Preface/Lens Review Summary w/ a side of self contradiction:
First the self contradiction. I simply point you to my recent post about what I would recommend if I had no lens and was about to purchase a 50mm-ish lens where I chose another lens. Welp. None of this makes sense so here we are.
The 40mm f/2.5 G… As I have stated before. Humble spec, small size, solid build, and great results.
This lens falls nicely into my, “If I were a sensible man…”, narrative. It would be my everyday lens without issue. At f/2.5 things like low light and background blur do not come to mind at first, but this lens punches well above its spec.
As previously stated, combine this lens with the A7C for a wonderful combination that is capable of wonderful results made even better, as mentioned in an earlier post, with an aesthetically appropriate metal square hood and cap, thumbs up, both by Haoge, and a half case from Kaza.
As I stated earlier I am no longer going to compare this combination to anything else, including the Leica Q. The Q is phenomenal. Without question. But the Sony A7C/40mm f/2.5 combination is different enough and good enough to be considered on its own. It is its own thing. There is no higher praise for a digital solution in my little universe. I am sure the new version II and R variants are even better, but I am good. Here are some images captured last week while going about my day. Used Sony’s high contrast monochrome JPEG profile I rather like.
Put this camera together with aesthetic and functional accessories and a lens with (Cut and paste conclusion ahead.) qualities like build quality, on lens controls, aesthetics, compact size, great low light performance, and a fairly reasonable price and you have yourself one fine lens. So much so that it won me over even though I usually go for a slightly brighter aperture. It is a near perfect merging of all of my favorite lens attributes in a very small package.
I now consider it its own thing. And I like it. Well done Sony.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 