Advice for a F1.4 35mm lens with a balance of compactness, distortion control and budget — Nokton 35/1.4 or ?

[RexGig0]

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On 8/18/2023 at 1:04 AM, rramesh said:

For street photography, a little barrel distortion should not really matter, I would think.

As I understand it, the human eye sees close-range objects with a bit of barrel distortion. I cannot cite a source, so will concede that it could be a myth, but, if so, it is a persistent myth.

It is noticeable pincushion distortion that is more bothersome, to my eyes. I do not seem to be alone, in this regard.

Edited September 16, 2023 by RexGig0

[lct]

On 8/18/2023 at 8:37 AM, lct said:

The distortion of the Nokton 35/1.4 v2 is noticeable on close-ups but less so at 2-3 meters, at least the SC variant of it i have experience with. Couple of f/1.4 snaps below at similar distances.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Diverse/n-QFBj4/Leica-M11-CV-3514-SC-v2/i-7RktMdH/0/06784680/X4/M1002380_sips-X4.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/Diverse/n-QFBj4/Leica-M11-CV-3514-SC-v2/i-3VC4S5D/0/af171a6a/X4/M1002362_sips-X4.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/Diverse/n-QFBj4/Leica-M11-CV-3514-SC-v2/i-xqrRSTP/0/5794bfaa/X4/M1002374_sips-X4.jpg

More noticeable at 1.5m but i'm not sure i would worry enough to correct it in PP.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Diverse/n-QFBj4/Leica-M11-CV-3514-SC-v2/i-VXwg4zX/0/6c602df2/X4/L1003491_sips-X4.jpg