Luddite Frank
Well-known
I am working on building a reasonably complete working kit for my Nikon S and S-2.
I have two bodies: Dad's S, and a very nice S-2 that I recently acquired.
So far I have the 50/1.4 and the 3.5/135 for both.
Now, there's no two ways about it, wide-angle lenses for the Nikon RF are ridiculously expensive; therefore, I'm probably going to acquire just one WA lens between the two cameras.
Of the several varieties of Wide-angle Nikon RF lens, which are the best for all-around pictures... I'm trying to avoid priceless collectibles, if I can help it.
Suggestions please ?
( Would also consider Contax / Russian lenses if they are a viable, less-expensive alternative...)
Thanks !
Luddite Frank
I have two bodies: Dad's S, and a very nice S-2 that I recently acquired.
So far I have the 50/1.4 and the 3.5/135 for both.
Now, there's no two ways about it, wide-angle lenses for the Nikon RF are ridiculously expensive; therefore, I'm probably going to acquire just one WA lens between the two cameras.
Of the several varieties of Wide-angle Nikon RF lens, which are the best for all-around pictures... I'm trying to avoid priceless collectibles, if I can help it.
Suggestions please ?
( Would also consider Contax / Russian lenses if they are a viable, less-expensive alternative...)
Thanks !
Luddite Frank
Range-rover
Veteran
Voigtlander wide-angles lenses are great lenses, I have a 25mm and it's really sweet
and there prices are not over the top either. I also have a 35mm f2.5 Nikkor in chrome
which are reasonable as well.
Range
and there prices are not over the top either. I also have a 35mm f2.5 Nikkor in chrome
which are reasonable as well.
Range
Timestep
Established
The 35mm. F/2.5 is an excellent lens. ( It had a long life post rangefinder days on the Nikonos.) I have used one for forty-five years. Not as glamourous as the F/1.8, but a better lens.
I would also recommend the Voigtlander 21mm Color Skopar, which might still be obtained from Cameraquest in the limited edition Nikon S mount. This is based on ownership; I expect that all the Voiglanders are good.
I would also recommend the Voigtlander 21mm Color Skopar, which might still be obtained from Cameraquest in the limited edition Nikon S mount. This is based on ownership; I expect that all the Voiglanders are good.
DoxLeica
Member
Mounting Contax or Kiev lenses produces a very nasty circular scratch on the metal surrounding the lens mount...avoid them! Now, it all depends on how wide you want to go. For my shooting, 35mm is usually sufficient. I have used the
W-Nikkor-C 3.5cm 2.5 for many years. It is very sharp and contrasty. As a matter of fact it is equal to or better than the recent Voigtlander 35mm 2.5...I shot them both side-by-side and still use the Nikkor. The Nikkor I have in chrome I bought here for $200.00. If you want to go wider, a used Voigtlander 21 or 25mm is the best choice.
W-Nikkor-C 3.5cm 2.5 for many years. It is very sharp and contrasty. As a matter of fact it is equal to or better than the recent Voigtlander 35mm 2.5...I shot them both side-by-side and still use the Nikkor. The Nikkor I have in chrome I bought here for $200.00. If you want to go wider, a used Voigtlander 21 or 25mm is the best choice.
Vics
Veteran
Range-rover
Veteran
Nice shot! it really is a great lens.
Tube
Tube
Vics
Veteran
The only thing I don't like about it is the aperture ring way out on the front where any little bump can change it.
furcafe
Veteran
This has not been my experience w/Zeiss lenses on the S2, SP, S3 2000, or SP 2005.
Edit: I don't have any Kiev wides.
Edit: I don't have any Kiev wides.
Last edited:
rbsinto
Well-known
I agree.
While I have 28 3.5, 35 1.8, 50 1.4, 85 f2, 105 2.5, and 135 3.5 Nikon lenses, for my rangefinders, I also have the CV21 f4 and 25 f4 lenses as well, and get excellent photos with them.
I'd recommend them as well as the 35 2.5 (which I no longer own) without reservation, if you're looking for cost-effective
lens options for Nikon rangefinders.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
The Nikkor 28mm f3.5 - small, sharp and light! Alternative is the CV 25 which is a modern lens formula. Again, light weight and very good performance. Of course, I am biased towards 21's - life long habit and however much I would like a rf Nikkor 21f4 - I can't justify the cost for the performance. The VC 21f4 is a better lens in terms of optical performance. You will need top mounted finders for any of the wider lenses though. I would try to find a 35f2.5 and match it up with the VC 21f4 and later try to find either a Nikkor 85f2 or a Apo Lanthar 85mm f3.5 to complete the line up.
