Where have all the 40mm M-Rokkor/Summicron -Cs gone?

Krosya said:
Well, look at the photos I posted in a previous post - lens on the left is a CL version that I prefer, lens on the right is a CLE one. What does your lens look like?
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Mine looks exactly like the one on the right. I knew it was the CLE version, but really, both the Summicron-C and my CLE create exactly the same images, except the Summicron-C seems to be slightly more prone to flare, but not that much more. I've returned it to its owner (it was lent to me).

I consider this CLE 40mm Rokkor a rebadged Summicron-C, with perhaps slightly better coatings.

This lens is a real beauty. I need to modify it for the frameline change. The 35mm framelines work perfectly fine when focusing far away (~10ft to Inf.), and a little flicking back and forth the 50mm and 35mm to guesstimate the right framing in close range.

I really really like it. Better bokeh, and "buttier" feel than any 35mm Summicron I've tried, except, perhaps, the 8-element version.

I don't know if I'd like the fov on film, but the effective 53mm with the M8 is like using my 50 'cron on the M6. Mawvelos.
 
cjago said:
So, I'm sitting here with a Summicron-C 40mm and an Elmarit-C 40mm that I never use. I've never been very good at selling things...
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The 40mm Elmarit-C is a collector's item. The first time I "heard" it mentioned was by Al Kaplan, who (if I recall correctly) apparently owned one at a certain point. Very low production.
 
Krosya said:
while on CLE it goes inside/outside as you turn it, so there is 2-way travel for your focus lever
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Oh! I just realized what you meant by this. Yes, mine does the same thing, but I didn't even notice. It "travels" for, what, 5mm? I don't find it a nuissance at all; if anything, it reinforces the "where is it focused now?" feedback tactically (as in "tact" -- touch)

The focusing throw is short and fast. I love the concave tab, but this one is good, too. Better than the Zeiss tab, which isn't bad at all itself.
 
The aperture tab is just like that found on the so-called 2nd version 35mm Summicron. No wonder this lens wasn't a hit.

2,250 Euros. Those collectors.

Perhaps I should create a new lens-making company, with limited runs of 300 on any lens. The collectors will pick up the tab.

What defunct brand-name can be bought on the cheap?
 
Well, I am one of the lucky ones. I have two. I have the Rokkor C and the Rokkor CLE. The CLE has been modified to bring up the 35mm frame lines on my M7. The other stays on my CLE body. Though it is obvious from looking at them that the CLE version (serial number on the barrel) is multi-coated, the performance is virtually identical. When I first got the CLE lens I tok some pictures of a lighted billboard at night with no flare! BTW, I bought the CLE lens when my wife had a very strong negative reaction to my proposal to buy a Summicron 35mm. I am so happy with this $300 gem that (if necessary) I would rather replace the CLE with another 40mm CLE lens than with a Summicron. Absolutely brilliant lenses. IMO it is the single bgest piece of equipment Minolta EVER made!
 
There is a shortage of 40's because I have been hording them! I have 5, 2 X Summicrons, 2 X CLE Rokkors and 1X MC Nokton. I have been meaning to sell off one Summicron and one Rokkor but can never figure out how to pay for an advert on here. I buy extra camera bodies and seem to get another lens every time I do!
 
Its those M8 users I tell you, they are just keeping it a secret so prices dont rise. Who will buy a newer and slower Summarit at 5 times the price? With the crop factor the 40mm will be as good as any 50mm Summicron on the M8.
 
[chuckles]

Well, I'll look at the KEH one. I've heard good things about KEH, but have remained hesitant about buying from there. I wonder if the optics and mechanicals would be in good condition.

Hadn't known about Igorcamera, but I was really surprised to find out that EX was actually the second-last rating on their list :rollseyes:
 
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