Size isn't everthing

[iangreenhalgh1]

While I own many cameras, I used my NEX-3 most of all. I find that SLR lenses are often too big for my tastes, it's a tiny camera and just feels right with tiny lenses, but I don't want to sacrifice image quality for size. We all know most top level tiny lenses are expensive items, and my budget is very limited, but over time I've found some lenses that fit both the tiny size and top level quality criteria and didn't break the bank.

Here's the set of three I use most often now, from left to right: Zeiss Opton Biogon 2.8/35, Jupiter-8 2/50 1957, Fujinon-TV 1.8/75.




I also have a Zeiss Cardinar 4/100 I have adapted for NEX, but sadly couldn't find it for the picture, and a Jupiter-11 4/135, but a friend borrowed it, so this should really be a 5-lens lineup.

To complete my set of tiny but top lenses, I want to add a Biogon 28mm and a Biogon 21mm, but sadly, both are quite expensive so it will be a while.

Does anyone have any suggestions for other lenses that fit the criteria of tiny be excellent? A 15mm Heliar would be nice to have.

[Pontus]

I like my Olympus PEN 25/4. It's tiny and the adapter is short as well. Nice IQ, a bit prone to flare though. One of the least expensive PEN lenses I might add. The big brother, 25/2.8 gets more attention but I'm not so sure that it is any better. Bigger, faster and more expensive, yes.

[ForenSeil]

15mm Heliar has some problems with the corners on NEX-3 sensor but has an excellent center. But it works excellent on film.
Summicron-C 40/2 is and excellent lens, tiny as a thimble and sometimes you can find more or less "cheap".
Contax G 28/2.8 is an excellent performer and also very compact on NEX but it has the same corner issues on NEX-3 sensor.
Orion-15 might be also a lens to think about, but I don't have any experience with NEX-3 behind it.
Some Canon LTM 50mm and 35mm lenses are very good, but prices exploded during the last two years - but sometimes you can still find some bargains.

[DigiChromeEd]

The smallest lens I own and use on my NEX is the Industar 2/50. An excellent performer for very little money.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Thanks guys,that's all useful to know. I have often been tempted by the PEN lenses, but the prices on them have gone up quitea bit now, sadly.

I'll bear in mind those corner issues, cheers. Luckily the Biogon 35 I have works fine on the NEX-3. You do get a very slight magenta shift in the corners on some shots, but never enough to be a problem.

The Orion-15 is a great lens, very small, one day I will find one at a good price, I did play with one a friend bought and it impressed me. The Nikkor 28mm for Contax/Nikon RF is also tiny and really excellent, I really enjoyed using the one I borrowed a while back. I just need to be patient to find them at prices that suit me.

Does anyone know if there is now an adapter with aperture available for the Pentax 110 lenses? I have the 18, 24 and 50mm ones, and they are miniscule, I'd love to be able to use the 18 and 24mm, I have an adapter I made myself from a broken 110 camera, but it doesn't work that well without an aperture.

Also, does anyone know if there are any C mount lenses wider than 35mm that cover the NEX sensor?

[cooltouch]

I don't know the quality of the various lenses, but after doing a search on eBay for "M39 wide angel" I got a bunch of hits, mostly for an Industar 28mm f/2.8, which goes for a reasonable price. Found one listing for a FED 28mm f/4.5.

Then there's this Schneider Arriflex 16mm f/2 that's supposedly rare but appears to be going for a decent price:

Click here to see on Ebay

This Voigtlander 21mm Color Skopar in M39 is not cheap, but is much cheaper than all other 21mm M39 lenses I've seen:

Click here to see on Ebay


I'm in a similar situation as you -- I'd like to have at least a 35mm, preferably a 28mm, for my Canon rangefinder outfit, but I just can't afford what most RF lenses are going for these days. With the exception of the Industar 28mm/2.8. I don't know if it's any good, though, and unfortunately it does not have a cam for M39 cameras, so range focusing is the only focusing method for these old cameras.

[iangreenhalgh1]

[iangreenhalgh1]

[iangreenhalgh1]

I found the info on that FED 4.5/28:

http://www.ussrphoto.com/wiki/default.asp?WikiCatID=87&ParentID=2&ContentID=477

Looks like a lens I should find, very advanced design for how old it is.

Cheers for the tip Michael.

[kuuan]

- Russian RF lenses, the J-8 you have, also J-3, J-9, J-11, Industar 61Л, Industar 69 ( f2.8/28mm made for Chaika halfframe )
- Pen-F Zuiko, cheapest are the 1.8/38, f4/25 and 3.5/100
- Canon RF, cheapest are 1.8/50 and 3.5/100
- Voigtlaender 4.5/15, 4/21, 4/25...2.5/75
- Minolta M-Rokkor 2/40
- Olympus Zuiko SLR lenses are very small, e.g. the 2.8/24 incl. NEX adapter is shorter than the Pen-F 2.8/25, not sure if there is any 85mm RF glass as fast that will be smaller than the 2/85
- early preset SLR lenses e.g. Takumar 2/55, 2.8/105 or Auto Tak 3.5/35

[Pontus]

Olympus OM Zuiko 200/5. Very compact.

[kuuan]

[Pontus]

Only the Rokkor 250/5.6 mirror beats these in compactness but it's very expensive and is OT for this thread.

[iangreenhalgh1]

I have the superb Topcon RE Auto Topcor 5.6/200, that's pretty small too.

I would love that Minolta 250mm mirror, a truly stunning lens, but sadly outside my budget.

[Attila]

[Excalibur]

[Hari]

[iangreenhalgh1]

[kopi234]

I recently bought fuji, slr lenses are generally too large for mirrorless not to mention the adapter.
will be a reference for me, thanks ian!

[Pontus]

A bit expensive compare to most other lenses mentioned here but still a great bargain: Contax Zeiss 45/2.8 Tessar CY.