New To RFs - Need Lens Advice

[smith934]

I'm new to RFs, not to film, having not used a RF since I was a kid (long, long time ago). Just received a Bessa R2 that looks brand new. Ordered a J8 and waiting for it to arrive. I have read several threads here and elsewhere, pro and con on the J8, but it's all I could easily afford at the moment.

I have my eye on two lens that I would like advice on:

1. Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 90mm f3.5 lens with Leica M Mount

2. Voigtlander 35mm F/2.5 PII Color Skopar Lens - Leica M Mount - Boxed

I may be able to come up with the funds. What do you think? Any advice will be appreciated.

 

[teleparallel]

Hello!

Voigtlander are the best budget lenses, and if you believe you need that focal lengths, can't go wrong.

I have 21/35/50 color-skopar set. The results are stunning, and it's very portable. I wonder all the time how it would be to have other lenses, but for my rangefinder use, and high speed film(Iso 800), It's enough.

Since you got already a 50mm, 35 is kinda close, so I'd start with the 90mm if that's what you need. Unless the Jupiter is not enough for you. If I was to get new set, it be either a 21/35/75, or 28/50.

 

[uhoh7]

These are both excellent lenses.

The 35 is often seen around 300, or even 250. The optics are the same on the various Skopar versions.
The 90 is hard to find, and usually about 350. It's said to be the sharpest CV LTM lens. Small and light.


DSC08424 by unoh7, on Flickr

 

[seakayaker1]

Two very nice lenses.

I would recommend a Voigtlander 75mm f2.5 Color Heliar instead of the 90mm. I owned both, sold them both, then reacquired the 75mm because it was such a great lens.

A couple of sample photos taken with the 75mm can be found here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/seakayaker1/17483433914/in/album-72157624154712494/lightbox/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/seakayaker1/18817974172/in/album-72157624154712494/lightbox/

Good luck with your decisions.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Way to go, RF way!

Do you really need 90mm with RF camera? Just check the 90mm frame in viewfinder.
Coated LTM Elmar 90 F4 will do if you need to have it just in case, more than shot with it regularly. They are cheap, but neat and OK.

CV PII is sharp and contrasty. Very sharp and very contrasty. You'll be happy with it if all you need is sharpness and contrast. If you need more, use it at f8 and wider.
Check periodically for wobble.

J8 is the lens which is very hard to find trashed. But where are plenty of this lens IQ trashers.
Most of them used this lens not properly aligned (which is next to routine procedure with any FSU LTM glass). Was yours shimmed, collimated? If so and it was done right, prepare to be surprised with it at f2.

 

[ferider]

Two very nice lenses.

I would recommend a Voigtlander 75mm f2.5 Color Heliar instead of the 90mm.

What he said ! Enjoy your new kit !

Roland.

 

[rhl-oregon]

The little Skopar is wonderful. If you go apsc digital (Fuji x, e.g.), alongside the Bessa, a 35 becomes your manual 50 there, whereas the 75 and 90 get even more telephotic.

Worth considering what *your* 2 favorite lengths are, as well as the rational 2-lens thinking (28/50, 35/75, 50/90, 21/35--each of those is a rational pair, but are *you* a wider or tighter see-er?)

 

[uhoh7]

I agree the 75/2.5 is nice and easy to find around 275-300. 🙂

 

[smith934]

Hello!

Voigtlander are the best budget lenses, and if you believe you need that focal lengths, can't go wrong.

I have 21/35/50 color-skopar set. The results are stunning, and it's very portable. I wonder all the time how it would be to have other lenses, but for my rangefinder use, and high speed film(Iso 800), It's enough.

Since you got already a 50mm, 35 is kinda close, so I'd start with the 90mm if that's what you need. Unless the Jupiter is not enough for you. If I was to get new set, it be either a 21/35/75, or 28/50.

Thanks for the reply. My primary interests are landscape/cityscapes and birds, thus the 35 and the 90. Also I figured the 90 would be good for the occasional portrait. I agree the 50 is close to the 35, but it's not always possible to zoom with your feet shooting 'scapes.

 

[smith934]

These are both excellent lenses.

The 35 is often seen around 300, or even 250. The optics are the same on the various Skopar versions.
The 90 is hard to find, and usually about 350. It's said to be the sharpest CV LTM lens. Small and light.

Thanks for the feedback. Those are two lens I'm after now as they seem to be a good compromise with my primary interests.

 

[smith934]

Two very nice lenses.

I would recommend a Voigtlander 75mm f2.5 Color Heliar instead of the 90mm. I owned both, sold them both, then reacquired the 75mm because it was such a great lens.

A couple of sample photos taken with the 75mm can be found here:

Good luck with your decisions.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I really feel that I need the extra length for shooting birds around the feeders. Out in the wild, I'll revert to my 800D and 150/500 Sigma.

BTW, great photos.

 

[smith934]

Way to go, RF way!

