Rollei 40mm f/2.8 Zeiss Sonnar

[pshinkaw]

The complete Modern Photography test kit can be downloaded here:

http://members.cox.net/lenstestr1/lenstest.htm

 

[awilder]

The trick to getting good results with reolution charts is to elliminate any shutter vibration or it may look like you have some astigmatic blur or some other form of image degredation. I always use the slowest film possible, expose with the shutter locked open @ B or T and adjust exposure time by use of the light switch. This way your testing pure lens performance.

 

[Huck Finn]

The trick to getting good results with reolution charts is to elliminate any shutter vibration or it may look like you have some astigmatic blur or some other form of image degredation. I always use the slowest film possible, expose with the shutter locked open @ B or T and adjust exposure time by use of the light switch. This way your testing pure lens performance.

Thanks for the tip, AW. Much appreciated. 🙂

Huck

 

[ZeissFan]

I've had this lens for a couple of years, attached to the Rollei camera. At that time, money was not an issue.

Anyway, I've always been very pleased with the performance of this lens. Very sharp, nice color rendition and very well made.

One thing you'll notice is that it's significantly heavier than you would expect. I expect that it's because of the use of brass within the mount. By the way, it's a LTM lens that comes with an M-mount adapter.

The lens uses a tab to focus, and in use the helical is very smooth -- much smoother than other lenses you may have used. There is a built-in lens shade, which is so tiny that I wonder if it's actually useful. Quality of construction is excellent.

The camera itself is a true Bessa-R2 clone with different markings, color scheme and body covering. The viewfinder, as you might expect, is very good although with a narrow base. rangefinder.

 

[bennyng]

There is a built-in lens shade, which is so tiny that I wonder if it's actually useful.

Rollei actually did sell a separate hood/lens shade as well as a 40mm viewfinder for this lens. Both items have Voigtlander counterparts for a lot less money. Not the most popular of accessories, given the price point they were asking for.

Cheers,

 

[fuwen]

The 40/2.8 does have distortion. The lens is heavy and the build is definitely much better than the made in Japan ZMs. I do not have issues with corner softness.

I had the body 35RF service before and found that the some parts were improved from the R2, but the overall build quality is not as refine as the R2/3/4 A/M.

 

[bennyng]

I had the body 35RF service before and found that the some parts were improved from the R2, but the overall build quality is not as refine as the R2/3/4 A/M.

Interesting. Specifically, which parts on the 35RF was an improvement over the R2? Most of us had the impression that it was just re-badged with different frame lines.

Cheers,

 

[fuwen]

Interesting. Specifically, which parts on the 35RF was an improvement over the R2? Most of us had the impression that it was just re-badged with different frame lines.

Cheers,

The repair guy told me. I am not sure what parts but do not think there are very big difference ......