Need two lenses on a budget.

[Obioma]

Got an Epson rd1 and I'm looking to get two lenses to go with it. I'm on a budget and want as much bang for the buck as possible. I'm looking for a walk around lens and something else that does not repeat the function of the first. Thanks for your help.

 

[bmattock]

Got an Epson rd1 and I'm looking to get two lenses to go with it. I'm on a budget and want as much bang for the buck as possible. I'm looking for a walk around lens and something else that does not repeat the function of the first. Thanks for your help.

You don't really say what your budget is, just that you have one. On this forum, some of the members think a 2,000 USD lens is 'inexpensive', so please state what you're hoping to pay.

As to a 'walk around' lens, what does that mean exactly? A 50? A 28? People have different ideas about what a 'standard' lens would be.

To attempt to answer your questions with the lowest common denominator, I'd suggest looking at the Russian lenses. Some are quite good, and they are all quite cheap, compared to others. All are LTM, but adapters to M-mount are quite easy to come by. That's about as cheap as you can get, to the best of my knowledge.

 

[maxleung]

Also please note that your sensor on the RD1 is cropped. Therefore, a 50 is not exactly a 50 on your RD1. You should take note of that. Personally I use a 28 or 35 on my RD1 most of the time as I find the 50 too narrow.

Cheers,

Max

 

[ampguy]

Easy, just get the CV 40/1.4, and CV 15 or 21.

 

[Obioma]

My budget is $2000 for both lenses. I guess I'm asking for the two lenses that go well with the rd1 on a $2000 budget

 

[ferider]

I think it would be easier to list which 2 lenses you can not buy for US 2000. 🙂

Which focal lengths you like ?

Welcome to the forum.

 

[bmattock]

I forgot to mention that these questions simply generate a list of each person's favorite lenses, regardless of what question you asked. That's how it works.

 

[back alley]

a cv 15 if you like wides...= about a 23 fov

a 28 makes for a pretty good normal = about a 43 fov - i like the zm - about $600 used

my current fave is the cv 40 = about a 60 fov - for some reason i like it much better than a 35 on the rd1

 

[kxl]

CV 35/1.2 is a must-have with the R-D1.

On the wider end, the CV 15mm is a good value, although you'd need a finder that accounts for the R-d1's crop factor.

 

[cirque]

Not my favourite lens, but I would start with a Voigtländer 35mm f/2.5 and take it from there. If you're seriously *need* to spend $2000 on lenses without knowing what focal length or speed you're looking for, buy something made by Leica. At least you get your money back when you sell it in 3-6 months time.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Voigtlander, no doubt!

15 Heliar, 35 1.2 Nokton and 50 1.1 Nokton.

That's near $2000, and a wonderful set for film too!

Cheers,

Juan

 

[kermaier]

If you want to stick with the R-D1's built-in framelines, you could start with a 28mm and a 50mm. For your budget you could get a used Zeiss ZM 28/2.8 and any number of great 50s -- Leica Summicron, Summilux, Zeiss C-Sonnar, etc.

If you like to go a bit wider, maybe a Zeiss 25/2.8 and a 35mm -- Leica Summicron pre-aspherical, CV 35/1.4, Zeiss 35/2.

With $2000, you could get 3 excellent lenses if one or two are either CV or vintage Canon/Nikkor/Leitz glass.

Ari

 

[Obioma]

I'm looking for something fast that I can use in low light situations and produces decent bokeh. Here is whats on my list so far: Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1, Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.5, Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.4, Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2. I'm new to rangefinders and lenses so please feel free to recommend something else. Also the $2000 budget is for two lenses not one.
thanks again

 

[Obioma]

Thanks for the advise. I'm very new to all this. I want something fast that produces nice bokeh, what 3 lenses would you get if you were in my shoes. Again, I'm very new to all this so please be as direct as possible.

If you want to stick with the R-D1's built-in framelines, you could start with a 28mm and a 50mm. For your budget you could get a used Zeiss ZM 28/2.8 and any number of great 50s -- Leica Summicron, Summilux, Zeiss C-Sonnar, etc.

If you like to go a bit wider, maybe a Zeiss 25/2.8 and a 35mm -- Leica Summicron pre-aspherical, CV 35/1.4, Zeiss 35/2.

