OK,
I'm considering this lens as well, along with a number of alternative 28/35/40mm lenses for use on my 1D2N. So sorry about all the threads, I'm just really keen on getting a good manual focus prime, "normal(ish)" lens for my camera, and soon :-). It seems this is a really good lens, but it's hard to find any reviews, so if anyone here is using this lens I would love to hear how it performs. The idea of a manual focus lens, without the stop-down metering, and without the Zeiss ZE prices, is very tempting.
I often use my Ultron 40/2 Asp SL II with a 5D for travel. It's small, relatively fast, and very sharp. Do a search for 40 on this forum and you'll find a few more posts on the topic.
Lives on my 5D almost exclusively thanks to its size and weight matched with a very useful angle of view. Great street photography lens (although a little too tight sometimes, give me a 35 version!)
It's one of the very very few lenses where I know im going to get pin sharp results every time at any aperture.
It has a very clean "clinical" look with neutral colors.
Bokeh wide open can be either nice or a bit rough depending on focus distance.
My favourite lens of all times. Before I got struck by the Zeiss disease.
I'm probably buying a Nikon film body at some point, and then I'll repurchase the Ultron. 40 mm is "perfect" for me and I love the small size and the IQ. But it doesn't come to its right on an enormous body like a D700, 5D or even less 1D.
absol;utely love the lens. I use it mainly on my 5D2. It cured me of the m43 bug. AF confirm is good it underexposes slightly thats easy to adjust. Buy it.
Ah... if only these Voigtländers (this and the 20/3.5) had AF. I haven't tried any MF lenses so far, so the lack of AF kinda scares me off. Looks like this 40mm is a seriously badass lens and a good contender for "one size fits all" solution if I had needed one (I'm thinking of getting a µ4/3 body with a Panasonic 20/1.7 prime due to the same logic).
However, finding one of these Voigtländers on sale might be a problem.
A much maligned lens in the 40-50 range is the Nikkor 45/2.8 AiP. The CV 40 is superior in many ways (reputedly sharper than the 24-70 Nikkor @ 40 mm) but the smaller Nikkor has a simpler design and from f/5.6 on, delivers nicely.
j.liam wrote:
A much maligned lens in the 40-50 range is the Nikkor 45/2.8 AiP. The CV 40 is superior in many ways (reputedly sharper than the 24-70 Nikkor @ 40 mm) but the smaller Nikkor has a simpler design and from f/5.6 on, delivers nicely.
I've rarely seen the 45P be maligned. It is what it is, an excellent Tessar implementation with the usual strengths and weaknesses of the design (IE great centre sharpness, poor edge performance at wide apertures, great bokeh). It is somewhat pricey due to being somewhat rare, but not as ridiculous in price as the OM 40/2 (another excellent lens with pricing issues).
Me too. I used an EP-1 with some Voigtlander LTM lenses (which are very nice) for about 8 months. I never enjoyed using the EP-1, so I sold it and the lenses to help pay for a 1DsIII (talk about a shift in direction ). Now I use a 5D with Voigtlanders 20/3.5, 40/2, 75/2.5, and/or SMC Pentax-M 135/3.5 for my very light-weight travel kit - I really enjoy using this gear.
Actually I don't have the Ultron SL II, I have the SL I, but I think the IQ is the same. I like this lens very much, even though it might look silly on a Nikon D700, but the combination is really very good, the sharpness of the lens astonishing.
Here is a picture I took in a museum, wide open, ISO 2500
Madamasu: I always enjoy looking at your work, excellent compositon, post pro and great definition. Sharpness and contrast is right on the money without going over board.
/ Henrik
you may consider the 58mm f/1.4 as well
). Now I use a 5D with Voigtlanders 20/3.5, 40/2, 75/2.5, and/or SMC Pentax-M 135/3.5 for my very light-weight travel kit - I really enjoy using this gear.