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

[Creagerj]

I just picked up a CL as a knockabout camera in the hopes that it would fill the void that my finicky 35ti has left me. I've got a couple of good lenses that I can uses on it, but the trouble is they don't quite suite what my intended purposes is. My 50mm elmar would be great, if I could collapse it, and my CV 21mm would be great if I didn't need to use an external finder (I want my hotshoe open for a small flash like the Nikon SB-30).

One lens that has tempted me is the Industrar 69, but I have no idea if it will couple with an RF. The other is the CV 50 f/2.5, but I couldn't find one used.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[JamesFromSydney]

The 40mm CV 1.4 is great value. Also look for the Minolta m-rokkor 40mm.

 

[RobVinc]

Canon 35/2.0? ok needs the LTM-M adaptor but it is really a small lens.. (and you do not need a hood 😀 )

 

[Creagerj]

LTM's are ok, and I'm not concerned about the speed of the lens either since I'll use a flash most of the time.

 

[Brian Legge]

The Industar 69 is a half frame lens - it won't fully cover a 35mm frame.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The industar-69 cannot be used with a Leica camera: the register is different, it will not focus correctly without filing down internal stops on the lens.

Vintage lenses; The Canon 35/2 is small, as is the Nikkor 35/2.5. The Canon 35/2.8 is a good match, and is cheaper than the other two.

For a 50mm lens: the J-8 and J-3 are small. I like to use the Canon 50/1.5 on my CL.

 

[jcrutcher]

I second the CV 40mm 1.4. I have this combo and it works great as a knock around camera.

 

[Tom Diaz]

I just picked up a CL as a knockabout camera in the hopes that it would fill the void that my finicky 35ti has left me. I've got a couple of good lenses that I can uses on it, but the trouble is they don't quite suite what my intended purposes is. My 50mm elmar would be great, if I could collapse it, and my CV 21mm would be great if I didn't need to use an external finder (I want my hotshoe open for a small flash like the Nikon SB-30).

One lens that has tempted me is the Industrar 69, but I have no idea if it will couple with an RF. The other is the CV 50 f/2.5, but I couldn't find one used.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

The 40mm CV lens sounds like a great suggestion. You don't say what price you consider reasonable, but another that I have that comes to mind is the 50mm f/3.5. CV Heliar. It's $650. That is a great lens, and it's very tiny when collapsed.

I have a 50mm f/2.5 CV lens in the Nikon RF mount. It's OK, but not so great it should be sought after, in my opinion.

Tom

 

[Creagerj]

The 40mm CV lens sounds like a great suggestion. You don't say what price you consider reasonable, but another that I have that comes to mind is the 50mm f/3.5. CV Heliar. It's $650. That is a great lens, and it's very tiny when collapsed.

I have a 50mm f/2.5 CV lens in the Nikon RF mount. It's OK, but not so great it should be sought after, in my opinion.

Tom

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?

 

[retnull]

Leica Summaron 35 f3.5 is a greaat vintage lens, tiny, and a relative bargain (in Leica terms)

 

[raid]

The 40mm Summicron-C is the perfect match for the CL.

 

[Tom Diaz]

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?

I don't own that lens, nor do I own the CV 40mm f/1.4. However, for a little over $400 you could get the 40mm, which is almost two stops faster. That's what I would do. If you could get a 40mm Summicron (or a Rokkor even) for the same or less money that'd be nice, but a brand new lens with a warranty is also nice.

Tom

 

[Yhbv24]

I don't think the CL has 35mm framelines, but if you are willing to use a 35mm lens, the CV 35 f/2.5 lens is apparently tiny. Although the 40 f/1.4 is hardly large either.

 

[Creagerj]

I don't own that lens, nor do I own the CV 40mm f/1.4. However, for a little over $400 you could get the 40mm, which is almost two stops faster. That's what I would do. If you could get a 40mm Summicron (or a Rokkor even) for the same or less money that'd be nice, but a brand new lens with a warranty is also nice.

Tom

What about focusing issues with the CL's short baseline? I'm not super concerned about having the extra stops. the kind of light I would be shooting in would really need to have a small flash to get a decent shot anyhow.

I don't think the CL has 35mm framelines, but if you are willing to use a 35mm lens, the CV 35 f/2.5 lens is apparently tiny. Although the 40 f/1.4 is hardly large either.

I'm ok with guestimating for 35mm. The edge of the VF is pretty close.

canon 28mm 3.5

That would be a bit wide, which is the issue I am having with my 21mm. I'm trying to get around having an external VF.

 

[tan131]

Get either the Leica 40mm Summicron-C or the Minolta 40mm Rokkor, perfect for the Leica CL 40mm framelines. For the Leica, the screw thread pitch is slightly shorter than normal 39mm filters, so you can only screw in till it jams. The Minolta uses normal 40.5mm filters though.

I used to have the Summicron-C and I must say its the cheapest and probably the most underrated of the Leica Summicrons 🙂

 

[BillBingham2]

Leica Summaron 35 f3.5 is a greaat vintage lens, tiny, and a relative bargain (in Leica terms)

+1, I loved mine.

B2

 

[Gregoryniss]

40mm m-rokkor/summicron-c hands down.

 

[semordnilap]

More love for the 40 cron. Cheap and great.

 

[The Meaness]

It's hard to believe you can beat the 40 nokton based on price, speed, size, etc.

 

[JamesFromSydney]

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.