Re: [Leica] 40mm lens

["M.E.Berube - GoodPhotos" <meb@goodphotos.com>]

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