What We Like
+Stunning bokeh with creamy, soft out-of-focus rendering at wide apertures for portraiture
+Improves significantly when stopped down with modern coatings and glass providing sharp results by f/5.6
+Beautiful chrome and brass construction evokes 1950s-60s aesthetic while being modern and reliable
+E46 filter compatibility and 0.7m close focus are practical improvements over original versions
+Exceptional handling with tactile aperture clicks and smooth focus ring
+Synthesizes best optical characteristics of original versions I, II, and III pre-ASPH designs
Worth Knowing
−Soft focus wide open at f/1.4 makes critical focusing challenging, unlike modern ASPH versions
−Susceptible to focus shift and not as corner-sharp as modern lenses even when stopped down
−Clip-on hood design less secure than screw-thread alternatives and easily lost
−Limited supply at launch and premium price of $3,895 reflects collector-grade positioning