Questions about CV lenses for Nikon RF

goliathus

goliathus

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Hi everyone. I have some questions about the CV SC lenses for Nikon RF. How many lenses were made? (Especially 21/4, 28/3.5) I only know that CV made more than 900 pieces of lens. And Does it going to be collectible lens someday? I heard that lenses are still remain in stock.
 
jonmanjiro said:
Not sure about the 28/3.5 but CQ says 900 for the 21/4. I remember hearing that the smallest batch Cosina could do was around 700-800. I wonder if Tom A knows how many of each were made?

http://www.cameraquest.com/nrfVClens.htm
Click to expand...

Hi Jon, Thanks for your answering 🙂 Actually I'm writing an article about CV 21mm F4. I heard that 900 was first batch, and they were discontinued 2007. So I guess more batch would exist. let's wait for Tom A coming!
 
I dont know the exact numbers of the S-lens production, but 900-1000 range sound reasonable. Several of these lenses, mainly 50's and the 85 was also made in Contax Rf mount so that might skew the numbers somewhat.
As for them becoming "collectible" I dont know. These are modern lenses and their collectibility status depends on the continuing popularity of the Nikon Rf's and the R2S/R2C.
Some of the lenses are already sold out, the 35f2.5 and I think that the 28f3.5 is getting low in inventories.
Lenses like the 50f2.5 was produced in lesser volume - most likely less than 500 as the user's are enamored with "speed" - wether they need it or not!
Cameraquest's package of the three lenses, 50f1.5, 50f2.5 and 85f3.5 is significant as that was an "emptying the warehouse" action. Of course, once they are sold out there will be some moaning and groaning from those who did not snap up this package @ $500 and have to pay "scarce" prices for them!!!
I have the full complement of these, mainly because I did not want to be in the situation to have chase them down at inflated prices later!
Case in point: A 25f4 Nikkor will set you back anywhere from $1200 and up. The Cosina version is 1/2-1/3 of that - and it is a far better lens optically. I know, I have the original and the Cosina one. For "retro look" the Nikkor one is fun, but you really have to like the fall-off and weird aperture control!
The 21f4 is less than 10% of the price of an original Nikkor - and, yes, it is a better lens. It all depends on wether you are a collector or user!
 
Tom A said:
I dont know the exact numbers of the S-lens production, but 900-1000 range sound reasonable. Several of these lenses, mainly 50's and the 85 was also made in Contax Rf mount so that might skew the numbers somewhat.
Click to expand...

Hi Tom,

Mr. K may have made prototype Contax 50's and 85's that he discussed with you, but ALL the production Voigtlander SC lenses sold to the public were Nikon rangefinder mount. None were marketed in Contax mount.

and don't forget our prototype 35/1.2!

The SC 35/2.5's are sold out at the factory, and at CQ. The SC 21 & 25 wide angles are next SC lenses to go the way of scarce high priced collectibles! But before them, the Contax mount R2C body!

Stephen

Stephen
 
Good discussion here.
It's hard to imagine any of these lenses really becoming collectible because the original Nikkors are generally available and of competitive image quality. The two exceptions are the 21/4 and 25/4 Nikkors. The 21 Nikkor is especially rare and expensive.

However, I think Cosina disovered that there are simply not that many Nikon RF users compared to collectors. And, with the exception of the 21 and 25mm lenses, the Nikon equivalent glass cost in the same realm as the CV lenses, so those few of use who were Nikon users already had the lenses. In the case of the 21mm, I've long used an original Zeiss Biogon 21/4.5, though I recently purchased a CV 21/4 for the lighter weight (and because I imagine one day they'll sell out).

I can't say, but Cosina may have had a bit more success in selling Nikon RF mount lenses if they had offered some of the glass that simply isn't available in Nikon/Contax mount. Specifically, fast wides like the 28/1.9 and 35/1.2. The special adapter allowing the CV 15/4.5 to mount onto a Nikon RF was the first Cosina product to sell out, (along with Nikon-to-Leica adapters) which let's you know there was a small but robust market for lenses unavailable in Nikon-S mount.
 
