Less Expensive Alternatives to CV 21 & 25?

[tedwhite]

I'm going to buy the Bessa L. However, at the prices for the two above lenses, I'll have a body, but be lens-less for some time.

Anyone have knowledge of some cheaper M39 alternatives out there?

Ted

 

[FrankS]

I'm not an expert on super wide lenses. There may be some Russian stuff out there that I don't know about, but my thinking is that CV lenses are already the best bang for the buck that you can find.

 

[back alley]

i think frank has it right. most people go for the cv glass cause its good and less expensive than others.

joe

 

[Lou Iaquinto]

i think frank has it right. most people go for the cv glass cause its good and less expensive than others.

joe

Hi Joe,

I noticed in a previous thread you have/had the CV 75 2.5. Would you recommend it? I am thinking of getting one to use on my Konica Hexar RF since it will give me the framelines.

Lou

 

[back alley]

highly recommend it!
small, light and sharp, nuff said.

joe

 

[einolu]

The Russar 20 is supposed to be great but its also very rare. I have only seen the viewfinders for the camera sold on ebay. Its out there somewhere though...

 

[back alley]

but i don't think it falls under 'less expensive' alternatives.

joe

 

[Lou Iaquinto]

highly recommend it!
small, light and sharp, nuff said.

joe

Thanks Joe, I'll give it a go.

Lou

 

[einolu]

but i don't think it falls under 'less expensive' alternatives.

joe

heh, true. mentioned it because frank was talking about russian stuff.

 

[Rex]

I dont think there are any M39 lens are cheaper and better than CV's 21&25....
cause they have ViewFinder Include....
U cant find a price than include a viewfinder and less than CV 25!!!!
HAHA~~~
even the USSR 20.....

 

[tedwhite]

Rex: I've checked. You are right.

 

[phototone]

There is a Russian 28mm that is quite good,....I have one. slow at f6 something (don't have the lens in front of me)...LTM. You can find them on the bay, or from Ukrainian vendors for about $200. This would be the absolutely cheapest relatively sharp wider than 35mm lens available in Leica Thread Mount. It is called "Orion".

Also, don't forget the Jupiter 12 35mm f2.8, which is a fantastic 35mm lens. Available in LTM.
You can pick these up for about $65.00 in very good condition.

 

[Roman]

...but the J-12, excellent as it is, won't fit on the Bessa L! Not too sure about the Orion, either...

Roman

 

[kuvvy]

Ted, My L arrived this morning and I will be needing a wide lens for mine too. I have 3 LTM lenses for my R and they are all around the 50mm length.

Paul

 

[Stu :)]

You could try and find a cheap Pentax Screw Mount (M42) ultra wide angle and get an M42 to LTM body adapter. Those adapters are easy to find on ebay... but then you'll need a viewfinder. So much for that cheap idea.
But a new or used CV 25mm with viewfinder price is damn unbeatable if you ask me.

Stu 🙂

 

[tedwhite]

Thanks all. Stu: You're right. I've got plent of Pentax M42 lenses and they don't come with viewfinders as they're designed for SLR bodies. Phototone: Don't need a 35mm. My Bessa R came with one.

Kuvvy: I think we're in the same boat together. I was at the point of just ordering the body, as you did, and then I thought, "what good is a body sans lens?" Plan was to get the body before they're all gone, and then save up for the lens (either 25 or 21 - and I've heard sound arguments for both lengths, though at this point I'm leaning toward the 21, as I believe it's RF coupled - what if the L body breaks?).

On the other hand I could order both and be done with it. I'm just gonna have to sell some more stuff. Anyone need a 1951 Zenith Wave Magnet portable short wave radio in perfect working condition? Or a 4X5 Crown Graphic with the 135/4.6 Graflex Optar? Everyone should have one of those...

Ted

 

[Doug]

Ted, I think you're on the right track with also getting the lens you want. But I wouldn't be too swayed by whether an f/4 super-wide is RF coupled or not. Now if it were an f/2 or 2.8, then I'd want the rangefinder coupling for sure, but at f/4 (f/4.5 for the 15mm) it's just not particularly important... not enough anyway to push you to the 21 instead of the 25. Might be better to choose the angle of view most useful to you, regardless. The uncoupled 25mm has distance click-stops in the focusing ring, and is quite easy to use. Hmmm... I sure'd like an f/2 21mm and 25mm, if they weren't too very huge... 😀

 

[phototone]

...but the J-12, excellent as it is, won't fit on the Bessa L! Not too sure about the Orion, either...

Roman

The Orion 28mm f6 in Leica Screw Thread will fit any screw thread Leica mount camera, it does not have any appreciable extension out the back...in fact none.
It is rangefinder coupled.

It is true that the J-12 will not fit on Bessa, and will not fit on Leica CL, or M5 because of the little wiggly CDS meter cell on a stalk.

 

[Roman]

OK, then it is the Russar that won't fit on Bessas - I wasn't sure which one of these two was the culprit...

Roman

 

[tedwhite]

Doug:

I wish I could look through both the 21 and 25. Would be easier to make the decision. I can only afford one.

Ted