This lens thing has been over the top.
I have been known to spend more money and less time on solving lens issues, but I guess as time moves on, my real need is diminishing, fear of failure and waste is increasing, so these choices are harder to make.
I am also aware, that more than most purchases, this is for me, not clients.
The impulse buy of the 40mm was providential, it opened a door I may never have opened without a push, I now need to enter the room, take stock and finalise the process.
At the end of the day I was after;
A Vespid Mk1 lens to match my windfall 40mm that is a normal lens in APS-C (37) and MFT (45/50) formats and a wide in full frame (25), something that has been simmering for a while. The Panasonic 24 always seemed too dear for what it was going to add to an occasional wide user (compared to my excellent kit 20-60 and 28-70 Sigma anyway).
The Vespid 25mm has been ordered for what I would consider below average professional lens cost, all things considered. You can get lost in all this but really, a sub $1200au professional cine (or any) lens these days is a win.
It does all that along with many glowing recommendations from Vespid Mk1 users and any more hair splitting would serve nobody.
Mostly, I want more of this look
Delicate, nuanced, harmonious and f%#king sharp!
I was tempted to wait for an even lower price, but I doubt it would come in any substantial form, they are already at “run out” pricing. The company I purchased from sometimes do great deals on in -stock lenses***, but they have no Vespids on inventory after selling their last 40mm (to me) and I felt that a purchase before tax time made sense.
The 21 was in the mix, but it felt risky as it is considered a softer and warmer lens than the rest and limited in best use case scenarios as a 21/30/38/42 (and I have those covered*).
The 18 or 24 MkII’s were there also, but the reality of price and possibly not matching the Mk1 40mm any better than the 21 pushed them away. If I were given a budget to shoot a real docco, I would get a few of these, Thypochs, or maybe just complete my Mk1’s.
Everything else (Infinte, Thypoch) became too much brain juice to process.
I now have over four effective formats, a complete range of 25-80**, almost unbroken in matched lenses as well as a set of MFT Hope/Vision and a full frame IRIX 150 macro of similar quality. Add to this a set of Panasonic S-primes, Spectrums, Sirui anamorphic and others and I can handle most things.
*If I am going to try something with wide angles that is a little risky, I will not be using an expensive and heavy full frame cinema lens to do it.
**stabe crop and 4/6K-2K conversions aside.
***My half price IRIX, Spectrums and the 20% off Vespid.