Took it for a walk today under heavy overcast. Shot a lot using the rear LCD to frame which is not something I normally do, but for whatever reason this lens encourages it. I like this lens -- a lot! It's not the sharpest lens in my bag, but it sure is fun to use and I like the way it renders. It's also a near perfect "walk around" focal for the way I see. I am (very) close to convincing myself to dedicate a Z6ii body to it! Have a couple family vacations coming up and plan to use this lens almost exclusively. If the 28 performs on par with this 40, they will be a winning compact duo.
Fedex jail finally released my copy, only first outing but like it very much. Definitely lower contrast wide open, but decently sharp. Three shots handheld with AutoISO late in the evening.
These were shot handheld. Also, I included the 35 1.8s for comparison. My son's blue and green slide is coming in through the window and reflecting off of some surfaces.
The 35 1.8s focuses closer, sharp out of the gate at 1.8, better corrected, 3x times the cost, 2x the weight, and nearly 2x the length.
I think I'll keep the 40mm. Pairing it downsizes the z6 in terms of weight and size, and it will easily fit in the family bag or in my digital holster 5. Also, it fits the bill for a family camera or travel camera because I don't usually shoot wide open in those circumstances because I'm trying to get my wife and son in focus or the background partially in focus to show where we were. So getting some very nice sharpness at 2.8 is absolutely going to work for me because the meeting the above requirements usually means F4.
Agree the 40 sharpens up at f2.8 and to essentially 35/1.8S standards -- which IMHO is impressive performance and better than I'd expected. The other thing that impresses me is how well bokeh behaves as the 40 is stopped down. It's definitely a new favorite of mine.
pbraymond wrote:
Fedex jail finally released my copy, only first outing but like it very much. Definitely lower contrast wide open, but decently sharp. Three shots handheld with AutoISO late in the evening.
Ray,
Good to hear the 'Jailbird' got to you in one piece and that your first impressions are positive.
I wish to see more portraits taken with this lens fully open, it does truly remind of the 58G, if so it would make a perfect combo along with it on a future to come Z to join my bag
The lens is back in stock at Adorama and I just placed my order.
IMHO, the comments of 'not as sharp' and 'not as contrasty' is what makes me so excited about this lens. I've rented the 50 and 35 Z offerings, but didn't care for the rendering (all subjective) and, up until this point, have primarily been adapting my 35mm 1.4G and 58mm 1.4G.
The 40mm looks to be a nice dual-personality lens in a compact form-factor, offering a slightly more classic rendition at wider apertures.
kriskunisch wrote:
The lens is back in stock at Adorama and I just placed my order.
IMHO, the comments of 'not as sharp' and 'not as contrasty' is what makes me so excited about this lens. I've rented the 50 and 35 Z offerings, but didn't care for the rendering (all subjective) and, up until this point, have primarily been adapting my 35mm 1.4G and 58mm 1.4G.
The 40mm looks to be a nice dual-personality lens in a compact form-factor, offering a slightly more classic rendition at wider apertures.
That is exactly what it is, and exactly why it's one of my favorite Z lenses so far!
Have a couple family vacations coming up and plan to use this lens almost exclusively. If the 28 performs on par with this 40, they will be a winning compact duo.
