Fast lenses on the R4?

[Terao]

Anyone using the Nokton 40mm or a fast 50 on an R4 here? Ist is possible to get reliable focus wide open?

Slowly coming round to the idea that I don't like using accesory finders with my 21 and 25 but I use a 40 a hell of a lot as well and sometimes a Canon 50mm f/1.2. I'm thinking the 50 is going to be pushing it but what about the 40?

 

[rover]

Haven't tried it a lot, but the 35 Nokton seems to work fine.

 

[peter_n]

As does the Leica Summilux 35 ASPH.

 

[kb244]

While the R4 has a low effective baselength (~19mm), if you look at what the R4 was made for (21 to 50mm lens) , most of the lens its specificlaly designed to cater are often so wide that shooting wide open is not usually an issue and usually does not need a huge heck of accuracy.

My guess is, a fast 35 might be perfectly doable, your mileage may vary with a fast 50 though in my opinion. Cuz I think it might be a matter of being able to eyeball it and use your best judgetment focusing wide open on a very fast lens thats longer than a 35mm. (The 40/1.4 might be bout same as a 35/1.2 *shrugs*)

My main concern is that you own a T just like myself, and going to a R4 (ie: going from 53.7 EFB, to 19) might seem to be somewhat of a let down. But having a built in viewfinder might have a benefit that'll overshadow that.

 

[Tom A]

I have been using fast 35's on the R4 (1.2/1,4) and it is fine. As with any fast lens, you have to be careful when focussing wide open. The short base length of the R4 is a tight fit with the 50/1.4 Asph and I tend to look at the 50 frame as an "emergency" frame only. With the 40/1,4 it is a bit more secure (i use the inside of the 35 frame lines as guides for the 40).
My primary use of the R4 is with either 21/25 and occasionally with the 28 and then a M2 for 35/50.
Biggest problem with shooting wide open with a fast lens is when you are shooting in low light. It is tricky to see defined points to focus on and if you are in close, inhaling or exhaling will shift your body suffiiciently to throw off focus (particularly with the 35/1,2!).

 

[peter_n]

While the R4 has a low effective baselength (~19mm), if you look at what the R4 was made for (21 to 50mm lens) , most of the lens its specificlaly designed to cater are often so wide that shooting wide open is not usually an issue and usually does not need a huge heck of accuracy...

But having a built in viewfinder might have a benefit that'll overshadow that.

I use my R4 with a 24/2.8. Wide open and close up that VF is a godsend.

 

[kb244]

I use my R4 with a 24/2.8. Wide open and close up that VF is a godsend.

But thats a 24mm, wide lens = wide dof. My 21/4 for example could do 6ft to infinity easily at f/4, and I'd imagine not that huge of a difference if it was a stop faster or so. Now consider something like a 50mm f/1.2, or 40/1.4 thats not so wide.