40mm Cron / Rokkor buddies in 35/50

[grahamc]

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1 hour ago, lct said:

50/1.4 v3 has a new optical design according to Leica, they confirmed it to me in a mail i will retrieve if you wish. I own both versions and i find v3 has less vignetting and a shorter MFD let alone its built-in hood. Also 50/1.4 v2 requires special M43x0.5 filters with a groove in their mount so that the 12586 clip-on hood can grip to it. IQ wise both match well my Leica and Rokkor 40/2 i feel but it is a matter of tastes obviously so better try them in person if you can.

That's interesting thanks - especially that they aren't the same optical design.    Since they both match quite well I'd probably go for the convenience of the E46 if I go that direction. I'd like to get that lens someday regardless. 

I was also looking at the production years of the 35:2 v2 that the 40:2 is seemingly based on - and it was released in 1969 - as was the 50:2 v3 that I already own.  So whilst you wouldn't expect them to render exactly the same, it's all pointing to the fact that I should be a bit happier with my 50:2 and that it probably needs some work.  

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[lct]

32 minutes ago, grahamc said:

That's interesting thanks - especially that they aren't the same optical design.    Since they both match quite well I'd probably go for the convenience of the E46 if I go that direction. I'd like to get that lens someday regardless. 

I was also looking at the production years of the 35:2 v2 that the 40:2 is seemingly based on - and it was released in 1969 - as was the 50:2 v3 that I already own.  So whilst you wouldn't expect them to render exactly the same, it's all pointing to the fact that I should be a bit happier with my 50:2 and that it probably needs some work.  

I would rely on Leica to sell lenses matching well together at the same period. In the Leica catalog from 1976, for instance, one can find lenses like 35/2 v3 (11309), 35/1.4 v2 (11870), 50/2 v3 (11817), 50/1.4 v2 (11114) as well as 40/2 (11542) for the CL.

[grahamc]

2 minutes ago, lct said:

I would rely on Leica to sell lenses matching well together at the same period. In the Leica catalog from 1976, for instance, one can find lenses like 35/2 v3 (11309), 35/1.4 v2 (11870), 50/2 v3 (11817), 50/1.4 v2 (11114) as well as 40/2 (11542) for the CL.

Agree. I happened to be going through some photos earlier looking for something else, and came to the conclusion my 35:1.4 v2 (when stopped down a bit) is probably my most similar lens currently to the 40:2 

[oldwino]

16 hours ago, grahamc said:

Here's a couple of images I have handy from the 40:2.  

@oldwino due to it's bite and moderate contrast, I suspect it in itself could be accused of being a little more 'clinical' or modern than dreamier lenses like the 2:1.4 pre-asph , so the Cron v4/5 is still somewhat in the running.     But in general the word 'clinical' doesn't fill me with excitement ! 

Firstly here 40:2 and TMax 

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Your examples look great, I think. I like the sharpness you are getting on film, but the lens isn’t, to my eyes anyway, “biting”. It does it’s job without calling too much attention to itself. 
FWIW, I’ve been shooting my Rokkor 40/2 exclusively on my M2 this year. I’ve grown quite fond of it. The size is really nice, too. I keep thinking about picking up a Rokkor 28 to pair with it, but those are getting hard to find in decent shape. 
 

I think you’re going to have to pick up a V4 Cron 50, just to see. 

[grahamc]

8 hours ago, oldwino said:

Your examples look great, I think. I like the sharpness you are getting on film, but the lens isn’t, to my eyes anyway, “biting”. It does it’s job without calling too much attention to itself. 
FWIW, I’ve been shooting my Rokkor 40/2 exclusively on my M2 this year. I’ve grown quite fond of it. The size is really nice, too. I keep thinking about picking up a Rokkor 28 to pair with it, but those are getting hard to find in decent shape. 
 

I think you’re going to have to pick up a V4 Cron 50, just to see. 

Thanks for the feedback, and yes really happy with them generally hence the thread.  Biting probably wasn’t the right choice of words especially by modern day standards although my 40:2 definitely has more punch than my other lenses, it may be the contrast and FL compared to my 35’s. 
 

I have the rokkor 28 and love it. I came across a copy without the white dots and have really enjoyed it, it’s light and definitely a great mate for the 40:2. The only issue is very heavy vignette although it only appears at wide apertures (I haven’t tested which but some of the wide open shots show brutal vignetting). Despite that I love it.  I actually made an error and the shot posted here of the guy skipping was shot with the 28. 
 

I agree about the 50:2 v4.  it’s overall reputation makes it hard to ignore I’m sure I’ll like it even if it’s not for the reasons of this thread. 

[grahamc]

Thanks for everyone’s help here. I learned a lot from this thread, some things about the 40:2 I didn’t know. Aswell as which Leica 35s and 50s are generation-contemporaries of each other -  which I hadn’t taken the time to look into properly before. 
 

I’ve worked out a bit of a game plan. I’m going to buy the 50:2 v4,  it will pair up with my 35:2 v4, same generation and both tabbed / small lenses.  I’m not convinced it satisfies what I started out to achieve in this thread but imagine it will be very handy and I’ll like it. 

I’ll get my 50:2 v3 serviced and expect it will still be a more classic render than the v4 so I don’t mind having both.

Finally at some point in the future (no rush) I will get a 50:1.4 v3.  At that point I’m sure it might replace the v3 cron as my more classic 50 option, aswell as pairing up really nice with my 35:1.4 v2.  Despite much preferring lighter lenses it will be hard to resist going for a Titan since I have a Titan 35:1.4 v2  

I think that’s the way to go. Thanks again !
 

Edited September 28, 2021 by grahamc

[grahamc]

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I suppose the joke is that my 40:2 rokkor was cheap but it's cost me a fortune in servicing my Leica's thinking they "aren't quite right" 😂

[grahamc]

Quick update on how this one went.  Even though we figured the problem is probably my v3 not performing correctly, I figured I need something to play with while it's away ...... right? !  

For anyone wondering now or in the future, the Chrome v4 is 285g (I couldn't find that info anywhere before buying) 

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Edited October 12, 2021 by grahamc

[MarkP]

I have the 2.0/40 Summicron-C and 2.0/35 Summicroin-M v4. They image very similarly.

I agree that you have your 35 Summicron serviced.

Clovelly and Bronte are great for photography btw 🙂

Edited October 12, 2021 by MarkP

[grahamc]

16 minutes ago, MarkP said:

I have the 2.0/40 Summicron-C and 2.0/35 Summicroin-M v4. They image very similarly.

I agree that you have your 35 Summicron serviced.

Clovelly and Bronte are great for photography btw 🙂

Thanks Mark, they really are