Other/Uncategorized Orion-15 hunt

Other Screw mount bodies/lenses
P

photobizzz

Speak of the Devil
Local time
8:25 PM
Joined
Sep 15, 2007
Messages
538
If anyone has a line on an Orion-15 for a decent price shoot me a PM or email. I am not having alot of luck locating one outside of *bay and the cheapest on there is around $200.
:eek: Thanks
 
Can't help you with locating an Orion. My suggestion is to instead watch for a Canon 28/3.5. Should be able to find one for less than $200 and it's faster than the Orion.

-Randy
 
They are different beasts, Randy. The Orion is very high contrast. More than any other lens that I have had - ever.

Roland.
 
You make a very good point, Roland. Guess my preference for the older-style, low contrast look is starting to show! :) Also, makes me wonder why one would want such a high contrast lens when that look should be easily created after the fact (certainly more so than trying to go the other direction). Or am I (once again?) missing something here?

-Randy
 
I have the Canon 28mm/3.5. It can compete with the more expensive Rokkor 28/2.8.
 
I prefer not to digitally alter my scanned film much if any, If I am looking to use Photoshop I will just shoot with my K10D. But on that note I do always increase my contrast in PS no matter the photo so I guess I do like the look of high contrast without really thinking about it.
 
Maybe I'm weird, but I prefer low contrast RF lenses (mostly Canon) that give me an "old look" for B+W and my high contrast, sharp AI/ AIs Nikon SLR lenses for color.
 
I did a service on an Orion for another member and ran some test shots on it whilst doing it. If it were a very cheap lens like the J8s etc, it might be worth considering. However, to me the prices asked are simply not worth it unless you are an ardent FSU collector and need one to fill a hole. I sspect the same could be said for the Russar.

Kim
 
Kim,
So the Orion-15 does not have spectacular optical features?
They sell for $200.
 
I can try and dig out some scans but I was quite disappointed with the lens and would not pay more than about $60 for one. The prices are from "collectors" because you see them so infrequently.

Kim

raid said:
Kim,
So the Orion-15 does not have spectacular optical features?
They sell for $200.
Click to expand...
 
I really just want a 28mm FOV and dont have the money for a hektor 28/6. I would really like to find one of those nippon/nikkor LTM 28mm lenses but they are rarer still. I may go with the Canon Serenar 28mm. I am just trying to complete my RF kit, 28/50/90. I have invested so much in DSLR gear (evil I know) I cant justify spending too much more to my spouse. (I spent almost $4000 in the last month) LOL.

I did get lucky enought to find a T.O.C. 2.8 - 13.5 cm universal viewfinder for $135 so I will not have to purchase any dedicated finders....
 
Last edited:
There are other ltm 28mm options. The Kobalux 28mm f3.5 is a nice mid-high contrast 28 and the CV28mm f3.5 is supposed to be a sharp high contrast lens.
 
My Orion-15 was the first interchangeable lens I bought way back in the early 60's to use with my then new Fed 2.
Mine is an excellent if slow performer, very sharp and flare free. Much better than the Leitz Hektor I bought later!!!
But I agree the prices have gone a bit silly. the rarest one is the non coupled Kiev version.
I also have a Russar, but find it a bit disappointing, although the finder is very good.
 
Kim posted some scans here - http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18726&highlight=orion+15 - it would be interesting if we could perhaps compare them with examples from other users.

The lens in question was originally bought by me, from an E-bay seller. It arrived in an appallingly stiff and unusable condition and by that time I had already found a new love in the CV 25. It was clear that I was never going to use it and our friend Jan Normandale very graciously gave it a home, Kim providing a CLA en route. Kim transformed the lens mechanically and it would be interesting If Jan could share his results as I hope it was simply a matter of Kim's scanner having an off day, because the image quality really does not seem very good at all :(

Cheers, Ian
 
Jocko said:
Kim posted some scans here - http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18726&highlight=orion+15 - it would be interesting if we could perhaps compare them with examples from other users.
Click to expand...

I've shown these before:

11417227-L.jpg


11876425-L.jpg


Roland.
 
No, the scanner wasn't off! That was how the photos looked. However the film was developed by an ultra cheap lab as the sole purpose was to check any focus issues. There were taken using a Mir BTW. Hence my comments about paying $250 for such a lens. :eek:

Kim

Jocko said:
Kim posted some scans here - http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18726&highlight=orion+15 - it would be interesting if we could perhaps compare them with examples from other users.

The lens in question was originally bought by me, from an E-bay seller. It arrived in an appallingly stiff and unusable condition and by that time I had already found a new love in the CV 25. It was clear that I was never going to use it and our friend Jan Normandale very graciously gave it a home, Kim providing a CLA en route. Kim transformed the lens mechanically and it would be interesting If Jan could share his results as I hope it was simply a matter of Kim's scanner having an off day, because the image quality really does not seem very good at all :(

Cheers, Ian
Click to expand...
 
Oh Kim :( I certainly wasn't criticising anything you did - you did an absolutely fabulous job restoring the lens mechanics, but it came from a notoriously erratic seller and I simply feared that I might have sold Jan an irretrievable clunker :eek:

My few shreds of good Karma are dripping away :(

Cheers, Ian
 
I'd highly recommend the Voigtlander 28mm f/3.5 Color Skopar! Extremely sharp and high contrast, I think it's a great value and a great lens. It's also very compact -- comparable in size to the Orion -- and the build quality is much higher.

I shot an Orion for a day in Prague last year. I liked it, but the focusing froze on it after a couple of hours and I returned it. Build quality seemed comparable to other Jupiters, and it produced sharp, high-contrast images. I remember not liking the J-12 style aperture ring. At f/6 it's also a little too slow for my taste. I'd consider getting another, as a collectible and for the fun of shooting FSU kit, but the CV 28mm Skopar is, IMHO, a much, much better lens. And not much more expensive than an Orion as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom