sergiomarried Posted September 11, 2021 Share #1 Posted September 11, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello friends, I just got another brand new copy of the beloved 35mm Nokton f1.4 v2 and I noticed that the focus resistance tab is significantly higher than my other exact lens. I can't 100% remember exactly but I would say that it never was so much resistance in my other lens copy... It's annoying me a bit but was wondering if it'd soften up after short time use... Any thoughts or experience? Should I consider return and try luck with another copy? Thanks and best regards! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 11, 2021 Posted September 11, 2021 Hi sergiomarried, Take a look here Nokton 35mm f1.4 v2 - Focus mechanism resistance. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
lct Posted September 11, 2021 Share #2 Posted September 11, 2021 Mine was butter smooth but my CV 35/2 was a bit stiff and softened with use. I would return the lens if it is painful to use. Otherwise i would use it normally i.e. w/o forcing the focus ring for a couple of weeks and decide afterwards. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Posted September 11, 2021 Share #3 Posted September 11, 2021 I got recently a 35 Summicron Asph v1 and the focus tab it's sooo smooth. At the beginning I thought was just very used. But I tried it for a few days already and it's faster to focus. Focus resistance guess it's key. If you are not comfortable with the lens, If the resistance is very high, return it and ask for a new one. If the seller it's trusty and care about you, if your purchase is recent, there would not be any problem. If it's online, maybe more complicated. Or use it A LOT until you smooth it 🙂 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danner Posted September 11, 2021 Share #4 Posted September 11, 2021 (edited) My Nokton 35/1.4 II SC focus resistance is too much as well. And, the resistance is different in left vs. right rotation. I gave $400 for it, so ... OTOH, the v4 Summicron 35mm is light and buttery smooth. Edited September 11, 2021 by Danner Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sergiomarried Posted September 11, 2021 Author Share #5 Posted September 11, 2021 Thanks a lot all for the comments. It was actually bought brand new so it’s already in the box and planning to exchange for another copy. Hopefully much smoother like the other one I have… I fully agree with @Dennis about how key a good resistance is for the technique and anticipation of moments… Abrazo from Spain 🙏❤️ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Posted September 11, 2021 Share #6 Posted September 11, 2021 @sergiomarried I don't want to make you feel sad, but I have to tell you the following: for a few coincidences and pressure by a Leica fellow, I "had" to sell my copy of the 35/1.4 Nokton ... Can you imagine? I had a Leica grip for M10 on sale for a while, but no success. The only local Leica user I know proposed to buy my Nokton + the M10 grip for a mint 35/1.2 III... with a focus tab. 🙂 I thought for two days about it. I know the Nokton will always be a win-win. It's cheap and easy to find. I know it. But the desire to try another 35mm, especially the excellent 1.2 v3 (that was already on my wishlist). So, I said YES to the trade. I'm telling you this because I know it's a must lens for you. And we talk a lot about it. But I can assure you I still love the lens, just I don't have it available right now. But it will come back, I know. Back on topic, change your lens copy if you feel you should. I remember my Nokton was smooth... But not so smooth as the 35 Summicron. Or heavier like the TT 35/1.4. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sergiomarried Posted September 23, 2021 Author Share #7 Posted September 23, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi friends, just to follow on the topic: I got another brand new copy today and similar level of focus stiffness... Now at this point I can't remember if my other smoother 1st unit was like that originally or it's just a matter of time to soften the mechanism and I can't remember well... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcapphoto Posted September 23, 2021 Share #8 Posted September 23, 2021 If it helps, My copy feels perfectly dampened. Not too much resistance, not too little. Just right! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sergiomarried Posted September 23, 2021 Author Share #9 Posted September 23, 2021 4 minutes ago, bcapphoto said: If it helps, My copy feels perfectly dampened. Not too much resistance, not too little. Just right! My first copy as well, but it's often a very subjective factor to really compare... I personally like towards very light resistance because I like to move quickly... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kivis Posted September 23, 2021 Share #10 Posted September 23, 2021 Had the same problem with the CV 50mm f15 version II. But it soften up over time and works just right now. 😃 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
haikos Posted September 26, 2021 Share #11 Posted September 26, 2021 My Nokton classic II felt tight when brand new as well but it loosened up perfectly with use as others have mentioned here. It’s like a car or new shoes; you need to put some mileage (or kilométrage) on it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sergiomarried Posted September 26, 2021 Author Share #12 Posted September 26, 2021 It feels much better now After some use. Thanks a lot 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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