New CV 40mm 2.8 Heliar

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Huss

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Just received this lens, as I am a sucker for small lenses on M bodies. I have no interest in big stuff like 50 1.0, 50 .95 as they block the VF, make everything big n bulky, and just ultimately are a drag to have with you all the time. I do use 1.1 and 1.2 lenses specifically for low light applications, but not as daytime on the go use.
This new CV lens is tiny, and jewel-like in construction. Has an infinity lock knob which acts as a very convenient focus knob. It is easy to use to the point of infinity, unlike the lock knob on my Summicron V1 which makes it hard to get precise focus just before infinity/it locking.
The big downside is the aperture ring rotates with the focus like on Nikon S mount RF lenses - I'm not sure why CV designed it like this because I have other lenses which are almost as small that do not do this. But it has aperture markings on both top and bottom of the aperture ring to make it easier to use, so at least there's that. To deal with it I just set the aperture before I focus.
Small 34mm filter thread, so not easy to get filters for it. I just have a plain uncoated $8 Tiffen, as nothing else was in stock. I use this by the beach where I am most of the time (salt air, windy etc).
Lens is super contrasty - very modern nothing like my Rollei Sonnar 40 2.8. Which is handy on grey overcast days shooting B&W film as it creates unexpected snap. Most of my pics on my test roll were in those conditions.

What is very cool is this lens is offered in LTM as well as M mounts. Also it is brass under the black paint or chrome (silver paint? Not sure).



Summicron 40 f2, CV 40 2.8, Rollei 40 2.8

 

GregY

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That looks like a winner Huss. Great to find you here. The 'other place' went downhill. I did eventually get the 8-element 35mm, & hope you did too. I'm just waiting on exactly this lens. It will be the snapshot (read iPhone substitute) on my CL 50th anniversary. I have one winging my way across oceans and borders since Stephen G doesn't sell to Canadians even w a USA mailing address....(so much for world trade). It looks like a real winner and completes my black paint over brass trio of 35 /40/50. Thanks for posting the photos. As for the rotating dial hopefully it's not that big a problem in use.....
 
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Huss

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That looks like a winner Huss. Great to find you here. The 'other place' went downhill. I did eventually get the 8-element 35mm, & hope you did too. I'm just waiting on exactly this lens. It will be the snapshot (read iPhone substitute) on my CL 50th anniversary. I have one winging my way across oceans and borders since Stephen G doesn't sell to Canadians even w a USA mailing address....(so much for world trade). It looks like a real winner and completes my black paint over brass trio of 35 /40/50. Thanks for posting the photos. As for the rotating dial hopefully it's not that big a problem in use.....

Thanks Greg. You get used to setting the aperture first before you focus but I still wonder why they made it like this. As as hard as I squint I cannot see any advantage for it..
But the lens is just wonderful in every other way, and you need to handle it in person to see how small it is.

(I got my 8 element a while back, very happy with it)
 

GregY

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Yes Huss.... the hunt for 34mm filters will take a while. I'll be needing a medium yellow and an orange.... i guess i better face the order desk @ B&H....unless someone has a better lead...
 

GregY

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Thank Amazon for the Tiffen 34mm UV...... should arrive before the lens!
Seems like no one has 34mm yellow & orange filters in stock
 

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GregY

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IMG_4741.jpg Thank you Matt, but sad to say no medium yellow or orange in black mounts.....

Yes! In praise of the junk drawer.....2 down... just the 34mm orange left to find & hopefully B&H will have them back in stock soon!
 
