Cheap 35mm (or other) lens for Bessa-L?

daveozzz · 03-29-2005

Hi there,
I've just ordered a CV 25/4 for my newly resurrected bessa-r and am going to take advantage of a special offer to get a bessa-L body for 25 quid with it for one of my friends.

I'm trying to work out which would be the best lens for him. He's just taking advantage of the low price here so I'd like to keep the lens as cheap as possible too so perhaps a FSU lens?

I *would* have gone for a Jupiter 12 35mm except for it's big butt... so the 2 questions are:-

1. Can someone recommend a cheap lens around 35mm or wider for a bessa L?... since wide is what it was meant for..

2. If no luck with 1. it seems to be pretty cheap to get hold of a 50mm Jupiter 8 in LTM - is this practical on a bessa-L to guesstimate focus etc?

This guy's interest in photgraphy was sparked via a lomo lca so he should be with zone focusing - just not sure how much more difficult it'll be on a 50mm.

Thanks yet again for any help!

Dave.

Brian Sweeney · 03-29-2005

Look for a user Canon 35mm F2.8, Nikkor 35mm F3.5, Tanar 35mm F2.8. If you can find one that has been "engraved" (like owner's name) but has good glass, it should go for $75~$100. I have seen the Canon 35mm F2.8 in "user" condition for for under $100.

back alley · 03-29-2005

my 35/2.8 canon in very nice shape was 125. american

joe

daveozzz · 03-29-2005

Excellent.. good old e bay's kicking out 275 us as a starting bid for a canon at the moment. Will keep my eyes open - any tips on other good sources?
No nikkors or tanar's at the moment also - thanks for the pointers tho.

wlewisiii · 03-29-2005

There is a Tanar - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

It's in my watch list to see what it does actually go for.

William

daveozzz · 03-29-2005

strange - that tanar doesn't show up in any of my searches! cheers.

wlewisiii · 03-29-2005

Here's another option, though I seriously doubt it'll go this cheap in the end...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

William

FrankS · 03-29-2005

He'll also need a viewfinder, right?

daveozzz · 03-29-2005

That's right Frank - I admit I'd not really thought about that - was going to worry about it once I'd settled on a lens... but was half thinking of the universal turret as a fall back option. Seem to go quite cheap.

FrankS · 03-29-2005

I think that the ideal lens for the Bessa L is the CV25mm and it is supplied with a finder when bought new. It is a scale focus lens that is not rangefinder-coupled, even on cameras with rangefinders.

chug · 03-29-2005

Or go for the CV 15mm f4.5 Heliar Aspherical with the finder. I only just got one, so I havnt got any pictures back as I am still on the first roll of film with this lens.. But i think its gonna be good

It also looks really good on a black Bessa L. Or a silver one.

tedwhite · 03-29-2005

Frank is right. I've got the 25/4 Snapshot Skopar on my Bessa L and it is definitely a keeper. Comes with the viewfinder, which is a piece of work in its own right. Focusing (unless you're very, very close - and even then...) is basically a stroll in the park. The enormous depth of field takes care of most of it, and if you need to get soooo close, guestimate, or carry a tape measure.

After shooting with the 25/4 for roll, and then switching to my Bessa R with the 35/2.5 Color Skopar, the 35/2.5 almost feels like a portrait lens.

But for cheap lenses, you can't beat the Russian stuff.

Ted

FrankS · 03-29-2005

The only problem is that the Russian 35mm j12 does not fit on a Bessa because of its protruding rear element. I think that Cosina really dropped the ball in not designing the Bessa models to be compatible with this particular lens and the collapsible lenses available. We're talking mere millimeters here, and they blew it by failing to consider these lenses.

RML · 03-29-2005

Isn't that a bit harsh, Frank?

But yeah, the CV 25/4 fits the L like a glove. I wouldn't look any further unless you reeeeeally want to spend less $$. You might get a lucky deal with one of the Canons or Nikons mentioned but on eBay you're never sure what to expect (finest glass for little, if your lucky, or crappy glass for a high price, if your unfortunate).

I personally wouldn't use my J8 on the L. Even at f4 the DOF of the J8 isn't very deep, so IMO scale focussing becomes a hit-and-miss affair.

RObert Budding · 03-29-2005

The CV finders are really nice, too. I have the 35mm brightline. But it's not cheap.

Good luck finding a lense.

Robert

chug · 03-30-2005

Ive got the 15mm finder and its nice. But id like it to be a metal mount, rather than plastic

photodog · 04-01-2005

Here's another possibility: find a Canon adapter called "Canon Lens Mount Converter B" and get a used Canon FL or FD lens (either the 35mm f/3.5 or 28mm f3.5). The lens mount converter, which is no longer made, will allow a Canon FD/FL lens to be mounted on a Leica screw mount body (or Bessa) with infinity focus. The downside is there is no rangefinder coupling and the lens will be a little front heavy. Focus by using the distance scale on the lens. Cost on eBay: $45 for the adapter and $25 for the lens. A finder is extra. Gandy's site might have more info on this.

Good luck!