Favorite 40?

Favorite 40?

  • 40/2 Summicron

    Votes: 9 18.8%

  • 40/2 Rokkor

    Votes: 6 12.5%

  • 43/1.9 Pentax LTM

    Votes: 3 6.3%

  • 40/2.8 Sonnar

    Votes: 3 6.3%

  • 45 G-Planar

    Votes: 4 8.3%

  • 40/1.4 Nocton

    Votes: 16 33.3%

  • (non-RF) 40/1.8 Hexanon-AR

    Votes: 2 4.2%

  • (non-RF) 45/2.8 GN Nikkor

    Votes: 1 2.1%

  • (non-RF) 40/2 C/V Ultron

    Votes: 1 2.1%

  • (non-RF) 45/2.8 AI-P (Nikon)

    Votes: 3 6.3%
  • Total voters
    48
  • Poll closed .
B

Benjamin Marks

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I looked at the old cabinet last night and it turns out that over the years I have collected a LOT of 40mm and near-40mm lenses:

45/2.8 GN Nikkor
40/2 Ultron (Nikon)
40/2 Summicron
40/2 Rokkor
43/1.9 Pentax (LTM)
45/2 G-Planar (converted to LTM)
40/1.4 Nocton
40/1.8 Hexanon AR

so I slapped these on a NEX 5 to see if I could see differences between/among them at f:2.8. The C/V 40 Ultron was a pretty clear stand-out in terms of sharpness. The Summicron and the Rokkor were identical in performance. Identical.

So what about RFF? Any favorite 40s?
 
i like both the 40 sonnar and the cv fast 40...i'd like to add the fast 40 again for low light shooting.

i also have had the rokkor and summicron 40s and they were very nice as well.

non rf...i just bought the micro nikkor 40/2.8 over the weekend and it is a great lens...works well on my d90.
 
My girlfriend borrowed my M8 and put the 40mm summicron-c onto it for documenting a design project of hers. It seems like a lens I should use more often, just wonderful, even wide open at f/2.
 
I have the following 40s (or close to 40s, not counting non-interchangeables);
CV Ultron 40/2 in EF mount
GN Nikkor 45/2.8
Konica Hexanon 40/1.8
Pentax SMC 40/2.8

Of these, the Ultron wins. It's just amazing. I'm considering perhaps getting an RF 40 some time in the future, I think the Nokton is the prime candidate...
 
Well, I have only had two 40mm lenses, a 40mm Summicron and a 40mm Nokton (owned one twice). I can say that both lenses are much better than I am a photographer. But I would have to give the nod to the 40mm Nokton because it is a f1.4. When the light is low and you really need f1.4, nothing else matters.

Due to the loss of all my 35mm equipment, I am now using the 40mm to replace my ZM 35mm f2.0 and a Hex 50mm. It really is doing the job well.

I must add that I am one who concentrates much more on what I photograph than what equipment I use to photograph it with.
 
Bob Michaels said:
Due to the loss of all my 35mm equipment, I am now using the 40mm to replace my ZM 35mm f2.0 and a Hex 50mm. It really is doing the job well.
Click to expand...

Very sorry to hear this !! What happened ?

About 40mm lenses, I used to have a 40mm C-Summicron and now have the 40mm M-Rokkor (CLE version). This lens could be easily my only lens if I would have to pick one out of what I have.
 
maddoc said:
Very sorry to hear this !! What happened ?
Click to expand...

A private taxi in Havana drove away in November with my camera bag and all my luggage in his car. In the camera bag was 2 Zeiss Ikon bodies, a 28mm ZI, a 35mm f2.0 ZI, a 50mm Hexanaon, 40 rolls ot Tri-X, and a Panasonic GF1 w 20mm, 14mm lenses & EVF. The Cuban National Police had a positive ID from his license tag recorded on the security camera at the airport and my ID of his drivers license photo. A policeman who stopped us leaving the airport also ID'd his mugshot. I spent 2 days at the police station but eventually they concluded he fled Havana province and have not located him. I don't know how far one can go in a '49 Chevrolet but he got far enough. The real b*tch is that I believe when he realized there was no market for film rangefinder cameras in Cuba, that he probably threw them in the ocean as that tied him directly to 10 years in prison. And prison in Cuba is serious hard time.

This was a unique situation as Cuba is a very low crime rate country, but I happened to be the one. Hey, sh*t happens. You accept it and move on.
 
