Prototype SLR Magic 25mm T0.95 samples on the GH2 (with comparison to Voigtlander Nokton 25mm F0.95)

[Andrew Reid]

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[img]http://www.eoshd.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/slr-magic-25mm-0-95.jpg[/img]

One of my favourite lenses on the GH2 (if not the favourite) and the one that gets the most use is the Voigtlander Nokton 25mm F0.95. It offers unrivalled shallow DOF on the GH2′s 1.86x crop sensor and superb low light performance.

However it is a photographic lens not really designed for cinematographers. Now [url="http://www.slrmagic.com/products.php"]SLR Magic[/url] are producing a cine lens rival for the same price – with minimal breathing, 10 blade aperture for smooth bokeh when stopped down and clickless aperture ring.

[url="http://www.eoshd.com/?p=8012/"]Read full article[/url]

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[tvpglabs]

Looks pretty good, they'll have to bring the breathing down to zero before I open my wallet.

[cparente10]

When do you think the SLR magic lens will be available?  I live in the states but I'm going to study abroad in Montreal from the end of may to the beginning of august, and my intention is to to have one of these on me.

[bradleyg5]

What exactly is the point? a 25mm F0.95 on micro four thirds will produce the equivalent field of view and depth of field as a 50mm F1.8 on a 5d.  I don't really see the logic in paying a 1000+ dollars on a lens that will give the same look as the cheapest lens in available on 35mm full format.

[Per Lichtman]

@bradleyg5 The reasons why the Nokton "look" is better than a "plastic-fantastic" are varied and great in number, but the first one you might want to look at is bokeh. If you are using Canon lenses, the ones you want to compare it to are the L series. The price does not seem out of line viewed in that league and both the Nokton and SLR Magic offerings are faster lenses than the Canon offerings commercially available at this time. That means that when the lens (rather than the sensor) is the limiting factor, low light performance will be superior with the Nokton.

Now, if your only concern is depth of field, consider that the combination of buying 5DMkII or 5DMkIII and a "plastic-fantastic" will still add up to more than the cost of a GH2 and a Nokton. Is one better than the other? It depends on your application, but neither is over-priced.

If you are talking primarily about the SLR Magic offering, it remains to be seen how it the CA gets handled. The test pictures above show a clear advantage for both the Leica and Nokton in this area and unless it is remedied before launch, I forsee the sales for the new lens being based only on shooting workflow concerns rather than image quality (where it would be lagging behind the competition).

However, if that CA is addressed, the increased resolution and differing design could make it attractive to people that want an alternative to the Nokton with less "character" and more sharpness.

In other words, the point is to address a market gap at a competitive price-point. It seems unfair to attack a lens based upon a preference for a different sensor, doesn't it?

[Andrew Reid]

[quote author=bradleyg5 link=topic=693.msg5042#msg5042 date=1336468176]
What exactly is the point? a 25mm F0.95 on micro four thirds will produce the equivalent field of view and depth of field as a 50mm F1.8 on a 5d.  I don't really see the logic in paying a 1000+ dollars on a lens that will give the same look as the cheapest lens in available on 35mm full format.
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The point should really be - Why would you want to use a boring 50mm F1.8 on a soft-o-vision 5D when the GH2 gives you more resolution with a lens that is much brighter in low light, with more manageable focus and has more interesting bokeh?

[ntblowz]

Well I think Voigtlander 17.5mm is a much better lens for both stills and moving image, and image quality is also improved over the 25mm, though it is more pricier

some shots with 17.5mm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/monkp/7156830184/