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N4865G

N4865G

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Hi,

I read a lot about the optimal focal length of 40mm, which seems to be the sweet spot between 55mm and 28mm in my case (I own 55mm f1.8 and 28mm f2 lenses).

Indeed, I sometimes find myself limited between those 2 lenses ending up juggling them on my A7III camera a lot.

I see two potential 40mm candidates now, the new Batis and the Voigtlander f1.2.

I lean towards the Batis as it offers native AF, including Eye-AF, which I use a lot with my subjects. That functionality also seems to be the problem with Batis lens as I read on different forums.

Voigtlander on the other hand is much smaller, but I am not sure if I am up to working with MF for my shooting genres, which would mostly be travel and street photography.

Is there any other choice at all? I am not considering 35mm f2.8 for it being too slow and too wide (i know it is only 5mm, but this is a lot for me).

Thanks

Dom
 
Since you have an A7III, you can also get EyeAF with an adapted Canon 40/2.8. It's a pretty good lens, and cheap and compact. Even on an adapter it's not much bigger than the 35/2.8 Zeiss.
 
The new Sigma ART 1.4/40 can be had in E-mount.

Exceptional image quality - and bulk, size and wight.

Have ordered one but not for walk around use. ;-)
 
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I always find that fast, manual focus lenses are too arduous to use on my A7X cameras. Since, at fast apertures, focus-recompose does not work (when critical focus is important), I find that moving the focus point to the right area, then using magnify focus is too much work and I also miss too many good shots. I sold my Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 because I stopped using it. I would get the Batis 40mm lens.

Of course, manual focus lenses are relatively easy to use when shooting f5.6/f8.

--
Jeff
Florida, USA
http://www.gr8photography.com
 
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SQLGuy said:
Since you have an A7III, you can also get EyeAF with an adapted Canon 40/2.8. It's a pretty good lens, and cheap and compact. Even on an adapter it's not much bigger than the 35/2.8 Zeiss.
Click to expand...
I have one. No problems. Sometimes I use that, and sometimes the Rokinon 35/2.8.
 
Thank you all very much for your comments.

I need to look into that Canon adapted lens assuming it maintains the good focusing performance of the native glass.

Thanks again

Dom
 
N4865G said:
Hi,

I read a lot about the optimal focal length of 40mm, which seems to be the sweet spot between 55mm and 28mm in my case (I own 55mm f1.8 and 28mm f2 lenses).

Indeed, I sometimes find myself limited between those 2 lenses ending up juggling them on my A7III camera a lot.

I see two potential 40mm candidates now, the new Batis and the Voigtlander f1.2.

I lean towards the Batis as it offers native AF, including Eye-AF, which I use a lot with my subjects. That functionality also seems to be the problem with Batis lens as I read on different forums.

Voigtlander on the other hand is much smaller, but I am not sure if I am up to working with MF for my shooting genres, which would mostly be travel and street photography.

Is there any other choice at all? I am not considering 35mm f2.8 for it being too slow and too wide (i know it is only 5mm, but this is a lot for me).

Thanks

Dom
Click to expand...
I'm with you on the 40mm length. MF with focus peaking and magnify are fine for static subjects, not great for moving subjects. So, how you plan to use the lens will determine the AF vs MF answer. I'd rent them both from LensRentals - $64/wk for the Voigtlander, $61/wk for Batis. Nothing works better than having them in your hand, on your camera, to know how you feel.
 
N4865G said:
Thank you all very much for your comments.

I need to look into that Canon adapted lens assuming it maintains the good focusing performance of the native glass.

Thanks again

Dom
Click to expand...
I shot the Canon 40mm on the A7RII for awhile. This lens is optically excellent, and given the price (particularly used) is an absolute bargain. I cannot remember if I used the MC-11 or MBIV adapter, but focus in AF-S was good. AF-C is often 'iffy' with adapted lenses.
 
N4865G said:
Thank you all very much for your comments.

I need to look into that Canon adapted lens assuming it maintains the good focusing performance of the native glass.

Thanks again

Dom
Click to expand...
Dom,

The lens adapter you choose are important, too. Currently the leading adapters are the Sigma MC-11 and the Metabones V.
 
Jeff2013 said:
N4865G said:
I need to look into that Canon adapted lens assuming it maintains the good focusing performance of the native glass.
Click to expand...
I shot the Canon 40mm on the A7RII for awhile. This lens is optically excellent, and given the price (particularly used) is an absolute bargain. I cannot remember if I used the MC-11 or MBIV adapter, but focus in AF-S was good. AF-C is often 'iffy' with adapted lenses.
Click to expand...
The Rokinon AF FE 35 F2.8 has better image quality and better focusing than the EF 40 F2.8 STM on the MC-11. The Canon performs appropriately for its price.

The Tamron SP 45 F1.8 USD is a much sharper and much better focusing lens if you don't mind the bulky size.

Yes, 35 and 45 mm aren't 40 mm.
 
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20, 28, 40 and 135 are sweet spots for me, so I have been eyeing the Batis as well. To be honest, the Sigma looks amazing, although too large for a walk around.
 
Thank you all, again.

I looked up the canon pancake and whilst the size and price are hard to beat the AF performance tends to be less reliable.

I guess I will wait and see what the new Batis firmware brings (if it comes).

Thanks
Dom
 
N4865G said:
Thank you all, again.

I looked up the canon pancake and whilst the size and price are hard to beat the AF performance tends to be less reliable.

I guess I will wait and see what the new Batis firmware brings (if it comes).

Thanks
Dom
Click to expand...
I thought the AF with the 40 was reliable. I am using the Metabones IV adapter.
 
N4865G said:
Thank you all very much for your comments.

I need to look into that Canon adapted lens assuming it maintains the good focusing performance of the native glass.

Thanks again

Dom
Click to expand...
Keep in mind that the Canon 40 STM has a fly-by-wire manual focusing ring.

AF on Canon bodies is outstanding though (thankfully).

R2
 
Thanks a lot,

Dom
 
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