oljim
Registered Hack
Bob B said:
Hehehe! Nope, but with that kind of thinking I might be useful in their marketing department.
Stupid rookie surprise.
- Thread starter Bob B
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Hehehe! Nope, but with that kind of thinking I might be useful in their marketing department.
Bertram2
Gone elsewhere
Pherdinand said:
I got a fine J8 too, no prob with intruding. Tho I have no personal experience with it I would expect to be the 1,7 /35mm Ultron to be the worst case.
I do not agree that one gets "used " to it , one gets used to take care of the prob maybe and sometimes it's areal PIA , I have to turn the camera to see what's going on in the covered corner.
It's one of the quirks of RF shooting, same as on-top finders are for coupled lenses,
I never could understand how someone can chose such a beast like a T for street shooting. Undoubtedly there are some folks who got quite fast by the time with this camera but why should I torture myself ? Really fast is a L with a 21 or 25 used in the preset focus mode.
But tho RFs force me to accept many annoying compromises it's got nevertheless so very huge advantages that I still prefer it for most of my works. Where else do you get so briliant tiny wides for so little money ? And what camera is smaller and lighter than those RF camera-lens combos which are so easy to focus in poor light ?
If I need a fast SLR for tele or slides I still got one sleeping on the shelf . 🙂
Regards,
Bertram
Bob B
Member
Thanks for all the useful replies and support.
Part of my sheepishness comes form being in the store (Photo Village in NYC) and not even trying the lens on my camera. I knew I wanted a fast 50mm and since it was raining outside, and my case only covers my 35mm lens, I kept the lens in the box. (I had also read great things about the lens and thought this would complete my RF outfit - stop all that laughing out there.)
I ASSUMED that since there were finder lines for the 50mm that that meant I didn't need an external view finder. And you know what, after taking a few shots of the Newark rustbelt this morning on the way to work, I think I can get used to the VF bloackage. It does seem strange though, so much of my eagerness to shoot with this format is cause of the bright VF, and then I learn that many lenses will compromise that same VF. Oh well . . .
Of course since lots of my shots are outdoor street shots, I realize I can probably ALSO live with a smaller, slower 50mm. Naturally that means I'm shopping for maybe a Jupiter 8 or some smaller, CHEAPER used lens. I guess this is how it starts. (And just when I thought I broke my addiction to B&H for my Canon SLR gear.)
-Bob B
http://www.pbase.com/plasma/favorites
Part of my sheepishness comes form being in the store (Photo Village in NYC) and not even trying the lens on my camera. I knew I wanted a fast 50mm and since it was raining outside, and my case only covers my 35mm lens, I kept the lens in the box. (I had also read great things about the lens and thought this would complete my RF outfit - stop all that laughing out there.)
I ASSUMED that since there were finder lines for the 50mm that that meant I didn't need an external view finder. And you know what, after taking a few shots of the Newark rustbelt this morning on the way to work, I think I can get used to the VF bloackage. It does seem strange though, so much of my eagerness to shoot with this format is cause of the bright VF, and then I learn that many lenses will compromise that same VF. Oh well . . .
Of course since lots of my shots are outdoor street shots, I realize I can probably ALSO live with a smaller, slower 50mm. Naturally that means I'm shopping for maybe a Jupiter 8 or some smaller, CHEAPER used lens. I guess this is how it starts. (And just when I thought I broke my addiction to B&H for my Canon SLR gear.)
-Bob B
http://www.pbase.com/plasma/favorites
justins7
Well-known
I find that viewfinder blockage can sometimes be helpful: it teaches you to stop worrying about the image and concentrate about the experience in front of you. This is one of the wonders of rangefinders. Less focus on the pretty image in the viewfinder, more on action, action, action.
When I first got an M3 I used it almost without the viewfinder most of the time, pointing it like a gun. You become free at this point.
It also greatly depends on the subject: if you are taking pictures of buildings (as I do), you might then use the external bright-line finder (which is a whole other extraordinary experience).
I went through the same disappointment when I used my huge 28mm Elmarit on my M6. It blocked a large part of the viewfinder, making me doubt the whole purchase (why can't I be like normal people and buy an SLR? I thought). But after a few rolls, I was happy with the breadth of images and unusual viewpoints, and unself-conscious pictures made me realize that it was all for the better. The best pictures were the ones for which I never looked through the finder.
When I first got an M3 I used it almost without the viewfinder most of the time, pointing it like a gun. You become free at this point.
It also greatly depends on the subject: if you are taking pictures of buildings (as I do), you might then use the external bright-line finder (which is a whole other extraordinary experience).
