Lenses & the CL

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wlewisiii

Guest
So as I sit here waiting on an adaptor for my screwmount 50's, I'm pondering the market for inexpensive lenses that are <50mm that will work well with the CL; preferably sans external finders, which pretty much means 35 & 40 lenses. By comparing to a Canon 35 finder, I think I can use the whole finder as a 35 FOV. It helps that I had practice doing that with the Kiev 5 I had.

This isn't something I'm going to be able to run out and do anything about today, obviously, but it's always good to know what to look for in case a good deal arises at the right time.

In looking around, the best options seem to be either a CV 35/2.5 Classic for ~$200 or a 40/2 Rokkor at ~$400 and I suspect the Summicron version would be higher :bang:

Any other inexpensive gems out there? It is a pity that my J-12 won't work, but that's the way it goes.

Thanks,

William
 
I got a Nokton 40 for my CL, and I find it to be a wonderful combination. One thing
that was a must for me was multicoating, which may affect your choice.

There are many admirers of the Summicron 40, but I am less enthusiastic about it than most (I should add that I have the same opinion of the Nikkor 105--not bad
lenses, not even close; just not deserving of deification).

Fred
 
I've seen both 40mm Rokkors and Leitz 40mm Summicrae in good shape go for under $300 on the sales board here, and even on eBay a couple of times.

I have a Leitz. I adore the pictures it makes, and I really have no intention of looking at another 40.
 
yossarian said:
There are many admirers of the Summicron 40, but I am less enthusiastic about it than most... --not bad lenses, not even close; just not deserving of deification.
Click to expand...

Agreed. It's not perfect. It flares some, but that's my only complaint of an optical nature. Because of its size and shape, though, I find it's really hard to use in a hurry- no focusing ring AT ALL. The hood is almost mandatory if one wants to keep one's fingers off the front element. It has that wonky filter thread, too.

A really purpose-specific lens... Pop it onto a CL, collapse the rubber hood, stuff the whole mess into your jacket pocket, and go for a walk. Hard to beat for that job, methinks.
 
I'd go for the M-Rokkor 40/2. That one shouldn't sell for maore than $300 and it's absolute fabulous. It's a summicron in every detail except the name. And it uses an easier-to-find filter thread.
 
Biggles said:
Agreed. It's not perfect. It flares some, but that's my only complaint of an optical nature.
Click to expand...

This is something I haven't had with my M-Rokkor 40/2 in all the time I've had it. Mind, I always use it with a hood; first with the original rubber collapsible hood, later with a hood for a 50mm lens.
 
Regarding the Nokton, it's my understanding that it would be a faster lens than the baseline is really capable of? Have either of you run into any focusing difficulties with that lens?

Thanks,

William
 
I use many different types of 50mm lenses on my CL, but the 40mm Summicron is usually mounted on the CL. I have no complaints about its performance.
 
William you shouldn't have much trouble finding a 40/2 Rokkor or Summicron for less than $300. It's a lens I like at all and it is VERY compact.

I've been thinking on getting a 40/1.4 as well, but for me it's a must that it's cheap enough (I don't mind getting a user lens) but it has to be single coated as well. Consider it an extravagant wish :)

The Skopar 35 is a very nice lens too.

Oscar
 
wlewisiii said:
Regarding the Nokton, it's my understanding that it would be a faster lens than the baseline is really capable of? Have either of you run into any focusing difficulties with that lens?

Thanks,

William
Click to expand...

One of the first tests I did on Velvia was wide open at minimum focus. There is a
derelict house a few miles north of me (amazing it hasn't been levelled by now), and I
have a couple of shots of a window with the screen bowing out. I focused on the
loose screen and it is fantastically sharp within the limited d-o-f. I would say it's a non-issue.

For future reference, if you decide on the Rokkor 40, I have at least one 40.5mm
filter somewhere.
 
Thank you for the information, yossarian. And that's also a good point about the Rokkor version of the 40/2 - the 40.5 filter ring which I do already have a bunch of thanks to FSU lenses.

I'll just have to keep my eyes open for a user condition 40/2 Rokkor, I think, and be happy with my 50s in the meantime.

Thanks all!

William
 
if you do not need f2

if you do not need f2

Hello:

If you do not need f2, then I can recommend the Canon f2.8 in 35mm or a good example of the ltm f3.5 Summaron. The f2.8 Summaron is reputed to be "Summicron like" in image character.

yours
Frank
 
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That's a good to know tidbit, Brian. I've been pondering that one for the Canon anyway. Of course the catch remains finding any of these at a good price when I actually have the money... ;D

William
 
hey william. as far as the field of view of the CL viewfinder..it is actually almost DEAD ON for 28mm. i compared it against my wife's SLR w/ a 28mm lens mounted. the pictures agree (i use it that way for my nikkor 2.8cm). at any rate, it makes a nice little kit w/ wide (28) and normal (40). no accessory viewfinder necessary! and naturally i agree w/ other people here that you can't do much better than the 40 'cron. never tried the rokkor personally, but i assume it's the same.
 
yes, the canon 35/2.8 is perfect and i also agree maybe a nice 28 lens too or instead of.

small, stealthy and no need to focus just set the hyperfocal distance and you're in & out.
joe
 
William,
KEH currently has a couple of Rokkor 40s; Exc+ cond--$349; Exc cond--$299.
But no caps on either (an Exc+ with caps--$364).

Fred
 
Thank you for the pointer, but my usual lack of budget means I need to wait for a bargain graded one... ;)

William
 
"Regarding the Nokton, it's my understanding that it would be a faster lens than the baseline is really capable of? Have either of you run into any focusing difficulties with that lens?"

The CL is capable of focusing the Nokton at f1.4 it was the first thing I tested when the lens arrived. When you think about it the CL can focus a 50mm f2 so a lens one step wider and one stop faster kind of cancel each other out to focus with the acuracy of a 50mm f2.

A member on this forum is selling a user CLE 40mm Rokkor for 220 to 250 with the original hood but no caps if thats of any help can ask him to put his hand up and you can chat about it if you wanted?
 
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