With $2000, you could get 3 excellent lenses if one or two are either CV or vintage Canon/Nikkor/Leitz glass.

Ari

 

[ferider]

I'm looking for something fast that I can use in low light situations and produces decent bokeh. Here is whats on my list so far: Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1, Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.5, Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.4, Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2. I'm new to rangefinders and lenses so please feel free to recommend something else. Also the $2000 budget is for two lenses not one.
thanks again

To be honest, most lens pairs that you can buy for 2k will outperform your camera.

You probably spent 1.2-1.5k on your Epson, right ? So your total budget is around 3.5k. For this I recommend an M8.2 and a fast 28/50. For example the 28/1.9 and 50/1.4 in my avatar. Gives you the equivalent of 35/70, great two lens combo.

If you want to keep the Epson, get a 25/40 combo, and spend the rest on another body.

Roland.

 

[johannielscom]

There are 40 and 21 Voigtlanders in the Classifieds today. You'll have enough left to take the wife for a weekend and shoot some pretty shots with her.

Welcome to the forum! Post some shots!

 

[Ezzie]

I forgot to mention that these questions simply generate a list of each person's favorite lenses, regardless of what question you asked. That's how it works.

How right you are Bill.

So, without stating exactly which make or model, I´d advise the OP to think long and well about his favourite focal length. If he needs low light capabilities or not. I´d put approximately equal amounts of money in each, but it doesn´t always work that way. Some focal lengths are pricier than others.

For my needs:
2 lens set-up: 21 and 35, or 28 and 50 (before compensating for crop factor) - one or both with low light capabilities.

I have 5 focal lengths for the R-D1, and the 28 gets most use, that and the 35. 50 and 90 thereafter and 21/4 the least.

 

[pagpow]

I agree w.most repliers that this question is easier to answer w. a bit more information from you about shooting habits and preferences. That said --
the 35mm frames on the RD1 are conservative (tight0 and fit the 40 quite well. I bought the cv 40 1.4 before the 35 1.4 was out. It has the speed, i use it at f2 because i like the way it draws there better than 1.4, but 1.4 is available. And it has been mated to my RD1 for a long time. On the RD1 it gives you a 60mm POV, a long normal.
I have not been able to decide whether my two lens set up should be a 28 for wider, or a 50 for narrower.
If speed is your primary consideration, you will find the fastest lenses in the 35-50 mm range, though of course there are a couple of 75 1.4 and 85 1.4.
If bokeh, I will leave those to others.
I did get a cv 21 for a close to 30mm POV but it vignettes a bit on the rd1s and I don't want to be forced into accepting the fall-off or the postprocessing -- and I'd rather avoid the need for an auxiliary VF.
I've also found that, while other people's experience is sometimes helpful in narrowing down choices, my taste does not always replicate theirs -- either in lens performance or in lens ergonomics/mechanics.
For $2k you can buy a heck of a lot of fun in trying lenses out, keeping the ones you like, and selling the ones you don't without much, if any, loss.

 

[back alley]

To be honest, most lens pairs that you can buy for 2k will outperform your camera.

You probably spent 1.2-1.5k on your Epson, right ? So your total budget is around 3.5k. For this I recommend an M8.2 and a fast 28/50. For example the 28/1.9 and 50/1.4 in my avatar. Gives you the equivalent of 35/70, great two lens combo.

If you want to keep the Epson, get a 25/40 combo, and spend the rest on another body.

Roland.

i think you under estimate the rd1 roland, but i do agree that a 25/40 would be an ok setup. i think about selling my 28 and getting a cv 25 sometimes. if i could pick only one wide though then it would be the 15, no question.

oh, and the idea of a second body is one that i whole heartedly agree with also.

 

[f16sunshine]

Considering three of your factors "Walk around, Low Light, $2000 budget).

I would tell you the two lenses from my collection that fit and fit very well.
Konica hexanon Dual 21mm/ 35mm is an amazing walk around with FOV of both 28 and 50mm in one lens.
CV Nokton f1.4/50 gives you speed and a slightly different focal length in a sharp and compact package.

Your going to have to buy and try a few before you find your final answer.