CLE with CV 40mm Nokton?

[analogpics]

Hey all, i'm considering picking up this combination before my trip to japan and was curious if any of you have the same setup? How's the focus? I know the EBL on the CLE is a bit smaller than other M bodies so mostly just curious about focus accuracy being that it's a 1.4 Thanks! 😎

Also, i'm mostly considering the MC over the SC....i read many people prefer the SC for BW but want your thoughts on it 🙂

 

[zwarte_kat]

I Have that combination, though it's the SC. It's very nice. I have the Rokkor too. They are all so small that you can bring them both, but there is nothing wring with just a CLE plus 40mm Nokton. It is a great combination in a small package! I think it focusses fine, but going digital (using it on the GXR and NEX) has taught me how shallow F1.4 really is, and how it can blur the image details. But if you nail it, it's great. Quite hard though with the CLE finder, especially in the dark when you need that F1.4 most.

I hadn't used it for a long time, but then choose to take it to a festival, very happy with the results. i love the "Voightlander look" in color even more than in BW:


2012-08-Portra160-35mm-146 by Rudy Shots, on Flickr


2012-08-Portra160-35mm-141 by Rudy Shots, on Flickr


2012-08-Portra160-35mm-148 by Rudy Shots, on Flickr


2012-08-Portra160-35mm-114 by Rudy Shots, on Flickr

 

[analogpics]

Thanks Rudy! Yeah, i may still mostly shoot it at f2 and above and maybe save 1.4 for really dim situations and just take a few more clicks so maybe one is in focus 🙂 Hopefully the EBL isnt too much of an issue...how would you rate the sharpness between the rokkor and nokton? Seems like i read that the nokton is a bit sharper(?) btw, if you have recommendations for places to take pics in tokyo.... 😉 thinking of taking the CLE with the 40mm and possibly the 21mm voigtlander, and my hasselblad with the 80 or 100mm...

 

[gliderbee]

I have the CLE and both the rokkor and the nokton SC and I use the nokton most, but more out of habit than because of a quality difference; you can't go wrong with either lens, although the nokton with shade blocks a bit more of the viewfinder.

Stefan.

Hey all, i'm considering picking up this combination before my trip to japan and was curious if any of you have the same setup? How's the focus? I know the EBL on the CLE is a bit smaller than other M bodies so mostly just curious about focus accuracy being that it's a 1.4 Thanks! 😎

Also, i'm mostly considering the MC over the SC....i read many people prefer the SC for BW but want your thoughts on it 🙂

 

[zwarte_kat]

I think the Nokton would be a little sharper, because the Rokkor is quite old, but the Rokkor is a great lens and nothing to be worried about. Though the Nokton is more versatile, the Rokkor is even smaller and really makes the looks and smallness of the CLE shine. I use the Nokton more, but every time i put on the rokkor a smile appears on my face.

BTW I would (and did) get the 25mm instead of 21mm. Then you can use the the whole viewfinder, close enough!

As for locations in Tokyo, it all depends what kind of photography you do. But if it's urban stuff, maybe besides the well known places, you could hop on the Chuo line and get off at a few stations: Nakano, Koenji, Nishi-ogikubo, and Kichijouji. A lot of nice atmosphere and small little places there.

Not sure if this link works, but some pics from Kichijouji on my facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.312522418841114.70927.203178313108859&type=1&l=520d21ee16

 

[Doug]

I have a CLE and the 40 Nokton SC, a nice combination, both fast and compact. The Nokton and original Rokkor are both fine lenses and I like them both. They have similar optical design I believe, with the Nokton having an additional element next to the aperture blades.

 

[analogpics]

Thanks for the replies everybody! Yes, i do like the smaller profile of the Rokkor, but i think i'm going to stick with the CV 40mm for now...I went to a camera show here in LA today and found a Bessa r3a in mint condition for $350, so who was i to say no 😛 i do still plan on getting a CLE...maybe i can slap a 25mm on the CLE and not get the 40mm and just use my Zeiss ZM 50mm planar on the r3a....?) hmmmmm tough call

 

[denizg7]

i love the 35mm nokton . Its wide and the bokeh actually looks better than a summilux pre asph

 

[silent1]

I use my CLE exclusively with the Nokton 40mm. It is a superb combo in my opinion, very well suited for travelling light. The only two things that bug me are: the 0,8m minimum focus distance (instead of 0,7m of Leica bodies) and the fact that using the shade on the Nokton somehow dims the rangefinder patch, so I ended up not using it, and putting a protecting filter on the lens instead. If you're curious about photos taken with this combo, I've got a lot of them on my blog, mine is the S.C. version.

 

[analogpics]

Wow, you have some great shots with that combo stefano! Im talking to a guy with a mint one but he wants to sell it with the older CL version of the 40mm rokkor so seeing if i can get him to just sell the body 🙂 We shall see....

 

[analogpics]

Well, looks like i got a CLE finally, with the 40mm nokton, as well as the the bessa r3a and 25mm cv skopar so we'll see how it all works out! Will post results 🙂 Without seeing any images from the CLE, i can say i do like the feel of it...yep, they made it for small japanese hands like mine. One thing that i dont like is the on/off switch...at least compared to the r3a. It's awkward, and feels a bit fragile. Does anyone just leave the camera on? I read it turns off after a min or so 😛 Guess i shouldnt leave it in the bag this way though. The film advance also feels a bit diff than the r3a as well...i do prefer the VF on the CLE though 🙂 Guess we'll see how things turn out...

 

[silent1]

Well, looks like i got a CLE finally, with the 40mm nokton, as well as the the bessa r3a and 25mm cv skopar so we'll see how it all works out! Will post results 🙂 Without seeing any images from the CLE, i can say i do like the feel of it...yep, they made it for small japanese hands like mine. One thing that i dont like is the on/off switch...at least compared to the r3a. It's awkward, and feels a bit fragile. Does anyone just leave the camera on? I read it turns off after a min or so 😛 Guess i shouldnt leave it in the bag this way though. The film advance also feels a bit diff than the r3a as well...i do prefer the VF on the CLE though 🙂 Guess we'll see how things turn out...

I just leave it on all the time 🙂

 

[Graham Line]

The camera will shut itself off. I use a pair of silver cells in mine and change them every 12-18 months. Stop 'feeling' and start shooting.

 

[zwarte_kat]

Yep always on (even in my closet) and change batteries once or twice a year to avoid leaking.

For what I am considered there is no off button 🙂

 

[analogpics]

Well, i've had the nokton for a few months and wasn't as in to the rendering as some other glass i've used for the m mount so got the minolta rokkor 40mm a few weeks ago and have to admit i prefer the shots ive gotten back with this lens. No idea how/why, just do 🙂

 

[ricardovaste]

I use my CLE exclusively with the Nokton 40mm. It is a superb combo in my opinion, very well suited for travelling light. The only two things that bug me are: the 0,8m minimum focus distance (instead of 0,7m of Leica bodies) and the fact that using the shade on the Nokton somehow dims the rangefinder patch, so I ended up not using it, and putting a protecting filter on the lens instead. If you're curious about photos taken with this combo, I've got a lot of them on my blog, mine is the S.C. version.

Great examples on your site.

I always use a hood with lenses just to protect them (no filter). But I'm curious if you need a hood with this lens for flare, or is it just for general protection? I wonder just how much it protrudes into the VF, as one could certainly turn down a cheap hood.