Which 40 for a CL?

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oscroft

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I'm pondering the possibility of getting a 40mm lens for my Leica CL - something to leave almost permanently attached to it, so I can just drop the combo in my pocket whenever I go out without a camera bag (I've got a couple of fixed-lens RFs that I use for that purpose now, but the CL is so nice 🙂 ). Currently I'm mostly using a CV 35/2.5 on the CL and using the 40 framelines as an approximation, but I think a 40 would be a better option (I recently got a Pentax 40mm pancake, and I already really like the focal length).

So, my choice is between a CV 40/1.4 and a Summicron/Rokkor 40. I don't really do low-light shooting, and something smaller and lighter would be better on the CL, so that suggests a Summicron/Rokkor (I'm presuming it's smaller and lighter than the CV - it certainly looks compact) - and it was made for the CL after all. But on the other hand, it might be a good idea to have at least one fast lens (I have nothing faster than f/2.5 in lenses whose focusing I trust to be accurate - I have a Jupiter-8, but I wouldn't trust its focusing enough to use it close up at f/2). And a CV 40 would give me one more excuse to later get a Bessa R3 😉

Has anyone used these two lenses? How do they compare?

Thanks in advance,
 
I've only used the Rokkor, it is an excellent lens. I don't think you can make a bad choice from the 3 you name. Decide based on the speed you may want and or a great price at the right time.
 
I used both rokkors - CL and CLE versions and can't say that one is better than the other from image quality stand point. For me CL version (same as Summicron C , just with 40.5mm filter ring) was better ergonomically than a more rare CLE, so CLE got Sold. I still have a CL version. Great compact lens.
Here is a photo of both:
 

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The Nokton is a really nice lens. Advantage are speed, obviously, and slightly
shorter min. distance (important for portraits). On the other hand it's
bigger and almost 10% longer in focal length than both Summicron and
Rokkor (43 vs 40mm).

If you want the 40 only for the CL, I recommend the latest Rokkor
you can find.

If you want to use it both on CL and M[67], I recommend the Nokton.

M6 + Nokton is a killer fast one lens kit. And you can do photos with it that
you cann't do with a Canonet 🙂

Best,

Roland.
 
Thanks very much folks - very interesting thoughts there. The tests are interesting too - it looks like there isn't much between them other than differences in bokeh character (which doesn't bother me too much).

I would want to use it on my M6 too, so on that score I'd probably lean towards the CV. But if the Rokkor/Summicron focal length is a bit shorter that might sway me the other way again.

Difficult decision - but it's the kind of problem I quite enjoy having 🙂
 
All of the 40's are pretty good and you cant go wrong with any. So your selection should be based on the slight differences between them. Given that you dont do much low light shooting and you want something compact to go everywhere with your CL then the Summicron/Rokkors would be the choice. In another thread I have read that they aren't seen for sale as regularly but it hasn't appeared to have affected prices much.
 
Out of curiosity, are you using the pancake version of the 35/2.5? If so, do you have any photos of it? I've contemplated getting a CL to pair with my 35/2.5P2 as a tiny, compact set up that fits in my pocket...
 
I have both the Summicron-C and the Nokton and have really liked both. If small and light is what you are looking for, go for the Summicron/Rokkor - it is nearly the tiniest lens I have ever used. The Nokton is a stop faster (which makes a difference to me) and has maybe a bit more contrast. Under some conditions I prefer the boke of the Summicron to that of the Nokton - if that is important to you. But like Joel says - you can't go wrong with any of them.

- John
 
I second the recommendations of others above regarding the Summicron/Rokker 40's as likely being your best option given your desire for pocketability. I have both, and have used my Rokkor with filed mount to bring up 35 framelines on my M6, and they're amazing lenses. Size, bokeh, handling, price are all excellent.

A completely different recommendation that admittedly does not meet your focal length requirements is to look for a Canon 28/3.5 ltm lens. You can use the entire CL viewfinder to approximate the 28 framelines and this lens makes even the Summicron/Rokker 40s look positively huge. Now THAT'S a pocketable M mount camera! I only mention it, not to seriously suggest you go that route instead of a 40, but rather, to consider getting one when one comes along at a good price, to augment your pocket kit. That's what I did in putting together my lightweight travel kit - CL with Canon 28, Summicron 40 and Rokker 90 (I couple the 28 and the 90 together via a Leica lens coupler).

