40mmSummicron-C on an M6 or M7

35mm framelines are good with the 40mm

35mm framelines are good with the 40mm

I use an M6TTL and a Summicron-C, 90mm Elmar-C. I did file down the lug on the Summicron-C to bring up the 35mm framelines. I love it because I end up with these really tight compositions, and so far I haven't cut anyone's head out of the frame. However, I did some exhaustive tests to see if the 40mm was focusing right, because I thought it might be out, and it is. At 1 meter, my 40mm Summicron-C front focuses on the M6TTL by a couple inches. The camera was CLA'd before I bought it so hopefully it isn't the rangefinder. My 90mm Elmar-C is spot on at the same distance. I repeated this with 2 rolls of film, setting up a series of test targets every 2 inches. Both rolls, the 40mm focused too close.

I haven't decided what to do about it yet, other than to use f/4 and higher, or focus on ears instead of eyes. All of that said, the lens has a great character, the framing is tight with the 35mm framelines, and I like that.

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40mm Summicron-C with M6TTL, Acros at EI200
 
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Just to clarify a couple of points on using these CL lenses for the less well informed...

An unmodified 40mm brings up the 50mm frame on an M camera.
It can be modified/filed to bring up the 35mm frame instead.

The 50mm frame works best for closer shots but the 35mm is a better fit frame for longer range work.

I left mine unmodified as it easy to use the frame selector to move between the two and neither are right anyway.

The 90mm Elmar-C works ok on am M because it is an F4 but would struggle if it had a larger aperture due to the incorrect cam. I really love the results from mine.

My 40mm is the later version of the Minolta and that seems to focus fine for me even wide open.
Gadge
 
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