where to get a kobalux 28/2.8

[ampguy]

in M or LTM ?? Thanks!

 

[ferider]

Ted,

wasn't aware that there was one - maybe my lack of knowledge. Only a 28/3.5 and 21/2.8, as far as I know. They show up on *bay sometimes. There is a write-up on Stephen's website.

Roland.

 

[back alley]

why?

the cv 28/3.5 can be had new and i think it gets better write ups.

joe

 

[jdos2]

They are next to the RF645 135mm lenses, when you find 'em.

 

[wlewisiii]

According to Mr. Gandy, there was only a 28/3.5 made by Kobalux. Perhaps Komura made a faster lens, but I'm not that familier with their products. You might be better served by looking for a 28/2.8 Canon or one of the current production VC lenses. I can say that if the 2.8+ speed isn't necessary, the 28/3.5 Canon is a very nice lens that can be found at a reasonable price point with a bit of searching.

William

 

[RayPA]

Ted, You can find them around occassionally. For instance, I saw the 28/3.5 at the Hayward camera show several months ago. The barrel/housing was in excellent condition. I almost bought it, but the lens had an oddity on it (the front element looked like it had been moved). I have no knowledge of these, but they have a good reputation.

 

[amateriat]

The only Kobalux optics I've heard of are the two mentioned on Dante Stella's site:

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/kobalux.html

I'm loath to use any lens slower than f/2.8 unless that slower lens (a) is extremely compact compared to my standard trio (already reasonably sized), or (2) possesses certain optical qualities both desirable and uncommon, particularly at a certain price-point. Can't think of anythng at the moment. The Kobalux lenses do have a great rep, though.


- Barrett

 

[ampguy]

Hi Joe

Hi Joe

It's a personal thing I guess, I just don't see good photos with the CV lenses compared to old school Japanese designs. Sorry, no offense meant.

why?

the cv 28/3.5 can be had new and i think it gets better write ups.

joe

 

[ampguy]

Thanks Roland

Thanks Roland

You are correct, there apparently is no 28/2.8. Even the 21/2.8 is huge, w/ 58mm filter size.

They are hard to find.

Ted,

wasn't aware that there was one - maybe my lack of knowledge. Only a 28/3.5 and 21/2.8, as far as I know. They show up on *bay sometimes. There is a write-up on Stephen's website.

Roland.

 

[ampguy]

Thanks Ray

Thanks Ray

by chance, do you remember the asking price?

Ted, You can find them around occassionally. For instance, I saw the 28/3.5 at the Hayward camera show several months ago. The barrel/housing was in excellent condition. I almost bought it, but the lens had an oddity on it (the front element looked like it had been moved). I have no knowledge of these, but they have a good reputation.

 

[back alley]

It's a personal thing I guess, I just don't see good photos with the CV lenses compared to old school Japanese designs. Sorry, no offense meant.

none taken...it's not like i make either lens😉

 

[ampguy]

yes same here

yes same here

indoors or pm, I grab my 2.0 or faster lenses. slower than that are for beach, zoo, or outdoor outings.

The only Kobalux optics I've heard of are the two mentioned on Dante Stella's site:

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/kobalux.html

I'm loath to use any lens slower than f/2.8 unless that slower lens (a) is extremely compact compared to my standard trio (already reasonably sized), or (2) possesses certain optical qualities both desirable and uncommon, particularly at a certain price-point. Can't think of anythng at the moment. The Kobalux lenses do have a great rep, though.


- Barrett

 

[ampguy]

Thanks William

Thanks William

I am keeping my eyes open on Canon 28mm serenars. Will also check out the Russian offerings, I think it's an Orion or something.

For my ist, there is a killer 16mm "Zenitar" superwide out there, kind of slow, or at least the best resolutions are at 4/5.6 or so....

According to Mr. Gandy, there was only a 28/3.5 made by Kobalux. Perhaps Komura made a faster lens, but I'm not that familier with their products. You might be better served by looking for a 28/2.8 Canon or one of the current production VC lenses. I can say that if the 2.8+ speed isn't necessary, the 28/3.5 Canon is a very nice lens that can be found at a reasonable price point with a bit of searching.

William

 

[ferider]

For what it's worth, Ted, you can find some sample shots of the CV 28/1.9, the 28/3.5 and the Orion 15 in my Lens test galleries, http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/useralbums.php

A few more words since 28 is my favorite focal length:

If I remember right, the Kobalux 28/3.5 goes for around US 300. People usually say that is competitive with the CV 28/3.5 pricing, but I believe the Kobalux comes with a viewfinder ... The 21 is usually over 400, and there are two versions, the newer one has more blades than the older one. (Let me know if you see one ....)

The Orion is extremely contrasty but slow, usually goes for around US 200 or so. Yuri @ fedka has one for sale at the moment (US 249).

The Canon 2.8 (the "Winograd lens") is quite expensive. US 400 or more. Good reports on this one; opinions on the 3.5 differ. I haven't used either.

There is also a Nikkor f3.5 in the same price class.

Then there is the Rokkor, KEH has usually several ones. Problem there is that it brings up the wrong framelines on a Leica. The other Rokkor lenses (40 and 90) are supposed to be very similar to the Leica equivalents.

I really liked the M-Hexanon that Ray showed me. Different price class, though.

Hey, if we ever meet at one of the bay area outings, you could try my color skopar.

Roland.

 

[Bill58]

It seems like I read somewhere that the Kobalux 28 was not a sharp as their 20/21. 'Sorry I can't remember where it was I read that.

 

[raid]

A good alternative is the Canon 28mm/3.5. It is sharp and gives you creamy renditions as excellent vintage lenses quite often do.

Raid

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Ted,

you might want to give a shoutout to some of the RFF members living in Japan. Some time ago, RFF member Mtokue was able to snag several Kobalux 21mm lenses (black no less) for other members. Maybe one of our RFF Japan members can keep an eye out for you.

 

[ampguy]

yeah, i read that too

yeah, i read that too

I think on Gandy's pages.

It seems like I read somewhere that the Kobalux 28 was not a sharp as their 20/21. 'Sorry I can't remember where it was I read that.

 

[ampguy]

Thanks Tom

Thanks Tom

Yes, this is probably one of the best ways to try to find one.

Ted,

you might want to give a shoutout to some of the RFF members living in Japan. Some time ago, RFF member Mtokue was able to snag several Kobalux 21mm lenses (black no less) for other members. Maybe one of our RFF Japan members can keep an eye out for you.

 

[ampguy]

Hi Raid

Hi Raid

It probably is a great lens and much more affordable, however most of my photo opps need faster than this. I rarely have faster than 400 film loaded.

A good alternative is the Canon 28mm/3.5. It is sharp and gives you creamy renditions as excellent vintage lenses quite often do.

Raid