Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/05/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 10:35 PM 5/21/00 -0700, John Collier wrote: >Leica has always stated that the cams are of different design and will not >couple accurately. While the design is indeed different, the CL cam has a >shorter steeper cam, the depth of field of the 40 seems to make up for the >possible focusing inaccuracies. All anecdotal reports I have heard are that >it focuses just fine. The 40/2 is an excellent lens, just as good as its >contemporary 50/2 (11817). Mike, John, et al... Sherry K. had mentioned to me that 9 out of 10 40mm lenses that were made for the CL weren't perfect at infinity on the M5 like the one she was evaluating for me in Waltham. (Though I seem to recall reading that the 40 Rokkors made for the CLE were coated and the Cams were built differently, probably at CameraQuest.Com) I bought the M5 and took the chance that my 40 Summicron-C would be one of those 1 in 10 that didn't have problems. So far, <knocking on an oak tree> I've had no problems and am delighted with the 40 on the M5 almost as much as I like it on the CL. I've run print film through it handheld, 1/8 sec, wide open and was suitably pleased with the results. I've also shot with it at distant 3 mile+ infinity points and they are likewise sharp. I prefer the slightly wider perspective than the 50 and with the addition of a 24 or 28 and a 135 (with the 90 Elmar that I also have) will consider my lens yearning sated (well, for a while at least.) If you can get the lens for far less than a 35, I would do so and try it. If you don't like it, you can ALWAYS get your money back on eBay (usually a bit more) and can apply the balance toward the 35. The 40mm brings up the 50mm frames in my M5. I usually frame 'just' outside of the 50 but if I am in doubt, I use the preview lever to toggle the 35 frame and can usually come up with a good approximation of where the 40 lies. Carpe Lumen, Michael E. Berube http://www.goodphotos.com