Steve Spencer
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 p.2 #3 · Experiences with the Voigtlander 23 f/1.2 for Fuji X mount | |
twelveish wrote:
When this lens was released, just like the Nokton 35/1.2 for X-mount, I kept reading how it was flawed this, overpriced that... basically not a great reception, from the usual opinionated content types. The ones that are always the loudest for a short period of time, until they move on to the next thing. For the 23, it was the FC and for the 35, the 'unacceptable' softness at wide apertures.
But for those that tend to look more at the whole image, rather than a small part one by one, they seem to share many of the same properties that I have come to love in the CV Sony FE offerings.
I used to think (as a generalization) that I shot Sony for the lenses, and Fujifilm for the bodies. But looking at my Fujifilm kit now, that's changed a bit. I even feel slightly euphoric with my X-E5 and small CVx collection of 23/1.2 Nokton, 27/2 Ultron, 35/1.2 Nokton and 50/1.2 Nokton. It's the closest to a perfect kit, for my needs and tastes, that I've ever had. ...Show more →
I think one of the challenges for this lens is that Fuji makes a really nice 23 f/1.4 lens. The Fuji is probably sharper when both lenses are at f/1.4 and f/2 and probably has less field curvature. The Fuji also has a floating elements design and therefore performs better towards minimum focus distance.
The Fuji is also a lot bigger and is very modern in how it renders, so for me a totally different look and a totally different lens. The Voigtlander has a nice, IMO, dual character. Wide open until f/2.8 it isn't as sharp and yes the field curvature is there if you look for it. I may be weird, but I like field curvature for wide angle portraits. The Voigtlander 28 f/1.5 which I love on Sony E mount has very similar field curvature (see Fred's review of that lens where he discusses it extensively). Fred also demonstrates that the field curvature of the 28 f/1.5 changes with the focus distance. For that lens it flattens out at longer focus distances. I am hopeful that the field curvature of the 23 f/1.2 will also flatten at longer focus distances, but I haven't checked that yet.
That is just the pattern of field curvature I like in a wide angle. For closer focus distances, IMO, that enhances portraits by bending the focal plane away from the subject. You need to keep the subject reasonably centered, but if you do the look is quite nice, IMO. Some, however, hate this look and if you don't compose carefully you can get things a couple feet behind the subject to the side in focus when you don't want them to be. At longer focus distances, however, the field is pretty flat allowing sharp landscape and architecture shots. This softer look at wider apertures with field curvature away from the subject at close distances and sharp performance stopped down with little field curvature at long distances is exactly what I want in a wide angle lens. I actually prefer that dual character to the sharp and flat all the time look of the Fuji 23 f/1.4, but not everyone shares my preferences, and in fact I think most prefer the sharp and flat all the time look.
I still haven't used this lens that much but I am hopeful it will be exactly what I am looking for and to do so in such a small yet ergonomic package is a huge plus.
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