Orion 15

[santino]

Hi!

I've got a question, what do you guys think about the Orion 15 lens? is it a good perormer (in spite of 6.0 aperture). I've got the oppurtunity to buy it with both caps in good shape for 125 euros. I don't expect it to be as sharp as a leica lens but is it just a collectible or a every day use lens too?

answers are welcome 🙂

 

[VinceC]

It will be as as sharp at the Leica 28mm f/6.3 that the design was copied from. It's actually very sharp and contrasty in everyday, real-world use. I have one in Kiev/Contax mount. Was a vacation/hiking lens for a long time because of its tiny size and tiny weight.

 

[Kim Coxon]

There are some sample pics etc on this thread. http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18726&highlight=Orion

As to the price, it is difficult to say. I think there are a bit overpriced because of their scarcity value. You may be able to get a CV 28 for not much more which might be better VFM.

Kim

 

[Mark Wood]

I had some transparencies back this morning from my Contax/Kiev mount Orion 15, used on a Contax IIa and they're absolutely pin sharp into the corners with good contrast. I've never used it wide open at f6 (these were taken at f8-11) but I've been pleasantly surprised with it so far. Yes, it was too expensive (~£150) and the aperture ring sometimes stiffens up slightly but as Vince says it's very small and light. The only thing that I miss (this version isn't rangefinder coupled of course) is a depth of field scale.
On the subject of it's optical design, according to Ivor Matanle in a recent Amateur Photographer article, it's construction comes from a 4-element Cooke design although I can't remember which one.

 

[Mark Wood]

In fact it came back to me! Ivor Matanle said that its optical construction is based on the Cooke Aviar which has 4 elements as 2 doublets (see http://www.f32.net/Services/Equipment/Lenses/cooke.php).

(PS. Apologies for the apostrophe in the "it's" in my previous post - there's just no excuse for that sort of thing!!)

 

[arothaus]

Hello,

the Orion-15 is a copy of the Zeiss Topogon, not from a Leica lens - same as the Jupiters are Zeiss copys.

@Mark
If you ever get rid of you Kiev-Orion, give me a note - I'm searching for one. I could offer a LTM Orion-15 instead ;-)

Regards,
Andreas R.

 

[darkkavenger]

I'm certainly looking after an Orion-15 in Kiev/Contax mount... same for a Russar MR2 in Kiev/Contax mount. I can sell my soul for that. 🙂

 

[VinceC]

I used a marker to write depth-of-field marks on my copy of the Orion. Helped make it a lot more useable.

 

[Mark Wood]

Sadly, I like using the Orion too much to sell it - I thought the offers might come flooding in! I'd wondered about putting depth-of-field markings on it - many thanks for the tip Vince.

One daft suggestion for trying to find anything Kiev-related on eBay is to do a search for "Keiv." I picked up an immaculate Jupiter 85 mm (seller in the UK) that way for £40 and was the only person to bid on it! Perhaps there could be a few Orions hiding out there...?!?

 

[darkkavenger]

You may want an Orion-1A 200/6.3 ... 😛 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ORION-1A-F-20...ryZ30076QQssPageNameZWD2VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Mark Wood]

Interesting. The Cooke Aviar was also made for aeronautical use and there was a version made (by TTH I believe) with an 8.25 inch focal length (near enough 200 mm) at f6.3 which looks uncannily like this Orion. Apologies, I'm taking this thread OT!

 

[reagan]

Santino ~ I certainly have no complaints about my Orion.15 LTM. I use it when shooting wider than 'normal'. I mostly shoot outdoors/daylight, but the f6 that I feared might be a drawback hasn't been a problem. I haven't missed the wider apertures.

A few shots with the Orion on a Zorki.1 & 3M

http://ghostsofkrasnogorsk.blogspot.com/2005/10/great-food.html

http://ghostsofkrasnogorsk.blogspot.com/2005/11/this-old-house.html

http://ghostsofkrasnogorsk.blogspot.com/2005/11/beauty-salon.html

Good luck!

 

[reagan]

You may want an Orion-1A 200/6.3 ... 😛

Hey, with a little drilling & tapping, a shim here or there... hey, ya might make it go! 😱

 

[darkkavenger]

as long as it mounts on my Kiev!

 

[arothaus]

btw - I can't remember where, but I read in a FSU lens list, that the Orion provides more lpm in the center than most other lenses.

 

[santino]

thanks for all replies.
I think I'm gonna get it 🙂

CVBLZ4: thanks for the examples, it really seems to be a good performer.
arothaus: you're right, it's closly followed by the Jupiter 11

 

[santino]

btw. is the Orion coupled to the rangefinder? (I would like to buy the LTM version as I prefer my Zorkis)

question #2, is 125 overpriced? how much did you guys pay for your Orion?

 

[darkkavenger]

The Orion-15 is uncoupled. I don't own one unfortunately, so I can't tell about prices, but they tend to be overpriced due to scarcity. An Orion-15 for Kiev/Contax often goes above 250$...

 

[Kim Coxon]

The LTM version of the Orion or at least the one I serviced is RF coupled. The FSU sellers generally list them for about $175. Fedka had one listed for $200+. The last one to change hands on the forum was $140. (Details in the link I posted earlier) If you want one 125 euros would seem to be a reasonable price. I wouldn't get it but that is a personal choice.

Kim

 

[darkkavenger]

That's interesting, they are so often reported to be uncoupled... sort of reminds me when I was wondering why my (M39 SLR) J-9 wasn't coupling with my Z4 ... 😕 😉