New to RF, seeking advise on a lens with R2A

[jcee]

Hello, all. I've been reading posts here extensively during the past few days, and finally got the courage to post and reach out for some wisdom.

To start off, I have NEVER used a rangefinder. 😱 I've been a digital Leica user, and now I want to get into film. *If* this works out and I don't end up realizing I suck, I ultimately want to own a M body, and I looked into getting a user M3 or so.

Because I'm so new to this, I'd like to start out with a budget set, and an M3 seems a little steep for my needs right now. If I'm just learning how to drive a car, I think I'd be better off driving something that won't break the bank if I wreck it. At the same time, I'd like to enjoy the whole process and fulfill my vanity, so here's where the dilemma comes in.

I'm pretty set on a new or a minty used Bessa R2A body with either a CV 35mm/f2.5 Pancake or a user 50mm/f2 summicron within a reasonable price range. For the cost of a brand new spankin' CV 35mm, it looks like I can get a collapsible cron. I may even consider shelling out a couple hundred extra bucks for a rigid cron, maybe even a Dual Range if I'm lucky.

I know that I love the sharp, saturated summicron images from my friends or online, but I can't seem to figure out which is better: a NEW CV 35mm, which would be a preferred focal length for my needs, or a 40-50 year old 50mm summicron, which will probably have to be cleaned. Or I can start out with a CV lens and add a cron later when I'm more used to rangefinding.

Sorry this is so long, but I'm losing sleep over this, and if I don't buy soon, I think I'll lose my mind. Any advise you guys can give me will be so appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[jan normandale]

not to be silent but I have yet to make the financial commitment to "Lieca-dom" There are other doorways into this game that don't force you to make such a significant outlay while assessing RF photography.

If you are committed to the idea of Leica, there will be answers, this weekend at the latest is my guess.

 

[pvdhaar]

I'd say if 35mm is your preferred focal length, then the 35 is the way to go. Learn to use it well, and only then decide whether you really need a 50. You'll also be able to make a more educated decision about what 50 to get. There are so many options in 50mm, that it's hard to make that decision now unless you want to end up with several of them.

 

[Gerold]

get the R2A with the 35, and check out whether the RF thing is for you at all. It's a steep step in the beginning, there are some things (focusing, framing etc) one needs to get used to. But when that has happened ... boom ! If and once you get the hang on it, you can still decide whether you need or want a 50. The 35 can do an awesome lot of things. I use it almost exclusively. 50 is completele different from 35. One good thing about the Bessa: You can switch frames easily, without changing lenses. So while you use the 35, you can switch to the 50 frame for a moment and check the impact. That way you can actually learn to see "50" before you even have one.
I recently got the Zeiss Planar 50 ZM. The first results immediately impressed me. The ergonomics are perfect. That's worth a small premium I think.

 

[Doug]

Welcome, Jcee, and I tend to agree with Peter... 35mm is a “natural” for an RF camera, a good starting point. That’s what I got with my first RF some 35 years ago, I still have the gear, and don’t regret it! I was so slow getting a 50mm, it appeared only a year ago...

Why not look for a USED 35mm f/2.5 Classic and save even more? You should be able to find a nice one at reasonable cost here, on Photo.net, or at KEH.com.

Best wishes, and Happy Snaps!

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I went for the R3a because of the viewfinder. After making that choice the 40mm is a natural next step.

But now I'm looking at a super rare Yasuhara.

 

[lubitel]

or you can try in addition to your 35mm a russian Jupiter 8 50mm/2 or industar 61 50mm/2.8

they are pretty good and even a schoolchild can afford them.

 

[lubitel]

industar 61 will cost you less than 15 bucks (FED 5 rangefinder included)

🙂

 

[rover]

If 35mm is your preferred focal length, then that is where I would start. I think it is perfectly fine having both a 35 and 50, often I travel with a kit of 28/35/50. Do some shopping and you can find some nice bargains on 50 Summicrons. The collapsible or rigid Type 1 can be found for under $400. You may want to do some research to ensure that the DR can be correctly mounted on a Bessa, surely the eyes cannot be.

Welcome to RFF and good luck.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Be very careful if you get a collapsible. Some of them can touch parts of the Voigtlander as they are collapsed.

 

[GeneW]

If you're testing the waters, you could pick up the Bessa R + 35mm combo at cameraquest and have change left over. Later you could try a Jupiter 8 for 50mm. If you get hooked, you can add a Leica M body and adapters for the lenses, and start acquiring upscale lenses. Just a thought ...

Gene

 

[Fred]

"If you get hooked, you can add a Leica M body and adapters for the lenses, and start acquiring upscale lenses. Just a thought ..."

The above will vive you GAS. 😀

It's good advice though. The Bessa + 35 is cracking value at the moment, also manual only so you're pushed into thinking that little bit more. It's a very good camera and the CV lenses are allegedly as good as the last generation Liecas. The Jupiter for a 50 would be an ideal partner to the CV35.

Have fun!

 

[jcee]

Thank you everyone for your advise! Your comments are very, very helpful.
Since I am testing the water, I do want to start with a modest kit, and I am very tempted by the R+35 combo from CQ. I might go for this if I can find a black body. (Not a fan of chrome..)
Meanwhile, I'm contemplating on a Bessa T (again, if I can find a black body), continuing to look for used Bessa R2A/R3A + 35mm CV lens. I don't see many CV 35mm lenses on the used market, I guess people are very happy with them??
Sigh... I'm sure this will come to a conclusion, soon - possibly by this weekend. 😉 More comments are welcome and appreciated.