Recommendations for a budget 35mm Lens please

[Donovan]

Hello,
New owner of a R2A with a 50mm 2.5 CS. I really want to add a 35mm lens and was wondering if there are any FSU lens that I should look for. I know the CV lenses are inexpensive (relatively speaking) but I'm looking for something in the under $100 range. I'm not a speed freak so I don't need a 1.7 or anything like that. I read on this forum of the excellent FSU 50 lenses so are there 35's that produce good results as well? Thanks.

 

[35mmdelux]

don't worry for <$100 you won't get a high speed lens. I would just stay with the 50 and drop the $100 on Kodachrome film.

 

[pevelg]

DO NOT get the 35mm Jupiter. It is not compatible with the Bessa's

 

[Ray Nalley]

Save up for a CV 35 2.5. Great lens. Great Value. You will be happier in the long run.

 

[Donovan]

Duly noted guys. Thanks. I'll probably do as Ray suggests and save up for a CV 2.5 Color Skopar.

 

[rover]

Yes, the CV 2.5, or with some luck you will be able to locate a Canon 35/2.8 for less than $200 which is also a good bargain lens.

 

[stefan_dinu]

Budget 35mm is the Color Skopar from CV. What you are looking for, under 100, is not budget, is a bargain. Save some money for a real lens. And the Skopar is trully amazing, lightweight, sharp, easy to use.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Another vote for the VC - got my 'Classic' a month ago, and well pleased!!!

Dave.

 

[Roger Hicks]

What does a second-hand Color Skopar go for? That's so far the best choice as to make it a no-brainer.

I'd be astonished if anything went for much under $100 nowadays -- even the 35 Jupiter which frankly is a pretty poor lens, and very poor next to the faster, smaller, more ergonomic Color Skopar, even if it were compatible with the Bessa.

Cheers,

R.

 

[kipkeston]

the skopar is fantastic. it easily holds its own next to my summicrons and biogon. it has a tonal set I really like.

 

[jmooney]

I love my 35CV PII. I don't like the focusing nipple on the Classic.

 

[payasam]

I must disagree about the Jupiter 12, Roger, being entirely satisfied with the one I have.

 

[monochromejrnl]

Canon 35/2.8 LTM can be had for under 200 and it offers better tonality and less contrast than the VC 35 CS... it's also better built and even smaller than the VC 35s...

 

[Florian1234]

I can't compare with the CV lenses (yet, planning to buy a 35 1.4 Nokton next week), but my Jupiter-12 does quite good. Ok, it is out since it does not fit the Bessa, but makes decent photos (see my flickr site).

 

[sweathog]

Let me just throw in my support for the Skopar 35/2.5. Absolutely smashing little lens, sharp as anything, and a pleasure to use. It even performs pretty well in lowish light.

 

[Austintatious]

As for the price of a nice, used, color skopar, I got mine from a fellow RFF'er here for
$175.00 shipped. I LOVE it ! I have seen others go for about the same price sometimes.

 

[Bingley]

I'm another CV 35 skopar classic fan, but I just picked up the Canon 35/2.8 as well, for a lower contrast look. Both lenses can be found used for under $200 these days. If I could only have one, I'd pick the skopar.

 

[chris00nj]

Yeah, I liked my 35/2.5 CS as well. For an extra $100, I would spend the money on the lens. that's like a bar tab on a good tab 😉. If the money is in such short supply, I'd sell the R2A and get an R, and then get the better lens.

 

[Donovan]

Actually, I wound up taking 35mmdelux's advice. I took the $ and spent it on Kodachrome 64. In facing reality, I came to the conclusion my exposure and composition skills don't warrant more gear at this time. 🙂 I'll work with the 50mm until I get the "snapshot philosophy" out of my system. Here is a follow-up question - Can Dwaynes do decent scans and can they put them on a CD. I'd like to pop the kodachrome pictures in my DVD player and have a slide show via my front projector. Walgreens CD's work in my CD player but their scans leave alot to be desired, especially viewed at 60" diagonal! Thanks again!

P.S. the feedback on the CV CS 50/2.5 has me sold. I'll get that lens when I'm ready.

 

[chris00nj]

I like Dwayne's scans the best out of Ritz, CVS, and Walgreens. The are 2.34 MP and range about 2 megabites. Ritz is 1.8 MP. Here is one example. For the full size click here. Some of my other KR scans are here.