I went through the same disappointment when I used my huge 28mm Elmarit on my M6. It blocked a large part of the viewfinder, making me doubt the whole purchase (why can't I be like normal people and buy an SLR? I thought). But after a few rolls, I was happy with the breadth of images and unusual viewpoints, and unself-conscious pictures made me realize that it was all for the better. The best pictures were the ones for which I never looked through the finder.
Justin Low
J for Justin
Bob, do consider a Color-Skopar 50/2.5. It's really tiny.
Bob B
Member
Thanks for the input Justin.
What annoys me is how rash and green I was.
I am going to look at smaller, used 50mm lenses. Unfortunately, I can't really justify the Skopar 2.5 unless I find a used one. I paid for a new Nokton, and can't put much more in into this "side" hobby. I easily could have tried a few lenses on my camera. That's one of the reasons I shop "live" in NYC rather than have stuffed shipped to my home in New Jersey and save a little on the sales tax vs. the shipping. The shop won't take the Nokton back without a large "restocking" fee (20%). I guess to their credit they say they won't sell my 15 hour-old lens as new anymore.
I suppose the Nokton will be my indoors lens, and down the road I'll get something like a Canon 50mm 1.8 for walkaround stuff.
-bb
What annoys me is how rash and green I was.
I am going to look at smaller, used 50mm lenses. Unfortunately, I can't really justify the Skopar 2.5 unless I find a used one. I paid for a new Nokton, and can't put much more in into this "side" hobby. I easily could have tried a few lenses on my camera. That's one of the reasons I shop "live" in NYC rather than have stuffed shipped to my home in New Jersey and save a little on the sales tax vs. the shipping. The shop won't take the Nokton back without a large "restocking" fee (20%). I guess to their credit they say they won't sell my 15 hour-old lens as new anymore.
I suppose the Nokton will be my indoors lens, and down the road I'll get something like a Canon 50mm 1.8 for walkaround stuff.
-bb
einolu
Well-known
You could always sell it and get a jupiter 3 or something. You could spend the money you save on... more camera gear.
Justin Low
J for Justin
Bob, I'm sure that one could find another person who'd like to trade up to a Nokton on our classifieds here. In any case, welcome to the RFF and have a good time shooting!
ErnestoJL
Well-known
Since I was 15 y.o I wanted to have a Contax IIIa with a Sonnar 50/1.5. I´ve never owned one, but instead got a Kiev 4. I f I place a collapsible hood on the J8, it blocks >30% of the VF. A vented one does better, only 20% or less, so I got one of those. Later I got a Mamiya Super Deluxe 1.5 , and guess what? any 55 mm dia. hood blocks partially the VF. That´s the price I have to pay to avoid flare on such a big lens. Everything in photography seems to be a trade, however (IMHO) the benefits of a big lens are well worth the expense paid in weight and bulk. Wecome to RFF and enjoy your lens!
F
former member
Guest
This is my Canon IIf with the 50mm F1.5 lens, a Sonnar copy. It's 40mm filter size is about as small as you will find on a Fast 50mm in LTM.
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5136
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5137
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5138
And just to confirm: You do not see the lens through the Canon IIf finder (set to 50mm); the Nikon 5cm F1.4 clears the Nikon S2 Finder; The Nikkor 5cm F1.4 clears the SP finder, blocks lowest right hand corner with hood extended; the 5cm F1.5 Summarit clears the Leica M3 50mm framelines. The series VI vented hood extends into the finder, but you see through most of it. I think the camera designers of yesteryear "actually" thought about this issue, the lenses come right to the point of the framelines but do not cut into them. Of course I can forgive the Canon engineers for the 50mm F0.95 cutting into the finder. It is an amazing lens.
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5136
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5137
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5138
And just to confirm: You do not see the lens through the Canon IIf finder (set to 50mm); the Nikon 5cm F1.4 clears the Nikon S2 Finder; The Nikkor 5cm F1.4 clears the SP finder, blocks lowest right hand corner with hood extended; the 5cm F1.5 Summarit clears the Leica M3 50mm framelines. The series VI vented hood extends into the finder, but you see through most of it. I think the camera designers of yesteryear "actually" thought about this issue, the lenses come right to the point of the framelines but do not cut into them. Of course I can forgive the Canon engineers for the 50mm F0.95 cutting into the finder. It is an amazing lens.
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oljim
Registered Hack
Man, that is a pretty camera. Don't see them often in Oz.
MCTuomey
Veteran
My thoughts exactly, Brian. Try another lens, brother Bob. That's one of the delights of RFFing - sooo-oo many lenses, sooo-oo little time. But if you're the kind of photog who swapped in a laser matte screen for his 1V, then maybe RFs aren't your thing.
