Zeiss lens choices for RD1s

Zeiss lens choices for RD1s

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PrisonersDilema

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Hi

Need your advice. Considerations are IQ, 3D-effects, sharpness. I do not want to own too many lenses, just 2.

I shoot street scenes, street candid portraits, occasional landscapes, cityscapes.

With a 1.5x crop factor, would u recommend for the stuff I shoot:

1. ZM 18 f4 and ZM 50mm f1.5 C-Sonnar

2. ZM 21 f4.5 and ZM 50 f1.5 C-Sonnar

3. ZM 18 f4 and ZM 35 f2 Biogon.
 
Hello, I can't comment on how you paired those lenses or why you selected only Zeiss optics -well, just not my choice- however I can warn you to forget the Zeiss ZM 21/4.5 on the R-D1: it vignettes heavily... you can correct it in post production of course (not a lossless operation quality-wise), though I prefer to get the file as close to ideal as possible in the first place. The ZM 21/2.8 is just perfect with that camera; it's still Zeiss and it's faster too...
 
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Thanks

Thanks

Thanks Jonas

I had the CV 15mm f4.5 SWH before until I sold off my first RD1s (with regrests).

Vignetting was a problem as well and PhotoRaw did not do a great job removing that.

Am thinking of training myself to shoot a wedding with the RF over a DSLR system.
 
I have the Biogon 35/2, it's a great first lens and combines well with the R-D1s. Just got myself a Planar 50/2 to avoid the focus shift of the C Sonnar 50/1,5, should be arriving in a few days times. This will be a good focal length for close up shots. If you ever do buy a film rangefinder, both lenses will come in handy too.

For an even wider field of view, I'll get a Sigma DP-1 at US prices. But if I have to get a Zeiss lens, it will be the Biogon 21/2.8 although I will still want to find out how much it vignettes. The downside is that 21mm on a R-D1s is only about 32mm, not wide enough for my preference.
 
Parchiao said:
I have the Biogon 35/2, it's a great first lens and combines well with the R-D1s. Just got myself a Planar 50/2 to avoid the focus shift of the C Sonnar 50/1,5, should be arriving in a few days times. This will be a good focal length for close up shots. If you ever do buy a film rangefinder, both lenses will come in handy too.

For an even wider field of view, I'll get a Sigma DP-1 at US prices. But if I have to get a Zeiss lens, it will be the Biogon 21/2.8 although I will still want to find out how much it vignettes. The downside is that 21mm on a R-D1s is only about 32mm, not wide enough for my preference.
Click to expand...

Hey man...glad to see a fellow clubsnapper...most here won't know what "parchiao" is..haha.

Agreed the 21 f2.8 is not wide enough, hence am considering the 18mm f4 that equates to 27mm FOV on a RD1s. Can use the 28mm framelines without the need for an external viewfinder.

Did you order your RD1s from Matsuiyastore?
 
northernlights said:
Agreed the 21 f2.8 is not wide enough, hence am considering the 18mm f4 that equates to 27mm FOV on a RD1s. Can use the 28mm framelines without the need for an external viewfinder.
Click to expand...
Hi -- the 18 should be very useful on the RD1, but the camera's 28mm framelines give you a cropped view equivalent to 42mm field of view, which is what you get when you mount a 28mm lens on the camera, so you'll want to use an external 28mm viewfinder with the 18...
 
Seems to me that the best normal lens for the R-D1 would be the 28mm, since it gives a 42mm "wide-normal" view; just about as close to nominal "normal" as you can get. If not that, then I would use a 24/25mm to approximate the 35mm FOV, even thoough it means having to use an external finder.
 
Seems to me your best bet would be the 2,8/21 or the 2,8/25 Biogon and the C-Sonnar, a combo that gives roughly 35/75 equivalent.
I have enjoyed using the 25 Biogon and the C-Sonnar as a two lens two body pair with the RD-1 and the ZI. For that reason I personally prefer the 25/50 combo more than the 21/50 since I can avoid the use of external VFs. I've also gone with the 28/50 and find that doable too. The 35 frame is for when I go out with only one lens, either the Biogon or the Nokton (usually the Nokton).
I don't have either of the 21 Biogons. For use on the RD-1, the faster Biogon is clearly better. But I lust after the C Biogon for use on a film camera (but then I'd be unable to resist getting a Bessa R4*--i'm gonna crack one of these days).
The 4/18 is a very fine lens, and some people really like using ultra wides on the RD-1, but I haven't warmed up to it so much on the RD-1. On film it's a different story, a v-e-r-y d-i-f-f-e-r-e-n-t story (cool and wide). Hope this helps.
 
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noimmunity said:
The 4/18 is a very fine lens, and some people really like using ultra wides on the RD-1, but I haven't warmed up to it so much on the RD-1. On film it's a different story, a v-e-r-y d-i-f-f-e-r-e-n-t story (cool and wide). Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Do you still have the examples of the images you posted some time ago demonstrating level of vignetting using the 4/18 with R-D1?
 
Thanks

Thanks

Thanks guys.

It is apparent that the ZM Biogon 35f2 is the choice.

Maybe for wides, I should consider the CV 15mm f4.5 SWH or CV 12 f5.6.
 
