Leica - Leitz Wetzlar Summicron-C 1:2/40mm

It's quite popular here at RFF but doesn't fetch the big bucks, expect $300-350 or so. There have been a number of threads lately on this one and it's two siblings, the Rokkor 40mm CL and CLE.

Some claim it has a bokeh very similar to the 35mm Summicron IV (I don't own the latter so I haven't compared, but I like my 40mm very much). The only downside I've seen so far is the filter size, Series 5.5, although 39mm are usually fine.
 
it's my most used lens on both film camera and RD-1

i love it. especially wide open.

some don't care for the cap and hood that come with the cam, but I love the design and find it both fast to use, and functional as well.
 
The 40 cron is great! Best buy in a Leica lens. I have compared it to a 35mm cron vers 4 and can't tell the difference. I have been shooting Leica M since 1990 and shootinfg since 1982. I have used the lens on the same roll of film. However I can tell the small diff in focal length.
 
The first five black and white images in my gallery are with the 40mm Summicron.
I did some side by side shots on a borrowed M8 with this lens and a 35 Summicron fourth version. The images on the 35 look sharper on my monitor but I haven't made prints. I don't own that lens so I haven't compared the two on film.
 
I think most of the shots in my Euromeet 2007 gallery (link in my signature) are taken with a 40mm Summicron-C. I think it should be pretty easy to spot those who aren't, for most of them I used a CV 25/4.
 
Here is a couple from Minolta M-Rokkor 40/2 CL version, which is pretty much the same thing as 40 Summicron -C.:
Old photos, but all have at this time to post from it.

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Olsen said:
Thanks folks! Do anyone of you have picture examples to show with this 40 mm 2,0 Cron?
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Sure, a few:

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I'm very, very fond of this lens, especially on my M3.
 
Terrific lens. On another thread recently someone said they had a Summicron and CLE Rokkor for sale. They are bargain lenses for sure

(Photo taken with 40mm Summicron)
 

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Can anyone point out difference between 40 summicron-c and minotla rokkor?

Are they the of same quality, as far as optical performane is concerned.

:) bm
 
borismach said:
Can anyone point out difference between 40 summicron-c and minotla rokkor?

Are they the of same quality, as far as optical performane is concerned.

:) bm
Click to expand...


Other than different filter size (40.5mm of Rokkor is far easier to find filters and hoods for), they are pretty much the same. Some say that CLE version rokkor has better coating, and therefore less flare prone. Having used both - CL and CLE versions - I can't say that I could notice that difference. All seem very much the same to me.
 
Here is the link to my lens test results, as shown on Roland's excellent website:

Summicron C at 2.0 with window light only:
http://ferider.smugmug.com/gallery/2856302#153384499

Bokeh for 35mm-40mm lenses for f 2.0:
http://ferider.smugmug.com/gallery/2836741#151905367

Sharpness and Flare for 35mm-40mm lenses for f 2.0:
http://ferider.smugmug.com/gallery/2836741#151905649

Review this older thread for a large amount of useful information on the Summicron-C as it performs relative to other lenses. I had 26 lenses in the test.
 
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Krosya said:
Other than different filter size (40.5mm of Rokkor is far easier to find filters and hoods for), they are pretty much the same. Some say that CLE version rokkor has better coating, and therefore less flare prone. Having used both - CL and CLE versions - I can't say that I could notice that difference. All seem very much the same to me.
Click to expand...

Dear Krosya

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Regards-Boris
 
Broke said:
Ken, what film and scanner pair are you using there -- love the colours.
Cheers,
JB
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JB, that's Kodak 400UC and cheap drugstore scans. The first was desaturated to monochrome and then "hand tinted" using the history brush, the second is straight. It is a nice emulsion, isn't it?
 
I compared the Summicron-C to the more expensive Pentax 43mm/1.9 lens, and I could not detect differences. Both lenses are awesome.
 
Can anyone point out difference between 40 summicron-c and minotla rokkor?

Are they the of same quality, as far as optical performane is concerned.
Click to expand...

There are 2 Rokkor versions, one for the Leitz Minolta CL and the other for the Minolta CLE. The first version Rokkor although made in Japan has an identical signature and optical quality as the Summicron. They even look similar with identical tabs and barrels. The only difference being that the Rokkor takes 40.5mm filters while the Summicron takes series 5.5). The 2nd version Rokkor from the CLE (Identified by its squarish tab) does have a slightly different signature if you look closely. Its just as sharp but has slightly more contrast. It is also slightly warmer in tone. They all seem to flare equally regardles of the belief by many that only the CLE version is multi-coated.
 
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