Summicron-C 40mm bokeh

T

Tessar.

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I'm getting gas for a 35 or 40mm lens and thinking of getting a 40mm Summicron C as they are far more affordable than the Leica 35s and also the UC hex. I like what I'm seeing in examples from the lens, except for one thing - they seem to have a harsh transition in out of focus areas between highlight and darker areas, which makes the background look ugly in against the light pics. Also a general harsh transition between adjacent areas of greys/colours where there are strong demarcations between areas.

Could anyone who has shot with one comment on whether they have found this to be the case and if this is inherent with the lens or whether it is just the character of the bokeh of this lens.

If you have any pics with smooth against the light rendering, or just smooth background transitions could you post examples also please.

Or should I just save up for a L hexanon or UC hex? Or get a biogon or Summarit 35?
 
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Do any of these help?
 
Thanks, yes they look great! I must have been looking at the wrong examples before ;)

I think most of the ones I didn't like were min focus distance at max aperture type bokeh pics. You know the type :)

I just missed out on one on ebay because I didn't want to bid enough... they seem to be climbing in price, just like everything else these days!
 
I've shot mine wide-open at night an awful lot, and have never had cause to complain about its bokeh- and smooth, chatter-free bokeh is something I'm not ashamed to admit I need and expect out of a lens.

It's a very crunchy lens, though, contrast-wise. Maybe only a notch less than the V.5 50mm Summicron I had, which was relentless in that regard. Not suited for flattering portraits of little old ladies in daylight.
 
Guy in the foreground was definitely inside minimum focusing distance. Focus was on the bridge of the girl's nose. Can't have been open less than f/5.6; more likely this was f/4.

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There is enough of a cult following of this lens and its bokeh effect, that some photographers call it the "water lens" in Japan.
 
lic4 said:
There is enough of a cult following of this lens and its bokeh effect, that some photographers call it the "water lens" in Japan.
Click to expand...

Hadn't heard this before. Is that term used for both the Summicron 40 and the Rokkor 40?
 
Sony NEX-5
Leica Summicron-C 40mm f2
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Sony NEX-5
Leica Summicron-C 40mm f2
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Sony NEX-5
Leica Summicron-C 40mm f2
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Leica CL
Leitz Summicron-C 40mm f2
Fuji Pro 400 H
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I have had the Summicron-C 40/2, now have a Nokton 40/1.4 and M-Rokkor 40/2 (second gen). All three are excellent performers, from f2.8 on it is nearly impossible to tell them apart.

Compared to the much more expensive Leica and Zeiss 35mm options, it's really a toss up depending on which specific lens rendering you prefer. All are good.
 
I'd say the Summicon C is less contrasty than the V3 Summicron, certainly far less so than the Hexanon 35mm on the Hexar, or most VC I own. It's not an old fashioned low-contrast lens, but it does have those nice midtones.

Prices have gone up, but they're still a bargain compared to the 35mm Cron. Or rather, they're not as ludicrously over-valued.
 
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