Some buying help...

[jamxo]

Hello! My name is Jamie and I'm new here (well I've been reading for a few weeks but only just registered.)

I've been shooting with a Yashica Electro GSN for a few months now and I love the camera and the rangefinder method of working, and I now want to move up to the 'next' level, so to speak.

With my Christmas savings and such, I've got a budget of about £600. With that In mind, and the hefty amount of research I've been doing over the last few weeks, it seems that the Bessa series and CV lenses are what I'm after.

I'm a fan of mechanical cameras, as well as an occasional eyeglass wearer, and 35mm is my favourite focal length, so I'm pretty much decided on the R2M (just the body, not the set.).

With that in mind, I've had alot of indecision as to which lens to purchase with the camera (I will have around £300 to spend on a lens after purchasing the body.)

At the moment I'm leaning towards the 35mm F1.7 Ultron because I prefer focusing wheels to tabs (my one complaint of the GSN), and I'm out at night alot so I think i definitely need a fast lens.

That said, I've heard/seen that the ultron is fairly hefty, and I'd definitely have the camera on me 24/7 so I wanted to ask for some opinions as to other lenses or setups - some advice on how best to spend my £600 based on the above - and also i guess whether the Ultron is up to the task of being used all the time, often in lowlight situations for mainly documentary style photography?

Thanks in advance!
Jamie.

 

[jamxo]

Not too bothered about hunting for a Summicron, I'm sure its a sharp and beautiful lens but i dont want to spend all my £££ on a comparitively slow lens, I think low light photography is what i shoot 2/3 of the time.

Oh god, so many choices, Now im half considering a R3M with the 40mm f1.4 nokton, that set up would suit all my needs in one (small, lightweight, fast as hell, and close enough to 35mm for me to be content.)

what do we reckon..

r2m with the 35mm ultron?

or..

r3m with the 40mm nokton?

decisions, decisions :bang:

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

That 40mm Nokton is a very good lens. I've just popped mine in my bag to take out for low light this evening.

 

[erichard44]

I have the Ultron and like it, but even so I am very tempted by the 40mm. It looks like an extraordinary lens. The Ultron is not big, but the 40mm is small.

Richard

 

[jamxo]

Thanks so much for all the replies everyone!

I think (touch wood) I'm going to go with the R3M and the 40mm nokton. The fast lens, bright viewfinder it seems will make it excellent in low light, and the small size meaning i can take it with me 24/7. Also as an 18 year old photography student in London, im doing alot of partying and playing alot of gigs, and when you factor alchohol and whatnot into the mix, a small lens that doesnt protrude as much is im sure a safer bet damage wise.

The R3m/40mm 1.4 does indeed sound like a killer combo, im gonna pop down to the classic camera in holborn and get a feel for one, and if all goes well, i'll order in a week when Robert White is back open.

Thanks alot, and merry Christmas everyone!

 

[NL2377]

Thanks so much for all the replies everyone!

I think (touch wood) I'm going to go with the R3M and the 40mm nokton. The fast lens, bright viewfinder it seems will make it excellent in low light, and the small size meaning i can take it with me 24/7. Also as an 18 year old photography student in London, im doing alot of partying and playing alot of gigs, and when you factor alchohol and whatnot into the mix, a small lens that doesnt protrude as much is im sure a safer bet damage wise.

The R3m/40mm 1.4 does indeed sound like a killer combo, im gonna pop down to the classic camera in holborn and get a feel for one, and if all goes well, i'll order in a week when Robert White is back open.

Thanks alot, and merry Christmas everyone!

I was pretty much in the same situation a month ago and opted for virtually the same combination (Leica M2 & Nokton 40/1.4) I couldnt be happier! Shooting low light is amazing, I'm getting great shots at 1/15th of a second F1.4 at 800iso!

 

[pcfranchina]

R3* with the 40 is a awsome low light combo. Tucks away nicely in a large coat pocket.