Tonzah78 wrote:
The Nokton 40mm has been my favourite lens ever. A true "one lens to rule them all". But a couple months ago I actually sold my Nokton as I wanted to buy a smaller SE model. I still haven't figured out which ones I'd like to have. I've never been a collector so I don't need them all. I've been tempted by the 35mm & 50mm f/1.2 pair, but having just the 40mm in the middle has been really liberating, even if the 50mm FL has been traditionally "closer to my heart". We're spoilt with choices nowadays, even with Voigtländer options alone. One thing is certain - I'm gonna switch back to mainly Voigtländers (maybe either 21/35/50 or 21/40/75). Currently I shoot with the boring 28/55/85 native Sony FE trio. They get the job done, but I just don't enjoy them as much.
In the meantime, here's a few picks I took on our 2019 trip to Greece with my dear 40mm. Since I can only dream of travels at this age and time of pandemic, I like to look back at previous trips.
Beautiful images. I've been missing my CV 40/1.2 as well. Like you, I sold my "original version" in order to get the 7.5mm shorter and 80g lighter SE version. So far, have not found a copy that performs as good as my previous one. I agree, it's a great all-in-one lens.
Fred Miranda wrote:
Beautiful images. I've been missing my CV 40/1.2 as well. Like you, I sold my "original version" in order to get the 7.5mm shorter and 80g lighter SE version. So far, have not found a copy that performs as good as my previous one. I agree, it's a great all-in-one lens.
That's interesting. I keep waffling between picking up the 40 or 35 SE. I think this would be my 4th 40 (i have issues not the lens). So do you think it is an SE thing? You liked your 35mm SE right? Just curious what is not up to par on the ones you have had?
nhsonyshooter wrote:
That's interesting. I keep waffling between picking up the 40 or 30 SE. I think this would be my 4th 40 (i have issues not the lens). So do you think it is an SE thing? You liked your 35mm SE right? Just curious what is not up to par on the ones you have had?
Ideally one should pick their favorite focal length as the three f/1.2 Nokton lenses (35, 40 and 50mm) offer similar rendering and IQ.
The 35mm and 50mm are slightly better optically but the CV 40/1.2 seems to be the best compromise when carrying only one lens.
I know one thing I regret after 232 pages it’s painfully obvious this is a great lens. Should have stopped here . Everything else kinda sucks in one way or another
GMPhotography wrote:
I know one thing I regret after 232 pages it’s painfully obvious this is a great lens. Should have stopped here . Everything else kinda sucks in one way or another
Of the 3 CV f/1.2's, 35 III, 50 and 40. The 40 is the only one I've kept. Its the best of the 3 imho when you factor in image quality and form factor, especially on an M, but it also works so well on the Sony (the m-mount)
robsonj wrote:
Of the 3 CV f/1.2's, 35 III, 50 and 40. The 40 is the only one I've kept. Its the best of the 3 imho when you factor in image quality and form factor, especially on an M, but it also works so well on the Sony (the m-mount)
Are you ok with the Leica M not having the 40mm frame lines?
robsonj wrote:
Of the 3 CV f/1.2's, 35 III, 50 and 40. The 40 is the only one I've kept. Its the best of the 3 imho when you factor in image quality and form factor, especially on an M, but it also works so well on the Sony (the m-mount)
Maybe the 40 (which I have) is best in some respects. Nonetheless, still almost on the verge of pulling the trigger in getting the other two in SE versions, then deciding which to keep. I like the idea of having the 35 and 50, but maybe that’s just GAS.
Yep, it’s just the 50mm lines, plus a bit. Critical framing on a rangefinder is always just a suggestion anyway 😀, can pop on the evf if exact framing is needed, but I rarely do that on the M.
The 35 & 50 are both exceptional lenses, but I just found them a little to bulky, especially on the M, replaced them with smaller more svelte summilux’s (my forever lenses).
Fred Miranda wrote:
Are you ok with the Leica M not having the 40mm frame lines?
Has anyone moved to the 50/1.2 and regretted the change in fl? I am finally trying out the 40 after giving lensrentals a try, and the analog look sooc really has me hooked - i’m now a believer. Despite reading everyone’s reviews, I was still shocked how dang sharp this thing is stopped down for landscapes. A true beauty of a lens for walk around use! Now I need to decide between the 40 or 50, and the fact that reports are they are even closer in fl makes it a tough choice.
tbpeur01 wrote:
Has anyone moved to the 50/1.2 and regretted the change in fl?
Yeah it's hard to decide... I'm not sure yet myself... I just switched to 50. I really like the new 50, but I also kinda miss my old wider 40. I used to be a nifty-fifty shooter at heart, but the 40mm Nokton's FL started to grow on me. Although I'm going to get the 35/1.2 as well. But that means I need to swap lenses more often. Luckily they are pretty light and compact lenses. I thought about the same thing myself for the last couple months after I had sold my 40 (I wanted the smaller SE version). Still don't know what I should have done.
If Voigtländer came up with a 28mm lens for sony, my ideal pair would be 28 and 50. Now it's either 21/35/50 or 21/40. I really loved the 28mm Ultron, but sadly it doesn't perform good enough on sony sensor stack.
