Pancake lens options?

[Shaocaholica]

If I do get a M-mount RF, what Pancake lens options do I have? I've read up on the Skopar II but thats about it. Another issue is that I might end up with either a Minolta CLE/R2/HexarRF. What potential mounting problems will I have with the current selection of pancakes?

 

[Huck Finn]

Do you mean lenses that are designated as "pancakes" by the manufacturer or do you just mean very compact lenses . . . say, less than 30 mm in length?

All the 40's, for example, whether by Rollei, Leica, Minolta, or Cosina/Voigtlander are very compact although none are designated "pancake."

 

[Joe Mondello]

I always wanted a reason to post this picture! . . .

😉

 

[Shaocaholica]

I guess I'm looking for lenses that are less than ~30mm long at infinity but no ultra wides. What's the shortest 40mm?

 

[maddoc]

I have the CV 35mm f/2.5 PII which is very compact and sharp but not that ideal in low light. For this reason I bought the Summilux 35mm pre-asph. (latest version) because it is nearly identical in size but offers two more stops. Otherwise there is the CV Nokton 40mm f/1.4 which is also very compact.

- Gabor

 

[payasam]

I used to have a Canon 28/2.8 which was tiny.

Mounting will be straightforward. At most you will need a screw-to-M adapter ring.

 

[Andy Aitken]

The Kobalux (aka Avenon/Bower/PasOptik) 28mm f3.5 is tiny and a very good lens. Comes in both LTM and M mount versions. The CV 28mm f3.5 is close behind it. The 40mm Summicon C or Rokkor is pretty small too. For a fast yet compact lens the CV 40mm f1.4 is tough to beat although it's a bit longer and a lot wider than the Leica/Minolta 40's.

 

[Bosk]

An early 35 summaron might fit your needs.


EDIT: and a 35 elmar would be even flatter now that I think about it.

 

[Sparrow]

I always wanted a reason to post this picture! . . .

😉

Is the rabbit called Len?
😀

 

[Jerevan]

Ah, the wondrous Pancake Bunny! 😀

As to pancake lenses... well, any of the cameras you mention will mount any of the lenses mentioned earlier in the thread. The problem may be what frames they bring up in the finder. If small and light is what you need, get a CL/CLE and a 40.

If you don't need low light capability, a Summaron 35 3.5 (ltm with M-adapter) or a Summaron 35 2.8 (M-mount version, without googles) will be small and handy.

 

[Huck Finn]

I guess I'm looking for lenses that are less than ~30mm long at infinity but no ultra wides. What's the shortest 40mm?

All f the 40's are less than 30 mm in length. Remarkable compact. From shortest to longest:

Leica/ Minolta 40/2
Rollei 40/2.8 Sonnar
CV 40/1.4 Nokton