Wide angle choices for R-D1

jeff laitila

jeff laitila

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First of all let me say that I am a long time DSLR user (currently using the Canon 5D) and just bought my first interchangeable lens rangefinder.

I found a screaming good deal in Tokyo last weekend and picked up a very lightly used R-D1 along with a 40mm f1.4 Nokton classic. From what I have shot so far, the 40mm looks to be an excellent lens, but on the cropped sensor it is a little bit on the long side.

I'm looking to go wider and my first impulse was to get a Voigtlander 21mm. But seeing as that only gets me to 32mm, I am now leaning towards the Voigtlander 15mm. If anyone has both of these lenses I would really appreciate a little feedback. I know that zone focusing will be much easier with the 15mm, and both will require external viewfinders, but other than that, are there any major differences that separate these two lenses? (other than the obvious change in field of view)

I don't mind in the least the vignetting you get with the 15mm.

--

I just have to add, I think my 5D is going to see a whole lot less use now. The R-D1 is a true photographers tool and I have already fallen in love with it. The 5D is a really great camera, don’t get me wrong, but I can already see that nothing beats a rangefinder for usability/portability.

Check out a summary of my thoughts on the R-D1 after a couple hours of shooting it last weekend. It is posted to my photoblog, along with some photos from my new (used) R-D1.

http://www.sushicam.com/2005/December/051211/051211.php

Thanks for looking,

Jeff
 
Hi Jeff,
Woa! I looked through your blog, what a good deal you got on the RD-1! I wish I could find a deal like that. I would like to get one and may just go plunk down the $3000 at B&H. But I keep thinking that as soon as I do so the price will drop and/or the RD-2 will be announced. On the other hand if they don't come out with a new version soon the RD-1 may become hard to find.

I also have a 5D and have come to similar conclusions. I like the 5D but stealth and light it is not. I have an M6 and several Leica lenses including a 21 elmarit.



Have you read Sean Reid's RD-1 articles on Luminous Landscape? There are links posted on the forum.
 
losta said:
Hi Jeff,
Woa! I looked through your blog, what a good deal you got on the RD-1! I wish I could find a deal like that. ...
Have you read Sean Reid's RD-1 articles on Luminous Landscape? There are links posted on the forum.
Click to expand...

Yes, I did find quite a bargain. And it is in great condition as well. It truly looks and works like a brand new camera.

Thanks for the tip in LL. I'll check out the reviews.

FYI: The store I bought from (www.mapcamera.com) had two more used R-D1s as well. If memory serves me correctly the prices on the other two were only $100 to $200 more than what I paid for mine.
 
Hi Jeff and welcome to RD-1/Rangefinder world. your post reminds me of my first Leica M I ever got, just 3-4 years ago. I share the feeling that photography becomes something completely different with a rangefinder, much more intimate.
I cannot comment on the CV 21 but I can on the focal length. I am using the CV 15 and I love it. You say you don't mind the Vignetting but it can be very serious. It is much worse than with the Canon 16-35 on my Kodak slr full frame. In some situations it really doesn't matter too much, but I discovered that it matters the most in very bright environment especially in landscape scenes. Don't expect to be ableof doing everything that you can do with a wide angel lens on a film camera. Even the Vignetting compensation on photoshop is only a partial solution. The one on the Epson software is a little better, but also, it does not really save all pictures. Just for comparison- on a Leica M film camera the same lens performs much better, in that regard, although it is a real 15mm. However, don't get me wrong. The lens is really amazing and for most situations it is extremely useful. I have on my camera most of the time either the 35lux asph or the 15 and I feel very little need for anything else. The lens has very minimal distortion which makes it useful for people's photography without making them looking funny. The price of this is unbelivably low and I think it is betther than wide angel lenses in the slr world that cost 3-4 times more.
I also have the 21 Elmarit asph and I agree with you that it is not a wide angel lens on the Epson. The Leica is a great lens but I use it only on film bodies, and until full frame will be around I dont' think I will use it much on digital.

obviously, these comments are a user's comments and I hope there is any help in them given Sean's thorough work which I find summerizes anything important there is to say about the subject.
 
rami G said:
I also have the 21 Elmarit asph and I agree with you that it is not a wide angel lens on the Epson. The Leica is a great lens but I use it only on film bodies, and until full frame will be around I dont' think I will use it much on digital.
Click to expand...

Can you tell us more about your experience with the 21 elmarit and the RD-1?
I have the 21 elmarit and am considering an RD-1.

Thanks
 
I don't have experience with the 21, only with the 25, which is a great little lens.

I once had the opportunity to shoot with the 15. I was impressed and I'm saving up the money to buy one as a "replacement' for the 25 on the R-D1.

And no, the 25 is not for sale. 😛
 
losta said:
Can you tell us more about your experience with the 21 elmarit and the RD-1?
I have the 21 elmarit and am considering an RD-1.

Thanks
Click to expand...
I have the pre-Asph Elmarit 21, and it's definitely my favourite lens on the R-D1. That and the 50 account for 90% of my pix.

It's not very wide, but it's wide enough for most things that I want to do, and its quality shines through. I love it! My only reservation is that, because of the odd filter size (60mm) I haven't been able to find an efficient lens hood for it, for the 1.6 crop factor. Any advice on that one most welcome... I'm considering getting a custom 60-58 step down ring made.
 
The 21s are part of my article, linked above, so that may help you. The CV 12 shows much less vignetting than the 15 and I prefer it.

Cheers,

Sean
 
Thanks to all for the great response to my request for information.

I really do appreciate the level of maturity found on this forum. (Unlike some of the other photography forums out there...)
 
jeff laitila said:
Thanks to all for the great response to my request for information.

I really do appreciate the level of maturity found on this forum. (Unlike some of the other photography forums out there...)
Click to expand...
... yeah, only us oldies appreciate RF cameras 😉
 
Losta (and others),
The 21 asph Elmarit on the RD-1 is, just like on the Leica, perfect. It is, in my opinion, a shrper lens than my 35 lux asph and my 28 asph cron. It has the even illumination, lack of curvation of the field and sharpness that reminds of the look of the 35 cron asph (which I sold for the lux but still miss). The reason I don't use it much is the 2.8, but many great early Leica users used only the 35 2.8 and did much better than I will ever do ; >)
Can I think of buying the RD-1 if I had only the Elmarit 21 asph?without hesitation. It is a very useful combination. I do not see with this lens any of the vignetting of wide lenses and I don't find any need for correction. Sometimes I feel that the reason I don't use mine that much on the RD-1 is simply because I have the silver copy, and it weights! besides, it is feels more stable on the M7/M6ttl since the body is more solid than the Epson. btw, keep in mind the need for a separate finder. With the 15 I simply use my 21 finder and get allong fine.
 
Jeff, I read your Blog and the first thing I noticed is:

------------------------------
|-----$1,476 for an RD-1-----|
------------------------------

Life is just not fair, I had to pay £1990 for mine (got the Nokton thrown in for free thou)


The funny thing is that I too when I first read of the RD-1 thought

"what kind of idiot would buy one of those" 😀 :bang: 😀 :bang:
 
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