Voigtlander 50mm or 40mm

[jdredd]

am thinking of getting a Bessa soon.

i have read reviews for both the 50mm 1.5 and the 40mm 1.4 and both seem pretty good. i normally use a 50mm on my 35mm canon film so am pretty used to that focal length, but i hear good things about the 40mm length too.

any of u with either of these lenses have any insights to offer?

money permitting, i would plan to also get a wide angle either the 15mm or 21mm and a longer lens for portraiture - either the 75 or 90mm..

but for walkaround, a bit of portraiture and low light photography, im keen on either the 50 or 40.. i know the 50mm probably is more suited for portraiture, 40mm has advantage of a wider angle and a touch faster. but would appreciate any other views.

 

[krono77]

am thinking of getting a Bessa soon.

i have read reviews for both the 50mm 1.5 and the 40mm 1.4 and both seem pretty good. i normally use a 50mm on my 35mm canon film so am pretty used to that focal length, but i hear good things about the 40mm length too.

any of u with either of these lenses have any insights to offer?

money permitting, i would plan to also get a wide angle either the 15mm or 21mm and a longer lens for portraiture - either the 75 or 90mm..

but for walkaround, a bit of portraiture and low light photography, im keen on either the 50 or 40.. i know the 50mm probably is more suited for portraiture, 40mm has advantage of a wider angle and a touch faster. but would appreciate any other views.

Go for the 40mm f1.4, beautiful lens.

wide angle go for the 12mm instead though it's a little slower than the 15mm, actually only half stop. But if you ever convert to digital 12mm will be good. Anyway the 12mm is an exceptional lens by and large.

 

[nightwolf75]

the 40/1.4 has been getting quite a bit of rave reviews from overseas RF users. i'm currently using the older 40/2, but for nikon AIS mount. the 40/2 is one sweet lens for film - both colour and BnW! the design and built is fantastic. small and handy enuf once mounted on ur cam.

i wished voigtlander would update the AIS version to 1.4 too...

 

[jdredd]

ive read some good reviews.. but i also heard the bokeh isnt great on the 1.4... and i do shoot a fair bit of portraiture wide open.

 

[chiif]

The 40mm/F1.4 is a good starter lens. For walkaround, a bit of portraiture and low light photography, personally, 40mm is more ideal. And as what krono77 said... it's really a beautiful lens. You got to hold it to understand why there's so much rave about it...

The 12mm/15mm & 25mm are not rangefinder coupled. That means, you cannot focus. But you can focus with the 21mm. Personally, I use 21mm as my general everyday lens, as I am more kiasu... I like to squeeze everything into 24x36.

The 12mm is one of it's kind. It's the widest full frame you can get on rangefinders and it's below SGD1K!

Do take note that 40mm/F1.4 (both Multi-coated & single coated version) are no longer in production. But existing stock is still available.

 

[Keltzar]

I have had my 15mm for some years and love it simply because I don't have to focus.
Just hyperfocus. it's hard not to get everything in focus.

I used my 15mm as a general lens at one time too. Coupled with my old stock of Ektar 25 film... the results from my NZ trip were unbelievable.

 

[koolklamz]

am thinking of getting a Bessa soon.

i have read reviews for both the 50mm 1.5 and the 40mm 1.4 and both seem pretty good. i normally use a 50mm on my 35mm canon film so am pretty used to that focal length, but i hear good things about the 40mm length too.

any of u with either of these lenses have any insights to offer?

money permitting, i would plan to also get a wide angle either the 15mm or 21mm and a longer lens for portraiture - either the 75 or 90mm..

but for walkaround, a bit of portraiture and low light photography, im keen on either the 50 or 40.. i know the 50mm probably is more suited for portraiture, 40mm has advantage of a wider angle and a touch faster. but would appreciate any other views.

I am also thinking of getting a Bessa and comtemplating with the lens I should be equip with for travel photography.

 

[haagen_dazs]

if you have the time, consider the 40mm rokkor M or 40mm leica
exactly the same glass
read it up on cameraquest.
fantastic piece of engineering, lightweight, small and sharp.

 

[jdredd]

wouldnt pay so much more for leica.... this would be a 3rd camera for me anyway just for travel.

anyway i ended up getting the 50mm.. just had a few days in paris with it.. worked out pretty well. there were a couple of shots where i wish i had a wider FOV, but nothing i couldnt live with.