2.0/40 Summilux or 1.4/40mm Nokton ?

[MarkP]

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I'm about to pick up a CL for my son for an entry into film photography. He already uses my M9 with some Zeiss lenses so is comfortable with rangefinders. He wants to get into film, and compact kit like a CL, 40mm lens, and maybe later a 90 would be perfect.

 

Does anyone have experience with both the CV (SC or MC) and Leica 40mm lenses?

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[TomB_tx]

I've used the Leica 40 Summicron on my CL since the 1980s, and it is a fine lens. I haven't tried the 40 Nokton, but the 35 Nokton I have is quite good (except for focus shift), and the 40 tends to have a better reputation.

[algrove]

I did a test of about 10 50's on my MM. The 40/2 was #3 behind the Noctilux f1.0 and the APO50. Pretty good company for such an old lens.

[Duane Pandorf]

Shooting the Leica 40mm Summicron-C on a Ricoh GXR for several months is what led me to buying my first Leica RF, the M-E.

 

The on reason I sold the 40 was to buy a v2 Leica 35 Summicron to get to the 50 FOV on the cropped sensor GXR.

[jackstraw]

I love my Summicron-C 40. I was able to obtain a mint, 1974 version recently. When I go out for a walk, it has become my choice for the simple reason that it so incredibly light. Also, it renders differently than its more recent relatives, my 50 Lux ASPH and 35 Lux FLE...less clinical. They all have a place in my heart, but this little lens has taken me by surprise.

[algrove]

+1

[Jabberwockt]

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I have both. I feel that they are about on par with one another (although they do render different). The Nokton is cheaper, has f1.4, a supported filter ring size, and a slight harsher bokeh. The Cron40 has kind of classic rendering with marginally better bokeh (very very marginally), but can be a bit soft in the edge/corner even when stopped down IMO.

[250swb]

The 40mm Nokton is an easy lens to live with, it is pretty sharp and has the extra f/stop although it does develop a 'glow' wide open very much like the early 35mm Summilux (which I think it is based on). I have the MC version, but from what I read the SC version makes it more 'classic' with a softer bokeh.

 

Steve

[pfhrased]

I adore my 40/2. I never liked my ex-wife's 40/1.4 though.

[MarkP]

I adore my 40/2. I never liked my ex-wife's 40/1.4 though.

 

Is that why she's your ex-wife:D

[xalo]

Though I can't testify on the impact on marital life, I would also consider the Minolta M-Rokkor 40mm over the Summicron...

As has been said many times, the Rokkor is essentially the same lens as the Summicron, but multi-coated, with a 40,5mm standard filter thread and usually lower price tag.

In colour, both film and RD-1, I consistently prefer the rendering of the Rokkor over the CV lenses I tried (21/4, 25/4, 35/2,5; the 28/1,9 being an exception perhaps) — note, the later CV 35 and 40 f1,4 are not among them, but sample images didn't show much difference. It's difficult to describe, but the Rokkor renders a more subtle and realistic, less bold colour scale, more nuanced may be: am thinking of sky blues, for instance.

At any rate, the Rokkor is a gem.

 

Cheers,

Alexander

[Ecar]

As an all-rounder lens, I'd get the Rokkor. For some reason, although they are supposed to be essentially identical, I also like its output better than that of the Summicron, which I own as well.

Both render more pleasantly IMHO than the Noktons.

However, since your son is getting into film, he may like the speed advantage of the Noktons, in which case, I'd go for the SC for a classic, low-contrast look (and a good deal of flare..) and for the MC for a slightly more modern rendering. I do not own either of the Noktons, but was considering buying one a while back and did some testing of both lenses.

[Jabberwockt]

According to according to Erwin Puts, although they were both essentially the same 6 element design, the Leica version and the Minolta used different glass. I've owned both versions, can't say with any certainty whether one was better than the other.

[lct]

I can recommend both Rokkor (2nd version) and Summicron 40/2 as well. I have never tried the CV because i was put off by its focus shift as a digital user. But with film it is not a problem AFAIK and if it were for my son i would check if the CV fits the CL first of all as shooting f/1.4 is an experience i would like him to share. For a comparo on film see Decisive Momentum: Leica 40mm Summicron-C vs. CV 40mm Nokton

[MarkP]

Thanks for all of your advice.

 

I was going to get the Rokkor but today bought an excellent 2.0/40 Summmicron with serie 5.5 filter & hood through Tamarkin for a reasonable price (between average prices on Ebay for the Rokkor and Summicron)

 

Next I'll to look out for a 4.0/90 Elmarit but no rush.

[stephen.w]

I've read that the shorter rangefinder base length of the CL makes it difficult accurately to focus the Nokton at f1.4, but you got the f2 anyhow