For an eloquent articulation of why one might choose a fast lens over a technically more competent but slower lens, see Dante Stella’s The Legend of Lux-Do. Goofy, yes. Tongue in cheek, definitely, but then fast lenses are not serious things.
Despite all the folderol about photo-journalists needing them to get that crucial shot, most photo-journalists I’ve known are far more comfortable using a flash. The chances of successfully shooting in low light are far higher with a flash, but fast lenses aren’t about succeeding on the same terms that we normally use to judge photographs. No, fast lenses are about hubris, plain and simple. They are about knowing you can walk into that dingy bar, take the darkest booth in the back, and still be able to get a picture.
Ultimately, fast lenses are fun. Fast lens that also happen to be cheap and small, like my new CV 35 F1.4 SC, are particularly fun, despite their limitations. If you are worried about distortion, light fall off, resolution or pretty much anything other than being able to say, “but this one goes to 1.4,” don’t bother. Nothing to see here. Move along. There are a plenty of well lit bars near the mall.
April 6th, 2008
honestly, i love this lens. it’s got its limitations but for the money … IT GOES TO 1.4!
love your last comment!
if i didn’t already own a 35/1.4 asph, i’d totally buy this. got to use one for about 3 weeks and thought it was pretty damn good.
April 7th, 2008
Hilarious stuff. Love the rich blacks in the bar shots. I think it’s time I terrorized people with my CV 40/1.4.
April 7th, 2008
‘Love the rich blacks in the bar shots.’
Those rich blacks are the result of using a curve to drop the thin parts of the negs all the way down to black.
April 7th, 2008
Haha, good review.
April 9th, 2008
interviewer: “Nice lens…”
Nigel: “See… it goes to 1.0″
interviewer: “Really?”
Nigel: “Yeah! See, most just go to 1.4, but mine goes to 1.0…”
interviewer: “But… see here - you’ve just taped over the 1.4 and scratched in 1.0!”
Nigel: “But… it goes to 1.0!”
April 10th, 2008
Huh, does that mean I can turn my 50 Hex into a Noctilux with the same procedure?