DCB
Well-known
Just got a Voigtlander Bessa R2A with 35mm 1.4 Nokton. This is my 1st proper rangefinder...loving it so far.
I am looking at getting a 50mm (and maybe a 75 or 90). Not sure what direction to go. Not looking to spend a small fortune (ie. newer Leica) but want a good lens.
Thanks for your advice.
Peace
I am looking at getting a 50mm (and maybe a 75 or 90). Not sure what direction to go. Not looking to spend a small fortune (ie. newer Leica) but want a good lens.
Thanks for your advice.
Peace
f16sunshine
Moderator
Do you B+W, Color, or both equally ?
I love my little Color Skopar 50mm f2.5 (silver one... so nice!).
It's a lens tha gives me the exact contrast and fall off I want for B+W.
It's very sharp yet super smooth and calm. A great lens. It's also very compact and has a great little focus tab.
If you like a great value and compact performer this one is the best choice of all.
Wide open it's perfect for portraits. It's sharp at wide open with smooth oof character showing calm highlights.
Olive you! by Adnan, on Flickr
The Zeiss ZM Planar f2/50mm is a good choice if you do expose more color film.
It has that Zeissy pop that really sings in Color. Great for B+W but really shines in color.
If you like more speed the Nokton f1.5/50mm is a beautiful lens. It's nicely priced for it's speed.
I prefer the LTM version to the newer M mount version. The barrel shape and focus ring are more comfortable (subjective).
The LTM version has a minumum focus distance of 1Meter which turns some away.
In real world use it would be difficult to tell images from this lens and other lenses costing 7-8 times as much money.
Voigtlander Color Skopar f2.5/50mm
Layne by Adnan, on Flickr
Voigtlander Nokton f1.5/50mm
Taken by Adnan, on Flickr
I love my little Color Skopar 50mm f2.5 (silver one... so nice!).
It's a lens tha gives me the exact contrast and fall off I want for B+W.
It's very sharp yet super smooth and calm. A great lens. It's also very compact and has a great little focus tab.
If you like a great value and compact performer this one is the best choice of all.
Wide open it's perfect for portraits. It's sharp at wide open with smooth oof character showing calm highlights.

The Zeiss ZM Planar f2/50mm is a good choice if you do expose more color film.
It has that Zeissy pop that really sings in Color. Great for B+W but really shines in color.
If you like more speed the Nokton f1.5/50mm is a beautiful lens. It's nicely priced for it's speed.
I prefer the LTM version to the newer M mount version. The barrel shape and focus ring are more comfortable (subjective).
The LTM version has a minumum focus distance of 1Meter which turns some away.
In real world use it would be difficult to tell images from this lens and other lenses costing 7-8 times as much money.
Voigtlander Color Skopar f2.5/50mm

Voigtlander Nokton f1.5/50mm

edge100
Well-known
Canon 50 f/1.4 LTM. Unbeatable for the price, if you're into vintage rendering.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Welcome to RF club.
Colapsible Cron and CV Color Skopar are at the same price range as yours 35 Nokton.
If you look good you could get 50mm LTM Nokton close to it.
Cheapest in price, but good in performance is Jupiter-8. Better get one already shimmed, but if you'll get black one it isn't difficult.
I had two J-8 on R and never shimmed them
It is good lens.

Ukrainian cognac II. by Kostya Fedot, on Flickr
Colapsible Cron and CV Color Skopar are at the same price range as yours 35 Nokton.
If you look good you could get 50mm LTM Nokton close to it.
Cheapest in price, but good in performance is Jupiter-8. Better get one already shimmed, but if you'll get black one it isn't difficult.
I had two J-8 on R and never shimmed them

Ukrainian cognac II. by Kostya Fedot, on Flickr
SamShio
hiking/walking photog
I love my Bessa R2 in the olive color. I shoot the 50 1.4 from Canon but I heard some good things about the Canon 1.8 50mm and seen them go for $100 and rare cases $80
Yokosuka Mike
Abstract Clarity
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