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Huss

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I picked up an uncoated Tiffen UV filter for this lens (the only thing available) for $8. I did that partially out of habit, and also because a lot of times it is windy at the beach and I do a lot of stuff down there. The much more expensive Heliopan is out of stock.
The pics I took were either in overcast conditions, or had the sun behind my back so little chance of image degradation. I think though I will be going w/o the filter as this test shows both the Tiffen and Heliopan are frankly cr@p, which isn't surprising w the Tiffen but is w the Heliopan given it's price. And frankly I'd expect to have to remove the Tiffen in normal flare creating shots.

https://www.lenstip.com/113.24-article-UV_filters_test_Tiffen_72mm_UV.html
 

GregY

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.....well there go my film luddite certification...
(i'll be blacking that out 'digital' for sure)
 

ciniframe

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Looks great Huss. (Both lens and pictures.) No longer have a Leica M but when I did my favorite lens was the tiny CV 35mm f2.5 in M mount. Very sharp and contrasty. Alas 40 years of SLR ownership had spoiled me and I really preferred through the lens viewing and focusing. That, and my OM-1 is just as small except in depth, mirror box ya know. And, for a compact reflex I still have my Half frame Pen F with 20 f3.5, 25 f4, and 38 f1.8 for a compact kit.

If I need to satisfy an RF urge now I still have my little 35RC. Not a Leica for sure, but serviceable.
 
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Huss

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Looks great Huss. (Both lens and pictures.) No longer have a Leica M but when I did my favorite lens was the tiny CV 35mm f2.5 in M mount. Very sharp and contrasty. Alas 40 years of SLR ownership had spoiled me and I really preferred through the lens viewing and focusing. That, and my OM-1 is just as small except in depth, mirror box ya know. And, for a compact reflex I still have my Half frame Pen F with 20 f3.5, 25 f4, and 38 f1.8 for a compact kit.

If I need to satisfy an RF urge now I still have my little 35RC. Not a Leica for sure, but serviceable.

The CV 35 2.5 is a gem. I think they now have a v2 of it.
 

GregY

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Whoa Mama! I'm looking forward to using this combo..... Lens arrived today in one piece despite the usual dismal packing job by B&H.....
 

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GregY

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The push-on lens cap fits over the round lenshood....pretty cool design. But if anyone is thinking very minimalist....using the lens with just a filter, without a hood. The OD will take a Leitz push-on 36mm cap (& A36 filters)....or recent asian replicas. It's raining & snowing today with clouds down to the deck, so no opportunity to take some photos & i'm not the guy to shoot resolution test targets.
 
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Huss

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The push-on lens cap fits over the round lenshood....pretty cool design. But if anyone is thinking very minimalist....using the lens with just a filter, without a hood. The OD will take a Leitz push-on 36mm cap (& A36 filters)....or recent asian replicas. It's raining & snowing today with clouds down to the deck, so no opportunity to take some photos & i'm not the guy to shoot resolution test targets.

Have you tried it? I got a 36mm push on cap because someone said it would fit, and it does not. It's too small.
 

GregY

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Have you tried it? I got a 36mm push on cap because someone said it would fit, and it does not. It's too small.

Huss, you're right but..... I never use the lens w/out a filter.... my 34mm Heliopan yellow filter is just a tiny bit smaller in OD than the actual lens.....so my A-36 filters or original Leitz push-on cap fit onto the Heliopan. Same is true for the Tiffen....the OD works for the A-36 & 36mm Leitz cap. The filter is the key! Fit is nice & snug....won't be losing an expensive cap...... Might work for you @ the beach....
 
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GregY

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Further.... I found i had plastic a Kaiser 37 push-on cap on a small LF lens. It fits on the CV 40mm without a filter.... but it's less snug than the 36 over the filter..... Although it fits, i bet i could lose it in no time, unless i put something in it...a small piece of thin felt maybe or a piece of masking tape. It seems the lens is perfectly somewhere between 36 & 37.....
 
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Huss

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Huss, you're right but..... I never use the lens w/out a filter.... my 34mm Heliopan yellow filter is just a tiny bit smaller in OD than the actual lens.....so my A-36 filters or original Leitz push-on cap fit onto the Heliopan. Same is true for the Tiffen....the OD works for the A-36 & 36mm Leitz cap. The filter is the key! Fit is nice & snug....won't be losing an expensive cap...... Might work for you @ the beach....

Well by George (or Greg) you are right! It fits perfectly over my uncoated (heavy sigh) Tiffen filter! Thanks for letting me know, it gives me another option.
:smile:
 

GregY

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Will likely live on the CL.....but it handles nicely on the M
 

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