Bob Michaels said:
A private taxi in Havana drove away in November with my camera bag and all my luggage in his car. In the camera bag was 2 Zeiss Ikon bodies, a 28mm ZI, a 35mm f2.0 ZI, a 50mm Hexanaon, 40 rolls ot Tri-X, and a Panasonic GF1 w 20mm, 14mm lenses & EVF. The Cuban National Police had a positive ID from his license tag recorded on the security camera at the airport and my ID of his drivers license photo. A policeman who stopped us leaving the airport also ID'd his mugshot. I spent 2 days at the police station but eventually they concluded he fled Havana province and have not located him. I don't know how far one can go in a '49 Chevrolet but he got far enough. The real b*tch is that I believe when he realized there was no market for film rangefinder cameras in Cuba, that he probably threw them in the ocean as that tied him directly to 10 years in prison. And prison in Cuba is serious hard time.

This was a unique situation as Cuba is a very low crime rate country, but I happened to be the one. Hey, sh*t happens. You accept it and move on.
Click to expand...

Sh*t, sh*t, sh*t :bang: Even if insured and partially compensation for the financial loss is available, possibly the worst loss is that a lot of your work is gone ashtray if it happened while leaving ... 🙁

Again, very sorry to hear about this !!
 
The good thing is that is was at the beginning of a trip, so I did not lose 2 weeks of work.

The bad thing is that I discovered that my US homeowners insurance that included my gear did not cover any losses outside the US.

The sad thing is that I go to Cuba to photograph ordinary people in their environment but had no camera or film to document the two days in the police station. I was given the royal treatment with my own translator and attorney as a victim. This included having dinner with the shift on duty and being transported around in a 40 year old police car that broke down. Or, the fact that local police stations have no cells, only benches by the open door. They told me that no one tries to flee because they will be caught and then really bad things happen to them.

As I said, you just have to accept it and move on. Nothing that happened has changed the way I travel, photograph or live.

maddoc said:
Sh*t, sh*t, sh*t :bang: Even if insured and partially compensation for the financial loss is available, possibly the worst loss is that a lot of your work is gone ashtray if it happened while leaving ... 🙁

Again, very sorry to hear about this !!
Click to expand...
 
Bob Michaels said:
The sad thing is that I go to Cuba to photograph ordinary people in their environment but had no camera or film to document the two days in the police station.
Click to expand...

This sounds quite amazing. Incredible experience even if you only have memories. Sometimes bad things turn around, at least a little.

Bob Michaels said:
As I said, you just have to accept it and move on. Nothing that happened has changed the way I travel, photograph or live.
Click to expand...

Admirable, seriously. Looking forward to seeing whatever you get from your next trip Bob, and good luck replacing the gear.

Marty
 
I have half the lenses in the poll.
My first forty was the Rokkor, new on a CLE and essentially its only lens for a long time. I am very fond of this lens but have not used it on any other camera. I rarely use the camera any more.

My 45 G-Planar is not converted, a magnificent lens that is stuck on the G2 which I don't use now. FWIW, that's actually a 47mm focal length.

The 40 Ultron fits Pentax, including my two dSLRs which I don't often use either. Another very fine lens though.

Like the Rokkor, I've only used the 40 Nokton SC on the CLE, and I guess I think of it as a little less than the others. I think its actual focal length is slightly longer than the Rokkor.

The 43 Pentax-L is a very excellent lens, barring a bit of barrel distortion. It's been used so far on the CLE, where it's been brilliant. Now, however, it's on the M9, with its viewfinder on top just for reference. Haven't taken many shots yet, none processed, so we shall see. Since this lens has the same glass as the SLR version (which I also have), its set well out from the M mount flange, giving me the idea it's likely more telecentric than others of similar focal length. That could be a good thing for the digital sensor.

So, at this point, I'll appoint the Pentax as favorite, with also a great nostalgic fondness for the Rokkor.
 
If at least we could use another 1.4 40, it would be an open discussion... As others said, even if there are good f/2 40's, a whole f-stop is a huge difference in speed AND in selective focus... And it's just like a dream when the lens is sharp wide open, and also relatively small!

Cheers,

Juan
 
Bob, sorry to hear about your lose but I am inspired by your attitude and approach to life. Possessions come and go but life itself is precious.


I have a 45/2 Planar which I have used with my GF1! Incredible lens and do hope that the ability to convert to using on a M-body is available in the near future. Also have the VC 40/1.4 which is a great lens and believe there is a lot of quality for the cost of this lens, a real value.
 
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