ultron 28/2.
Character, check.
Won't break the bank, check.
Fairly wide and fairly fast, check.

Or:

a fast 35 like the CV 35/1.4
easy to get and easy to sell.

Depends on which focal length you really prefer. Since you like the Hexar AF, why not stick with a 35? Pair it with a 75 in February and you've got a cool rig (or alternately, pair the 28 with a fast 50 like the ZM C Sonnar in February).

I finally picked up a Hexar after lusting over one for many years. I've owned the AF for many years, so I figured this would be the next step for me. I thought I'd ask some advice on picking up some lenses.

Unfortunately, I'm not super wealthy. I'm looking to pick up some thing cheap short term and then get something more substantial in February (getting a nice Lunar New Year bonus). I generally like 35mm lenses from years of shooting the AF, but I was considering going a bit wider. I'm not so picky about the lens I get short term, I just want something to use. I'm interested in what ya'll would recommend for the cheap one and the keeper. I would like it to be fairly wide and fairly fast so I can take advantage of the higher shutter speeds during the day. I dig lenses with at least some character. Anyhow, I welcome your opinions.

DB

 

[Arjay]

Don't duplicate focal lenths if you're on a budget - you can still use your Hexar AF for 35mm. For starters, get the Ultron - there's no fast alternative to this lens this side of 1k$, and it's a very capable tool.

How about looking for a 21mm/2.8 Avenon/Kobalux LTM w/ M adapter and viewfinder starting February (start looking early, because they're not for sale every day)? Again, there are hardly any viable alternatives to that lens in budget terms, and it is said to be a good performer.

 

[maddoc]

... 28mm Avenon (Kobalux) 1:3.5 LTM + adapter, very nice and not expensive. 🙂

 

[shyoon]

Cheap: CV 35mm f2.5

Keeper: ZM 25mm f2.8

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Leica Summaron f/2.8 (or f/3.5). With a wide angle you don't have to worry quite as much about slower shutter speeds since you can handhold longer for acceptable results.

The Canon Serenars are very good lenses. Old, made of chromes brass. You'll find some interesting versions in there but the cheapest is the 35mm f/2.8. Between the Summaron and the Serenar, i'd pick the Summaron, but for the average cost of the f/2.8 version you can buy two or even three serenars.

Other than that, the Kobalux lenses are great but they approach the cost of ZM lenses in the same focal lengths. I have a ZM 21mm f/2.8 and it's amazing.

Canon wides don't get too fast unless you're talking about the 35mm f/1.5 and in that case just get a Nokton

Lesser expensive lenses that will get you by are the Russian ones. Some very good ones at that.

Sometimes there are some extremely good deals here on RFF (like the 50mm f/1.2 that I got from Pickett, holy cow!) you just need to scour the classifieds regularly.

Phil Forrest

 

[dogbunny]

Thanks guys,

Some good suggestions--a few of which I'd never even heard of. I don't know anything about adaptors. Would a LTM lens with an adaptor still allow the rangefinder focusing to be used normally?

Arjay, That's a good point about not getting duplicate lenses.

The Kobalux seems interesting. I'll go look at some images made with that, the Ultron, and the Serenars.

I'm not sure how I feel about ZM lenses, sometimes I like the images and sometimes I think they have a kind of clinical feel to them.

Do you guys think a 28mm lens is too similar (as far as image) to the 35mm? Would I be better off going to a 25mm or 21mm? I really I have no experience with lenses other than 35mm and 50mm.

 

[Krosya]

Well, what about Konica's own Hexanons? Super lenses and can be found at good prices, plus will have a better built and peformance than most other lenses in the same price range.

 

[35mmdelux]

ANY CV Cosina lens is more than capable performer with the most common being the 35mm or 50mm.

 

[kzphoto]

Well, what about Konica's own Hexanons? Super lenses and can be found at good prices, plus will have a better built and peformance than most other lenses in the same price range.

I'm with Krosya on this one -- I have owned the 90/2.8 and I currently own the 35/2 KM. Both lenses perform like champions and they were about the same price as a CV lens. That said, if I were going to get a new CV lens, I'd look at the 28/2, or the 40/1.4. Both are great lenses.

