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 p.32 #3 · Official: Voigtlander 35mm f/2 APO-Lanthar announced! | |
genji wrote:
Ron’s post has reminded me how rarely ergonomics/haptics enter into comparative discussions about lens performance, which are overwhelmingly dominated by concerns about sharpness, rendering, and aberrations. Is it that ergonomics can’t be quantified in the way that these other qualities can and are therefore far more subjective? I could never be a happy VM 35/1.7 user because I had the similarly styled VM 50/1.5, whose harsh serrated focusing ring negated (for me) all its positive qualities. Similarly, after an initial burst of enthusiasm, I soon came to hate the bulbous monstrosity of the VM 75/1.5, despite its optical excellence.
I have both the VM 50/1.2 and a black chrome Lux 50 ASPH. It’s a joy to attach the Leica lens to an M body whereas the CV lens is merely tolerable. Perhaps a 49mm filter thread represents the threshold of usability (which is why I’m fine with the CV 35 and 50 APO) whereas the VM 50/1.2’s girth relegates it to the reserves. But I’m OK with the 7A 28/1.4 which takes 52mm filters, the same as the VM 50/1.2. Go figure.
It seems that the size of the CV 35 and 50 APO has become my “normal”. The Distagon ZM 35/1.4, the APO-Summicron-M 75/2, and the CV APO lenses are all about the same size and each of them “sparks joy” to use Marie Kondo’s term. As does the BC Lux 50 APH, but that lens also happens to be an objet d’art.
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Girth of the 50/1.2 has kept me from getting it, though it might optically outperform my 50 Lux ASPH (just the lowly silver finish - I'd love to try the BC version). I agree, the 50 Lux ASPH size is about right on an M camera. Smaller is better, sure. Yeah, I don't like the 35/1.7 and VM50/1.5 v1 design and ergos. But I've tolerated the 35 because it meets my optical expectations. I'm sure the 35 APO will exceed those, but it's even bigger/longer than the 1.7 (which is already a long M-mount 35) and given I actually use the optical viewfinder, am not so keen on how much more it will block.
As suggested by David, ergonomics can be quantified by physical dimensions, materials, finishes, etc., but how those all combine will tick the boxes differently for each of us. IMO this is one of those 'Leica experience' situations - a term that can gloss over a lot of details and cause eyes to roll. It's also very difficult to anticipate via on-paper specs. It's really a matter of having to try it, and in Leica's case, taking a high-priced leap of faith that it will meet or exceed your expectations.
Leica's ergos aren't perfect either, or at least not always consistently great. I.e. focusing and aperture rings on the 21 & 24 Luxes are too similar in feel and too close together, particularly in cold weather shooting with gloves. I'm not a fan of the 50 Lux ASPH slide out hood that does not lock solidly into position, whether extended or retracted. When they redesigned the 90/4 Macro, which was great, they widened the front of the lens where the aperture ring is. As a result, the original clip-on hood no longer reverses and totally loses the original design's compactness when retracted. But Voigtander (Cosina)... they've been all over the map with the designs/ergonomics of their lenses. I can kind of appreciate why they do this, but I'd appreciate it even more if they would just standardize on one great VM family design language (and lose the annoying chrome filter/hood bayonet ring).
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TBH, for the price I paid for it, and how well its served me, I'd be reluctant to sell it. I also accidentally scuffed up the front element, to my dismay, so doubt it will be of interest to anyone critical about maximum image quality performance (though I rarely notice any effect from it in images). At a similar time I managed to do the same to my 21 SEM. 
At least there it was worthwhile sending it to Leica for front element replacement. The price was acceptable relative to its replacement cost (but still not inexpensive - I could have bought a CV21/3.5 instead). I doubt it would be worth the effort for the CV and would be easier just to buy another one secondhand...
