dyao
Well-known
a local shop has two in stock for about $500, with finder. the one in better condition has a pretty smooth focus and the aperture moves freely. however, there seem to be a lot of faint scratches/cleaning marks (hard to tell as the front element is tiny). when you hold it up to the light you can clearly see the marks. there doesn't seem to be any haze/fungus but again it's hard to tell as the lens elements are so tiny.
I know people will recommend a VC 25mm or a Zeiss - but I like the 'vintage' look of old lenses and also, it is a tiny tiny lens. I like how unobtrusive it is - makes the camera look like a toy.
I know people will recommend a VC 25mm or a Zeiss - but I like the 'vintage' look of old lenses and also, it is a tiny tiny lens. I like how unobtrusive it is - makes the camera look like a toy.
LeicaFoReVer
Addicted to Rangefinders
I think it is too much for this condition of this lens.
check out:
http://www.keh.com/search?store=cam...&ccode=6&grade=Grade&sprice=0&eprice=0&r=SE&e
they have two 25mm in excellent condition. Although now I see that they dont have viewfinders...
check out:
http://www.keh.com/search?store=cam...&ccode=6&grade=Grade&sprice=0&eprice=0&r=SE&e
they have two 25mm in excellent condition. Although now I see that they dont have viewfinders...
Mackinaw
Think Different
This is a surprisingly good lens. Very small and compact and would probably would qualify as a pancake lens. Only downside is the somewhat fiddly aperture ring. This lens is so small, finding and setting the F-stop can be a pain.
As for price, $500.00 is not unreasonable considering it comes with the finder (which are rare and expensive), though the condition of the front element will be the main factor whether you want to spend the money or not. Be aware there are two different finders for this lens. One has a pin located in its base that is meant for Canons' with automatic parallax correction (L-series and others) while another version has no automatic parallax correction pin. I've owned one of these for years and consider it to be a very good lens.
Jim B.
As for price, $500.00 is not unreasonable considering it comes with the finder (which are rare and expensive), though the condition of the front element will be the main factor whether you want to spend the money or not. Be aware there are two different finders for this lens. One has a pin located in its base that is meant for Canons' with automatic parallax correction (L-series and others) while another version has no automatic parallax correction pin. I've owned one of these for years and consider it to be a very good lens.
Jim B.
Sonnar2
Well-known
500,- incl. finder is reasonable.
It's an amazing performer, considered the age and the simple design. Of course, light falloff is more visible with this lens than with the C/V 25/4.
It's an amazing performer, considered the age and the simple design. Of course, light falloff is more visible with this lens than with the C/V 25/4.
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bennyng
Benny Ng
One of the most compact 25mm lenses around. I would pay 500 if the finder is also in good condition. As pointed out by the others, take note of which viewfinder you are getting.
When you are at the shop, just borrow a 50mm lens, reverse it and use it as a loupe to examine the 25mm lens. Helps a lot. Try it.
Cheers,
When you are at the shop, just borrow a 50mm lens, reverse it and use it as a loupe to examine the 25mm lens. Helps a lot. Try it.
Cheers,
Bill58
Native Texan
I never fiddle w/ the aperature. I set it on 5.6 and go about my streetshooting. It's my go-to lens for this work.
I got mine for half that, but about 4 years ago. I use the CV VF--none better IMHO.
I got mine for half that, but about 4 years ago. I use the CV VF--none better IMHO.
davidbivins
Established
If I had $500 in my pocket I would pay that. I agree with everyone about the finder. The Canon stuff isn't super expensive, but the accessories can be very hard to find.
I was at a dealer's shop and he was shocked that I was using my Canon lens cap on the 50mm on my L1. He thought it should stay locked up at home because they're so hard to find.
Please do post which finder it is; did they make the pin-parallax compensation finder in all focal lengths?
I was at a dealer's shop and he was shocked that I was using my Canon lens cap on the 50mm on my L1. He thought it should stay locked up at home because they're so hard to find.
Please do post which finder it is; did they make the pin-parallax compensation finder in all focal lengths?
kermaier
Well-known
$500 isn't a steal, but a fair price if the lens is clean. Beware of those cleaning marks, though. I have one with the front element covered with little scratches. It still takes nice pictures (I've posted a couple on RFF in other threads), but it flares like a sonofagun if you point it at a light.
Something in the aperture linkage also came loose not long after I had the aperture overhauled. Fortunately, I just got really lucky and found a replacement cheap on eBay, so I'm not bothering to repair the aperture on my scratched one. (If you want it as-is, I'll sell it for a lot less than $500
)
I love this lens, for its imaging and it's size. The front element is deeply recessed, so you don't need a hood. The whole barrel turns when focusing, so it's hard to change aperture without moving the focus. But I typically set the aperture I want in a given situation and manage exposure with shutter speed. Also, a wide angle lens like this lends itself to f/8 and zone focusing.
I had the CV 25/4 M-mount, BTW, and sold it because the Canon suits me better.
::Ari
Something in the aperture linkage also came loose not long after I had the aperture overhauled. Fortunately, I just got really lucky and found a replacement cheap on eBay, so I'm not bothering to repair the aperture on my scratched one. (If you want it as-is, I'll sell it for a lot less than $500
)I love this lens, for its imaging and it's size. The front element is deeply recessed, so you don't need a hood. The whole barrel turns when focusing, so it's hard to change aperture without moving the focus. But I typically set the aperture I want in a given situation and manage exposure with shutter speed. Also, a wide angle lens like this lends itself to f/8 and zone focusing.
I had the CV 25/4 M-mount, BTW, and sold it because the Canon suits me better.
::Ari
f16sunshine
Moderator
The Canon 25 is on my Radar although I will wait for a user in the $350-400 range. It's a Zeiss Topogon clone like the Russar 20mm . I love the "look" of the Canon 25. If you can get a nice one with finder for a a Fiver it's a safe bet that if you don't like it you can sell it for the same.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
I paid 450 canadian dollars with no finder in the early 1990s for a nice condition Canon 25mm /f3.5 lens .