Voigtländer Nokton 35/1.4 II

[lct]

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2 hours ago, Harpomatic said:

If anybody is interested I published a full review of the Nokton 35mm 1.4 ver II on my new blog, and just added a comparison with ver I.

I go over image quality, distortion and importantly, focus shift and how much difference there is.

Here’s the link: https://www.47-degree.com/focus-shift

Let me know what you think!

Very interesting thank you but would you mind to elaborate when you say that « focus and recompose should work well because the field might stay in the right place thanks to this kind of curvature »? Did you focus at the centre of the frame? I suppose so if your camera had no moveable focus point. Then softer corners on the CV 35/1.4 v2 might mean that it has more field curvature than v1, don't you think so? Just curious.

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More about Voigtlander 35 mm F1.4 Nokton II MC

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[insomnia]

Am 12.5.2020 um 14:03 schrieb evikne:

I have recently acquired a Nokton 35/1.4 II MC with the LH-6 hood. I am trying to figure out if it can replace the 35mm pre-ASPH Summilux and Summicron of Walter Mandler. I want a small, classic rendering lens with f/1.4 aperture and 0.7m close focus. Because Leica cannot offer all of this in one lens I wanted to try something else. The Voigtlander is a great little lens, but I have to try it a little more before I can make up my mind fully about the most important thing to me: How does it render compared to the classic Leica lenses?

Does anyone else have any experience with this? What do you think?

I am afraid nobody seems to care here. It's all about focus shift. It's a topic with all lenses (check 28 Summicron for example). You might consider a resource that care more about images then technics. But be sure, I'll be interested in your feedback here!

Edited May 13, 2020 by insomnia

[Harpomatic]

21 hours ago, lct said:

Very interesting thank you but would you mind to elaborate when you say that « focus and recompose should work well because the field might stay in the right place thanks to this kind of curvature »? Did you focus at the centre of the frame? I suppose so if your camera had no moveable focus point. Then softer corners on the CV 35/1.4 v2 might mean that it has more field curvature than v1, don't you think so? Just curious.

Hi lct, what I meant is this: if the field were completely flat, focusing with the rangefinder patch and then recomposing would move the focus plane behind the intended subject, because it’s like sliding a flat panel on the surface of a sphere when you recompose. This assuming that you stay in the same place while recomposing, like we all do. Should you just step sideways and raising/lowering the camera remaining on the same plane it would work for maintaining the subject in focus. 
A lens with a field curvature curving away from the lens would be even worse. But the field curvature towards the lens is more aligned with the movement of the DOF while recomposing, so you have a better chance to keep the subject within it.

 I hope I managed to explain it somehow!

[evikne]

10 minutes ago, insomnia said:

I am afraid nobody seems to care here. It's all about focus shift. It's a topic with all lenses (check 28 Summicron for example). You might consider a resource that care more about images then technics. But be sure, I'll be interested in your feedback here!

Thanks! I think I have to make my own experiences and figure it out myself. It's a fully subjective question, after all. 

[Ko.Fe.]

7 hours ago, evikne said:

Thanks! I think I have to make my own experiences and figure it out myself. It's a fully subjective question, after all. 

  I was close to buy old 35 1.4 Lux once, but went for NIB Summarit-M 35 2.5. Zero regrets. Back then, original 35 1.4 Nokton was way too often reported as disaster for huge focus shifts even at f8. (This is way many here care about focus shift most, BTW). I was never tempted to buy bad lens like this. But they say it was improved with manufacturing modification of original Nokton 35 1.4 later on. 

Once 35 1.4 II came and I have seen reports with images I purchased it strictly for M-E 220 to deal with limited ISO range.

IMO:

From what I have seen from old Lux, 35 1.4 II Nokton is better lens @f1.4 on digital and I need f1.4 lens. On BW film I'm not impressed with any of two 35 1.4 Nokton's versions. From what I have seen in reports, including latest .They are kind of lacking of rendering of small details and flat in rendering overall. Same as Color Skopar 35 2.5, but more quirks. I'm finding old Lux to be better on BW film, but my Summarit-M 35 2.5 is astonishingly good on BW and color film.  

I also think old Lux is better for bokeh @f1.4 with busy, not even, chaotic background. 

IMO.

  

7 hours ago, Harpomatic said:

Hi lct, what I meant is this: if the field were completely flat, focusing with the rangefinder patch and then recomposing would move the focus plane behind the intended subject, because it’s like sliding a flat panel on the surface of a sphere when you recompose. This assuming that you stay in the same place while recomposing, like we all do. Should you just step sideways and raising/lowering the camera remaining on the same plane it would work for maintaining the subject in focus. 
A lens with a field curvature curving away from the lens would be even worse. But the field curvature towards the lens is more aligned with the movement of the DOF while recomposing, so you have a better chance to keep the subject within it.

 I hope I managed to explain it somehow!

My 35 1.4 II is soft and glowy @f1.4 in the corners. Focus and recompose shows it. At smaller apertures I can't find any problems with it.

[Harpomatic]

1 hour ago, Ko.Fe. said:

My 35 1.4 II is soft and glowy @f1.4 in the corners. Focus and recompose shows it.

I have not had any problems with focus and recompose with the 35 1.4 II even wide open, but I never put the subject so far to the edge or corner of the picture, so I can’t comment on that.

[stefanos_Kandylidis]

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good evening, i am looking for this lens, voigtlander in Greece is out of stock right now. Could you recommended me europe online shops to purchase one?

 

[sergiomarried]

5 hours ago, stefanos_Kandylidis said:

good evening, i am looking for this lens, voigtlander in Greece is out of stock right now. Could you recommended me europe online shops to purchase one?

 

I got mine one in this Spanish online store. It’s very popular and trusty. Great service and price: http://www.fotoboom.com/voigtlander-35mm-f-1-4-mc-vm-ii-nokton-67296

Edited January 14, 2021 by sergiomarried

[evikne]

25 minutes ago, Steven said:

I know, or at least I think I know, that you didn't keep the lens. What ended up happening. 

I have been using this lens for a few months too and im really not happy with any of the photos I am getting with it. 

What I really hate about this lens: at 1.4, its sharp in the center but very glowy further away. Especially when they are highlights, it glows so much its annoying. Someone told me I might have a bad copy. Way to soft for in the edges. 

What I like about this lens: I'm quite seduced by its now "famous" flare. That orange ring when the light is right is pretty cool. 

What I love about this lens: It's tiny, opens at 1.4, and it's my favourite focal length. Therefore, it could have been the perfect nighttime lens for me. Anyone can suggest an alternative ? Ideally 1.4, ideally 35mm, and ideally as small as possible for nighttime when I go to diner and want to bring my camera. 

Or should I say when I used to go to diner... 

That's correct, I sold it after a short time. It was a lovely little lens, but the main reason why I didn't keep it was the strange feeling that it wasn't a real Leica lens. My solution was to replace it with two other lenses: the 35 FLE and 35 Lux pre-ASPH. Together they complement each other perfectly.

But AFAIK, you have the 35 pre-FLE, which is the perfect blend of old and new in one lens. Its texture reminds me in a way of the pictures from my old M9 camera. You should keep that one and be happy. 😉

[evikne]

2 minutes ago, Steven said:

I’m happy. It’s an incredible lens and I’ll never let go of it. 
but like you, I wanted a smaller alternative for when I need a really compact setup. 
thanks for the info mate. 

I guess you have already considered the 35 Summicron v.4. It has everything, except the extra f-stop (but then you have your Lux pre-FLE). 

[Danner]

Thanks for promoting this older thread.  I have the c-Biogon 35, which is fantastic, but since i only shoot film with an M6, I am keen to have the extra speed.  I was looking for a pre-ASPH 35 'lux, but I'm thinking this Voigtlander might actually be a better choice.  And, the price!

[evikne]

15 minutes ago, Steven said:

Yes, when I was deciding wether or not to buy the nokton, I had identified the KOB as the other pancake alternative. I love what I see from that lens but what made me chose the nokton was the extra stop, as the time when I need the most to be compact is at night and in low light scenario in general. 
I did find a nice silver copy on eBay that is tempting me a lot now ! You love that lens right ? 

Yes, I love it. And I had only a few strange and personal reasons not to keep it. I chose the 35 Summilux pre-ASPH instead, because I think that lens is even more "classic". And I think the larger front element looks cooler. But the extra stop is mostly a cosmetic thing, because in most situations, I find the wide open performance too soft for my taste. 

[evikne]

16 hours ago, stefanos_Kandylidis said:

good evening, i am looking for this lens, voigtlander in Greece is out of stock right now. Could you recommended me europe online shops to purchase one?

I simply found a seller on eBay who could ship to my country. I purchased mine from someone in Hong Kong, and the delivery was super fast. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to have it available anymore, but there are still many others who have it.

Edited January 15, 2021 by evikne

[Dennis]

@padam What about make this thread, an open image thread for the one & only Nokton? I guess the lens deserve it 🙂 Or let's make a new one. 

Mine, just arrived last month. But hey, it's truly a wonderful little gem.  

 

[Lee S]

I do love the Nokton.

Here it is with all its Leica like “glow” at F1.4.

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[mheine]

Love it for its size, on the right lightning conditions you can expect some lovely rendering. 

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[lct]

4 minutes ago, Steven said:

Hi all, 

quick question. I’ve noticed that some Nokton have the inscription MC on the front of the lens, others have SC, and some have neither MC nor SC. Then what are they ? 

my guess is that the V1 didn’t specify if it’s Mc or Sc ? Or something else ? 
 

thanks 

My CV 35/1.4 v1 and v2 have exactly the same "SC" engraving painted in blue. V1 here.

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

[evikne]

10 minutes ago, Steven said:

Thank you. 
So which one is this lens ? 
 

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

If there is no inscription, it's an MC.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[evikne]

4 minutes ago, Steven said:

Thanks you, 

so why do some MC have the MC inscriptions and some don’t ? 

I can't remember I've seen a lens with the MC inscription, but I may be wrong. I'm no expert on Voigtländer lenses, just owned one a short time.

[haikos]

I want to add that the one pictured is a V1 by the looks of it.

The bottom plate on that camera looks like it had the paint sanded right off the brass 🕵️‍♂️