C40 lens on M2?

[dpitt]

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Hi all,

 

I am a happy owner of a D2 since last summer and now I have been fortunate to pick up a used M2 in fair condition.

 

On the D2 I use the 35 to 50 range most, so I am looking for a 35'ish lens to start my experience with analogue Leica's. My experience with analogue dates back at least 15 years and was SLR only (Nikon FE mostly).

 

Finding a reasonably fast Leica 'user' lens in this range is not as simple as I thought it would be. I got the feeling that a C40 would give me great value for my money and with f2 it is fast too.

It would also make a good '50' if I should buy an M8 later on.

 

Does anyone of you use it with the M2?

What frames does it bring up in the finder when mounted?

Any advice is appreciated.

[antistatic]

My 40mm Rokkor (which is essentially the same lens) brings up the 50mm framelines on the M2. It is a great performing compact lens. I loved it on the Minolta CLE (which has the 40mm famelines) but I find it pain to try and guess the framing on the Leica. YMMV

[doubice]

If you do not plan to use the lens on a CL or CLE, you can gently file away a tiny part of the frame actuating lug on the lens. It will then activate the 35mm frame lines, which are a lot closer to the 40mm lens than the 50mm ones. The lug which activates the frame lines is the one closest to the frame selector lever when the lens is mounted on the camera.

 

A less secure way and one I would not recommend for anything else but testing, is not to seat the lens completely when mounting it. The default frame line position is the one for 35mm and the 35mm lenses have the shortest actuating lug - by not seating the lens all the way, you are fooling the camera into thinkingthat a 35mm lens is mopunted.

 

And yes, it is a splendid lens.

 

Best,

 

Jan

[dpitt]

If you do not plan to use the lens on a CL or CLE, you can gently file away a tiny part of the frame actuating lug on the lens. It will then activate the 35mm frame lines, which are a lot closer to the 40mm lens than the 50mm ones. The lug which activates the frame lines is the one closest to the frame selector lever when the lens is mounted on the camera.

 

A less secure way and one I would not recommend for anything else but testing, is not to seat the lens completely when mounting it. The default frame line position is the one for 35mm and the 35mm lenses have the shortest actuating lug - by not seating the lens all the way, you are fooling the camera into thinkingthat a 35mm lens is mopunted.

 

And yes, it is a splendid lens.

 

Best,

 

Jan

 

Thanks.

This is good news. It seems logical to me that the 35 mm frames are a lot closer to the actual field of view than the 50 mm.The lens will probably only be used on M2, M8 or M9 in the future.

I will probably not be filing away the first day on a 'new' lens, but eventually I will be tempted. At least the second option will give me a perfect test opportunity before I start 'destroying' my lens.

 

My plan is to use a hybrid workflow, by scanning the 'keeper' negatives and then process them digitally. Digital cropping will hopefully help me tackle the uncertainty about the exact frame of the 40mm.

 

If you ignore the framing issue, is there any alternative in the same price range you would recommend?

[roguewave]

I have all of the above equipment & use it often. With the M2 & 40, it's no big issue at all. The 40 brings up the 50. so just frame a bit wider. Waste a roll or 2 & you will be just locked in. Both iterations of the 40 are great & i have them both. The 40 Rokker is a little better on flare & better midtones, while the Summicron 40 is more contrasty & that gives a feeling of enhanced sharpness. Both are superb. Check out andym911. His posts are a superb example of the use of these lenses.