Much Under Rated Camera - D2

[designdog]

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Nah, I'm just trying to avoid buying the Sigma 30mm f1.4!

 

I had hoped someone would introduce a fast standard lenses (24-35 prior to 4/3) with beautiful bokeh to compliment my L1's kit Leica. Something affordable.

 

I was looking at the 50mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.4 Contax, but the former has bad bokeh and the later is too long.

 

I've been making do with the Oly 50mm f2 macro...

 

-ddog

[dugby]

Not yet, anyway, but I do intend to find out. Voigtlander makes several lenses with a Nikon F mount, including its 12mm and 15mm LTM lenses, and these can be installed on an L1/D3 using an inexpensive Nikon->4/3 lens mount adapter. With the L1/D3's cropping factor of 2x, these two lenses offer fields of view similar to a 35mm format 24mm and 30mm lens, respectively, except that you're shooting with a 4:3 format instead of 3:2.

 

However, because they were designed for use on a Leica rangefinder, which have a flange-to-focal plane register of nearly 18mm less than Nikon's SLRs, Voigtlander had to recess the lens quite a bit in its mount in order to achieve infinity focus . This means that on a Nikon F-body, the mirror must be locked up as the rear lens element extends far enough into the mirror box assembly to interfere with the mirror's ability to swing back and forth.

 

The same is true for the L1/D3, except that thanks to the "Live View" feature, you can still compose and focus your images on the LCD when the mirror is locked up. If you allow the mirror to move when you fire the shutter, it will strike either Voigtlanders' rear lens element. However, if you hold the mirror in place with a finger or Q-tip when you fire the shutter, it doesn't move and better still, this doesn't seem to cause any harm to the camera body.

 

As a result, I've decided to gamble that a piece of foam of the proper size and density placed between the mirror and lens will prevent the mirror from moving when the Voigtlander 12mm lens is installed, thus preventing it from causing any damage to either the lens or the mirror.

 

Can I say it will work for certain at this point? No, I can't. Am I confident enough that I can make it work in this application to have spent $699 to buy one and see? Yes, I am. Mind you, unlike many people, I don't have any problem using the LCD instead of the viewfinder ... in fact, as a nearsighted, glasses-wearing, view camera user, I actually prefer using the LCD to the viewfinder, so this won't be any hardship to me. And given the fact that the Voigtlander 12mm lens is even shorter and lighter than the Contax 45mm/f2.8 Tessar I showed a photo of the other day, I believe this lens will potentially make the L1/D3 into a great walkaround camera. We shall see soon enough whether I'm correct or not!

 

 

Funny u mention this CV 12mm lens.....

 

I was researching last week a CV15mm with M mount and then using the M to R converter onto the 4/3 adapter.....but thought.....hmmm too many couplers to get a 30mm lens....?

 

Anyway Guy Mancuso has a friend who'll happily grind your mirror...hahaha.... remember his 5D with R glass days..!!!!