Highway 61
Revisited
+1
The Jupiter-12 35/2.8 is an excellent lens, but one have to file down the rear side or the lens external mount collar ring by removing a layer of about 1mm of metal so that it doesn't scratch a Nikon body.
This is pretty easy to do, though. And once done it doesn't show when the lens is mounted on the camera.
Another vote here for the W-Nikkor-C 35/2.5, which is a killer and a luuuuvely lens.
(Siena, Italy ; May 2013 ; W-Nikkor-C 35/2.5 on a Nikon S2 - T-Max 100)
Luddite Frank
Well-known
+1
The Jupiter-12 35/2.8 is an excellent lens, but one have to file down the rear side or the lens external mount collar ring by removing a layer of about 1mm of metal so that it doesn't scratch a Nikon body.
This is pretty easy to do, though. And once done it doesn't show when the lens is mounted on the camera.
Another vote here for the W-Nikkor-C 35/2.5, which is a killer and a luuuuvely lens.
(Siena, Italy ; May 2013 ; W-Nikkor-C 35/2.5 on a Nikon S2 - T-Max 100)
Great photo !
So, if one dresses-down the mount-ring on a Contax / Jupiter lens to fit it to a Nikon RF w/o injury, will that lens still mount correctly on a Contax RF ?
aoresteen
Well-known
One more vote for the CV 25mm f/4. I use it on ny Contax IIa - it pairs nicely with a 35mm lens (I have the 35mm f/1.8 that's on my SP 2005)
I bought mine from the head bartender here.
I bought mine from the head bartender here.
Highway 61
Revisited
Yes, of course. What you have to do is to file down the rear side of the outer decorative chrome mount-ring (you have to remove it to perform the job, but it's very easy - three screws only). The only caveat is : do NOT play with the mount release lever when the chrome mount-ring is removed, or you will see its spring jump away with no hope of return...
Luddite Frank
Well-known
Thank you for the clarification... I do not yet have any familiarity with the external-mount Nikon / Contax lenses...
LF
LF
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
Nikon SP, Zeiss Planar 35mm f3.5, TriX, HC 110 1:60 for 11 min. The Zeiss Planar seems to go on without "bashing" up the front plate. The Jupiter 35f2.8 can,as stated, scratch the front plate a bit.
I have two of the Jupiters, one black and one chrome. The chrome is a tighter fit although neither one has been filed down to fit. I simply used pre-bashed SP's and S3's for these lenses.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
Nikon SP, Jupiter 35mm f2.8 (Kiev mount). Arista Premium 400, D 23 two bath developer. I think this is with the older chrome version, slightly lower contrast than the black one.
maddoc
... likes film again.
Yes, of course. What you have to do is to file down the rear side of the outer decorative chrome mount-ring (you have to remove it to perform the job, but it's very easy - three screws only). The only caveat is : do NOT play with the mount release lever when the chrome mount-ring is removed, or you will see its spring jump away with no hope of return...
Good tip !!
I modified my Jupiter-12 (Kiev mount) before attempting to mount it, took me maybe 20 minutes of carefully grinding with some abrasive paper. It does to not look nice but does the trick and works well.
[Sorry for the crap iphone shot, I was in a hurry ...]
I had the Skopar 28mm f/3.5 on my S3, a lovely little lens, and can recommend it. Also used the Jupiter-12 35mm, definitely a bargain, and filed the rear brass collar to fit, though without disassembly.
Frontman
Well-known
For a really wide lens, the Voigtlander 21/4 is a very reasonably priced choice.
I don't like the small size and easy rotation of the aperture ring, the accessory focusing ring which comes with these lenses is almost a necessity.
A good all-around lens like the Nikkor 28/3.5 is also a good choice. Mine is quite old and beat up, but is still a good performer. The front element is set rather deeply in the lens, so a hood isn't necessary.
I don't like the small size and easy rotation of the aperture ring, the accessory focusing ring which comes with these lenses is almost a necessity.
A good all-around lens like the Nikkor 28/3.5 is also a good choice. Mine is quite old and beat up, but is still a good performer. The front element is set rather deeply in the lens, so a hood isn't necessary.