voigtlander 35mm lenses

[hnaa]

Hi guys,
I'm considering getting a voigtlander 35mm lens for use on my M8. (can't afford Leica lenses just now, maybe later) and I'm considering two options: 35mm f/1.7 Ultron or 35mm f/1.2 Nokton. From a STRICTLY image quality perspective, which would be the way to go? I've tried the Nokton once and was quite impressed (and didn't find it as huge as some do), but have never tried the Ultron, which is also supposed to be very good indeed. I know they are both supposed to be very sharp, even wide open, but how about bokeh, colour rendition, contrast and so on?

[spylaw4]

Suggest you read Sean Reid on the 35mm lenses.

[tgray]

I hear the 35/1.2 is a fantastic lens and am planning on picking one up at some point.

However, for about the same price, I got the ZM 35/2 and have been *very* happy with it. You should put it on your list (and maybe never 'upgrade' from it).

[pklein]

Your decision depends on whether you primarily take outdoor, bright light photos, or available light photos. Either lens could be used for either purpose, but each one has its strengths and weaknesses.

The Nokton is wonderful for available light, but big and heavy, and can show some purple fringing in high-contrast transitions in sunlight. Even stopped down.

The Ultron is probably better for daylight photography, but the Zeiss would be even better.

[2Bébèrt]

I have used the nokton 40/1,4 for about a year now and it is a very nice lens, certenly if you consider it's price and size.
If the new Nokton 35/1,4 whould have been available at the time I probably gone for the 35mm.

You can dig the forums to gather the info you need.

here are a few links with some free knowledge:

the unofficial Cosina-Voigtlander User Community - Home

Voigtlander lenses

Bessa Rangefinder/ Messsucher Kameras und Objektive 30'er, 50'er Jahre und heute

shops with some extra info

Voigtlander Lenses Leica Mount

CHIIF CAMERAS - Ultron 35mm F1.7 Asp.

[Printmaker]

I know its not on your list but the 35/2.5 is a fantastic lens. Razor sharp. Nice color. Makes for a neat small kit. Not that expensive either.

[Printmaker]

Oh yeah, you asked about bokeh. Its good but I have a 35 cron V4 as well and, while the 35/2.5 has good bokeh, nothing touches the V4 cron for that Leica glow.

Of course, you could purchase an entire VC outfit for the price of a good used classic 35 cron. With that in mind, lets say the 35/2.5 glimmers rather than glows. Still, its a very, very nice lens.

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by spylaw4

Suggest you read Sean Reid on the 35mm lenses.

Thanks very much Brian. You wrote what I was quietly thinking.

I can't summarize several articles here but my two cents on the CV 35s.

CV 35/2.5 - excellent lens overall, a real value, OOF looks great to my eyes
CV 35/1.7 - also an excellent lens with high res., lovely OOF rendering, low contrast, prone to veiling flare so can be tricky with filters under some conditions
CV 35/1.4 - soft in the corners at wider apertures, noticeable focus shift through F/5.6, OOF rendering a bit "jittery"
CV 35/1.2 - excellent lens in almost all respects but large and heavy, lovely OOF

As a rule, the Leica 35s tend to show less CA than the CV 35s. In many other respects, however, three of the CV 35s perform very well.

Cheers,

Sean

[sean_reid]

BTW, to all.

Cosina bought the Voigtlander name so the lenses are made by CV, rather than VC. VC, if it existed, might be a very interesting German company building lenses for all kinds of makers.

Cheers,

Sean

[woodyspedden]

Originally Posted by sean_reid

Thanks very much Brian. You wrote what I was quietly thinking.

I can't summarize several articles here but my two cents on the CV 35s.

CV 35/2.5 - excellent lens overall, a real value, OOF looks great to my eyes
CV 35/1.7 - also an excellent lens with high res., lovely OOF rendering, low contrast, prone to veiling flare so can be tricky with filters under some conditions
CV 35/1.4 - soft in the corners at wider apertures, noticeable focus shift through F/5.6, OOF rendering a bit "jittery"
CV 35/1.2 - excellent lens in almost all respects but large and heavy, lovely OOF

As a rule, the Leica 35s tend to show less CA than the CV 35s. In many other respects, however, three of the CV 35s perform very well.

Cheers,

Sean

FWIW

I totally agree with Sean and for completeness he used my 35 1.4 to have a go at sample variation for the focus shift issues. I find the lens to do O.K for certain looks but I will absolutely stand by my assertion that the Voightlander 35 1.2 is a fantastic lens, if you can get past the size and weight. Try it. Where else can you get a F1.2 for just over $800? Love leica but for sure if they produced this lens it would be over $5K! No Joke!!!

Woody

[Mauribix]

Originally Posted by sean_reid

...Cosina bought the Voigtlander name so the lenses are made by CV, rather than VC...

Sean, I love to hear you repeat that!

[Printmaker]

Originally Posted by sean_reid

BTW, to all.

Cosina bought the Voigtlander name so the lenses are made by CV, rather than VC. VC, if it existed, might be a very interesting German company building lenses for all kinds of makers.

Cheers,

Sean

Opps, sometimes my fingers type faster than than the old brain. Sorry about that.

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by Mauribix

Sean, I love to hear you repeat that!

Hope springs eternal...<G>

Cheers,

Sean

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by Printmaker

Opps, sometimes my fingers type faster than than the old brain. Sorry about that.

Its a very common mistake. I've never heard anyone talk about "Summicron's Leica" but I see "VC" all the time.

Cheers,

Sean

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by woodyspedden

FWIW

I totally agree with Sean and for completeness he used my 35 1.4 to have a go at sample variation for the focus shift issues. I find the lens to do O.K for certain looks but I will absolutely stand by my assertion that the Voightlander 35 1.2 is a fantastic lens, if you can get past the size and weight. Try it. Where else can you get a F1.2 for just over $800? Love leica but for sure if they produced this lens it would be over $5K! No Joke!!!

Woody

I think you're right. It might be a *slightly* better lens but it would cost dramatically more money. The 35/1.2 is one of the great CV lenses.

Cheers,

Sean

[hnaa]

Thanks for the replies so far. I guess I really am leaning towards the Nokton. However, I really would appreciate not having to go through the extra PP work of applying Cornerfix, so the Ultron has the attraction of being easy to 6-bit code with a Milich adapter. Do you know if he, or anyone else, produces milled out, 6-bit ready replacement flanges for the Nokton?

[spylaw4]

You can order an LTM8 flange from him ready milled and set to bring up the 35mm frame lines. USD125 +P&P IIRC

[jaapv]

Echoing the Nokton 1.2 comments. It is indeed a superb lens. There is absolutely no need to code it, though, nor to use Cornerfix. Cyan vignetting is not noticeble in this design in normal use. It is slightly bulky, agreed, but the weight is not that much more that my chrome Summicron 35 asph. As the Nokton is larger it even "feels" lighter.

[lct]

Originally Posted by sean_reid

...CV 35/1.4 - soft in the corners at wider apertures, noticeable focus shift through F/5.6, OOF rendering a bit "jittery"...

As far as the SC version is concerned, i would say sharper than the late pre-asph Lux at f/1.4, more prone to flare than the latter, noticeable back focus at f/4 - f/5.6, smooth bokeh.

[lct]

Originally Posted by Printmaker

Oh yeah, you asked about bokeh. Its good but I have a 35 cron V4 as well and, while the 35/2.5 has good bokeh, nothing touches the V4 cron for that Leica glow...

OK for the bokeh of the Cron 35/2 IV but if the glow is an halo around highlights i've got some with my late pre-asph Summilux for instance but not at all with the Cron so far.