CameraQuest said:
....and don't forget our prototype 35/1.2!
Click to expand...

VinceC said:
Good discussion here.
It's hard to imagine any of these lenses really becoming collectible because the original Nikkors are generally available and of competitive image quality......Cosina may have had a bit more success in selling Nikon RF mount lenses if they had offered some of the glass that simply isn't available in Nikon/Contax mount. Specifically, fast wides like the 28/1.9 and 35/1.2.
Click to expand...

Ok, I read about a few S mount 35/1,2 Nokton samples. If there is one for sale or CV is planning to do a run of 35/1,2s in S mount...unequivocally I am game!
 
I do believe that was only one batch Run.

Got the last sale out from Stephen (500USD was hard to pass) I'll be looking for the 25 and 35 CV's.
With all this.. now I got .. 9 50's!! (6 nikkors and 3 CV's....).. I mess up somewhere...
 
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I just bought a 21/4 and 85/3.5 from Stephen. Have a 21 Biogon and Nikkor 85/2, but the sale price on the CV 85 tipped me, and both CV lenses together save weight in the camera bag.
 
thomasw_ said:
Ok, I read about a few S mount 35/1,2 Nokton samples. If there is one for sale or CV is planning to do a run of 35/1,2s in S mount...unequivocally I am game!
Click to expand...

To my knowledge there are three 35f1.2's in S-mount. Mr Kobayashi's, Stephen's and mine. There might be one or two more in Tokyo for users who are friends of the "family" but I have never seen one. I doubt that any of them are for sale now or for the foreseable future either. Now, if I could only convince him to make the 50f1.1 in S-mount - I only need one!
 
CV lenses that would have made Nikon shooters sit up:
15/4.5 (or reintroduce F-S adapter)
28/2 (28s my workhorse focal length and a natural on the SP. Spent my whole career wishing for a 28 faster than 3.5)
35/1.4 or 1.2 (Those who own the Nikkor 38/1.8 might not switch, but not many people actually own and shoot the 1.8)
50/1.1
125/2.5 (because the Nikon RF 1:1 viewfinder can handle it - a minimum focus distance of 4.6 feet would be the same difficulty as an 85/2 with the Nikon finder).

Doubt any of these lenses would have a really viable market. On the other hand, optically they all exist, and CV has figured out how to tool an S-mount, so there's minimal R&D.
 
I still don't understand why Cosina couldn't make some of the more exotic lenses they seem to turning out is such numbers for the Leica crowd available to the Nikon users. Especially if they required refundable deposits in advance to gauge interest and quantities.
I'd gladly pay for a F-S adapter or perhaps a high speed 25 or 28, and most certainly for a 35 1.2 or 1.4. How nice that they made only three and then stopped.
It would be very interesting to canvass the Nikon rangefinder users here and at the Nikon Historic Society site to see who would put their money where their mouths are.
I would.
 
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204EE40E4B7C2292161EE7





http://sangin1122.tistory.com/entry/Voigtlander-Voigtlander-SC-Skopar-21mm-F4




Thanks for answer many guys, it helped a lot. I just complete the review of SC Skopar 21mm F4!
Sadly, still English version is not available but you can check many high resolution examples which taken by the lens.
 
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goliathus, I want to know where you still have Fortia from? I'm now down to my last 8 rolls after sending some to Jonmajiro today.
 
Thanks Nate! Now the 悩み starts .... shoot the roll of 120 in the Mamiya or the Hassy ???

By the way Park, in case you didn't catch it, the head bartender posted the S-mount CV production figures (taken from this post).

SC 21/4 900
SC 25/4 800
SC 28/3.5 700
SC 35/2.5 700
SC 35/1.2 3 - prototypes
S 50/1.5 700
S 50/2.5 600
S 50/3.5 500
S 85/3.5 600

Bessa R2S Body 900 !
 
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