Do you really need 90mm with RF camera? Just check the 90mm frame in viewfinder.
Coated LTM Elmar 90 F4 will do if you need to have it just in case, more than shot with it regularly. They are cheap, but neat and OK.

CV PII is sharp and contrasty. Very sharp and very contrasty. You'll be happy with it if all you need is sharpness and contrast. If you need more, use it at f8 and wider.
Check periodically for wobble.

J8 is the lens which is very hard to find trashed. But where are plenty of this lens IQ trashers.
Most of them used this lens not properly aligned (which is next to routine procedure with any FSU LTM glass). Was yours shimmed, collimated? If so and it was done right, prepare to be surprised with it at f2.

Thanks for the input. The J8 I bought (not received yet) was listed as "new, old stock". I doubt that it is properly aligned. Can you suggest someone to do the job after I receive it?

 

[smith934]

The little Skopar is wonderful. If you go apsc digital (Fuji x, e.g.), alongside the Bessa, a 35 becomes your manual 50 there, whereas the 75 and 90 get even more telephotic.

Unfortunately, that's a non-starter for me as I'm well down the Nikon road with a D800 and a D7100 and a good complement of FX lens.

Worth considering what *your* 2 favorite lengths are, as well as the rational 2-lens thinking (28/50, 35/75, 50/90, 21/35--each of those is a rational pair, but are *you* a wider or tighter see-er?)

My walk around now is an 800D with the Nikon 24-70 f2.8. A bit heavy but I handle it OK. If I'm birding/wildlife shooting It's usually with the Sigma 150-500. Figured the 90 on the Bessa would be good for birds around the feeders and the occasional portrait. I'd be pushing your 'rational pair' of 35/75 to 35/90. The J8 was just a quick inexpensive buy to get the Bessa going, still it may work out to something I'll like.

 

[kuzano]

Are you sure you want a 90. The reason for the solid advice on the 75 may be because, as I found, was the ability to focus the longer lens, which is a function of the length of the base leg of the focus triangle. And I was using a Contax which had a base leg almost as long as the body is wide.

As I recall the base leg on your bessa is quite short. However, it may have more precision as it is a contemporary camera.

Personally, I consider rangefinder camera's have their strengths in wide angle, and not long lenses because the focus for narrow base legs runs out about, if not before 90MM

I would encourage you to get your hands on a 90 and test it on your camera, before investing much. Surely don't over pay for a 90. It may be difficult to sell.

 

[rhl-oregon]

Unfortunately, that's a non-starter for me as I'm well down the Nikon road with a D800 and a D7100 and a good complement of FX lens..

Not at all unfortunate! I should have stuck to praising the Skopar. I loved the focusing spar. I sold mine only after getting a ZM C-Biogon. The little devil in me, though, thinks if you have a J8 you might consider a J12, with a 40.5 filter to make shifting aperture easier....

As for the D800 etc., I'm reminded of the New Yorker cartoon showing a man at a party with a tuba in his back pocket, speaking to the host, captioned, "Why, yes! I just happen to have it with me!"

 

[smith934]

Not at all unfortunate! I should have stuck to praising the Skopar. I loved the focusing spar. I sold mine only after getting a ZM C-Biogon. The little devil in me, though, thinks if you have a J8 you might consider a J12, with a 40.5 filter to make shifting aperture easier....

Actually, I don't consider the Nikons to be 'unfortunate' at all, especially considering the type of shooting I typically do.

It's my understanding the the J12 interferes with the ability to meter with the R2 because of how far the rear of the lens protrudes into the camera, blocking the cell's ability to meter off the front shutter curtain.

As for the D800 etc., I'm reminded of the New Yorker cartoon showing a man at a party with a tuba in his back pocket, speaking to the host, captioned, "Why, yes! I just happen to have it with me!"

Especially when I have the battery pack attached.

I do have a Pentax 110 SLR with assorted lens when I need to go really small 🙂

 

[smith934]

Are you sure you want a 90. The reason for the solid advice on the 75 may be because, as I found, was the ability to focus the longer lens, which is a function of the length of the base leg of the focus triangle. And I was using a Contax which had a base leg almost as long as the body is wide.

As I recall the base leg on your bessa is quite short. However, it may have more precision as it is a contemporary camera.

Personally, I consider rangefinder camera's have their strengths in wide angle, and not long lenses because the focus for narrow base legs runs out about, if not before 90MM

I would encourage you to get your hands on a 90 and test it on your camera, before investing much. Surely don't over pay for a 90. It may be difficult to sell.

I am looking at a Voigtlander Heliar 75mm f/2.5 as someone else suggested earlier. Thanks for the input.

 

[smith934]

Update: Just bought the 35mm Color Scopar off Ebay. Can't wait to get it.

There was a 75mm Heliar f/2.5 in excellent condition with covers, hood, and a Voightlander LTM to M adapter with a great Buy It Now price. I waited a bit too long and someone placed a $15 bid. Now I'll have to try to win the bidding. 🙁