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40mm Summicron - The Perfect M8 Lens?


johnloumiles

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While I waited for my M8 to come back from repair I purchased a 40 Summicron as my everyday lens. I love the low profile, perfect if your on the move. Couple that with the fact it's as close to 50mm you will get on the M8 and you have a winner. So far the optics seem pristine. Here are a few shots from today.

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A beautiful lens on any camera. One of the best compromises (and that word is wrongfully condescending in this case) of speed, focal length, size, and performance. It is almost too small, with wonderful sharpness, pleasing out-of-focus areas, and very cheaply priced on the second-hand market compared to most Leica glass. And - don't modify it !

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Just got one in excellent conditions.

What a wonderful thing to find again the 50mm FOV.

But I modified it, because on the M8 the 35mm bright lines correspond exactly to what the lens catches, and that wasn't the case with any other lens I tried.

 

Why do some of you recommend not to modify it?

 

Ordered from eBay an adapter ring to mount steadily the UV/IR 39mm filter, because as it is, it detaches itself from time to time.

 

Regards, Alex

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Because it renders it useless on proper cameras.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

Er, help me out here, if you don't mind. Do any of the "proper" cameras actually have a 40mm frame (beside the CL and Minolta CLE)? I didn't think they do, but then I could be wrong . . . And I'm not sure which frame the 40mm lens activates; is it the 35mm or the 50mm? I'm thinking that if none of the "proper" cameras have a 40mm frame, then whatever frame is selected will be somewhat less than precise. So, why will changing the selector segment on the mount render it useless?

 

And, just in passing, why is the M8 not a "proper" camera?

 

Sorry to ask these things . . . but I would like to know.

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Thanks for the replies. He is referring to not being able to use it properly on the Lecia CL & Minolta CLE if you file it down, which are the only M mount cameras that have a 40mm frame line.

 

Its ones personal choice. I stick with the 50 view mainly because i'm use to it. My first Leica mount lens was a 40mm Nokton. It's merely a matter of personal preference.

 

And your right digbyhp it is the perfect compromise for all the reasons you stated. I know some say 40mm is the most boring focal length which I find to be wrong since there are countless ways to implement most any lens. On the M8 though it makes perfect sense and I'll look forward to holding on to this jewel for the rest of my life (knock on wood)!

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...

But I modified it, because on the M8 the 35mm bright lines correspond exactly to what the lens catches, and ...

+

Hello,

 

and prior to modifying, You can test the different lines with the lever and decide which you prefer. I also modified my frameline selection - without effect on the CL framelines.

 

Kind regards - Thorsten

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The 40mm Rokkor makes a fine stand lens in for the 40mm Summicron.

Some even say the differences are unknowable. :)

I just know I tried one and found it to my liking as an optic.

 

My only grumble with the lens is that my d@mn fingers are so big.:rolleyes:

 

I'm an RF Newb and transitioning from the 'fat' summicron fifty I was used to on my 20D was insurmountable! I had to switch to the fast CV 28 I had also acquired to sucessfully make the leap from an slr.

 

I love my M8 so much I haven't used an slr in so long I genuinely can't find my EOS 20D now. The lenses and such for it were found as expected in their big ole Lowe Pro bag, but the camera has 'done a runner'.

 

We don't think it was stolen because why take just the body and why take just the body when there is a very expensive macintosh in the same room!

 

RLW

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The 40mm framelines of the CL are fixed if i'm not wrong so filing the bayonet of the lens should not do any harm normally. I have no experience with the CL though. Filing the 40/2 to bring up 35mm framelines has the same effect on analogue Ms, M8 and M9, but not on the M8.2. Better try the lens on the latter before deciding to file it IMHO.

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It is not a matter of frame selection but of different viewfinders. I own 3 copies of the 40/2, one of them being filed to bring up 35mm frame lines on M cameras. Those 35mm frame lines are almost perfectly accurate with 40mm lenses at long subject distances with film Ms, M8, M9 and R-D1 cameras, but *not* with the M8.2. Better shoot close to medium distance subjects with the latter.

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OK what the M8.2 does is cropping all edges with 35mm frame lines but this cropping effect is more pronounced at long than short subject distances actually. It is just a matter of getting used to it but better be warned about this before filing the lens irreversibly.

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The 40mm framelines of the CL are fixed if i'm not wrong so filing the bayonet of the lens should not do any harm normally. I have no experience with the CL though. Filing the 40/2 to bring up 35mm framelines has the same effect on analogue Ms, M8 and M9, but not on the M8.2. Better try the lens on the latter before deciding to file it IMHO.

 

Actually the reason I had mine filed down is because it is perfect on my M8u which has 8.2 style framelines...

It ismore or less atached to that camera on apermanent basis.

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It was just feeling neglected and unloved. Has anybody seen a 20D walking past with a knotted hanky on a stick over its shoulder?

The 40mm Rokkor makes a fine stand lens in for the 40mm Summicron.

Some even say the differences are unknowable. :)

I just know I tried one and found it to my liking as an optic.

 

My only grumble with the lens is that my d@mn fingers are so big.:rolleyes:

 

I'm an RF Newb and transitioning from the 'fat' summicron fifty I was used to on my 20D was insurmountable! I had to switch to the fast CV 28 I had also acquired to sucessfully make the leap from an slr.

 

I love my M8 so much I haven't used an slr in so long I genuinely can't find my EOS 20D now. The lenses and such for it were found as expected in their big ole Lowe Pro bag, but the camera has 'done a runner'.

 

We don't think it was stolen because why take just the body and why take just the body when there is a very expensive macintosh in the same room!

 

RLW

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The 40mm Summicron is my standard lens on the M8. It's razor sharp also wide open, very small, very light, very cheap. The only criticism I have is its absolute horrible rendering of very bright spots in an out-of-focus darker background (I just try to avoid the term 'bokeh' :o).....

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