The Best CV Lens for B&W-Period

[RayPA]

Not sure where to put this thread, I'll let the mods decide if it's in the wrong place.

What's your opinion? Which is the best CV lens for b&w photography? No qualifications about focal length, speed, no "it depends," no Leicas, no Canons, no Nikkors,no Hex', etc. Just the lot of CV lenses. We've see the CV lens poll, so it seems everyone has a CV lens, and has seen photos taken with them.

I like the b&w results I've seen from the 28/3.5, but I also like the 40/1.4 SC, the 35/1.7, and the 28/1.9. In fact, I haven't used a CV lens I don't like...yet.

My vote: 40/1.4 SC

What's your opinion?


.

 

[Spyderman]

There is no such thing as "the best CV lens for B&W - period".

Different people like different lenses. And even though it is said that 35/2.5 has too much contrast, I like it. But also because it's my only 35 that fits the Bessa 😉

 

[nico]

Ray, after long thinking I'd say ... Nokton 50/1.5...
😉
N.

 

[mfunnell]

Well, I quite like the results I get from my 28/1.9 Ultron (example) but its the only CV lens I have so I can't say its the "best" on the basis of any other CV experience.

...Mike

 

[sherm]

Best is completely relative................ that being said I have to say that the tonality rendered by the 28/3.5 is very difficult beat. The 40/1.4 SC is a close second in my book.

Sherm

 

[Doug]

Pretty hard to beat the 2.5/75mm Heliar, I think...

 

[iml]

I use 50/1.5, 35/1.7, and 21/4.0.

No idea which is best for b&w, they're all just fine.

Ian

 

[Avotius]

Thats a good question, I like to say its the 40 1.4, 50 1.5, and 35 1.7

even though I have the 35 2.5 I kind of wish I had got the 1.7 just for the speed

speed is everything....to me at least

 

[rbiemer]

Finally, an easy question for me to answer: the best CV lens for BW that I own is:21/f4. I can't really speak about any other CV lenses since I only have the one now.😀
I have owned several others and quite liked all of them. Passed 'em along for various reasons--not one because the lens wasn't good. And I could be happy with any of them if I were limited to only CV lenses.
Rob

 

[RayPA]

There is no such thing as "the best CV lens for B&W - period".

Different people like different lenses. And even though it is said that 35/2.5 has too much contrast, I like it. But also because it's my only 35 that fits the Bessa 😉

Opinion-wise there is, and that's all that's required here, your opinion. There's no right or wrong. I've got a stable of CV lenses, and to me the 40/1.4 looks best for black & white. It's a tough call for sure, because the 28/3.5, the 50/1.5, the 35/1.7 and the 28/1.9 are all really good too.

🙂

 

[RayPA]

Thats a good question, I like to say its the 40 1.4, 50 1.5, and 35 1.7

even though I have the 35 2.5 I kind of wish I had got the 1.7 just for the speed

speed is everything....to me at least

the 35/2.5 is hands down the one CV lens I use most often, but that's because I like the 35 FL and the size is great for the street photography.

I agree that the CV 28's produce some great tones (a CV sweet spot?). The little 28/3.5 keeps surprising me.

 

[BrianPhotog]

In terms of tonal range, the 35 and 28 Ultrons top my list. Next would be the 50 Nokton. The Skopars have good contrast but are short on midtones.

 

[PlantedTao]

35/2.5
my favorite...just a great lens for street, which is what I use it for 90% of the time. too much contrast for landscapes, in my opinion, but that is not what I use it or what I like to shoot. It is a great compact design and wide open renders pleasing results.

I do miss my 50 Nokton...it had great bokeh and was a solid lens. A bit big and didn't feel solid like the 35/2.5...but the results from this lens were always amazing considering the price.

Cheers.
Jason

 

[rogue_designer]

my opinion. The 35 1.7.

Great sharpness and contrast (strong, but not unwiedly, even with pushed triX). Clean OOF. Great speed. Great value.

 

[Nokton48]

50mm f1.5 Nokton

Fastest lens in the lineup. Decent bokeh, not too big to carry around.

 

[photophorous]

I just got a 35/2.5 PII, a 50/2 Heliar, and Bessa R2A. After shooting one roll, mostly with the Heliar, I have to say that I really like the contrast from the 35. But, I prefer the 50 focal length and the bokeh from the Heliar. Both are very sharp. I guess I'll just have to shoot a few more rolls and get back with you. 😀

Paul

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Us old codgers know that the best CV lens is the 2.5/75mm Heliar, and dat's da name a dat tune.

Wayne

 

[Bertram2]

.

What's your opinion? Which is the best CV lens for b&w photography?
.

Assumed somebody owns the whole CV lens line,"best lenses" cannnot exist anyway. As golden bullets do not exist. Period.😀 Neither in a relative nor in an absolute context.

Sorry for beeing so little helpful, but that is my opinion.

Regards,
bertram

 

[Tom A]

My personal favourite among the CV lenses is the 28/3,5. It has a tonality with TriX that I cant find in other lenses. Not a low-contrast lens by any means, but smooth rendition. My second favourite is the 40.1,4 SC version. The difference between the MC and SC is subtle, but shooting in "shadow" light it does hold the details in the blacks better than the MC.

 

[Tom A]

Assumed somebody owns the whole CV lens line,"best lenses" cannnot exist anyway. As golden bullets do not exist. Period.😀 Neither in a relative nor in an absolute context.

Sorry for beeing so little helpful, but that is my opinion.

Regards,
bertram

i do own the complete CV lens line, from 12 to 90mm. i do agree that "best" is something very subjective when it comes to optics. For me it is a combination of ergonomics and performance. A lens that is clumsy in my hands is not going to perform well for me - however "optically superior" it is. In black and white you allso have the added feature of film-choice, developer, metering style etc. All of this affects the quality of the picture on a personal level.
Years ago I would test lenses with fine-grain film and a microscope. All I ever found out was how the lens performed in this context. Now i shoot with 400 ASA film and handhold the camera and I can quickly find out which lens performs well for me!
I think the thread should be renamed "Favourite lenses for black/white" instead as that would incorporate more input from the user, rather than the optic itself