R-D1s+40mm summarit converted to M

[timexchen]

 

[ferider]

Very cool. Please show us a picture of the camera & lens.

 

[timexchen]

Here it is.

Pretty tiny and solid build!

 

[ferider]

A unique and very sharp setup. I'm jealous. 🙂

Would love to see how this compares to 40 Summicron or Rokkor.

 

[timexchen]

Erwin Puts has made some comparison and conclusion about this gem:

http://www.imx.nl/photo/leica/camera/page167/page167.html

I myself did some side by side test shots between this 40mm and 35 Cron ASPH and the results are stunning: My eyes prefer this 40mm summarit.

 

[Fuchs]

I assume the Summarit 40 referred here is the one (f/2.4) present on the Leica Minilux? If so, who does the conversion?
I have an almost unused and splendid Black Minilux with the infamous shutter error, and I'd prefer to use the lens on my M8 rather than continuing seeing it gather dust on a camera I will never use again. Repair is >us$250 from where I live, and as the cause is a design flaw in the flexible connector between lens and body it will fail again over use, so I consider it a sad waste of money.

 

[timexchen]

My lens is from an E02 MINILUX body and the conversion was done in MS optics in Japan. For more info, you can google japanexposure for details. Conversion itself costs around $700 which can obviously buy 2 used minilux bodies with full function. But with an M mount, 40mm summarit could have a second life in digital world.

 

[kermaier]

Wow, those are some nice pictures! The in-focus subjects look really sharp, and the out-of-focus areas are smooth as silk. I would like to see how it fares in dimmer light with point-source highlights, or other high-contrast and/or flare-inducing lighting situations.

OK, between parts and labor, your lens costs about $900. Then the comparable lenses in the 35mm-40mm f/2-f/2.8 group would be:

$330 CV 35/2.5 Skopar
$350 40/2 M-Rokkor
$700 35/2.8 Summaron
$825 ZM 35/2.8 Biogon
$900 40/2.4 Summarit conversion
$1000 ZM 35/2 Biogon
$1200 35/2 Summicron pre-asph
$1700 35/2.5 Summarit-M

Based on the results you're getting from the lens, it seems like an interesting and not-unreasonably-priced option.

Congratulations on a very special piece of gear!

::Ari

 

[andreas.pichler]

Ferider,

you have asked for some Epson R-D1/Summicron 40 - examples. Here are some shots (Summicron C 40/2):

 

[aldobonnard]

@ timexchen :
I can see that you have both the R-D1 and a M. Japanexposures quotes from the vendor that the R-D1 needs a special individual calibration (for whatever reason which escapes me) otherwise it will not focus accurately.
What was your lens modified for? normal M or special R-D1 ?
I am interested in knoweing whether this "special R-D1" mod is necessary, depending on your experience and feedback.
Thanks 🙂

 

[timexchen]

@ timexchen :
I can see that you have both the R-D1 and a M. Japanexposures quotes from the vendor that the R-D1 needs a special individual calibration (for whatever reason which escapes me) otherwise it will not focus accurately.
What was your lens modified for? normal M or special R-D1 ?
I am interested in knoweing whether this "special R-D1" mod is necessary, depending on your experience and feedback.
Thanks 🙂

I guess the special calibration of R-D1 is only necessary if the converted lens has a long rear element, especially the wide angle contax G lens. I had 2 40mm summarit (from minilux) converted to M mount and both work perfectly on my R-D1s and M body, with focusing spot on. You can contact Dirk for more info and his email could be found on japanexposure.com🙂