I also wish Voigtländer would just make a compact tele for Sony, something between 75 to 90mm. I've thought about the 110mm but dang it's gigantic and I don't need macro that much either... And I hate adapting and losing the EXIF (having to go through tons of photos tagging them with Lens Tagger every time).
tbpeur01 wrote:
Has anyone moved to the 50/1.2 and regretted the change in fl? I am finally trying out the 40 after giving lensrentals a try, and the analog look sooc really has me hooked - i’m now a believer. Despite reading everyone’s reviews, I was still shocked how dang sharp this thing is stopped down for landscapes. A true beauty of a lens for walk around use! Now I need to decide between the 40 or 50, and the fact that reports are they are even closer in fl makes it a tough choice.
---------------------------------------------
Tonzah78 wrote:
Yeah it's hard to decide... I'm not sure yet myself... I just switched to 50. I really like the new 50, but I also kinda miss my old wider 40. I used to be a nifty-fifty shooter at heart, but the 40mm Nokton's FL started to grow on me. Although I'm going to get the 35/1.2 as well. But that means I need to swap lenses more often. Luckily they are pretty light and compact lenses. I thought about the same thing myself for the last couple months after I had sold my 40 (I wanted the smaller SE version). Still don't know what I should have done.
If Voigtländer came up with a 28mm lens for sony, my ideal pair would be 28 and 50. Now it's either 21/35/50 or 21/40. I really loved the 28mm Ultron, but sadly it doesn't perform good enough on sony sensor stack.
I also wish Voigtländer would just make a compact tele for Sony, something between 75 to 90mm. I've thought about the 110mm but dang it's gigantic and I don't need macro that much either... And I hate adapting and losing the EXIF (having to go through tons of photos tagging them with Lens Tagger every time)....Show more →
I shot 50mm on my 5D2 for many years until I got the A7 in 2014/15. I bought the 55ZA but just didn't quite gel with it fully with the focal length as silly as it sounds. I was adapting my old ML range of lenses but soon bought a Voigtlander CV40/1.4 Classic & the 40mm field of view just drew me in & I've not left it since!! I do still have the classic now but I've not used it for so long!
Tonzah78 wrote:
Yeah it's hard to decide... I'm not sure yet myself... I just switched to 50. I really like the new 50, but I also kinda miss my old wider 40. I used to be a nifty-fifty shooter at heart, but the 40mm Nokton's FL started to grow on me. Although I'm going to get the 35/1.2 as well. But that means I need to swap lenses more often. Luckily they are pretty light and compact lenses. I thought about the same thing myself for the last couple months after I had sold my 40 (I wanted the smaller SE version). Still don't know what I should have done. ...Show more →
I'm kinda on the same boat. I picked up the 40mm not too long ago and love it but realized I'm more of a 50mm kind of person. I hadn't even considered the nokton 50 at the time of doing research because I was so sure 35/40 was ideal for me. Ah well, you live and you learn :^)
LeeRatters wrote:
I shot 50mm on my 5D2 for many years until I got the A7 in 2014/15. I bought the 55ZA but just didn't quite gel with it fully with the focal length as silly as it sounds. I was adapting my old ML range of lenses but soon bought a Voigtlander CV40/1.4 Classic & the 40mm field of view just drew me in & I've not left it since!! I do still have the classic now but I've not used it for so long!
I've owned the 55/1.8 three times already (once with A7II and now twice with A7III). It's a great lens for sure and the FL is maybe a bit more "portrait oriented" since it's a bit tighter than regular 50mm's. It really needs a wider lens to accompany it (I've got the FE 28mm currently). With 28mm it makes a great pair. But when having the 40mm Nokton you really can live with just that one lens. I also used it for stiched landscape panoramas, even when I had the CV 21mm f/3.5 (also a lens I'm gonna buy again). And works great as a portrait lens on aps-c crop mode. I felt it was almost like a f/1.2 "zoom lens".
Maybe I should have chosen the 40mm instead of 50mm again, who knows? But that's too late now. I'm gonna stick to this 50mm for some time now. The optical differences are so minimal that they make no real difference in my mind. And the FL is pretty close in reality so no huge difference there.
Tonzah78 wrote:
I've owned the 55/1.8 three times already (once with A7II and now twice with A7III). It's a great lens for sure and the FL is maybe a bit more "portrait oriented" since it's a bit tighter than regular 50mm's. It really needs a wider lens to accompany it (I've got the FE 28mm currently). With 28mm it makes a great pair. But when having the 40mm Nokton you really can live with just that one lens. I also used it for stiched landscape panoramas, even when I had the CV 21mm f/3.5 (also a lens I'm gonna buy again). And works great as a portrait lens on aps-c crop mode. I felt it was almost like a f/1.2 "zoom lens".
Maybe I should have chosen the 40mm instead of 50mm again, who knows? But that's too late now. I'm gonna stick to this 50mm for some time now. The optical differences are so minimal that they make no real difference in my mind. And the FL is pretty close in reality so no huge difference there....Show more →
Just to add more confusion, the Voigtlander 35/1.2 SE is amazing as well.
But that's too late now. I'm gonna stick to this 50mm for some time now. The optical differences are so minimal that they make no real difference in my mind. And the FL is pretty close in reality so no huge difference there.