Huss Posted August 23, 2023 Share #1 Posted August 23, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) A very quick Rollei 40 2.8 review: While it says 'made in Germany', the physical look and construction is near identical to my CV 50 2.5 and similar Voigtlander lenses of that ilk. So Rollei obviously got the case from Cosina. Remember when this lens came out, it was often sold with the Rollei 35RF which was a re-badged Bessa R2. The glass part however is a 40mm sonnar, so there is that. Because it was from this era of Cosina Voigtlander build quality, the lens feels a bit loose i.e the focus has a little play, the aperture ring has a little play. Just like all the CV lenses of that era. The CV lenses now feel super tight and higher quality. The Rollei 40 is made from brass, so it is a nice feeling, heavy little nugget. With LTM-M adapter it focuses perfectly on my M10r and all my film Ms. The chrome version is more common than the black. It comes with a tiny spin on lens hood that often is missing. First pics on digital (10r), others on an assortment film (Ektar, HP5, Arista 100, Tmax) 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! 3 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/381224-short-rollei-40mm-28-sonnar-review/?do=findComment&comment=4841899'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 23, 2023 Posted August 23, 2023 Hi Huss, Take a look here Short Rollei 40mm 2.8 Sonnar review. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Huss Posted August 23, 2023 Author Share #2 Posted August 23, 2023 Taken with 10r 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! 13 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/381224-short-rollei-40mm-28-sonnar-review/?do=findComment&comment=4841902'>More sharing options...
Huss Posted August 23, 2023 Author Share #3 Posted August 23, 2023 Taken with an assortment of film 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! 9 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/381224-short-rollei-40mm-28-sonnar-review/?do=findComment&comment=4841904'>More sharing options...
pcgarner Posted August 23, 2023 Share #4 Posted August 23, 2023 Nice. Thorough. Now I want one. :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted August 23, 2023 Share #5 Posted August 23, 2023 1 hour ago, Huss said: Because it was from this era of Cosina Voigtlander build quality, the lens feels a bit loose i.e the focus has a little play, the aperture ring has a little play. Just like all the CV lenses of that era. The CV lenses now feel super tight and higher quality. Interesting. While I agree that the lens has a "Cosina vibe", nothing on my copy feels loose. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted August 23, 2023 Author Share #6 Posted August 23, 2023 Some reviews I've read mention that it is not sharp wide open etc. I don't see that in mine, so not sure if their RF calibration was off? For the pixel peepers, here 'wide open' at 2.8. High ISO which is why it is a bit grainy (on digital). This also shows how well the coatings work with backlighting. 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! 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/381224-short-rollei-40mm-28-sonnar-review/?do=findComment&comment=4841964'>More sharing options...
Huss Posted August 23, 2023 Author Share #7 Posted August 23, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) 19 minutes ago, Ecar said: Interesting. While I agree that the lens has a "Cosina vibe", nothing on my copy feels loose. It feels just like my other Cosina lenses of the same vintage. A bit loose compared to Voigtlanders new stuff they have been putting out recently. It's not bad or objectionable, just saying how it is. And another Rollei 40 I've used has been the same. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Shields Posted August 23, 2023 Share #8 Posted August 23, 2023 Thanks for sharing, @Huss. Someday I'd like take one for a spin. I love the lens in my Rollei 35S. A rangefinder coupled version I could shoot on my M's would be rather welcomed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted August 23, 2023 Author Share #9 Posted August 23, 2023 52 minutes ago, Andy_Shields said: Thanks for sharing, @Huss. Someday I'd like take one for a spin. I love the lens in my Rollei 35S. A rangefinder coupled version I could shoot on my M's would be rather welcomed. Yeah, being able to focus accurately really helps! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocean2059 Posted August 24, 2023 Share #10 Posted August 24, 2023 (edited) @Huss and @Ecar, for digital M, do you find your Rollei 40/2.2 has high level of contrast, similar to Zeiss ZM lenses? Look forward to hearing from your comments as I am hoping that I can find a copy to try. Thank you. Edited August 24, 2023 by ocean2059 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted August 24, 2023 Author Share #11 Posted August 24, 2023 3 hours ago, ocean2059 said: @Huss and @Ecar, for digital M, do you find your Rollei 40/2.2 has high level of contrast, similar to Zeiss ZM lenses? Look forward to hearing from your comments as I am hoping that I can find a copy to try. Thank you. I don’t remember a direct comparison, but looking at the pics I posted they seem contrasty. The only ZM lens I still have is the 35 1.4 Distagon so I could do a couple of comparison shots of the same subject. But the Distagon is a much more modern design. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted August 24, 2023 Share #12 Posted August 24, 2023 3 hours ago, ocean2059 said: @Huss and @Ecar, for digital M, do you find your Rollei 40/2.2 has high level of contrast, similar to Zeiss ZM lenses? Look forward to hearing from your comments as I am hoping that I can find a copy to try. Thank you. Yes, contrast on the Rollei 40/2.8 (not 2.2😉) is quite high. Without doing a detailed comparison, I'd say it's similar to the Sonnar 50/1.5 ZM, but lower than the Planar 50/2 ZM. Unfortunately, I have no experience with the Biogon 35/2 ZM. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted August 24, 2023 Author Share #13 Posted August 24, 2023 (edited) Ok I found a comparison shot I did between my Rollei 40 2.8 and my CV 40 2.8. The CV has very modern, contrasty optics. The Rollei is a bit longer than the CV as the subject is larger in the Rollei image. The Rollei is also warmer. 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 August 24, 2023 by Huss 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/381224-short-rollei-40mm-28-sonnar-review/?do=findComment&comment=4842141'>More sharing options...
