The perfect 40mm does exist (rare)
This 40mm lens is from the 1970’s, this specific one has an incredible story and I’m totally surprised at what it’s capable of doing.
What is it?:
This is the Leica Summicron-C and it was made between 1973 & 76. Its purpose was to be used with the leica CL which was built in collaboration with Minolta. If I’m correct, they didn’t make any more 40mm after this one, however Minolta did so there is more of the minolta 40mm’s knocking around than the Leica branded versions.
Essentially this is just an old 40mm summicron right? Yeah… but 2 things. This specific one is on a pretty cool journey right now which I will mention in a moment, but secondly - holy crap it’s so good! I’m shocked!
An old lens like this on my new Leica m11p isn’t going to be any good right?!
I couldn’t be so wrong. I’ve LOVED using this the past few weeks.
Size Definitely Matters.
I’ve love the ergonomics of this that I’m super interested in 2 things… either finding this lens for sale else where or buying the Minolta version.
Or secondly, look at getting an Leica elmarit 28mm because they’re tiny as well.
The reason I just mentioned buying one from else where is because this little puppy isn’t mine. This one specifcally is actually travelling the world. I do believe I’m the 8th or 9th user as this is pretty much like pass the parcel at the moment.
What do I mean by that? This belongs to a chap called Ulysses over in the states and he has told everyone to have fun with the lens for a few weeks before passing onto the next photographer. My good friend Dan Baker has it before sending it to me and Goughie another fellow YouTuber had it before Dan. Goughie made a video about this lens as well so check that out too.
Ulysses said he got this from his friend who inherited it from their dad who owned it along with the Leica CL.
I’m just pleased it’s still getting some good use all these years later.
Wide open is wild
When shooting wide open with this lens, the bokeh is pretty wild. I’m sure it’s not to some peoples tastes and of course doesn’t really compare to modern optics… it certinally has character, but I like that character, I like that it’s different.
It’s different enough to look slightly unique without it standing out too much and being distracting or ruin the image.
It’s not pin sharp but it’s not horribly blurry. Sorry I’m not very scientific with my demos haha.
My favourite photograph this year so far
The photograph below I got around the Bank of england is one of my favourite photographs this year!
This was actually shot at 2.8, not completely open at f2 as I probably would have missed focus being on the move but at 2.8 I didn’t do a bad job and the bokeh here is just lovely.
None of my other lenses would have look like this. Credit to the 1970’s tech right there haha
Changing my mind on 40mm
40mm is a fun focal length. At first I thought it would be too tight because I love 28mm and 35mm. But I was wrong, the 40mm is very similar to the 35mm (which might sound obvious in retrospect). I’ve never used 40mm before and I always assumed it was like 50mm… maybe I was rounding up the numbers in my head.
Anyway, 40mm is fun - and It feels very similar to how I would use a 35mm
But overall… - it’s a shame i have to pass this onto some else but it’s literally my new favourite lens.
Watch my full YouTube on this 40mm lens here:
