Voigtlander 40mm 1.4 on M8

[SiOnara]

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Hi everyone,

 

Quick question about the Voigtlander 40mm 1.4.

I purchased one off eBay recently. The listing stated the lens as SC which I too as Single Coated. When the lens turned up it does not have the small blue SC text on the lens and no SC stickers on the box. The box in a light green colour.

 

I just wondered if only the 35mm 1.4 has the blue SC text on the lens?

I will contact the seller direct but I thought I'd investigate first as I got it for quite a good price.

 

Thanks Jei

[ishkra]

both the lens 35mm and 40mm have small blue "S.C." on the ring and a blue sticker on the box.

 

probably you got a multi coated lens

[SiOnara]

Thanks Fabio, I had a feeling this was the case. I will have a test of the MC version and may end up keeping it as it was a good buy. I do love the look of the SC though!!!

[WestMichigan]

Ola Megadust,

would you mind sharing an image or two taken with the lens? I have this lens on my radar because that focal length seems to be a perfect match for the M8 1.3x sensor size, but VC's price point for the lens just seems to be to good to be true.

Thanks

R. in Mi

Thanks Fabio, I had a feeling this was the case. I will have a test of the MC version and may end up keeping it as it was a good buy. I do love the look of the SC though!!!

[SiOnara]

Sure, here are 3 JPEGS from the original RAW files.

Quick snapshots, no post. All taken handheld @ 160 ISO f1.4

 

I do like the look and feel of this lens.

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[epand56]

I had a CV 40/1.4 SC, it was a nice lens, but not even half good as the Summicron 40/2, so when I've got my Cron 40 I've sold the CV. I didn't like very much how it rendered and according to me it was a quite backfocusing lens and its focus was quite soft.

[WestMichigan]

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Sure, here are 3 JPEGS from the original RAW files.

Quick snapshots, no post. All taken handheld @ 160 ISO f1.4

 

I do like the look and feel of this lens.

 

Thanks Megadust,

It was good of you to share a few of your test shots with me. If you come up with some 'cool' shots don't forget you can also share them in the "M8 Photography" thread or in this thread, as well.

Richard in Michigan

[WestMichigan]

Thanks for the input Enrico,

sounds like the Nokton 40 wouldn't be ideal as part of a Rangefinder Newbie's starter set. As for the Summi Forty, I have a Summicron Fifty R Mount I shoot with on an EOS 20D that I enjoy a great deal, but I find that even with my Cameras acceptable iso800 and usable iso1600 that it's f2 maximum aperture isn't fast enough for my uses. I use the lens in everything from portraiture (80mm equivalent) to landscape, to available light uses, and really like my results. Guess I have a Summilux 35 or 50 in my future - not that this is a bad thing, but it sure is an expensive one!

 

Richard in Michigan

 

Note: Acceptable 800/1600iso in my uses equates to good enough for online sharing and small prints mostly.

 

I had a CV 40/1.4 SC, it was a nice lens, but not even half good as the Summicron 40/2, so when I've got my Cron 40 I've sold the CV. I didn't like very much how it rendered and according to me it was a quite backfocusing lens and its focus was quite soft.

[SiOnara]

I find the rendering of the lens very interesting. The bokeh at first was harsh to my eyes but once I got used to it, I actually started to like it. Its almost like thick harsh paint brushstrokes. Quite distinctive. This is obviously extremely subjective and I can see why some people don't like it. This is a good example. It's the 35mm version but the rendering is very similar.

 

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I like the way the lens handles and I can work around the frame line problems on the M8, and since I tend to shoot at f1.4 the focus shift is not really a massive problem. If I do need to stop down I will probably stop down to f8 as the depth of field starts to correct the focus shift problem. It's a bit of a wabi-sabi lens for me!

 

In the end for £200 plus IR filter and hood I think it's perfect for capturing low light shots and playing around with super shallow depth of field.

[chris_livsey]

I have the 40mm SC. The difference in the coatings is said to be subtle, not by me as without the MC version to compare I wouldn't comment.

My point is that with the M8 (I use mine on the M2 mainly in B/W) you will presumably be using a UV/IR filter which is mulicoated so the SC effect will be masked by the filters coating.

An SC owner may like to test out that theory but I suspect that the difference will again fall into the subtle category.

 

The discussion has been going on for years, no exaggeration,http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27375

as to the differences.

