Why I want the CV40f1.4

[FrankS]

It's about speed and price relative to the alternatives. The CV40f1.4's competitors are the Summicron/Rokkor 40f2 and the Summilux 35f1.4. The CV lens is a full stop faster than the Summicron/Rokkor 40 and way cheaper than the Summilux. I currently have slower lenses at 35mm (Summaron f3.5 and CV35f2.5) and at 50mm (several, but nothing faster than f2). So there! 🙂

 

[pvdhaar]

It's about speed and price relative to the alternatives. The CV40f1.4's competitors are the Summicron/Rokkor 40 and the Summilux 35f1.4. The CV lens is a full stop faster than the Summicron/Rokkor 40 and way cheaper than the Summilux. I currently have slower lenses at 35mm (Summaron f3.5 and CV35f2.5) and at 50mm (several, but nothing faster than f2). So there! 🙂

Is this really about what you need? Or about what you want? 😉

What are you going to do with it? Impress the girls?.. Ok, fair enough; that's a valid reason I gues.. 😀

 

[kully]

No need for excuses, you'll like it Frank. 🙂

 

[like2fiddle]

I had one that I traded for a 50/1.4. I like the 50, but I miss the smaller size of the cv 40.

BTW, early results on Raid's lens testing looks favorably on the flare properties of the Nokton 40.

How was your motorcycle trip to visit your parents Frank?

 

[FrankS]

I had one that I traded for a 50/1.4. I like the 50, but I miss the smaller size of the cv 40.

BTW, early results on Raid's lens testing looks favorably on the flare properties of the Nokton 40.

How was your motorcycle trip to visit your parents Frank?

The motorcycle trip and the visit were absolutely perfect. I stayed off the main highways and took secondary and country roads, stopping whenever I saw something interesting. Took a few more pics of my dad as well.

Pvdhaar, of course it is about want, not need. There aren't too many woman who would be impressed by such a small lens though. I'm sure the Summilux is a better lens than the CV, but if I can't make good photos with the CV, then I may as well give up.

 

[rich815]

It's about speed and price relative to the alternatives. The CV40f1.4's competitors are the Summicron/Rokkor 40f2 and the Summilux 35f1.4. The CV lens is a full stop faster than the Summicron/Rokkor 40 and way cheaper than the Summilux. I currently have slower lenses at 35mm (Summaron f3.5 and CV35f2.5) and at 50mm (several, but nothing faster than f2). So there! 🙂

Those were the main reasons I wanted one. But then I found I did not particularly like the ergonomics, or the build quality, and found its character/personality nothing particularly special or appealing to me much preferring the character of my 50/1.5 Summarit and 50/2 Summicron DR, and in the end that's what's really most important to me in a lens. So I sold it. To each his own of course, but that was me.

I hear the Summicron/Rokkor 40/2 has a more "classic" look but I've yet to try one.

 

[FrankS]

Thanks Rich. I have lenses for when I'm looking for character, so it's the speed and value of the CV40f1.4 that makes it so appealing.

 

[rover]

there always is the 35/1.2 to consider.

 

[.JL.]

Those are the same reasons I got mine, Frank.
One thing I don't like about the lens is the focusing tab-it's way too small compared to the one on Summicron 35/2 IV. My fingers aren't that big, but the tab can't accommodate them comfortably.

 

[FrankS]

Thanks JL. I'm assuming that the focusing tab on the CV40 is similar to the ones on the CV35f2.5 and CV50f2.5. It has got to be bigger than the little knob of the CV25f4!

 

[FrankS]

there always is the 35/1.2 to consider.

I thought about that, Ralph. The CV40f1.4 wins out due to its much smaller size and its smaller price tag!

 

[PetarDima]

Perfect combo for street/low light photography - I hope that some shots you will share with us 🙂

 

[nzeeman]

you can maybe try to get some jupiter 3 - it can be a lot cheaper. only it is 50mm and not 40. but as we all saw here on rff j3 is outstanding lens when adjusted properly.

 

[FrankS]

I did have a J3 adjusted by Brian Sweeney, but needed to include that in a trade for other photo gear. That left a hole in my lenses - in terms of speed.

 

[nzeeman]

and what camera do you use frank?

 

[kshapero]

Thanks Rich. I have lenses for when I'm looking for character, so it's the speed and value of the CV40f1.4 that makes it so appealing.

For me the CV 40mm is a consistent performer. I use it on my R3M and it is sharp up and down the scale. Don't particularly like the knobs but I can live with it. Just ordered the SC version. Will test them together. I tell myself that I'll sell one of them, but I know I'm lying.

 

[FrankS]

nzeeman, lately it has been the Konica Hexar RF with CV50f2.5 lens. But I have other mechanical RF cameras. I can't seem to fully trust electronic cameras.

 

[SteveM(PA)]

I have to say that ever since Roland's recent test I've been thinking about this lens a lot.

 

[back alley]

the sc version is on my list of gear to get...

 

[ferider]

It's a great lens. Ergonomics are subjective, I like them, except for the hood.
Also Raid's test shows that it is up there in performance with the best.

What is rarely mentioned but one of the strongest points of the lens
for me, is that focus goes down to .7m. Which means you can get similar
crops as with the 50 Nokton for instance (.9m) or with most classic
50mm lenses, even the older Summilux (1m).

Roland.