Nokton 35mm 1.4 comparison between ver I and II

[TomB_tx]

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I used a 35 Summicron for 50 years, then tried the VC 35 1.4 (v1) on my M9, and haven't really used the Summicron since. Now that the v2 tamed the focus shift it stays on me M9 full time. (But on M10 I prefer my 35 Summarit 2.5.)

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Having finally run across a 35mm Nokton Classic f/1.4 V.II used - I swapped my V.1 for it. Here's why.

The v.II - in addition to whatever it does for focus shift - shows quite a bit less astigmatism in the central part of the picture at wide apertures.

That makes it, for me, a better general-purpose low-light documentary lens. I can just about get "rule of thirds" compositions even at f/1.4, without things streaking.

The astigmatism in the v.I creates a "look-alike" for motion blur - streaked images rather than just "fuzzy blurs." The v.II delays the onset of that "vibrating image" astigmatism farther out to the corners (so yes, its corners are fuzzier, as the original review notes).

And also enlarges the "damselfly coma" wings. Although frankly, coma (and astigmatism) is pretty much a feature of stretching any compact double-gauss lens layout to a wide-angle view and large apertures (happens with the Mandler 35 Summicron v.4/Summilux as well). No way around it if one wants the compact size.

You want a virtually coma-free fast 35 - you get the Summilux ASPH (which is bigger).

Some examples:

Overall picture showing sample areas.

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Details comparing the v.I and v.II at f/1.4 - the v.I "vibrates" even pretty close to the center of the picture; the v.2 just gets blurrier.

 

Damselfly Coma/Astigmatism at f/1.4 (v.II) - left side of a picture of fairy lights (the acid-test for coma and astigmatism).