New entry - dilemma

alfa · 02-20-2005

Hello there,
I'm very very new to rangefinder photography, have been using reflex cameras for uhm.....since I was a small kid basically and now I've finally had the occasion to handle and try out a rangefinder. I've been walking around the idea for a while so finally I had some cash and found the occasion for a nice Bessa R2 that i couldn't resist. The camera has no lens though so a kind friend of mine borrowed me a Leitz 35 Summicron to try the camera out (and I immediately popped in a Neopan 1600 and went out at night....)

Well...you all know it how it is, it was love, immediately, no discussions, no problems, just, simple, pure, love.

But...now the dilemma comes forward strong as ever: I went for a Bessa 'cause I had never handled a rangefinder and to save up money for a Leica blindfold would have been wacko and I had to return the lens after 1 day.....so I'm really uncertain on what lens should I "invest" in.

- I know I would want a 35 mm first, but might also accept a 50 mm.
- I'm not sure whether it is worth it, for me, for my photographic growth, to wait and save up for a 35 Leitz Summicron (they tend to be over all 700$ when you find them....and it's not easy neither on ebay nor in used equipment stores) or to go for a Cosina-Voigtlander lens.
- If I decided for a CV, then, which one? The simple but effective 35/2.5 Classic (lowest price and good optical quality), the Ultron 1.7 (higher price but...is it worth it?) or the new 40/1.4 (controversial bokeh, really don't like it sometimes from the pics I've seen plus no framelines and I'm still not practical of these beautiful viefinders)?

Ahhhh....to suffer for love, I need to use the little R2, it's calling me, it's really nice to hold, to carry about, and to use (and the rangefinder system is truly easy and confortable to use).

Any suggestion is warmly welcomed! Thank you

rover · 02-20-2005

Hi alfa, glad to see that you have it all figured out there. The R2 is a great camera, and in my eyes is made for a 35mm lens. Did it feel like it was always in focus for you? Ok, here is my opinion. Buy one of those lenses, you can't go wrong. If 2.5 is too slow, then the Ultron or the fast 40 are better choices. I think the Ultron is the best lens of the 3, and it isn't much slower than the 40. Can you find one to try out on your camera before you buy?

alfa · 02-20-2005

Hi Rover, thanks for the reply first of all, and then for all the info you provide here at rangefinderforum.com, I've been reading you for a while now

It felt in focus, yes.....but still haven't got the results at hand to see if the impression corrisponds to reality.

The great problem over here in Italy is finding the CV lenses to try them out, it's basically impossible, it's much easier to find Leicas. I'm reading reviews and comparing the pictures, the Ultron seems to have a lovely bokeh (10 blades help...), how many blades does the Classic 2.5 have (couldn't find the info in Stephen Gandy's website)? And the size of the lenses also worries me, can't find the physical dimensions anywhere (some comparative pictures.....that's all). How's the Ultron in size compared to the 70's Leitz Summicron for example?

Once more: thank you!

rover · 02-20-2005

This page will have some of the stats, but I didn't see the # of blades on the 2.5s.

http://www.peat.org/cvfaq/

The Ultron with hood is about the same size as a 50mm Summicron without hood. Longer than the 35 Summicron, but still not a big lens. If you keep a hood on the 35 Summicron it will even the playing field quite a bit size wise.

peter_n · 02-20-2005

Welcome to the forum Alessandro!

I don't have an Ultron but it has received very wide praise. I do however have the CV 35mm/f2.5 Pancake I, and the specification sheet for that lens also provides the specs. for the CV 35mm/f2.5 Classic. Here is the info for the CV 35mm/f2.5 Classic:

Number of aperture blades: 10
Diameter: 49.6mm
Length: 31mm
Nearest distance: 0.7m
Filter size: 39mm
Weight: 116g

Hope this helps!

Huck Finn · 02-20-2005

FWIW, the 40 Nokton also has 10 blades. You can find specs on all Voigtlander equipment here:

www.voigtlaender.de

alfa · 02-21-2005

Thanks all for the suggestions and info provided.

I've finally decided to go for the less expensive and more compact CV 35/2.5 Classic. When I'll be more stable financially and grow a little bit more (photographically) I'll decide to try some more expensive equipment (Leicas, the CV 35/1.2 or the new Zeiss-Icon equipment that sounds very interesting...).

Once more thank you....I'll be here from now on!

back alley · 02-21-2005

welcome to the forum alfa!
you've made a good choice. i think you will be happy with the classic, i know i am. very good, small & sharp lens.

joe

peter_n · 02-21-2005

Yep, great lens and the filter size is the same as Leica lenses (39mm) so you could move to a Summicron later without too much trouble.

You will be happy with the 35mm CV though! Looking forward to some pics!!

Huck Finn · 02-21-2005

Alfa, when comparing prices, remember that you need to add the cost of an adapter to the price of the 35/2.5 Classic. The 35/2.5 P II and the 40/1.4 Nokton are built in M-mount, so there is no additional adapter cost for these. Voigtlander adapters are $55, but if you are buying from Stephen Gandy at CameraQuest, you can specify a generic adapter for $33. The difference is that the generic adapter is not indexed to bring up the proper frame lines on a Leica camera. But since you are using the lens on a Bessa, which requires that you select ther frame lines manually, there is no need for an indexed adapter.

alfa · 02-21-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huck Finn

Alfa, when comparing prices, remember that you need to add the cost of an adapter to the price of the 35/2.5 Classic. The 35/2.5 P II and the 40/1.4 Nokton are built in M-mount, so there is no additional adapter cost for these. Voigtlander adapters are $55, but if you are buying from Stephen Gandy at CameraQuest, you can specify a generic adapter for $33. The difference is that the generic adapter is not indexed to bring up the proper frame lines on a Leica camera. But since you are using the lens on a Bessa, which requires that you select ther frame lines manually, there is no need for an indexed adapter.

Thank you, I did think of this. But both the 40/1.4 and the 35/2.5 P II have no lens hood and needs to be added a part. Thank you for this info though, I will specify the proper adapter!!

To the others: yes, I'll buy some filters (probably orange and/or red) so yup, the Classic will help out with the right filter diameter for the Summicron

Will have to wait a week or two 'till it ships over now

Huck Finn · 02-21-2005

Emjoy the lens, Alfa! It's a beauty.