Which Voigtlander 35mm to choose?

[kivis]

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[geoffreyg]

Nothing like a contrary view: I got the Zeiss, always wanting one. Compared with a 'Cron ASPH, and a CV 1.4 and a Color Skopar 2.5. I tend to shoot city and nature 'scapes, and mid-range abstractions. So  I'm looking for sharpness across the image, not so much wide open. Did a backyard test at f5.6 and f8 of all three and it was pretty clear: the CV 1.4 wasn't even in the same league, sides on the Zeiss were always soft, matching other peoples results. Back it went to the shop.

The 'Cron was decent, but somehow lacked "pop" in its images. There was a mid-zone dip that I've never figured out, but others have seen as well. And the Skopar? Once it was fixed for focus shift (reshimmed by SK Grimes), its just super. Side to side sharpness, has a bit more bite, and is my fave. Does super well in soft or diffuse lighting. Small, and easy to use. So the 'Cron sits unloved in the closet ever since. The 50mm 'Cron is a different story - a wonderful lens. But sadly the 35 isn't the same.  

[RexGig0]

Well, as this discussion has been resuscitated, I will first mention that there are SUBSTANTIAL differences between original f/1.4 Nokton, and the Version II. The big difference, for me, is reliable reports of the tendency of the original to “Focus Shift.” I would gladly use the Version II, and could probably find use cases for both the MC and SC variants of the Nokton Version II. I have personally used the Version II MC, at a meet-up with a fellow shooter. I would have probably already bought my own Nokton II MC, but was interrupted by an opportunity to add a Leica Steel Rim “Re-Edition” to my cart, at the end of June or very early July.

The 35mm APO Lanthar is a lens that I would gladly use, based upon reliable reports of its performance, and personal experience with the 50mm APO Lanthar. The Zeiss Distagon 35mm f/1,4 ZM, however, came first, however, and is a personal favorite, so, I cannot justify the cost of acquiring the 35mm APO Lanthar. The APO Lanthar may be ever so slightly more optically “perfect,” in some documentable way, compared to the Distagon, but I probably would not see it, in images shot with my 24MP cameras.

The Ultron does not interest me. I am not being critical of the Ultron, but one can only use so many 35mm lenses. I am not “into” collecting Voigtlander lenses, for the sake of simply possessing them. For the role of ultra-compact 35mm lens, I already have the like-able Color Skopar II.

Edited September 3, 2023 by RexGig0

[geoffreyg]

worth checking this person's reviews. He's pretty precise and thoughtful: Martin Z's blog