HU: Kobalux 21mm
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David Noble
Established
David Noble
Established
And here's a few more.
I like this lens. It's chunky, but handles very nicely. Good click stops on the aperture ring and a nice knurled focusing ring. I think it is a bit prone to veiling flare in certain light and wide open, but otherwise I see very little to complain about. Very nice b/w lens, but I also like hte sort of subdued way it handles color.
If I had to choose between this and the CV 21/4 it would be tough. The CV is much more compact. I would also say it's rendition has a punchier, ore "modern" feel. But the extra stop is awfully nice. Rcently I have been favoring the Avenon and may sell the CV....
I like this lens. It's chunky, but handles very nicely. Good click stops on the aperture ring and a nice knurled focusing ring. I think it is a bit prone to veiling flare in certain light and wide open, but otherwise I see very little to complain about. Very nice b/w lens, but I also like hte sort of subdued way it handles color.
If I had to choose between this and the CV 21/4 it would be tough. The CV is much more compact. I would also say it's rendition has a punchier, ore "modern" feel. But the extra stop is awfully nice. Rcently I have been favoring the Avenon and may sell the CV....
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nikola
Well-known
Nice, thanks... everything looks pastel.... love the first one.
btw ...the CV is two times cheaper! 🙂
btw ...the CV is two times cheaper! 🙂
laptoprob
back to basics
Remember the crop factor. Vignetting might be heavier on film!
The auction is without finder, seems like a lot of money to me...
The auction is without finder, seems like a lot of money to me...
Andy Aitken
Registered Loser
Well if anyone wants one and misses the auction send me a mail or PM - I have one exactly the same (maybe in better condition and with finder) that I'd like to sell or trade (preferably in europe). Only thing is I'm on holiday/vacation without email 'til Aug 2nd.
Wouldn't normally advertise outside the classified section but then it's a HU thread so I suppose it's OK.
Wouldn't normally advertise outside the classified section but then it's a HU thread so I suppose it's OK.
hofrench@mac.co
Established
What's the asking price?
foto_fool
Well-known
Both Stephen and Dante Stella think well of this lens. I have a 3rd gen Avenon which is a good performer on the R-D1. I have not shot this lens/body comprehensively yet but have noted the "pastel" handling of color on the R-D1 that appears in some of David Noble's photos. I like it. I have only used the Avenon for B/W on film bodies.
You don't want the Kobalux finder - it is huge and apparently has a lot of distortion. I use a Contax 21 finder for film and just do without on the R-D1.
IMHO this lens is a good deal at maybe $500-$650. Step up in price and the ZM Biogon starts to look real good. If you can give up a stop, the CV 21 w/finder may still be the best buy.
- John
You don't want the Kobalux finder - it is huge and apparently has a lot of distortion. I use a Contax 21 finder for film and just do without on the R-D1.
IMHO this lens is a good deal at maybe $500-$650. Step up in price and the ZM Biogon starts to look real good. If you can give up a stop, the CV 21 w/finder may still be the best buy.
- John
jlw
Rangefinder camera pedant
The pictured item appears to be the chunky "series 2" Kobalux, which is the one that Dante and Stephen like.
Like Foto_Fool, I've got the Avenon-branded "series 3" version, which is more compact and probably even a touch better optically. I don't have anything against which to compare it except the 20mm f/2.8 AF-Nikkor; the Avenon is much, much sharper (although this particular Nikkor doesn't have an especially fabulous reputation, so that may not be much of a recommendation!)
Incidentally, for those who weren't around back then, several of us have the scarce-as-hen's-teeth Series 3 lens thanks to the fact that a couple of years ago, an Asian-based RFF member (whose identity I will keep secret) came across a cache of factory-new-in-box ones in an Asian camera store. The story was that the store's owner was a friend of the president of Kobalux, and when the firm was shutting down he had bought out the last of the inventory. Our RFF contact volunteered to serve as a go-between for any of us who wanted to buy these, and several of us got them. Just a reminder of how things were in the old days when RFF was a smaller place...
Like Foto_Fool, I've got the Avenon-branded "series 3" version, which is more compact and probably even a touch better optically. I don't have anything against which to compare it except the 20mm f/2.8 AF-Nikkor; the Avenon is much, much sharper (although this particular Nikkor doesn't have an especially fabulous reputation, so that may not be much of a recommendation!)
Incidentally, for those who weren't around back then, several of us have the scarce-as-hen's-teeth Series 3 lens thanks to the fact that a couple of years ago, an Asian-based RFF member (whose identity I will keep secret) came across a cache of factory-new-in-box ones in an Asian camera store. The story was that the store's owner was a friend of the president of Kobalux, and when the firm was shutting down he had bought out the last of the inventory. Our RFF contact volunteered to serve as a go-between for any of us who wanted to buy these, and several of us got them. Just a reminder of how things were in the old days when RFF was a smaller place...
Vincenzo Maielli
Well-known
This now discontinued wide lens was selled as Kobalux, Pasoptik and Avenon name and was builded by Asanuma japanese company. The optical quality is very good, as the Noble images testify. In an old lens test, the USA photo magazine Popular Photography has tested a particular version of this lens, rebrandend with the famous Adorama trade mark: the optical results are very good. In an italian photo magazine, Fotografia Reflex, many years ago, i have saw a test of the Avenon 21 mm f/ 2,8: the shots take with this lens was very fine.
Ciao.
Vincenzo
Ciao.
Vincenzo