[WestMichigan]

Hello MegaDust,

thanks for the link - I'd say that you are quite right about 'quality' of Bokeh being a very subjective and a very personal judgement. It's my view that the Nokton 40mm f1.4 has God-Awful Out Of Focus Rendering. Wowser! As for the Lens' Focus-Shift, it's something I think I could adapt to if the Bokeh was to my liking, but I think I'm going to take a pass on this particular Voigtlander.

Richard in Michigan

[epand56]

As for the Summi Forty, I have a Summicron Fifty R Mount I shoot with on an EOS 20D that I enjoy a great deal, but I find that even with my Cameras acceptable iso800 and usable iso1600 that it's f2 maximum aperture isn't fast enough for my uses.

 

Richard, I perfectly see your point, but what I can tell you according to my experience, is that the final result of the Nokton 40/1.4 was often not of my satisfaction. Above all it was very difficult to nail the focus, because of a soft rendering of the lens and a boring backfocus typical of many CV lenses. On the contrary, the Cron 40 is dead sharp and have no focus shift. And I did not find a big difference between 2 and 1.4 aperture. I mean you really have to work in the darkness to miss the Nokton and in the end, the results with the Cron are much more rewarding to me. But as I told you, I see your point and maybe my Nokton sample was particularly bad.

[momo77]

I'm truly enjoying the M8 plus Nokton 40 combo.

I don't have focus problems, my lens is really sharp even wide open. It's my only lens, I cannot compare the results with other lenses (although compared with my DSLR are stunning).

 

If you'd like some samples, all the pictures in this set are shot with the Nokton.

 

Leica M8 - a set on Flickr

[epand56]

If you'd like some samples, all the pictures in this set are shot with the Nokton.

 

Mauro, complimenti, great set. My Nokton didn't behave like that, is your S.C. or M.C.?

[SiOnara]

If you'd like some samples, all the pictures in this set are shot with the Nokton.

 

Great pictures and nice grading too.

[momo77]

Mauro, complimenti, great set. My Nokton didn't behave like that, is your S.C. or M.C.?

 

Thank you Enrico, glad you like the set.

My version is multicoated, and I shoot always in RAW. For the sake of completeness, even if it's the M. C. version, I find it not so contrasty sometimes, I almost always apply more contrast in post-production.

[epand56]

I see, mine was a Single Coated. I like very much how your M.C. renders.

[CharlesL]

Another example of the multi-coated 40/1.4

 

All sizes | When families fought for status forever | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[WestMichigan]

Richard, I perfectly see your point, but what I can tell you according to my experience, is that the final result of the Nokton 40/1.4 was often not of my satisfaction. Above all it was very difficult to nail the focus, because of a soft rendering of the lens and a boring backfocus typical of many CV lenses. On the contrary, the Cron 40 is dead sharp and have no focus shift. And I did not find a big difference between 2 and 1.4 aperture. I mean you really have to work in the darkness to miss the Nokton and in the end, the results with the Cron are much more rewarding to me. But as I told you, I see your point and maybe my Nokton sample was particularly bad.

 

Hello Enrico,

your input is appreciated very much. I very much like my R Fifty Summicron (80mm FOV on a 20D) and find it's Bokeh and Sharpness delightful. (My R Elmarit Ninety is a real stunner though!) As for the M 40mm Summicron, I lean quite strongly towards it being my first Lens once I can get my M8. It's a quality lens, it doesn't command the premium prices the 35 or 50 Summicrons & Summiluxes do, and at f2 it's 'fast enough' to be versatile in a range of light levels and limit depth of fields while also being 'slow enough' to limit how much I would be coping with Focus Shift. (At least hope the copy I get doesn't exhibit it!)

The set on Flickr someone posted of the Nokton 40mm f1.4 a few posts back (m8 guy?) were very nice and the bokeh wasn't as bothersome as other examples I've seen on flickr and here on the forum. So, I might still experiment with it once I get acclimated to RF PHotography with an M8 and the 40 Summi. The prices of even used Leica Equipment can be quite startling. Once my Finances get 'Resolved', I intend to Learn how to Shoot Well with a Rangefinder before spending a fortune on lenses! Heck, as an SLR guy for so long, I might not make the transition well and bailout. I suspect all will be ok, but caution when prices are that much is called for.

Sincerely

Richard in Michigan

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Vagabond1031]

Hi, new to this forum. In fact new to rangefinder

 

Does anyone have problem with Voigtlander 40mm w/ hood blocking off some of the frameline when used on M8? I've read somewhere that it might.

 

Thanks,

 

K