40mm Nokton on Leica M8

[m.galimathias]

Hi,
I am looking for a fast, cheap 35mm or 40mm prime for my new M8. Due the fact that the 35mm Voigtländer 1.4 has focus shift, I am looking at the Voigtländer 40mm 1.4 Nokton. Does the lens have enough optical quality for the M8 and no focus shift? How performs the lens compared to the 35mm Summicron Asph and the Voigtländer 35mm 2.5?

 

[kshapero]

A great lens but not sure what frameline it will use?

 

[efix]

The 40mm Nokton has a similar optical formula as the 35mm, just with a different focal length. It will have focus shift as well. (Reportedly it does, but I did only experience the 35 so far, so I can't say.)

If you want something small, you might want to consider the 35/2.5 Color-Skopar or a v3 35 Summicron. If you want something fast, get the 35/1.2 Nokton. Yes, it's huge and heavy, but reportedly excellent. If 40mm is okay for your and you can live with f/2, consider also the 40mm Summicron-C and its Minolta derivative, the 40mm Rokkor. Both very nice lenses, and quite affordable, too.

But you might also just try the 35/1.4 and see if you can live with the focus shift or not. I couldn't, but your mileage may vary.

 

[elmer3.5]

Hi, i used a nok 40 on my m8, i sold it in favor of the rollei sonnar 40mm.
VC 40mm is very fast not that nice at 1.4 but stopped down from 2.4 down it´s very good lens, anyway the extra speed helps a lot.
The fov is equal 53.2mm (40 x 1.33) just like an epson rd1s with 35mm lens.
Framlines of course are not present, but you end up getting use to it.
I don´t remember focus shift on this one.
Try to get the MC version.
For B/W film the lens is brilliant ihmo.
I would recommend the lens.

This was taken at the Recoleta Cemetery Buenos Aires Argentina. Supouse at 2 or 2.8.

Bye

 

[tariq_za]

Hi there, I have a Leica M8 and this is my only lens for the camera (at this stage). From my experience, it's a great fast lens, and small to boot. There is focus shift in my specific copy but since I shoot wide open most of the time, it's not a major problem.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=299531&id=671086468&l=0d263f6d53

Those pics were all taken with that lens, all wide open, or f2.
MODS: If I'm doing something wrong by linking to a gallery elsewhere, please remove.

 

[250swb]

The 40mm Nockton is probably a fine lens on a film camera because the focus plain is less critical (film emulsion having depth), but it does have significant focus shift on a digital camera. Its OK wide open, but the shift creeps in from f2 to f5.6, and then upwards DOF takes over and it becomes sharp again. So sometimes you need to focus bracket if its critical (for street shooting it may not be for instance). Its a shame because its a nice small lens and when you do hit focus it is sharp in the mid apertures.

Steve

 

[baycrest]

From my own experience, my 40mm doesn't exhibit any focus shift on the M8. That said, CV lenses have been known to have some difficulties with consistency related to maintaining a uniform standard of the quality in their lenses. You can read Reid Reviews (paid subscription) for some comprehensive coverage of most M lenses.

Test the 40 or 35 out at a brick and mortars store or u might be get a lemon.