Is Cosina lens good?

[Roy Tan]

Cosina has adopted a name for its lenses "Voiglander", which years ago was considered one of the top brand of cameras. I believe Corsina produces mainly 35mm range-finder lenses and their bodies are called Besa R2, R3a, etc. The word Besa was from the word Bessamatic, a brand of cameras made again long ago. They are collectors items.

The new lenses under the name Voiglander, are first class !!! How many people use range-finder cameras nowadays, very few.....personal preference....no end of pros and cons....

Value for money; you pay something like 20% of Leicas products.

Roy Tan

 

[felixcat8888]

Cosina has adopted a name for its lenses "Voiglander", which years ago was considered one of the top brand of cameras. I believe Corsina produces mainly 35mm range-finder lenses and their bodies are called Besa R2, R3a, etc. The word Besa was from the word Bessamatic, a brand of cameras made again long ago. They are collectors items.

The new lenses under the name Voiglander, are first class !!! How many people use range-finder cameras nowadays, very few.....personal preference....no end of pros and cons....

Value for money; you pay something like 20% of Leicas products.

Roy Tan

Not only range -finder lenses but 35mm film lenses as well. They have a few bodies to their name too, namely, the CT-1, CT-2, etc. They even OEM for Vivitar.

An example of a cosina/Vivitar SLR body, one of many variations
http://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk/pp/Discount_Cameras/SLR_Cameras/images/26496.jpg
http://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk/scp/Discount_Cameras/images/26525a.jpg
http://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk/pp/Discount_Cameras/SLR_Cameras/images/26526.jpg
http://www.photovillage.com/graphics/shop_page/vsl43/vsl_front.jpg
http://www.photovillage.com/graphics/shop_page/vsl43/vsl_lens.jpg
http://www.photovillage.com/graphics/shop_page/vsl43/vsl_right_front.jpg



Cheers....

 

[Ansel]

Not only range -finder lenses but 35mm film lenses as well. They have a few bodies to their name too, namely, the CT-1, CT-2, etc. They even OEM for Vivitar.
....

Range-finder lenses *are* 35mm film lenses. I believe you meant 35mm SLR lenses.

Responding to the original poster, strength_n_honour, I will say that every brand of cameras and lenses can make good and poor products. A lot of times, you get what you pay for. Sometimes it is how much you can afford. Other times it is how much you are willing to pay, assuming you can afford anything. And, you must know what you are paying for.

Cosina has made some very basic lenses. Some people call them el cheapo lenses. These are mostly fairly cheap 35 SLR compatible zooms like 28-80, 70-200, etc, very consumer priced, lenses popular with people like us who were starting out the hobby in the late 70s and early 80s. These are by all means good enough for anybody who wants to take technically good photographs and certainly good enough for any artistic expression. But you get what you pay for.

On the other hand, look at the current crop of Cosina-Voightlander optics!!!. oolala...they can make you drool. These have been compared to Leica for their optical quality, and their build quality is nothing short of top-notch! But you pay for what you get.

I agree with Student that Cosina, and for that matter, any brand, is good enough for 99% of photographers.

As a newbie, my advice for you is, first find out what kind of photography you like to engage yourself in, then decide the appropriate equipment and brand that best provide the right tools for your kind of photography.

My short answer to your question above is: Yes, Cosina lens is good.

 

[MDZ2]

I agree with those who say that the price of the equipment does not make a good picture. I had a friend who showed me some pictures blown up to 16 x 20 and was vastly impressed by the sharpness and colour fidelity. When told that the equipment (a pratika with 3 kit lenses) cost not more than $350, I was aghast.
I guess it's like what I once heard a hard core runner say, after purchasing a pair of n** Bal**** runing shoes, much more expensive brands like N*k* or R*b**ks are more for showing off.
I guess they are right when they say you get what you pay for. ie. more glam factor.

 

[Milos]

Range-finder lenses *are* 35mm film lenses. I believe you meant 35mm SLR lenses.

Responding to the original poster, strength_n_honour, I will say that every brand of cameras and lenses can make good and poor products. A lot of times, you get what you pay for. Sometimes it is how much you can afford. Other times it is how much you are willing to pay, assuming you can afford anything. And, you must know what you are paying for.

Cosina has made some very basic lenses. Some people call them el cheapo lenses. These are mostly fairly cheap 35 SLR compatible zooms like 28-80, 70-200, etc, very consumer priced, lenses popular with people like us who were starting out the hobby in the late 70s and early 80s. These are by all means good enough for anybody who wants to take technically good photographs and certainly good enough for any artistic expression. But you get what you pay for.

On the other hand, look at the current crop of Cosina-Voightlander optics!!!. oolala...they can make you drool. These have been compared to Leica for their optical quality, and their build quality is nothing short of top-notch! But you pay for what you get.

I agree with Student that Cosina, and for that matter, any brand, is good enough for 99% of photographers.

As a newbie, my advice for you is, first find out what kind of photography you like to engage yourself in, then decide the appropriate equipment and brand that best provide the right tools for your kind of photography.

My short answer to your question above is: Yes, Cosina lens is good.

Uncle...

Well said!!!.... :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: