Hexar RF and 40 1.4 CV

gilpen123

Gil
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I plan to get a like new Hexar and wondering if the 40 1.4 VC works well with it. What frameline is best to use, 35 or 50? I also have an opportunity to get it as a set with 50 2.0 hex but rated EX in KEH. Thanks......:bang:
 
The Hexar's framelines are brought up automatically like with the Leica Ms so without modifying the lens (or holding the preview lever - not practical) you can't actually choose which framelines to use.

Someone else will confirm this for you but I think the 40/1.4 brings up the 50 framelines which some people don't like. If you do a search you'll find that some people have modified this lens to use the 35 framelines.

Matthew
 
Matthew is correct: an unmodified CV40 brings up 50mm framelines on Leica M's and Hexar RF's- cameras with auto framelines. Modifying the lens involves a small amount of filing of one of the bayonette lugs. It's very easy.

I use a modified CV40 on my Hexar RF and the framing with the 35mm framelines is almost exact. It's a great combo.
 
Thanks, are there any instructions i can see in the net? I may want to have this done also. If I do this, how does it affect the R3a frameline when I use again with the CV?
 
This is not the correct way to file the bayonet lug. Please do not follow the pictures in the link http://summilux.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9371


This is the correct way:
What you see in the picture is the bayonet (when you're looking at the back of the lens, with top of the lens up). You need to file the red part. It's only about 1-2mm. If you remove more material, it's not a problem because the default frameline on Leica M and Hexar RF and Zeiss Ikon is 35+135.

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Thanks spyderman. For clarification, I will file the red part no issues whatsoever if I remove more than necessary. Then it will appear as 35 frameline in the Hexar, so I assume this is an exact frame.
 
I have used a 40mm Summicron-C (modified to bring up the 35mm frame lines) with my Hexar RF and the 35mm frame fit very well.
 
The 40mm lenses as supplied will bring up the auto-setting 40mm framelines in cameras that have them... i.e., the Minolta CLE. If you file the lug on the lens, it will then bring up the 28mm framelines in the CLE; pretty useless. Of course this doesn't matter if you don't have a CLE or intend to ever sell the modified lens to a CLE owner...
 
This is the correct way:
What you see in the picture is the bayonet (when you're looking at the back of the lens, with top of the lens up). You need to file the red part. It's only about 1-2mm. If you remove more material, it's not a problem because the default frameline on Leica M and Hexar RF and Zeiss Ikon is 35+135.

attachment.php

Thanks, l modified Summicron 40/2 to bring more convenient framelines on M. Your drawing was helpful, and most precise among all descriptions i've found.
Very easy to do, no special skill needed, just protect well rear element, and inside of the lens in general.
I filed it by very small amount checking the difference on camera from time to time. At some point it was possible to use either 35 or 50mm framelines (on m6), as the lever just stayed in the position i set. But i filed just a bit more to have it working just as normal 35mm.

Of course it works on CL just as it used to.

It im pretty sure that it will bring wrong framelines only on CLE, and nothing else.
 
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first do no harm

first do no harm

The 40mm lenses as supplied will bring up the auto-setting 40mm framelines in cameras that have them... i.e., the Minolta CLE. If you file the lug on the lens, it will then bring up the 28mm framelines in the CLE; pretty useless. Of course this doesn't matter if you don't have a CLE or intend to ever sell the modified lens to a CLE owner...

Precisely. I own both a Hexar RF as well as a CLE, and thus the idea of performing irreversible surgery on my CV 40mm Nokton has zero appeal. A little bit of gaffer's tape to hold back the frame preview lever of the Hexar (or Leica M) works like a charm when I want to mount the 40mm and bring up the 35mm framelines, which match the lens well. The operation is totally reversible, and gaffer's tape is removable without leaving any visible residue yet has good holding power. Put down your file.
 
Ok, I just did this as shown in the last drawing, using a Dremel at very low speed and finishing with a handfile: works perfect on a Hexar RF.

Pawel, thanks for the tip !

Stefan.

Thanks, l modified Summicron 40/2 to bring more convenient framelines on M. Your drawing was helpful, and most precise among all descriptions i've found.
Very easy to do, no special skill needed, just protect well rear element, and inside of the lens in general.
I filed it by very small amount checking the difference on camera from time to time. At some point it was possible to use either 35 or 50mm framelines (on m6), as the lever just stayed in the position i set. But i filed just a bit more to have it working just as normal 35mm.

Of course it works on CL just as it used to.

It im pretty sure that it will bring wrong framelines only on CLE, and nothing else.
 
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I've been using the CV 40mm f1.4 with both my M3 and Hexar RF (currently listed in the classifieds) using the 50mm frameline without much of a problem. I assume that the coverage will be slightly outside of the projected framelines, so I compose accordingly. Either way, I'm still a novice so, some shots work and some don't, but I do believe it's me more than the framelines.
 
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