Leica Summicron 40mm f2 M-Mount Lens

agitlits · Aug 20, 2020

Hi all,

Ok, I just received my second hand Typ 262 but don't have an M lens to try it with yet.

I have been searching around for a Carl Zeiss 35mm f2.8 Biogon lens but cannot find one easily.

I see Leica Summicron 40mm f2 M-Mount Lens for a reasonable price but is it a reasonable lens to start my rangefinder M journey with. Should I instead buy some other lens. I am looking for focal length range 35-50 mm but don't want to be disappointed with sharpness of images.

Thanks

Alex

LCT · Aug 20, 2020

agitlits said:
Hi all,

Ok, I just received my second hand Typ 262 but don't have an M lens to try it with yet.

I have been searching around for a Carl Zeiss 35mm f2.8 Biogon lens but cannot find one easily.

I see Leica Summicron 40mm f2 M-Mount Lens for a reasonable price but is it a reasonable lens to start my rangefinder M journey with. Should I instead buy some other lens. I am looking for focal length range 35-50 mm but don't want to be disappointed with sharpness of images.

Thanks

Alex

It is a very good lens from the seventies with same kind of rendering as other Leitz lenses from this era like Summicron 35/2 v3 or Summicron 50/2 v3. Not the sharpest lenses at f/2 which is fine for forgiving portraits and plenty sharp at f/4 and on. Compared to the Biogon 35/2.8 the latter has more contrast and less flare so all in all it gives a feeling of higher sharpness. But the Biogon has more vignetting. If sharpness is what you're after in the first place the Biogon is the way to go or a modern lens like the current CV 35/2 or even the 7artisans 35/2. BTW beware that 40mm lenses bring up 50mm framelines on rangefinders. Some hate that, others can live with it. The flange of the lens can be filed to bring up 35mm framelines instead BTW but there is still a difference between 35 and 40. My advice? As much as i like my Summicron 40/2 i would pick up a 35 or a 50. Happy snaps

Best,
LCT

Henry Richardson · Aug 21, 2020

Maybe this lens?

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64271614

JT26 · Aug 21, 2020

A perfect lens to start off with. In fact I couldnt think of anything better.

Great little lens, cheap, sharp, tiny, will not lose a penny either.

agitlits · Aug 21, 2020

Thank you JT26,

Another one I am considering is Voigtlander 35mm f2.5 Color Skopar II. Do you think this one is OK to start with?

Thanks

Alex

JT26 · Aug 21, 2020

I actually sold one this year. Yes that is more than ok. It’s again tiny, super sharp but has more modern feel than the 40mm cron.

That 35 colour scopar is about the best value for performance in a lens I have seen on M mount.

David Kieltyka · Aug 21, 2020

I wouldn't pick a 40mm Summicron as my first rangefinder lens since your camera has no 40mm frameline. Once you gain familiarity with the camera's viewfinder then I'd give it a go. It has classic early/mid 1970s rendering, as LCT has described, which IMO is a worthy alternative to later, sharper & more contrasty looks. I like using a 40/90mm pair, the 90 being the small f/2.8 Tele-Elmarit from the same period.

I don't have a 40mm pic handy but here's a couple recent ones from the 90/2.8 to give you an idea of the (b&w) tonality:

-Dave-

agitlits · Aug 21, 2020

Thank you JT26.

I might go with Color Skopar II for now.

Awesome advice.

Alex

agitlits · Aug 21, 2020

Thank you David,

Awesome photo too!

Alex

agitlits · Aug 21, 2020

Thanks so much LCT!

eliehbk · Aug 23, 2020

What’s your budget if I may ask? From all the 50mm and 35mm that I tried that are sub-1000 usd that I can recommend are the Voigtlander 35mm f2, and f1.7 and 50mm f1.5 as well as the Zeiss 50mm f2 if you like super contrasty and sharp pictures. I prefer the organic look of the CV lenses. I would recommend the CV 35mm Nokton f2. It feels great, sharp but not clinical and has character. You can get one for around 550 used.

eliehbk · Aug 23, 2020

The Skopar is my least favorite lens from CV and not their best for sure. If paying an extra 2-3 hundred for a Nokton f2 isn’t a problem, then it’s miles better than the Skopar. I bought mine and brought it back after 2 days. Has no character and the performance is so-so

GCL · Aug 23, 2020

eliehbk said:
The Skopar is my least favorite lens from CV and not their best for sure. If paying an extra 2-3 hundred for a Nokton f2 isn’t a problem, then it’s miles better than the Skopar. I bought mine and brought it back after 2 days. Has no character and the performance is so-so

Just a little Voigtlander nomenclature correction (there is no 35mm f2 Nokton) to help the original poster out if looking at the Voigtlander options:

35mm f1.2 Nokton Aspherical (Versions I, II, and III)

35mm f1.4 Nokton Classic (Versions I and II) - single coated or multi-coated

35mm f1.7 Ultron Aspherical

35mm f2 Ultron (the newest design)

35mm f2.5 Color Skopar P Type I and P Type II

Pieter575 · Aug 23, 2020

I bought my first M in June and had a hard time finding my Goldilocks lens. I tried the 50 Summicron V5 and didn't like the hood or lack of focus tab, I tried the 35 Summicron V5 and thought it was too big, I tried the Voigtlander 35 Color Skopar and loved it but really wanted the full Leica experience. That led to the 35 Summicron V4 and it's perfect for me. Love the size, the focusing, and the results. Good luck in your hunt!

agitlits · Aug 24, 2020

Thank you all for the recommendations.

I got a second hand 35 mm F2.5 Color Skoar II with the hood.

It's in the mail and I can't wait for it to arrive so I can try it with my first range finder.

Will let you know how I go.

If I like the whole rangefinder experience then the next step is to upgrade to a good Leica M lens. Probably a 35 mm or a 50 mm.

Alex

agitlits · Aug 24, 2020

Thank you Eliehbk,

I heard Voigtlander 35mm f2 is not as good as Voigtlander 35mm f2.8?

Regards

Alex

eliehbk · Aug 24, 2020

My bad, you’re absolutely right, I meant the Ultron 35mm f2. I currently have the 35mm f1.2 viii which is an amazing lens as well.

eliehbk · Aug 24, 2020

I’m not sure which one is the CV 35mm f2.8, could be a screw mount old model? I think the sharper CV 35mm is the f1.7. I tried all of them actually, and my favorite is the Iltron f2 and the f1.2 viii

GCL · Aug 24, 2020

eliehbk said:
My bad, you’re absolutely right, I meant the Ultron 35mm f2. I currently have the 35mm f1.2 viii which is an amazing lens as well.

No problem - there are so many it's hard to keep straight! I remember trying to figure it all out when I first became familiar with their lenses and thought I would try to save the original poster some of that trouble when looking at options.

bosjohn21 · Aug 25, 2020

its a superb lens but lei tz did not recommend using it on an m camera i think because they did not want it to cut into fifty and thirty five mm lens sales. there reasoning while sound is a less then one percent chance of a problem. I have used one and two nineties with no problems at all/

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