Leica Summicron-C 40mm
the Compact Leica (CL) standard
Originally designed as part of the Leica CL system (Compact Leica), the 40mm Summicron-C is a popular choice for compact lenses. It is a good bridge between the popular 35mm Summicron and 50mm lens, especially due to its high performance and particularly small size.
There has been much debate that due to differences in the range finder system in a normal Leica M and the Leica CL system the two may be incompatible and properly focussed not obtainable, however these fears are largely unfounded and I haven't noticed any problems in use.
The original catalogue number of the Summicron-C is 11542.
The lens is popular due to its small size and its performance to cost ratio. One of the cheapest Summicrons available it is still a sharp lens which its prone to flare.
There are two caveats to this lens, the thread on the front. It doesn't use regular E-39 filters as the filter pitch is different from other Leica lens. Therefore you will need to use special and rare series 5.5 filters, which require either the rubber hood (to hold the filter in place), cataloge number 12518, or you can screw a regular E-39 filter on lightly so it just binds, however you risk damage using this method.
The second caveat is that Leica M cameras do not have bright framelines for a 40mm lens. When mounted on an M it brings up the 50mm framelines.
all images below Leica 40mm Summicron C f2.0 lens, Leica M2, LeicaMeter MR4.
Abandoned Orphanage, Goulburn.
Clock Tower, Kenmore Asylum, Goulburn.
Fortified by nature, Orphanage, Goulburn.
Courtyard, Orphanage, Goulburn.