New lens for R3m

[boffen]

I sort of want a new lens for my R3m, but I'm not really sure If I want a 50mm or a 75/90mm lens.

50mm positives

A 50mm gives me more buying options, at least as far as buying used in Norway goes. I also imagine framing being easier and faster on the R3m, seeing as the 40mm framelines can be hard to see if quickly trying to snap a photo.

50mm negatives

40mm and 50mm isn't that big a difference.


75/90mm positives

Big difference from 40mm. Great for portraits and for situations where being close to the subject is difficult.

75mm/90mm

Hard to find in Norway at a reasonable price.

I have no idea what to go for, luckily I have plenty of time to decide. My budget is at about 1200 bucks, used or new.

 

[kshapero]

The 50 mm frameline on the R3M is really wonderful.

 

[agoglanian]

Why don't you unload the 40mm and pick up the 50mm Nokton f/1.1? You'd come in way under budget and then you could get a nice 35 skopar or something + a viewfinder.

 

[Jockos]

When i got my first DSLR I only had a 50mm which equivivalated to ~80mm on the crop sensor. I went with this combo for about a year, and enjoyed it very much.

When i got my RF, the first lens I got was a 75 Heliar but it's to slow mostly, that's why I got the Nokton 50/1.1. On film, it's just not as easy to switch ISO on the fly.
The aperture is slowish at 2.5, and also it requires a faster shutter speed, so it's very much a loose loose situation. Still, I wont get rid of it, because I love the perspective of short tele, I just don't expect to use it as often as the Nokton.

Since you already have the 40, I really think you should get a 75 or 90. A short tele is always nice to have.

 

[thegman]

Personally, I think if you've got a 40mm, there is not a whole lot of point in getting a 50mm, unless you're after old-school character, and buy a lens with that in mind.

If I had a 40mm, I'd be looking at getting a 75mm.

 

[ctham]

Why don't you unload the 40mm and pick up the 50mm Nokton f/1.1? You'd come in way under budget and then you could get a nice 35 skopar or something + a viewfinder.

I'd go with this too, unless you love the 40 a lot. I prefer to shoot with a 35 and 50, and while it doesn't sound like it's very different, I just couldn't get used to the 40. It was either too wide, or too narrow.

If you wanna keep the 50, then the CV 75/1.8 has gotten good reviews, and comes in well under your budget.

 

[agoglanian]

Yep same here. I'm a 28/35/50 fan. Longer than that, I'll use my SLRs. I am just shooting 35 and 50mm right now and It's wonderful 🙂 Though I'm on an R2 so it's slightly different.

 

[boffen]

I've been shooting with a 28 and 50 on my Nikon D300 since I got it a month after it was released, and never felt the need for more tele/wide angle (this is the main reason why I went for the R3), but now I sort of want a lens that's more portrait oriented. From pictures I've seen, both the Nokton 50 and the 75 seems to do portraits well, though.

Edit: Oh, and I sold said D300 and I'm now waiting for a X100.

 

[jaredangle]

75mm/90mm

Hard to find in Norway at a reasonable price.

I have no idea what to go for, luckily I have plenty of time to decide. My budget is at about 1200 bucks, used or new.

Perhaps you should try for the CV 75mm f/1.8? I feel that even after taxes/VAT, it would come in a little bit under $1200. I think Stephen has it for about $800 before taxes.

 

[hipsterdufus]

I can't imagine the screwmount Elmar 90mm f4 is that expensive, even in Norway. I got mine for $100. If you really decide you love the focal length, you can always get a more expensive 90mm later. Just remember, you'll need a screwmount to M adapter.

 

[mfogiel]

The R3x is a great body for the 75mm frame, particularly if you add a magnifier. A 40 and 75mm combo would be perfect for this body, and you do not need to spend much on a great 75mm lens - get the 75/2.5 Heliar with an adapter. You should find it relatively cheap second hand. I think I paid 350 USD for mine new. As an alternative, swap your 40mm for a good 50mm lens- possibly a compact one - if you like the sonnar look, then the C Sonnar would be ideal for its overall performance and size.