Favourite 40mm M-mount lens

[blindguy]

The Summicron-C. Don't use it enough, though. But thanks to this thread I shall put it on the M3 where it shall be my lens for the week end.

 

[dof]

I find your last comment interesting - I have also heard people drawing parallels between the Summicron V4 and the Rokkor (or poor man's generic Summicron). In what what way do you see it as being different? I have used both and found the photographs nearly identical, but the Summicron with that great square hood more well built. Others may disagree. Having said that, the Rokkor is much better value than the Summicron, esp. when you put that money saved into generic film like Legacy or Premium.

I agree with you: they are nearly identical but that's not the same thing as being equal. The two are definitely from the same generation of design. I find that my v.4 Summicron has slightly more (better?) sharpness extending to the edges of the frame than the Rokkor - a wider sweet spot if you will. It also doesn't flare quite as easily, not that it's free from flare.

I also agree that the difference in prices are far greater than those in performance between them.

 

[Mark Schretlen]

I've been really impressed with the Rollei Sonnar. It migrated from my CLE and has gradually displaced the V4 Summicron 35 as my M8 body cap.

 

[maddoc]

I have used 40 Summicron-C, 40 HFT Rollei 1:2.8 and the M-Rokkor CLE version. The 40 Summicron-C was my favorite for BW but did not focus correct on my - former - M4-P, the Rollei was ideal for usage with my IIIf / M Leicas but to slow and the M-Rokkor is just perfect and the cheapest of the bunch. 🙂

 

[Jaans]

I agree with you: they are nearly identical but that's not the same thing as being equal. The two are definitely from the same generation of design. I find that my v.4 Summicron has slightly more (better?) sharpness extending to the edges of the frame than the Rokkor - a wider sweet spot if you will. It also doesn't flare quite as easily, not that it's free from flare.

I also agree that the difference in prices are far greater than those in performance between them.

I had been looking for ages for a way to describe the difference between the Rokkor and the Summicron in terms of image performance and I think that you nailed it perfectly. I wonder if the Summicron has better coatings which accounts for its better flare reduction?

 

[Jaans]

I've been really impressed with the Rollei Sonnar. It migrated from my CLE and has gradually displaced the V4 Summicron 35 as my M8 body cap.

I like interesting unique lens such as this one. The Sonnar would probably be not peoples first choice due to the speed issue, but it definetely has a unique way of rendering images. I had a Rollei 35S along the line there somewhere and always loved how it rendered. I wonder how different the genetic fingerprint of this lens is to those from the 35?

 

[Voe]

I only have experience with the 40mm Nokton and Rokkor CLE.

Nokton- sharp, but unpleasant and harsh bokeh, the color rendering was off putting.

Rokkor CLE - sharp, lovely bokeh, smooth transition from focus to OOF, pleasant colors, and did I say sharp?

Arguably the CLE has much better lens coating than either the CL version and the Summicon-C. I never had problems with flare on my CLE. The other plus is it uses standard filter size unlike Summicron-C.
Some online tests showed the CLE has better resolution at f/2 than the Summicron-C.

I currently own 21mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm all ASPH, and the CLE has a well deserved place among the rest of my lenses.

 

[FPjohn]

Summicron C as the one I have.

yours
FPJ

 

[helen.HH]

My Vote goes to the Summicron C
But I"m Biased....😱
Its the only one I have tried & its smashingly GOOD !
Though I would Love a Go with the Nokton SC...🙂

 

[Doug]

One more to consider... Pentax-L Special 43mm f/1.9 in LTM but of course easily-adapted to M mount. At 43mm, the designation is a bit longer, but in practice it feels only a mm or so longer than the 40 Nokton which seems a mm or so longer than the M-Rokkor.

This was a limited-production variant of the Pentax SLR lens, having the same glass moved to a RF focusing mount. So it's physically a bit longer than the others, and the lens block diagram is very similar to a typical 50mm Pentax SLR lens (ie, Planar-like).

Lovely performer with exceptionally nice bokeh, and occasionally seen for sale (2000 were made). I got mine here on RFF... 🙂

 

[Jani_from_Finland]

I liked the Nokton S.C 40/1.4 on my former M6, but it was not nearly as good as the Pentax 43/1.9 on a Pentax LX, so if i had the chance to pick one over any 40mm M-lens i'd take the 43/1.9 Pentax over mostly any lens out there as it was my favorite.

 

[Jaans]

Well after a few weeks it looks like the results are in: the 40mm Summicron seems to be the favoured one in this focal length. I personally couldn't get used to the Summicron's fiddly filter size, hence my choice for the CLE Rokkor.

Thanks to everyone who contributed with comments and to the overall poll!

Cheers,
Jaans

 

[ferider]

Well after a few weeks it looks like the results are in: the 40mm Summicron seems to be the favoured one in this focal length. I personally couldn't get used to the Summicron's fiddly filter size, hence my choice for the CLE Rokkor.

Thanks to everyone who contributed with comments and to the overall poll!

Cheers,
Jaans

Just a note that by the time I'm writing this, both Summicron and Nokton got 30 votes 🙂

 

[merciless49]

I have the VC40mm MC, love it. Pretty much my go-anywhere lens, mounted all the time. With the large aperture and close focusing ability, it's great as an all-around lens!

 

[sepiareverb]

One more to consider... Pentax-L Special 43mm f/1.9 in LTM but of course easily-adapted to M mount. ...

...Lovely performer with exceptionally nice bokeh, and occasionally seen for sale (2000 were made). I got mine here on RFF... 🙂

Yes, certainly one to consider- a very nice lens in every way.

Joe- I'm one of the other votes for the Sonnar- I've had three of them, must mean I can't live without it...

 

[back alley]

i love the little sonnar...doubt i could let it go.

 

[raid]

I did a 35mm-40mm lens comparison with Roland's help, and I tried out the Summicron-C and 2 or 3 CV 40mm lenses (SC and MC). All lenses did very well in sharpness. People may have personal preferences. The Summicron is my only 40mm lens, and I love it. I sold the CL but kept the Cron. On the EP-2, the Cron does extremely well. You can "see" the sharpness.

edit: the lens comparison may have included 30 lenses

 

[helen.HH]

the 40 Summicron rules...I agree Raid ...Love . Love. Love

Beautifully Sharp.... Fantastic Inky Blacks ...Lush Glow
probably one of Leica's Best kept secrets...

 

[DennisPT]

Shhh...the 40 cron is getting more attention, price is already up compare to 6 months ago. But it's really a great lens, I sold my 35 IV cron and kept the 40.

 

[lic4]

Rokkor 40mm (original CL version) because:
-cheaper than Summicron C but identical optics
-40.5mm filter
-CLE version has a slight magenta color cast with the newer coatings - I can print C-prints from my non-CLE Rokkor 40 to match my cron 50 without as many color dial adjustments to the enlarger
-cheaper than the CLE rokkor