Rollei Sonnar 40mm f2.8 HFT This Leica mount lens repurposes the famed Sonnar lens from the Rollei 35S. Released in 2002 by Komamura Corporation, also known for Horseman, it features a 4-group, 5-element design and a minimum focusing distance of 0.7m. Equipped with Rollei’s unique HFT (High Fidelity Transfer) coating, it has an E39 filter thread.
The Rollei 35S remains highly praised for its exceptional sharpness, especially impressive for a compact camera. However, with zone focusing, shooting close-up at wide-open f2.8 required substantial skill. This L-mount version, naturally rangefinder-coupled, allows precise focus even at close distances, making it something of a dream lens.
The manufacturing process was complex: the glass was polished at Rollei’s headquarters in Germany, with the barrel produced by Cosina in Japan. The assembled lenses were then re-imported to Japan from Germany. This may account for the price, nearly 1.7 times that of the Rollei 35S.
The lens shows no signs of use and is in excellent cosmetic condition, exuding the feel of a brand-new item from its original era. It received a full overhaul (OH) in October 2024. Known for potential hazing, this Sonnar lens, typically non-serviceable, was fully disassembled with meticulous care, resulting in brilliantly clear glass. The aperture and helicoid have a satisfying, well-balanced torque, providing a comfortable operating feel, and the rangefinder coupling is precise. This Rollei Sonnar is now ready to deliver its signature image quality at its best. Comes with the original 40mm viewfinder, front cap, and hood.
