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M8 and Summicron 40mm f2


graeme_hutton

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As some forum members may know I got a new M8 just after Christmas to partner a Summicron 40/2 lens won on ebay for a very modest sum.

 

Upon doing a bit of post-purchase research on the forum a few issues arose regarding the quality and compatibility of the camera and lens and also IR/UV filter necessity and fit.

 

I thought it might be useful to share my experience on this pairing for any other aspiring purchasers - It does afterall make an M8 slightly more affordable for those of us with children to feed and clothe etc etc.

 

1. The issue of viewfinder framelines being incompatible with 40mm. This is true but easily remedied with a few strokes of a file on the lens flange. I am hopeless at this sort of thing and even I managed it - it's easy so don't be afraid. A quick search on this forum revealed this: Leica and Rangefinders Forum: How to modify a 40mm Summicron-C (with photos) - photo.net with photos (thank you). You will now have the 'default' 35mm framelines which are an extremely near match for the 40mm lens.

 

2. The issue of the IR/UV filters - I used the lens for general photography in Bruges without the filter and it had no detrimental effect that I could see. I subsequently ordered a standard 39 IR/UV filter which arrived from Leica within days and, with careful screwing, the thread will bite and hold fast in the 40mm Summicron, just don't overtighten it. This may take a few attempts but it does work - Lie the camera on its back and drop the filter into place, press down lightly and make about 3-4 turns. The lens hood then screws easily into the filter thread.

 

3. In my view the quality of this lens is excellent and for a couple of hundred pounds makes a superb and fast standard 52mm optic for the M8.

 

So, don't be afraid if you spot a bargain!

 

Regards

 

Graeme

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  • 1 year later...

Thanks for the information. I also have a Summicron-c 40 and am thinking about buying an M8 now that they are more affordable. Have any other issues arisen during your use with this combination? What focal length does the lens become with the crop factor; and what frameline does it best suit? Do you have an example photograph? Cheers! Sean

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Graeme, I perfectly agree. Had not a single problem with my summicron 40/2 and the UV/IR filter. It is there on the lens since I've got it and the rubber Hood is there as well.

Besides, I didn't file the mount, maybe I will. At the moment, I just push the side lever to get the 35 bright lines and this works ok to me.

It is undoubtably one of the sharpest, lightest and most pleasant lenses I've ever had.

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So, you are bringing up the 35mm framelines even though the sensor is x1.3? Does this mean that the 35 framelines on the M8 are different to the 35 framelines on a film M? I guessed that a 40mm x 1.3 = 52mm, so the 50mm framelines would be better suited. Sorry if this sounds daft - I have only just started to consider buying an M8! PS: Can the lens be coded?

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So, you are bringing up the 35mm framelines even though the sensor is x1.3? Does this mean that the 35 framelines on the M8 are different to the 35 framelines on a film M? I guessed that a 40mm x 1.3 = 52mm, so the 50mm framelines would be better suited. Sorry if this sounds daft - I have only just started to consider buying an M8! PS: Can the lens be coded?

 

The problem is that the 50mm brightlines are made keeping in mind the 1.33 factor, therefore they are actually 66.5 brightlines where the 35mm are approx. 46.5, then just slightly bigger than the 40 on an M8. With the 35 BL you just get something less than you see in the frame, while with the 50 BL you get much more.

I think you have to think M8 when using one, not the usual way. It take a small time to get use to it.

I do not really know if there is a code for the 40mm. I presume not

 

Hope I didn't tell too much crap.

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Thanks for the information. I also have a Summicron-c 40 and am thinking about buying an M8 now that they are more affordable. Have any other issues arisen during your use with this combination? What focal length does the lens become with the crop factor; and what frameline does it best suit? Do you have an example photograph? Cheers! Sean

 

Sean - Wow....The thread from the dead!

 

No issues at all with the 40mm Summicron Sean apart from marvelling at its quality and suitability for the M8. A forum search under my name in 'People' will show you numerous shots with this lens, my standard of choice.

 

It's on my M8 99.99999% of the time.

 

Enjoy.

 

Graeme

 

PS Don't be afraid to get out a small file and do the 35mm conversion. I'm a DIY illiterate and even I managed it!

Edited by graeme_hutton
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IIRC, the 40/2 Summicron was designed for Series 5.5 filters held by the hood.

 

B+W could make one up if you prefer not trying to use a not-quite-right screw-in filter.

 

The Summicron C is my favourite lens and I always used it with the original rubber sunshade and a B&W filter. This filter - 39mm- does not fit very well but it sort of works but it makes the lens a bit longer. Since I want the most compact setup possible I decided today to risk one filter and take the glass out of the holder.

