M mount bodies with 40mm framelines

[JBC]

Just lost my trusty CLE 🙁 and am just starting to shop for a replacement. I definitely want another body that has 40mm framelines.


To the best of my knowledge the only M mount bodies with 40mm framelines are the CL, CLE, Rollei 35 RF, and the Voigtlander R3A/R3M.

Anything I have missed?

Jim Couch

 

[Al Kaplan]

The "35" mm framelines starting with the M4-P are a bit on the tight side, that is, smaller than they were on earlier M cameras, and a decent match for a 40mm lens. You will have to do a bit of filing on one bayonet lug to keep from displaying the 50mm framelines.

 

[JBC]

Al,

Thanks for that bit of information. That certainly opens up the possibilities quite a bit.

Jim

 

[ferider]

The "35" mm framelines starting with the M4-P are a bit on the tight side, that is, smaller than they were on earlier M cameras, and a decent match for a 40mm lens. You will have to do a bit of filing on one bayonet lug to keep from displaying the 50mm framelines.

Only for late M4Ps and then going forward (M6, M7). Most M4Ps have the same 35 and 50mm framelines as M2 and M4.

I do agree with Al, that in particular Summicron and Rokkor 40mm lenses work well with the M6. The 40 Nokton is different since it's a bit longer.

Roland.

 

[Sam N]

The ZIs 35mm framelines also work well for a 40mm lens as long as you're not shooting slide film.

 

[ferider]

Bessa R2 35mm framelines are even smaller than M6, so they will work too.

 

[JBC]

Thanks for all the info folks! Lot's to ponder while I save for my replacement.

Jim

 

[Artorius]

I use the 40mm on my M3 using the entire viewfinder, which seems to be quite accurate for me.

 

[JBC]

Art,

Thanks for the info 'neighbor' 🙂 One more idea to throw into the hopper!

It seems there are a great number of possibilities out there!

 

[Erik L]

I use the 40mm on my M3 using the entire viewfinder, which seems to be quite accurate for me.

only downside seems to be the lack of parallax correction.

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

Leica CL or Minolta CLE. I think that your RF/VF are better than the Bessa R3A counterpart.
Ciao.
Vincenzo

 

[Rob-F]

I use my 40mm lenses (Minolta Rokkor; CV Nokton) with the 35mm framelines on my M6 & MP, for very accurate framing at all but very close distances. I use my 35mm lenses on my M2; and sometimes on the M6/MP. The 35mm lenses of course frame more accurately on the M2, as its framelines are a bit larger.

 

[John Rountree]

I shoot with an M7 and the lovely little Rokkor 40. My lens has been modified to pull up the 35mm frame lines. The framing and focusing accuracy are both first rate. In fact, I think the 35mm frame lines are such a good match for the 40 that I honestly think I would be very disappointed using a true 35mm lens on the M7.