CV 40mm f1.4 mc, a great lens?

[kivis]

Like to hear some views on this lens. It is my goto lens on a daily basis. How do others feel about this lens? Please be candid.

 

[Donald Boyd]

I don't own this lens and I have never used one, but from what I've read, it's a good lens. The Summicron/Rokkor 40mm are most likely better in terms of the creamy look and less expensive used. I used to have the Rokkor. It disappeared on a hiking trip.

 

[Ray Heath]

Like to hear some views on this lens. It is my goto lens on a daily basis. How do others feel about this lens? Please be candid.

g'day kivis

why the thread?

do you need validation?

what do you feel about this lens?

 

[mike_j]

Does anyone here know which frames this would bring up an a Leica M6?

 

[Richard Wasserman]

Mike,

It normally brings up the 50mm framelines. I took a file to the cam on mine and after about 3 minutes work it now brings up the 35mm lines which I think are a better match to its field of view. I have the single coated version and think it's an interesting lens. Not great as some of the Leica lenses are, but interesting with its own look.

Richard Wasserman

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

I had the S.C version and found it ok but lacking in any unique personality or character so I sold it. Much prefer the look I get from the 50/2 Summicron DR or my 50/1.5 Summarit.

 

[Chazzy]

Comparing this lens just with other Cosina "Voigtländer" lenses, would the 35mm f1.7 be a better bet? The focal length is almost the same, and the price is comparable.

 

[Biogon Bill]

Many people love the CV 35/1.7, so I wouldn't say anything bad about it. Two things worth noting are that it's a much bigger lens than the 40/1.4 & PopPhoto measured its maximum aperture at f/1.8 while the 40 is a true f/1.4 so the speed difference is significant

It all depends on what you want. If you want a compact high speed lens, then no, the 35/1.7 is not a good substitute. However, some people like the ergonomics of a bigger lens & the 2/3 stop difference may not be all that important to some.

Bottom line is that even though it's not a huge difference, 40 & 35 are different focal lengths & if you like the perspective of one of them, the other is not a substitute.

 

[Alan Chin]

also note that while the 40 1.4 is a pretty compact lens on a M camera, it feels a bit too big on a CL. so it's not really a replacement for the 40 2.0 if you're a speed freak.