06-23-2012, 09:52 AM
Miro, the lens is compact and very light. It is half the size of my compact lens, the EF 35mm f2. I use my 35mm f2 a lot for close up/macro stuff upto 1:2. With 12mm ext. tube, it gets 1:2. With 25mm ext. tube it gets 1:1.
This 40mm will be even better for what I use my 35mm f2 for, as it is shorter. And will be more usable when using live view in difficult angles and positions.
My 35mm f2 is also nice as normal lens on APS-C, and streets wide angle on FF. On FF the 40mm is a nice compromise between normal and wide angle-ish street lens. And again, its small dimensions make it very attractive. Just like all the 40mm pancakes that have gone before it.
Sure, some want wide apertures for a 50mm. I rather value that on longer lenses. And zoom lenses? Really? They do not get the same performance (many more lens elements), are way more heavy and way bigger, and also much more expensive.
The point of this lens is its compact size. Valuable when mounted, more so when stored in your bag. Its flexibility (will love to use this lens on FF for macro stuff). And its good accurate AF in live view for my impossible-angle close ups. Apparently very good quality optics (nice colour/contrast, sharp, smooth background bokeh).
All that for a low price.
I will get this lens in future, as I will get the Voigtlander 20mm f3.5 SL II.
This 40mm will be even better for what I use my 35mm f2 for, as it is shorter. And will be more usable when using live view in difficult angles and positions.
My 35mm f2 is also nice as normal lens on APS-C, and streets wide angle on FF. On FF the 40mm is a nice compromise between normal and wide angle-ish street lens. And again, its small dimensions make it very attractive. Just like all the 40mm pancakes that have gone before it.
Sure, some want wide apertures for a 50mm. I rather value that on longer lenses. And zoom lenses? Really? They do not get the same performance (many more lens elements), are way more heavy and way bigger, and also much more expensive.
The point of this lens is its compact size. Valuable when mounted, more so when stored in your bag. Its flexibility (will love to use this lens on FF for macro stuff). And its good accurate AF in live view for my impossible-angle close ups. Apparently very good quality optics (nice colour/contrast, sharp, smooth background bokeh).
All that for a low price.
I will get this lens in future, as I will get the Voigtlander 20mm f3.5 SL II.