Almost SUMMICRON M ROKKOR 40mm(CLE)

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Almost SUMMICRON M ROKKOR 40mm(CLE)

A review and sample photos using the MINOLTA M ROKKOR 40mm with the EPSON R-D1.

Table of contents

Gallery

  • The sample photo were taken with the EPSON R-D1

Review

  1. Overview
  2. Usability
  3. Summary
M ROKKOR 40mm CLE

1．Overview

The M ROKKOR 40mm is a 40mm focal length lens developed by Minolta for the rangefinder camera CLE.

The basic design is the same as the Rokkor and Summicron-C from the CL era. The Rokkor 40mm for the CLE uses a standard parallel cam, and is compatible with other Leica M-mount cameras.

The filter diameter is 40.5mm, which is the same as the 28mm, 40mm, and 90mm for the MINOLTA M mount. However, Leica’s SUMMICRON-C 40mm is 39mm, so be careful.

There is a screw-in rubber hood, but the 40.5mm general-purpose screw-in hood looks better.

According to the reference “Leica Lenses of the World, p. 158 (link to Amazon Affiliate)”, the lens coating is different from the old 40mm for the CL. The two lenses were released about 10 years apart, so the coating materials have likely evolved, and so the view that the lens coatings are different seems correct.
Lens coatings wear down with wiping and aging, so there doesn’t seem to be much point in comparing them with current used lenses.

2．Usage

I used the M ROKKOR 40mm with the EPSON R-D1. The EPSON R-D1 has an APS-C size sensor, so this lens has a focal length of 60mm in 35mm equivalent, which is a little longer than the standard 50mm. I shot with the 35mm or 50mm viewfinder frame displayed on the EPSON-R-D1. By shooting with the inside of the 35mm viewfinder frame and the outside of the 50mm viewfinder frame in mind, I almost never misjudged the subject. I often shot with the 35mm viewfinder frame displayed, which uses the inside of the frame. Which one to use is a matter of preference.

I owned the HEXANON L39 60mm F1.2, so I had a 60mm external viewfinder, but there was no benefit to using an external viewfinder.

I got this lens with the Minolta CLE, and the compact lens barrel matched well with the R-D1. Looking at the results, the color and resolution are impressive, making this a lens not to be underestimated.

3．Summary

In conclusion, to sum up the MINOLTA M ROKKOR 40mm, the compact lens barrel matches well with M-type Leica cameras, including compatible cameras. The sharp image quality is inherited from the Summicron, making it a more practical lens than buying the expensive SUMMICRON-C. However, since the price has risen quite a bit in the 2020s, if you want a focal length of 40mm, you should also consider the Voigtlander.

Specification

ItemsSUMMARITSUMMICRON CROKKOR for CLROKKOR for CLE
Focal length(mm)40←←←
Max aperture2.42←←
Min aperture16 *116←←
Lens Construction6elements in 4groups←←←
Leaf blade12 *110←←
Min distance(m)0.8 *10.80.8←
Lens length(mm)21 *123.522.524.5
Max diameter(mm)49 *15051←
Filter Size(mm)37 *13940.5←
HoodCylindrical screw-in hood (provided by Ms-Optics)Rubber trumpet-shaped screw-in hood, 12518Rubber trumpet-shaped screw-in hood←
Helicoid and Cam? and parallel camSingle helicoid and tilt cam←Double helicoid and parallel cam
Release date1995 *2197219731981
Production number120,000 *254,350-––
Weight(g)54 *1120125105
*1: The numbers are for Ms-optics modified lenses.
*2: The numbers are for compact cameras, Leica MINILUX. It is estimated that several dozen Ms-Optics modified products were manufactured.

Reference links

Update history

  • 2024.06.05

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