 

[dogbunny]

For the Hexanon, is the 28mm 2.8f as wide as they go? I have no complaints with my AF lens, I love it.

 

[kzphoto]

dogbunny: There's a limited 21-35 lens that I have seen / read about, but they are in the thousands of dollars. The 28/2.8 is the widest KM hexanon you can find easily. They seem to go for around 500 - 700 depending on condition / extras.

If you're after a 21 the CV 21/4.5 is a great little lens and it makes some awesome photos.

 

[KoNickon]

Konica did go wider --they made a remarkable dual focal length 21/35, but it's really hard to find (and relatively slow anyway). I'd stay with a 28 if you want wider than 35, since the Hexar has 28mm framelines.

I don't agree that the Hexanons are about the same price as the CVs -- seems to me the prices for the Hexanons are pretty high these days, since they aren't making any more of them! But if you can get the Hex 28/2.8 I highly recommend it. Same goes for the Kobalux 28.

One lens no one has mentioned yet is the Rokkor 28/2.8 -- make sure you get one without the infamous dreaded white spots.

 

[noimmunity]

Do you guys think a 28mm lens is too similar (as far as image) to the 35mm?

Widely debated; a matter of personal perspective.

Would I be better off going to a 25mm or 21mm?

Depends on how committed you are to getting a fast aperture, per your initial post? Most of the suggestions above are not among the fast+inexpensive alternatives in their class.

You will also want to consider whether you want to use the in-built framelines of the Hexar or an external VF. One of the great things about an RF, for me, is being able to see outside the framelines when composing.

I really I have no experience with lenses other than 35mm and 50mm.

Precisely the kind of situation in which you'd be best first buying used CV to find out whether you like the focal length. CV is a specialist of the small-but-not-fast, outstanding (if you get a good copy) WA lens.

In the fast department, CV is also a specialist of the affordable fast semi-WA lens.

 

[viramati]

I don't use my hexar much but when I do I tend to use it with the CV 50 1.5 which is a really excellent lens. I don't have it anymore but the zeiss biagon 25 f2.8 is an amazing lens and can be used on the hexar without an external viewfinder as what you get on the film pretty much relates to what you can see using the full viewfinder (that is outside the 28 framelines)

 

[kzphoto]

Re prices on used hexanon lenses: I bought a used 90/2.8 for $415, and a 35/2 for $680. The 50,90 are similar in price to CV lenses. KEH regularly sells EX- copies of both the 50 or the 90 for around $450.

 

[dogbunny]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the info. In the end, I purchased a Avanon 21mm lens. I (kind of on a whim) decided to get something very different than I'm used to. The lens should arrive next week.

So just one more question. I know this lens needs a LTM adaptor. Does it matter which size you use? I mean there seems to be 3 standard ones available, but none specifically for a 21mm. I picked up a 28mm-90mm adaptor today. I was the only one the store had and it was pretty cheap, will that be fine? If not, I suppose I can visit another store, there are plenty of them around here.

I understand the Hexar framelines won't match up, but the lens does come with one giant garbage can size viewfinder--I might have to get something a bit smaller later. So, I should be able to focus through the rangefinder, then frame using the external viewfinder, is this correct?

thanks in advance,

DB

 

[jmkelly]

I had a late version of the Avenon 21mm - it is one of the few lenses I regret selling. It made a really good package with the Hexar. The widest frameline on the Hexar is 28mm so you got the right adapter. If you want to compose in the full frame you need an external VF. The Avenon finder that matches the lens is big and clunky - I'd go with the CV finder.

BTW the DOF on this lens is so great that in normal light you can just set it on hyperfocal and do all your composing through the external VF.

 

[dogbunny]

Thanks John,

I believe I got a late model version (black) as well. I'm glad to hear what you said about just setting it to hyperfocal and composing, because I've actually been trying to do that more often recently.

I'll take a look at the CV finder.

Cheers,

DB

 

[dogbunny]

I just wanted to post a pic for you guys and say thanks again for your help. I went with a 21mm because I wanted to experience shooting/composing with a lens very different than what I'm use to. I really dig the look. I'll post my impressions of the camera/lens later.

Cheers,

DB