 

I damaged the glass a bit at the edge but the glass does fit nicely into the rubber lenshood and the damage was not severe enough to have an impact on the files.

I am quite happy now with my super compact M8!

 

Regards

 

Volker

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Sean - Wow....The thread from the dead!

 

No issues at all with the 40mm Summicron Sean apart from marvelling at its quality and suitability for the M8. A forum search under my name in 'People' will show you numerous shots with this lens, my standard of choice.

 

It's on my M8 99.99999% of the time.

 

Enjoy.

 

Graeme

 

PS Don't be afraid to get out a small file and do the 35mm conversion. I'm a DIY illiterate and even I managed it!

 

Fantastic pictures you have from the lens....does it require coding? Regards, Sean

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Fantastic pictures you have from the lens....does it require coding? Regards, Sean

 

No Sean - 'Fit and Forget'!...I've just abandoned my 28 Elmarit because it's not as good as the 40 'cron in terms of handling light and shadow.

 

Do you have the 40 'cron yet? If you do get one and need the original rubber lens hood I have a boxed spare I'm sure we could come to an agreement on.

 

Best

 

Graeme

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No Sean - 'Fit and Forget'!...I've just abandoned my 28 Elmarit because it's not as good as the 40 'cron in terms of handling light and shadow.

 

Do you have the 40 'cron yet? If you do get one and need the original rubber lens hood I have a boxed spare I'm sure we could come to an agreement on.

 

Best

 

Graeme

 

Thanks, Graeme - I've sent you a PM.

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Hello

 

I've used this lens a lot on my M8 and it is a superb lens! The only annoying thing was the filters and the framelines like described. The filterproblem I got solved from a US company, PECA filters. They make filters in any sizes for forensic and the quality is quite good. Here is the link: IR-UV Filters I think I paid 78US dollars for a series 5.5 filter. Just be sure to specify the exact size of the filter when ordering. The other option is to get a M39 Leica or B&W filter, screw out the threads and just let the shade hold the glass, works perfect!

 

With the lines you'll get use to using the frameline lever.

 

Like I said, I really like this lens, extremely compact high performer and the best, the protection cap which is so easy to mount and dismount!

 

However, I got over a Summicron 35 at a reasonable price so this has replaced my 40 as standard.

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I have one and use it with the IR/UV B+W filter a lot. It makes for a compact camera and when I shoot it at f2 or 2.8 it blows me away.

All of a sudden, having a wide-angle lens seems like so much gadgetry.

I did the filing. The filter gets kind of screwed on until it sticks. I don't have a shade, but would like one.

Altogether, it makes me think more about the people I'm photographing and whether I can see the whites of their eyes, plus composition. If I were a teacher, I would require students to use it, only, for a week.

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I have the 40mm f2 that I use on my M8 . I don't file the lens down and use the frame selector to get to the 35mm frameline. It works fine. The lens is every bit as good and has similar optical signature to the 35mm cron ver 4. I can't imagine what it can do on the M9.

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There's a simple solution to the filter size problem: DAG offers adapters from 40.5 to 39mm:

 

Leica M

Scroll down to #DAGM66.

 

Because of the crop factor, you can put on this adapter & filter, & then a screw-on 50mm hood from eBay & not vignette. It's a taller stack o' gear than the little 40, but it's UVIR-proof & fairly well shielded from flare.

 

DAG will also file off your flange, if you don't like to do-it-yourself.

 

Kirk

 

M8u 50 Lux v4 @1.4 - playing with old-fashioned 'glow.'

 

PS, I was moved to acquire the 40 Summicron by the lovely image quality of Graeme's posts, & I thank him very much for his example!

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited by thompsonkirk
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  • 1 month later...

I just push the side lever to get the 35 bright lines and this works ok to me.

 

Hi enrico,

How do you do that to brick the 35 bright lines?. I do not want to file the lens cause I also use it in film's camera and I do not know what frameline will come to them

 

Indeed great lens, I love it,

n

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I just push the side lever to get the 35 bright lines and this works ok to me.

 

Hi enrico,

How do you do that to brick the 35 bright lines?. I do not want to file the lens cause I also use it in film's camera and I do not know what frameline will come to them

 

Indeed great lens, I love it,

n

 

Nikolas, if you didn't file the 40, as I didn't, it brings up the 50 brightlines. If you want to see how the real picture will almost look through the 35 BL, while composing the picture you just have to pull the lever at the left side of the lens with the point of your finger and it will bring up the 35mm framelines as long as you leave it free again. I use this method to compose with the 40. Moving that lever left or right you can switch between the different BLs, I also use it to get the 90mm BL when using the 135.

Edited by epand56
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