ocean2059 Posted August 24, 2023 Share #14 Posted August 24, 2023 @Huss and @Ecar, thank you so much for your comments and samples on contrast. Hopefully I am able to find one to try. I am very interested in rendering of Sonnar lenses. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted August 24, 2023 Share #15 Posted August 24, 2023 The Rollei 40/2.8 Sonnar HFT* has been one of my favourite lenses for many, many years. *HFT = High Fidelity Transfer coating. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted August 24, 2023 Author Share #16 Posted August 24, 2023 Huh, I thought HFT meant Happy Fun Times. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted August 25, 2023 Share #17 Posted August 25, 2023 10 hours ago, Huss said: Huh, I thought HFT meant Happy Fun Times. That too. Pete. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aryel Posted August 26, 2023 Share #18 Posted August 26, 2023 (edited) Hi @Huss, same as @Ecar: my copy doesn’t feel loose at all. I cannot compare with modern cv but it may well be your copy. Anyway, I love this lens too! The 80mm planar is also a gem. 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! leica iiif, rollei 40mm, Fp4+ (dd-x 1+4), printed on mgfb and scanned edit: mine came with a very different hood that I believe is the original (black hood that fits on the lens, not on the filter thread). Edited August 26, 2023 by Aryel 3 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! leica iiif, rollei 40mm, Fp4+ (dd-x 1+4), printed on mgfb and scanned edit: mine came with a very different hood that I believe is the original (black hood that fits on the lens, not on the filter thread). ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/381224-short-rollei-40mm-28-sonnar-review/?do=findComment&comment=4843605'>More sharing options...
Huss Posted August 26, 2023 Author Share #19 Posted August 26, 2023 3 hours ago, Aryel said: Hi @Huss, same as @Ecar: my copy doesn’t feel loose at all. I cannot compare with modern cv but it may well be your copy. Anyway, I love this lens too! The 80mm planar is also a gem. 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! leica iiif, rollei 40mm, Fp4+ (dd-x 1+4), printed on mgfb and scanned edit: mine came with a very different hood that I believe is the original (black hood that fits on the lens, not on the filter thread). The hood is the same on mine - it requires the lens cap to remove it. It goes around the filter threads allowing filters to still be used. My lens feels the same as other 40 Sonnars I’ve tried, as well as other CVs of the same vintage and construction. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aryel Posted August 26, 2023 Share #20 Posted August 26, 2023 Maybe I misunderstood your initial post. Just to clarify: 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! to put mine, you loosen the screw on the hood, gently push it in, tighten a bit, screw it in and tighten. This way it won’t move at all after. If you look at the lens, it uses the external threads. No need the lens cap at all… Hope this clarifies. Not sure if yours is the same. I go and clean it up now, never noticed it was that dirty 😳 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! to put mine, you loosen the screw on the hood, gently push it in, tighten a bit, screw it in and tighten. This way it won’t move at all after. If you look at the lens, it uses the external threads. No need the lens cap at all… Hope this clarifies. Not sure if yours is the same. I go and clean it up now, never noticed it was that dirty 😳 ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/381224-short-rollei-40mm-28-sonnar-review/?do=findComment&comment=4843691'>More sharing options...
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