-Randy
 
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A completely different recommendation that admittedly does not meet your focal length requirements is to look for a Canon 28/3.5 ltm lens. You can use the entire CL viewfinder to approximate the 28 framelines and this lens makes even the Summicron/Rokker 40s look positively huge.
Click to expand...
Now that's something I just hadn't thought of - I have a CV 28/3.5 (which is pretty small - I don't think I've ever seen a Canon one), but hadn't thought of using it on the CL. I'll have to give it a go.

If you are inclined to use filters, the 40,5 filters for the Rokkor lenses are easier to handle and easier to acquire than the Series filters required by the Summicron-C. Personally, I prefer the more 'rounded' and smoother rendition of the various 40/2 lenses.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7431278...kor40mmf20cle/
Click to expand...
Some nice shots there - it's tricky to be sure with small online versions, but it does look like they have the kind of smooth tonality that I really like (and which I get from my CV 28/3.5). I don't use filters much, but on the occasions when I do the 40.5 thread would certainly be easier - I already have a few 40.5 filters.

So thanks again everyone. I'm leaning more firmly towards one of the 40/2 lenses - probably a Rokkor. (I'm not in a position to buy it just yet and I'm in no hurry, so I can take the time to get the one I want).
 
With a bit of care, it's no problem to use a 39mm filter on the 40mm Summicron-C. The thread pitch is slightly different so don't use any force when mounting a filter.

My 40mm is a pretty perfect match with the 35mm frame of my M6 on distances over a few meters and the lens I use the most.
 
Leitz Summicron C 40 mm f/ 2, Minolta M Rokkor 40 mm f/ 2 or Voigtlaender Nokton 40 mm f/ 1,4, though the rangefinder effective base lenght of the Leica CL is a bit too short to ensure the best focus precision with the f/ 1,4 aperture.
Ciao.
 
Leitz Summicron C 40 mm f/ 2, Minolta M Rokkor 40 mm f/ 2 or Voigtlaender Nokton 40 mm f/ 1,4, though the rangefinder effective base lenght of the Leica CL is a bit too short to ensure the best focus precision with the f/ 1,4 aperture.
Click to expand...

Not quite true. The CL is capable of focusing a 50mm f2.0 and Leica states this is within its focusing limits. A 40mm f1.4 is faster than a f2.0 50mm but its also wider so the required baselength to focus both lenses is close. My experience bares this out, a CL focuses the Nokton if you take the time to focus accurately in the VF which is advisable when shooting any fast lens wide open. The only problem with the Nokton is that that it focuses down to 70cm but the cameras rangefinder stops at 80cm. The last 10cm is guess work. The Nokton makes a CL look like a little beast when attached.

I just noticed on another thread today that a couple of people had the 40's up for sale. Maybe they would hold one for you or something being a fellow forum member.
 
Not quite true. The CL is capable of focusing a 50mm f2.0 and Leica states this is within its focusing limits. A 40mm f1.4 is faster than a f2.0 50mm but its also wider so the required baselength to focus both lenses is close. My experience bares this out, a CL focuses the Nokton if you take the time to focus accurately in the VF which is advisable when shooting any fast lens wide open. The only problem with the Nokton is that that it focuses down to 70cm but the cameras rangefinder stops at 80cm. The last 10cm is guess work. The Nokton makes a CL look like a little beast when attached.
Click to expand...
That all sounds good to me - I don't think I'd be worried about focusing a Nokton at f/1.4 (especially as I'd be very unlikely to shoot anything close-up with it). But all in all, I'm thinking Rokkor or Summicron.

I just noticed on another thread today that a couple of people had the 40's up for sale. Maybe they would hold one for you or something being a fellow forum member
Click to expand...
I couldn't really ask anyone to hold anything just yet, because I'm really not sure when I'll be in a position to buy it. But thanks for the suggestion.
 
Palaeoboy said:
I just noticed on another thread today that a couple of people had the 40's up for sale. Maybe they would hold one for you or something being a fellow forum member.
Click to expand...

Mine (Rokkor CL version) is still availible for now, if anyone is interested. But soon it'll go on Ebay.
 
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