I'm a newbie at RFs myself, but I have to say I'm lot less concerned with framing carefully now than when I started with my Canonet. I like the element of surprise that a lot of RF shooting presents. Quick, small, discrete. In a way, these cameras seem to like the little lenses more than the big ole speed demons. That CV 35/2.5 on an R is magnificent combo, for example.
I'm a newbie at RFs myself, but I have to say I'm lot less concerned with framing carefully now than when I started with my Canonet. I like the element of surprise that a lot of RF shooting presents. Quick, small, discrete. In a way, these cameras seem to like the little lenses more than the big ole speed demons. That CV 35/2.5 on an R is magnificent combo, for example.
The Nokton is very well considered, though I've never used one myself. I do like Justin's suggestion, since I got curious about the 50mm Skopar and found a used one... Here's a sample to tempt you. 🙂
FrankS
Registered User
Sold!
Oh. Doug, were you talking about the lens?
Oh. Doug, were you talking about the lens?
Yeah, Frank; you were just s'posed to Skop' that out! 🙂
Bertram2
Gone elsewhere
Manolo Gozales said:
That''s what it does indeed and I would think twice about giving back this lens new with a loss of 20% !!
IMHO the 2,8/50 Skopar is not the perfect alternative solution, the 2/50 J8 is quite near to such an alternative. But it still it's "look" is different and tho I've gone back and forth with selling the Nok since I got the J8 I still could not decide to do so.
Same if I should ever decide to buy a 35mm for the Bessa I don't know if Ultron or Skopar, the look of the lenses are so different and if you love the less contrasty and more classic look of the Ultron than you better try to live with it's size and weight.
For me personally (tho tending to the small lenses in general) the LOOK is the decisive thing. I do not believe in the one-stop-more argument but it is a fact that the fast lenses have a different look from the slower and smaller ones.
Especially Nok and Skopar are two extremely different lenses.
Regards
Bertram
Bob B
Member
Wow, lot's of great stuff here.
Let's see ManGo, get some sleep or maybe switch to decaf. You're sounding like Dennis Hopper in Apocalypse Now, or DH in most of his films. But I like your enthusiasm. Yes, one of the reasons I bought the lens blind was cause of rave reviews I'd read.
As far as switching lenses, it's a little late now. I don't want to take the 20% hit when it really should be a good lens. Given that I can find a Jupiter 8 or Canon 1.8 used for not too much $, maybe I'll just have two 50mm's in my collection. I'm sure I could go back to Photovillage and probably take the 20% loss and get a new Skopar 50/2.5, but I did want to try a fast lens for indoor/low light shots. The guy at the store thought that even the 50/2.5 might block the VF, but he wasn't sure.
Many thanks for all the input. Anyway, more in a little while.
Now if I could only find the part of the FAQ that tells me how to add a hyperlink to my Pbase gallery as part of my signature . .
Let's see ManGo, get some sleep or maybe switch to decaf. You're sounding like Dennis Hopper in Apocalypse Now, or DH in most of his films. But I like your enthusiasm. Yes, one of the reasons I bought the lens blind was cause of rave reviews I'd read.
As far as switching lenses, it's a little late now. I don't want to take the 20% hit when it really should be a good lens. Given that I can find a Jupiter 8 or Canon 1.8 used for not too much $, maybe I'll just have two 50mm's in my collection. I'm sure I could go back to Photovillage and probably take the 20% loss and get a new Skopar 50/2.5, but I did want to try a fast lens for indoor/low light shots. The guy at the store thought that even the 50/2.5 might block the VF, but he wasn't sure.
Many thanks for all the input. Anyway, more in a little while.
Now if I could only find the part of the FAQ that tells me how to add a hyperlink to my Pbase gallery as part of my signature . .
einolu
Well-known
Go to "User CP" on top and add this to your signiture:
<a href="http://www. *add the rest of the URL here* ">the text you want to link to show up as here</a>
<a href="http://www. *add the rest of the URL here* ">the text you want to link to show up as here</a>
Bob B
Member
Thanks einolu, I think I got it.
Bertram2
Gone elsewhere
justins7 said:
????????????? Stop worrying about the image ?? Hmm, you must have reached
another state of inspiration , knowledge and understanding of photography !!
And this is one of the wonders of RFs ? What are the others ? 😕
Seems I missed it all again.
Compared to you I feel myself still sitting in the dark basement , still moaning under the burden of small minded stuff like composition, contrast, sharpness and other unimportant stuff you have left behind you a long tone ago , now solely concentrated on the action.
I should try this way too, life must be so easy this way !!!!!!!!
😀 😀 😀
Best regards,
Bertram
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