Sold my 50mm. Keep 35mm or go to 40mm?

dazedgonebye

dazedgonebye

Veteran
Local time
1:10 AM
Joined
Feb 10, 2006
Messages
3,932
Will I like the nokton as much as the ultron? (I know you can't really know what I'll like.)
I’m concerned about the ergonomics and the lens hood. I’ve read mixed reviews about the tabs and the hood looks a bit “attention getting” to me.

Anyone with experience with both of these lenses that can help me with both image quality and the “user experience” ends?
 
Both are excellent fast lenses. If you're OK with the 40 focal length and can work out the framelines, then I think you'll like that a lot more. You probably saw the recent threads exalting both the Nokton and the Ultron. I don't think it's hyperbole.

:)
 
I don't own a 40 Nokton, because I am very happy with my Ultron. Don't fix what ain't broken.
 
dazedgonebye said:
Will I like the nokton as much as the ultron? (I know you can't really know what I'll like.)
Click to expand...
Let's narrow it down, then: if you were a tree, would you like to be:

1) Run over by a Hummer?
2) Avoided by a Subaru Outback's excellent handling?
3) Rescued promptly by the folks being called from the cellphone in what's left of that Yaris?
4) Why did I have to sell my 50mm lens?

Take your time :D
 
Gabriel M.A. said:
Let's narrow it down, then: if you were a tree, would you like to be:

1) Run over by a Hummer?
2) Avoided by a Subaru Outback's excellent handling?
3) Rescued promptly by the folks being called from the cellphone in what's left of that Yaris?
4) Why did I have to sell my 50mm lens?

Take your time :D
Click to expand...

True. Had one. But a severe lack of headroom for a six-footer. :mad:


.
 
I think (but that should be obvious by now) the Nokton is better than
the Ultron, in particular when you have an R3*.

Roland.
 
I don't like to use the 40mm focal length; I use the 50mm lenses a lot, followed by 35mm and 85mm lenses. Somehow, the 40mm focal length seems out of place for my personal preference in lenses for photography. I know that it has become a very popular focal length based on what I have been reading in RFF.

Raid
 
Either 35 or 40 will satisfy me for fov, I think.
I like the very simple ergonomics of the 35 ultron.
I'm only worried about the 40's feel because it's different. Maybe I'll like it more?
Possible positives I see with the 40 are:
Being able to focus a bit closer.
Slightly faster.

Overall image quality difference between the two lenses would be important, but I can't find much said about either lens that isn't good.
 
.7m vs .9m close focus, a little longer focal length and half stop faster
does make a big difference in OOF behavior for portraits, Steve. At
.7m the 40/1.4 will behave just like your 50/1.5 at .9m. Would
guess that at close focus the OOF circles of the Nokton are probably
twice the size of the Ultron. Here is an example that would be impossible
to do with the Ultron:

144328300-L.jpg


And here a crop into the focal area:

144208337-L.jpg


I had two Ultrons, and liked them - the Ultron bokeh sure beats the
Summicron v4, IMO :eek: But RF lenses are supposed to be small ...

And with your R3* there should be no question, IMO.

Cheers,

Roland.
 
FrankS said:
I figure the 40 is just a tight 35. No big diff.
Click to expand...

This is true Frank, but when looking at it as part of a set of lenses for use, the 40mm is too close to 50mm to make me use both on the same day [or trip].

Raid
 
raid said:
This is true Frank, but when looking at it as part of a set of lenses for use, the 40mm is too close to 50mm to make me use both on the same day [or trip].

Raid
Click to expand...

40 is as apart from 50 as 28 from 35.

Think about it Raid: Nokton 40/1.4 and Canon 50/1.2, the ideal combo !! :)

(for me, YMMV)

Roland.
 
Roland,

I see the 40mm lens play a role in changing the traditional trio 35-50-90 to a more useful 28-40-90. Of course you can also suggest the 28-50-90 trio or [for Nikkor 105mm/2.5 fans] a 28-50-105 trio.

The 50/1.2 is an extremely versatile lens, and I agree fully with you on this issue. If I decide one day to sell my 35mm Summicron V1, then I will replace it with a ...?

To be "complete", my set may be a 28-40-(50/1.2)-105 if a 40mm lens must be in that set.

Raid
 
Last edited:
Actually, I'm looking at:
21, 28, 35/40, 75.
If I had a camera that could focus it reliably, I'd make that 75 a fast 90.

I just can't find any love for 50mm. I tried. I bought the nokton 50, I shot it, nothing wrong with the quality. I just never want it on the camera.
 
So, 35 or 40. Take a look at what's available. Do you need speed? (I think one should have at least 1 fast lens just to cover that circumstance.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom