What is best to replace Voigtlander 35/1.4 Nokton??

[sir_kane]

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Hello. I have a question , can anyone help me find the answer. I'm going to replace my only lens for my Leica M6 , Voigtlander Nokotn 35 f 1.4. I generally uses it well , has great ergonomics , compact size and low weight . I can not complain as on its sharpness ... Although the full opening is not good, but slightly covered up gives a nice sharp image . This is very disturbing for me its distortion, which is why I want something better. I wonder every turn . Is better to get somewhere on ebay used Summicron 35/2 , or buy a brand new Summarit 35/2.5 ? My thoughts revolve around a Zeiss Biogon T 35 /2, I read that it is very good optically , and maybe even better than the Leica lens, but has a big size , or C Biogon 35/2.8 T which has a very small size , like my current Voigtlander . I wonder , however, whether well positioned to focus on these Zeissach because they probably do not have the tabs on the finger . I'm looking for something good, better than the Voigtlander 35/1.4, the best something a small size and possibly not the most expensive. Please recommend me something good...

[TomB_tx]

I have also had good results from the 1.4 Nokton, and moved to both the Zeiss 35 f2.0, and then a used 35 Summarit. Both are excellent lenses - but like you I find the Zeiss a bit large. The Summarit is as good, and the size is nice. The hood is large, but many use it without the hood.

The 1.4 Nokton is inspired by the original 35 Summilux, which has a great reputation, although with wide-open "character" and reported focus-shift (like the Nokton - but without distortion). I've never owned one, but have been tempted. I like tiny lenses. The early Summilux 35 may have a rear shroud that needs modification for digital Leicas. They also tend to run over $2K.

[farnz]

The UC-Hexanon 35/2 has an excellent reputation, is only one stop slower, and should cost much less than a used 35/2 Summicron. The same goes for the 40/2 Summicron.

 

If you're determined to have sharp wide open at f/1.4 then realistically it's the 35/1.4 Summilux asph FLE but it'll be expensive.

 

Pete.

[pfhrased]

The UC-Hexanon 35/2 has an excellent reputation, is only one stop slower, and should cost much less than a used 35/2 Summicron. The same goes for the 40/2 Summicron.

 

If you're determined to have sharp wide open at f/1.4 then realistically it's the 35/1.4 Summilux asph FLE but it'll be expensive.

 

Pete.

 

Unless you'd be comfortable with the voigtlander 35 1.2 - but it's orders of magnitude bigger than the 1.4, so possibly not for you.

[jdlaing]

A Leica 35mm f/1.4 Pre Aspherical has very very little, if any, distortion.

They can be had fairly inexpensively as well.

 

I have both the Leica and the Voigtlander 1.4 Nokton and prefer the Leica.

[jdlaing]

PS: If you want examples from both just tell me what you'd like.

[sir_kane]

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But, is it worth it to buy either an older version of Leica 35mm/1.4 or / 2.0, instead of the new Zeiss 35mm/2.0?

 

I can buy a new Zeiss 35mm / 2 for 900 euros, or I found Summicron 35mm/2.0 type II for 1,200 euros ... optionally Summilux 35mm/1.4 I do not know which model, but it is written on the front, Canada, for 1600 euros.

[TomB_tx]

Between my Zeiss 2.0 and Summicron v2, the Zeiss images are sharper & higher contrast - I generally prefer them. But I love the small size of the v2, and convenience for carrying.

I'd say the Zeiss is a better buy.

[jdlaing]

But, is it worth it to buy either an older version of Leica 35mm/1.4 or / 2.0, instead of the new Zeiss 35mm/2.0?

 

I can buy a new Zeiss 35mm / 2 for 900 euros, or I found Summicron 35mm/2.0 type II for 1,200 euros ... optionally Summilux 35mm/1.4 I do not know which model, but it is written on the front, Canada, for 1600 euros.

 

It depend on what you want for rendering. The Summilux 1.4 renders very smooth.

The Zeiss lenses are very sharp but too clinical for my taste.

[tenezus]

I was asking myself what can use to replace my 35mm 2.5 summarit. I find it produces some very good images that has the Leica taste.

Obviously, the summilux would be my first choice, yet the price is out of this world!

 

 

[T44ISKN]

How about a vintage 35/2.8 Summaron. I almost bought the Nokton 35/1.4, but always dreamed of owning a Leica and discovered that the Summaron costs not much more (approx 600 GBP used vs. 500 for the Nokton new). The Summaron 2.8 seems to have an excellent reputation on this forum and does not exhibit any distortion.

[NightSun]

If you want to have a small sized lens and reasonably low priced, then either Summicron-C 40/2 or Zeiss C-Biogon 35/2.8. Both are excellent lenses, though with very different drawing. C-Biogon is one of the highest contrast lenses in the M line, which might be against your taste on film, but ridiculously sharp already wide open and easy to handle. Maybe would not qualify as a focus tab, but there is a bump on the focus ring, so it's quite comfortable to use it, at least for me it felt natural immediately (though different experience from focusing on both Leica and Voigtlander lenses).

 

In case you need speed and very good performance wide open, then your only options surpassing the image quality of Nokton 35/1.4 are either Summilux 35 ASPH (pre-FLE/FLE) or Voigtlander Nokton 35/1.2 ASPH. The latter one is a bargain at its price level, but enormously big if you compare it to Nokton 35/1.4 and alike.

[CrisRose]

A vote for the Zeiss 35/2 Biogon here. Zero distortion being the main reason im picking one up over my 35/1.4 Nokton

[friedeye]

I'm also a fan of the Zeiss 35/2. A lovely lens with real pop. Sharp wide open and a tremendous value. I think you'll also like the bump on the focus ring instead of the tab - how many times in real use do you ever put your finger into the tab? I'll bet not much. I don't on my tabbed lenses. And, in terms of size, I find that it handles better than my smaller lenses -- but, yes, it is a bit of a nose on the camera. Although without the hood, not so bad.

[CalArts 99]

how many times in real use do you ever put your finger into the tab? I'll bet not much.

 

Don't bet with me

 

I use the Leica focus tab all the time and pretty much can't do without after many years of using tabbed focusing. A few months ago I purchased the C-Biogon 2.8 35mm but immediately found that it had too much contrast for my own tastes. And I discovered that the 'bump' was in the way and useless for me (my finger just rolls of it whereas the Leica tab allows my finger to remain in the tab and I can focus precisely with it.) I ended up selling it.

 

In addition, the Zeiss has 1/3 aperture stops which I find unnecessary and served only to 'confuse' me since I normally adjust aperture without looking; I had to count differently with the Zeiss and that just slowed me down.

 

I thought the size was nice but only at first. After using it for a while I felt it was actually too small since I like to 'cradle' the camera with my left hand under the lens. So the C-Biogon ended up being too small for me, personally.

 

It's a sharp lens and with very little distortion. But I just couldn't live with it in the end. And especially with the excessive contrast. But the price is great, there's no doubt about that. I recommend that the OP rent or borrow one and try it out. Everybody has their own personal preferences when it comes to lenses. My opinion may have no bearing on anyone's needs and desires besides my own. In the US, you can rent them from lensrentals.com; they have all the Zeiss, Leica, and Voigtlander 35mm flavors to rent.