In praise of the CV Nokton 40/1.4

kshapero

kshapero

South Florida Man
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Mar 27, 2006
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Bought this lens with a CV Bessa R3A in 2006. It has been such a work horse. I have used it on various Bessa's, my trusty Leica M3 and now on my Fuji X-Pro1. I am not technical but I have been so pleased with the quality build and the results I get time and time again from this lens. Thanks, Mr K and the chief bartender, because this original kit is what got me going on rangefinders again after about an 18 year absence.:D
 
Here she be on my Leica M3.

12289830174_735d8e12a9_c.jpg
 
I just got one, and would be shooting with it except I had to take the CL married to it into the shop! But the half roll i shot looks pretty fine so far.

How is the handling of the 40mm on 1:1 viewfinder like the M-3's? Is framing difficult? Do you use accessory finders?

Jon.
 
jondotkom said:
I just got one, and would be shooting with it except I had to take the CL married to it into the shop! But the half roll i shot looks pretty fine so far.

How is the handling of the 40mm on 1:1 viewfinder like the M-3's? Is framing difficult? Do you use accessory finders?

Jon.
Click to expand...
I just shot away and crop later if I need to.
 
I always found the M3-40 combination just about perfect. Using the whole finder, it was like a P&S. Maybe my favorite setup...
 
Accha! Good advice!

I presently use an M-2 and CL, but have become spoiled by the 1:1 finder with my recent Nikon S3 acquisition. Thusly I'm planning to snag either an M-3 or an R3M just to replicate the experience with my Leica glass.

I shall give it try.
 
Actually, you might note in Akiva's image above, the taped-off frame(s) illumination window.

Nothing but that big, beautiful M3 finder glass to peak through with nothing in the way!
 
I'm very happy with the CV Nokton 40 lens. At first I had my doubts about how useful it would be, given the odd focal length, but I came upon a very good deal for one from another RFFer, and I had a very nice CL at the time. It turns out to be a very handy focal length given an appropriate camera.

A few months ago we had a very severe ice storm in this part of the world, and this led to some interesting photo opportunities, such as this one, literally in my back yard.




The sun is in-frame, and I figured this would be a very stringent test of lens flare, but I found the effect very pleasing, and the very few reflection artifacts are no distraction. This is a very capable lens. I recently sold my CL, but the lens has now found a home on my Bessa 3A, which at the moment is the only one of my too-many RF cameras to have film in it. I know I can count on this lens.

Cheers,
Dez
 
I really like the 40mm focal length. I had an R2A with 35mm but felt it just slightly too wide for my liking. Likewise, I've always felt 50mm to be not wide enough and not exactly a portrait focal length, so not a good compromise either.

I've shot a few rolls through my new-ish R3M with the 40mm and I'm really getting used to the set-up. My minds starting to think in 40mm crop and it's just been a dream.
 
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