[HUG ] Re: SWC or 40mm?

Michiel Fokkema wrote:


Are they optically very different?


They are different, yes.

The old, C version is a good lens.
The CF version has slightly beter resolution in the center, but also slightly more distortion. Having floating elements, this version also does better when used close up. The CFE IF version again has slightly higher resolution (which, by the way, is wasted on digital sensors. They just do not see it), and considerably more distortion.
The are only two versions of the Biogon: the one on all SW(...) cameras from 1954 upto and including the 903 SWC, and the one on the 905 SWC. The difference between these two versions is minimal, the first version being very slightly better. 


Comparing the 40 mm to the Biogon, the Biogon 'wins'. But not by much.
Distortion is very low (for a lens with such a wide angle of view) in the Biogon's images, and none of the 40 mm versions even comes close. But resolution and contrast of the 38 mm is not much different, certainly not when the lenses are stopped down a bit. The Biogon appears to hold up performance slightly better going out of the center towards the edges and corners of the image.
The difference however i not that big, i think, to be a decision maker or breaker. Other considerations - like being able to use the lens on a reflex camera and inspect focus visually - may be more important to you. 


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