What is the smallest lens I can get (at a reasonable price)?

[drewbarb]

don't need an accessory finder for 28 --- you'll get the feel for it pretty quick -- think gerry winogrand -- same with 21 --

I was just going to suggest- why not use the 21, and learn to see the view without a finder? Or you could just switch out the finder for the flash when you need it?

 

[Creagerj]

I was just going to suggest- why not use the 21, and learn to see the view without a finder? Or you could just switch out the finder for the flash when you need it?

I guess mainly because I have GAS... and I have developed a bit of a penchant for the 35mm focal length. I have $300ish to spend, and I figured I could get something decent for that amount. 35mm is still easily approximated with the CL finder and my M2 has the correct frame lines as well (I think). Comparing the viewing area of my 21mm finder and the finder on the CL, there is a huge difference, and of course 21mm isn't always the easiest focal distance to work with.

The main reason that I don't want to switch the finder and flash when I need to is because I know for a fact that I will lose the finder if I am doing that all of the time. I tried going finder-less when I wen out with my friends last night, I'll see how I feel about it when I get my negatives back.

 

[arunrajmohan]

I love my CV 40mm 1.4 SC. It is relatively small, light and fast.

Since you asked for the smallest, it might be Perar 35mm, if you can get one from Japan. But looking at your avatar, perhaps you have a Japanese connection? -A

 

[johannielscom]

Canon 28/3.5 LTM, Canon 25/3.5 LTM, Komura 35/3.5 LTM aka Kyoei Acall 35/3.5

Want a fifty? Look for the Canon 50/2.8 'zebra' lens, it so small it only takes a 34mm filter!

 

[sanmich]

the 40's (cron or minolta) would have been my first choice.
35mm f2.5 my second
CS 28mm f/3.5 if you like the FL and are ready to use an external VF.

 

[Krosya]

More love for the 40 cron. Cheap and great.

I have not seen them cheap in a looooong time. They seem to go for $500 or more lately. Smae goes for the Rokkor 40. I'd go for the Nokton 40/1.4 - superb lens for the price.

 

[sanmich]

Oh, and just as an aside, the collapsible summicron works, and collapses just fine on a CL...

 

[Creagerj]

I love my CV 40mm 1.4 SC. It is relatively small, light and fast.

Since you asked for the smallest, it might be Perar 35mm, if you can get one from Japan. But looking at your avatar, perhaps you have a Japanese connection? -A

I would love to get one of those, but $720 is way too much for me.

I found it difficult to get the focus right with a CL at f2 -- I think that's about the limit.

If you're using flash, it won't matter as much.

I've heard that is an issue, which is why I'm uncertain about paying the premium for a fast lens.

Canon 28/3.5 LTM, Canon 25/3.5 LTM, Komura 35/3.5 LTM aka Kyoei Acall 35/3.5

Want a fifty? Look for the Canon 50/2.8 'zebra' lens, it so small it only takes a 34mm filter!

Kumura does look very small. I don't know much about this lens. Is it fairly good? Also what do they go for?

I have not seen them cheap in a looooong time. They seem to go for $500 or more lately. Smae goes for the Rokkor 40. I'd go for the Nokton 40/1.4 - superb lens for the price.

Every 40 cron I have seen goes for $500 easy.

Oh, and just as an aside, the collapsible summicron works, and collapses just fine on a CL...

I see KEH has one for $465 in LTM. What about the LTM Elmar 3.5?

 

[peterm1]

Try the Summaron 35mm f3.5 in LATM mount. Its tiny and if you do not need anything faster its avery fine little classic lens that goes very cheaply.

 

[gekopaca]

Industar-69 = 28mm f2.8 pancake = $20

Here by Michael Alster :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28415916@N08/

 

[Krosya]

Kumura does look very small. I don't know much about this lens. Is it fairly good? Also what do they go for?

Check out this thread about Komura lenses:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87870

I have Komura 35/2.8 ltm and it's very good, but rather hard to find lens.

 

[B-9]

Leica Summar or Summitar both can be found for under 300$ if your patient.

 

[maddoc]

I just had a google-search and found that this lens - being designed for a "Chaika" half-frame camera - only covers half of 24x36 ... (and has no RF coupling)

Industar-69 = 28mm f2.8 pancake = $20

Here by Michael Alster :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28415916@N08/

 

[Palaeoboy]

I have not seen them cheap in a looooong time. They seem to go for $500 or more lately. Smae goes for the Rokkor 40. I'd go for the Nokton 40/1.4 - superb lens for the price.

Yes! Has the 40mm Rokkor/Summicron come into its own price wise? I stopped checking prices for a couple of months then saw this one locally.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Leica-Leitz-...408238?pt=AU_FILM_CAMERAS&hash=item230fb57f6e

I think someone went a bit silly and thats why it has been relisted but still Ive seen a few offered at over 600 now. Gosh! The best value Leica lens seems not so good value anymore. I thought prices would go crazy with the intro of the M8 with its crop factor I thought it would become the choice for standard lenses but it didnt raise the price at all. I wonder whats got them moving now?

I found it difficult to get the focus right with a CL at f2 -- I think that's about the limit...........I've heard that is an issue, which is why I'm uncertain about paying the premium for a fast lens.

Actually I would contest that. The 40mm f1.4 is able to be focused reasonably accurately at f1.4 on a CL. The CL was designed to be able to focus a 50mm f2, which is roughly the same as trying to focus a wider 40mm thats a stop faster. Dont rush at closer distances and you will be fine.

 

[jsrockit]

Perar is the smallest, but it isn't a 50mm lens...

 

[Creagerj]

Yes! Has the 40mm Rokkor/Summicron come into its own price wise? I stopped checking prices for a couple of months then saw this one locally.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Leica-Leitz-...408238?pt=AU_FILM_CAMERAS&hash=item230fb57f6e

I think someone went a bit silly and thats why it has been relisted but still Ive seen a few offered at over 600 now. Gosh! The best value Leica lens seems not so good value anymore. I thought prices would go crazy with the intro of the M8 with its crop factor I thought it would become the choice for standard lenses but it didnt raise the price at all. I wonder whats got them moving now?



Actually I would contest that. The 40mm f1.4 is able to be focused reasonably accurately at f1.4 on a CL. The CL was designed to be able to focus a 50mm f2, which is roughly the same as trying to focus a wider 40mm thats a stop faster. Dont rush at closer distances and you will be fine.

That is reassuring. I didn't consider the extended depth of field with a wider lens.

Perar is the smallest, but it isn't a 50mm lens...

35mm would be great, but the price is what really puts the perar out of the question for me. It looks like they sold for $700ish new. I'm guessing they hold their value fairly well. Plus they seem to be a bit hard to come by.

 

[maddoc]

35mm would be great, but the price is what really puts the perar out of the question for me. It looks like they sold for $700ish new. I'm guessing they hold their value fairly well. Plus they seem to be a bit hard to come by.

$700 !? 😱

 

[Creagerj]

$700 !? 😱

I thought the same thing when I converted the price from Yen to USD. Then again, the production run was only 200 copies. Pretty hard to offer a low price and quality with such a small run.

 

[excellent]

Plus 1 on the 40mm cron/rokkor. Great lens.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I like the 50mm f/3.5, but $650 would be too much. I'm leaning towards the CV 35 f/2.5, which is in the $300 range it looks like. Does that lens come well recomended? or are there better options in that price range for 35-50mm lenses?

Superb, and wipes the floor with any 35 Summaron I've ever used.

Cheers.,

R.