VC 40mm 1.4 vs. VC 35mm 1.2 or Equiv.

[napoleonesq]

I am looking for a fast (under 50mm lens) and i am considering the VC 40mm f1.4. I love the speed of the VC 35mm 1.2, but it appears to be very big and bulky.

The fastest lens i am now is the 35mm Summicron f2.0 which I love, but it would be nice to have a faster lens without going broke, and the VC lenses have great value, and I already have 3 VC lenses which I use all the time.

Any feedback or suggestions? Or any alternatives to VC for the same price range?

 

[mercedes_sl1970]

The VC 40 is a great lens - sharp and contrasty. A joy to use. It's also quite small and appears well-built. Can't comment on the others.

Andrew

 

[fgianni]

If size is your main concern then you can't beat the VC 40, very sharp lens, the only downside is a quite a harsh bokeh, but if you can leave with it the lens is really great.

The VC 50 has a better bokeh, and on sharpness is not too far off the 50 Lux ASPH, again really great value, but is also quite bulky so it all depends on what is more important to you.

 

[kshapero]

If size is your main concern then you can't beat the VC 40, very sharp lens, the only downside is a quite a harsh bokeh, but if you can leave with it the lens is really great.

The VC 50 has a better bokeh, and on sharpness is not too far off the 50 Lux ASPH, again really great value, but is also quite bulky so it all depends on what is more important to you.

I own the CV 40mm MC and SC. If Bokeh is a concern then the SC is softer and a little more contrasty.

 

[fgianni]

I own the CV 40mm MC and SC. If Bokeh is a concern then the SC is softer and a little more contrasty.

Is there any chance you can post a comparison between the two?
I sold my CV 40 MC because of the harsh Bokeh, but if the SC is smoother I will definitely consider getting one.

After selling the CV I bought the alleged "king of bokeh" the 35 cron 4th, but I found that, for my taste, it is only ok, not really worth the price tag that comes with its reputatuon.

Cheers

 

[thomasw_]

check ferider's gallery offsite....he posted numerous comparison shots on 35s and the nokton 40s.

 

[Mazurka]

Is there any chance you can post a comparison between the two?
I sold my CV 40 MC because of the harsh Bokeh, but if the SC is smoother I will definitely consider getting one.

Coatings have no effect on bokeh.

Normal and wideangle lenses at full aperture typcially have over-corrected spherical aberration to improve sharpness, resulting in harsh backgrounds and smooth foregrounds. Closing down a stop or so will smoothen the background.

 

[BrianPhotog]

Coatings have no effect on bokeh.

if coatings can affect contrast (and they do) then don't they have some effect on bokeh?

 

[rxmd]

I own the CV 40mm MC and SC. If Bokeh is a concern then the SC is softer and a little more contrasty.

The single-coated version is more contrasty??

I thought the whole point of multicoating is to increase contrast by decreasing transmission losses...

Philipp

 

[Mazurka]

if coatings can effect contrast (and they do) then don't they have some effect on bokeh?

Try using a diffusion filter and you will see that it affects contrast and not bokeh.

 

[raid]

I tested both of these lenses (SC and MC) in my recent test of 35mm-40mm lenses, and I could not identify obvious differences between the two lens types. Roland has posted the test results on his website. I also compared the CV 35mm/1.2 Aspherical and the Leitz 35mm/1.2 Aspherical. The results were posted here.

Raid

 

[Mazurka]

The single-coated version is more contrasty??

I thought the whole point of multicoating is to increase contrast by decreasing transmission losses...

Well, there's the other point about reducing flare and ghosting too. 😉