I think ZM Biogon 35 f/2.0 is a good choice. Currently I have 2 zeiss lens, 21mm F/2.8 and 35mm F/2.0 Biogon and both are excellent. The good thing about 35mm Biogon is that you can see the built-in frameline even for people with glasses. However, as for 21mm I have to opt for 28mm external viewfinder made by Cosina. Just a gentle reminder, the CV 15mm F/4.5 is not rangefinder coupled, so you might want to reconsider other wider angle lens.

Here are the pics (total 3) taken with 35mm Biogon:

2291765450_9a852d6a32_o.jpg


2293258475_afe2ea6cde_o.jpg


2040837076_7ee2401b0b_o.jpg



Another with 21mm Biogon:

2370627743_05f4877bc2_o.jpg
 
skyjuice said:
I think ZM Biogon 35 f/2.0 is a good choice. Currently I have 2 zeiss lens, 21mm F/2.8 and 35mm F/2.0 Biogon and both are excellent. The good thing about 35mm Biogon is that you can see the built-in frameline even for people with glasses. However, as for 21mm I have to opt for 28mm external viewfinder made by Cosina. Just a gentle reminder, the CV 15mm F/4.5 is not rangefinder coupled, so you might want to reconsider other wider angle lens.

Here are the pics (total 3) taken with 35mm Biogon:
Another with 21mm Biogon:
Click to expand...


Hi Skyjuice

Thanks! I am more or less decided with a CV 12 f5.6 UW Heliar. However, I am undecided between a Zeiss 35mm f2 Biogon or a 50mm f1.5 C-Sonnar or a CV 35mm f1.2 Nokton.

All silver....with my black RD1s
 
noimmunity said:
Seems to me your best bet would be the 2,8/21 or the 2,8/25 Biogon and the C-Sonnar, a combo that gives roughly 35/75 equivalent.
I have enjoyed using the 25 Biogon and the C-Sonnar as a two lens two body pair with the RD-1 and the ZI. For that reason I personally prefer the 25/50 combo more than the 21/50 since I can avoid the use of external VFs. I've also gone with the 28/50 and find that doable too. The 35 frame is for when I go out with only one lens, either the Biogon or the Nokton (usually the Nokton).
I don't have either of the 21 Biogons. For use on the RD-1, the faster Biogon is clearly better. But I lust after the C Biogon for use on a film camera (but then I'd be unable to resist getting a Bessa R4*--i'm gonna crack one of these days).
The 4/18 is a very fine lens, and some people really like using ultra wides on the RD-1, but I haven't warmed up to it so much on the RD-1. On film it's a different story, a v-e-r-y d-i-f-f-e-r-e-n-t story (cool and wide). Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Hi,

I am planning to buy the ZM25 for my R-D1 (and my future ZI!). Do you use the edges of the viewfinder to frame? I want to avoid using an external viewfinder.

Could you show a few pics taken with the ZM25+R-D1 and also a pic of the combo itself? I want to get an idea of the size of the lens compare to the camera.

Cheers
Max
 
Parchiao said:
Does the 21/2.8 vignette much if at all and does it pose any problems for you?
Click to expand...


Hi Parchiao,

In my opinion, the vignetting from the 21mm is fairly normal as compare to Zeiss 18mm Biogon C. If you don't mind to use the Epson RAW to minimize the vignetting effect, personally I think both 21mm Biogon F/2.8 and Biogon C F/4.5 are stunning with virtually no distortion. The only problem is the lens is quite "long" and not as compact as the 21mm Biogon C version. If size is your main concern, suggest you consider carefully before you decide which one to get.:)

I hope this will help.
 
25 Biogon on RD-1

25 Biogon on RD-1

Meven, I think you can get away without using an external VF for the Biogon 25 on the RD-1 (and on the ZI, by the way). In most cases I just used the 28 framelines + the whole VF. I do carry a 35 external VF, but don't use it that much.

25 and 50 makes a fantastic two lens combo for the RD-1 and the ZI. The 28 Biogon is no slouch, however, and it has the added advantage of sharing the same filters as the ZM C-Sonnar.

(I might get a chance to photograph the 25 on the RD-1 tomorrow...)

Here are a couple of photos taken with the 25 Biogon and the RD-1

2283250359_56837b47b8_b.jpg


2283201369_0fc19de658_b.jpg
 
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noimmunity said:
Meven, I think you can get away without using an external VF for the Biogon 25 on the RD-1 (and on the ZI, by the way). In most cases I just used the 28 framelines + the whole VF. I do carry a 35 external VF, but don't use it that much.

25 and 50 makes a fantastic two lens combo for the RD-1 and the ZI. The 28 Biogon is no slouch, however, and it has the added advantage of sharing the same filters as the ZM C-Sonnar.

(I might get a chance to photograph the 25 on the RD-1 tomorrow...)

Here are a couple of photos taken with the 25 Biogon and the RD-1
Click to expand...

Thanks for the photos.

Max
 
Lens choices for R-D1

Lens choices for R-D1

Hi,
Why don't you get a Summicron C 2/40 It just fits the 35 R-D1 frameline. Very nice lens and you can find one on Ebay for a reasonable price.
Regards
 
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