Would you buy Nikon S mount CV lenses now?

[furcafe]

Depends on whose practice. Framing won't be precise, but that's mitigated when using super-wides like a 21mm. Also, 0.5-0.7m is hardly macro territory. That said, the 21/4 is pretty slow & its DoF @ f/4 almost covers 0.7mm even when focused @ 0.9m.

And, in practice, this isn't a problem. Using an optical rangefinder camera system for very close-up focus shots doesn't make much sense.

 

[Erik van Straten]

For some reason, when there are multiple framelines in the VF, t's easier for me to "default" to the largest frame size than consciously concentrate on 1 of the smaller frames.

Thats true for me too. That's why the Cosina-Voigtländer minifinder dissapointed me. I only can concentrate on the 28mm frames, not on the 35mm ones. The same is true for the wide angle-finder of the SP and that's why I like the S2 so much.

Erik.

 

[furcafe]

Fortunately, I only have a real problem if there are 3 or more frames in the VF. I usually don't have difficulty distinguishing between paired framelines, like on the "modern" Leica M cameras. I guess my lizard-like brain can handle 2 things at a time, but no more than that! 😉

Thats true for me too. That's why the Cosina-Voigtländer minifinder dissapointed me. I only can concentrate on the 28mm frames, not on the 35mm ones. The same is true for the wide angle-finder of the SP.

Erik.

 

[furcafe]

I think Jon's sentiment sums up why those lenses weren't more popular.

BTW, another small practical consideration to keep in mind for field use is the obvious, but often forgotten, fact that Contax RF & Nikon RF lenses use different rear lens caps depending on whether they're internal or external mount. For example, to pair w/a wide or tele, I'll often bring the CV 50/1.5 Nokton or 50/2.5 Skopar (light permitting) rather than an internal mount 50 just so I don't have to bring an extra lens cap.

I've owned and used all the S-mount CV lenses except the 50/2.5 and 85/3.5 (and I've tried both of those). They have the exact same optical formulas as the LTM/M-mount versions, so are excellent performers. But I ended up selling them all because I'd rather use vintage Nikkors on my Nikon rangefinders.

 

[wkkato]

I have the 21/4, 25/4, 28/3.5, 50/1.5 and 85/3.5. Of course I immediately lost the viewfinders (not permanently but at the bottom of multiple camera bags probably) for the wides. They are all very sharp and usable on the R2S and with lots of experience I don't miss the viewfinders that much. I just use bigger parts of the R2S frame.😉

Warren

I did so too, only a bit later. I got these three at a special discount price from Cameraquest :

50mm f/1.5 Nokton, 50mm f/2.5 Skopar and 85mm f/3.5 Lanthar

And I bought the SC-Skopar 21mm f/4 afterwards.

All are great performers : optically excellent, maybe not built up to Nikon standards but certainly great value for money.