Jon Warwick Posted March 31, 2023 Share #1 Posted March 31, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have an M10 Monochrom and use it with the very sharp and perfect Voigtlander APOs (both the 35 and 50mm APO Lanthars). I’m looking for a 35mm lens that is gentler in its contrast and acuity to give a “less modern” rendering, and was considering the 35mm 1.4 Nokton Classic v2. Is that likely a good choice; and to achieve the much gentler rendering that I’m looking for on a Monochrom, would the Single Coated “SC” version be noticeably preferable over the Multi Coated? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 31, 2023 Posted March 31, 2023 Hi Jon Warwick, Take a look here Voigtlander 35mm 1.4 Nokton Classic v2 - “less modern” rendering?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Keith (M) Posted March 31, 2023 Share #2 Posted March 31, 2023 Typical result of v2 SC on M10M (with orange filter). Of course, no idea how that compares with the MC version. I find the Nokton Classic II a delightfully compact and lightweight lens and it is now top of my list for 35mm walk-about sessions. 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! 4 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/374888-voigtlander-35mm-14-nokton-classic-v2-%E2%80%9Cless-modern%E2%80%9D-rendering/?do=findComment&comment=4740361'>More sharing options...
Simone_DF Posted March 31, 2023 Share #3 Posted March 31, 2023 1 hour ago, Jon Warwick said: would the Single Coated “SC” version be noticeably preferable over the Multi Coated? Would a BPM filter help to achieve the SC look on a multi coated? That way you could have the best of both worlds. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmzimelka Posted March 31, 2023 Share #4 Posted March 31, 2023 (edited) I find the standard tone curves in Adobe LR, and other editors alike, often too strong in contrast. It's far easier to use a different tone curve thats a little bit more linear and gentler on the contrast. If you're using Adobe Lightroom Classic, I can send you the original Leica or Adobe Standard .dcp profiles, but with a more linear or reduced contrast look. The single coated optics from Voigtlander aren't noticeably reduced in contrast, unless one shoots into strong light where veiling flare would occur. So unless you just want a new lens - totally normal around here 😂 - then I would rather start with a more neutral camera profile in your RAW editor. Edit; Apologies, I see now it's the Monochrom camera, which for now I don't have a custom tone curve for. Edited March 31, 2023 by hmzimelka 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Warwick Posted March 31, 2023 Author Share #5 Posted March 31, 2023 43 minutes ago, Simone_DF said: Would a BPM filter help to achieve the SC look on a multi coated? That way you could have the best of both worlds. It’s an interesting point, I’ve used the BPM on my GFX but not the Monochrom. The BPM and Glimmerglass can certainly create a softer “look” due a bit of halation whilst lifting the shadows …. your comment is a good prompt for me to give it a go on the Leica M10M (i will see first how it works on the APO Lanthar that I already own). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Warwick Posted March 31, 2023 Author Share #6 Posted March 31, 2023 (edited) 29 minutes ago, hmzimelka said: I find the standard tone curves in Adobe LR, and other editors alike, often too strong in contrast. It's far easier to use a different tone curve thats a little bit more linear and gentler on the contrast. If you're using Adobe Lightroom Classic, I can send you the original Leica or Adobe Standard .dcp profiles, but with a more linear or reduced contrast look. The single coated optics from Voigtlander aren't noticeably reduced in contrast, unless one shoots into strong light where veiling flare would occur. So unless you just want a new lens - totally normal around here 😂 - then I would rather start with a more neutral camera profile in your RAW editor. Many thanks, I use ACR in PS, and I find too the standard tones often strong in contrast for most of the cameras I use. I will play around some more there, it’s potentially a matter of lifting the Black slider some more for these modern lenses. Edited March 31, 2023 by Jon Warwick Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmzimelka Posted March 31, 2023 Share #7 Posted March 31, 2023 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) I've been tinkering with dcpTool and Lumariver profile designer and I can't get a custom tone curve into the M10M profile. Some years ago, there was a topic about removing the baseline settings in Adobe RAW. The process involved this; In LR, change Calibration process version from Version 5 to Version 1. You'll see basic settings applied, like contrast, blacks, brightness, etc. Change those to zero. Change back to Process version 5. You'll find your current settings reflect a lower contrast option. Try these settings, with perhaps the exception of the baseline exposure being -1. Set that to Zero again. 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! Edited March 31, 2023 by hmzimelka 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/374888-voigtlander-35mm-14-nokton-classic-v2-%E2%80%9Cless-modern%E2%80%9D-rendering/?do=findComment&comment=4740457'>More sharing options...
TheBestSLIsALeicaflex Posted March 31, 2023 Share #8 Posted March 31, 2023 (edited) I've shot both the SC and MC versions, and think of them as slightly "improved" copies of the compact, pre-asph Summilux. Still that crazy bpkeh at 1.4, but more useable, sharper with more contrast wide open. Not too surprising, since they are more modern lenses, and yes, I do have a late pre-asph for comparison. All of them are definitely character lenses, w/o that aspherical sharpness and contrast. The Nokton's are really good, underrated lenses. Edited March 31, 2023 by TheBestSLIsALeicaflex 5 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyrus Posted March 31, 2023 Share #9 Posted March 31, 2023 Steel Rim re-issue Done and Done if your budget allows for it!! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Warwick Posted March 31, 2023 Author Share #10 Posted March 31, 2023 28 minutes ago, rustyrus said: Steel Rim re-issue Done and Done if your budget allows for it!! Anyone know if there’s much difference between the 35mm Nokton Classic and Silver Rim reissue in terms of rendering? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmzimelka Posted March 31, 2023 Share #11 Posted March 31, 2023 59 minutes ago, Jon Warwick said: Anyone know if there’s much difference between the 35mm Nokton Classic and Silver Rim reissue in terms of rendering? On Fredmiranda forum, Fred made a pretty extensive comparison. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimar Posted March 31, 2023 Share #12 Posted March 31, 2023 (edited) 6 hours ago, hmzimelka said: I've been tinkering with dcpTool and Lumariver profile designer and I can't get a custom tone curve into the M10M profile. Some years ago, there was a topic about removing the baseline settings in Adobe RAW. The process involved this; In LR, change Calibration process version from Version 5 to Version 1. You'll see basic settings applied, like contrast, blacks, brightness, etc. Change those to zero. Change back to Process version 5. You'll find your current settings reflect a lower contrast option. Try these settings, with perhaps the exception of the baseline exposure being -1. Set that to Zero again. 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! Here's my M10-M reset preset, which I created to deal with the m10m having a rather constrasty tone curve applied by default. Its a long'ish story how I created it but fun to use, you import a unedited photo in LR, which has everything at 0 and profile "Adobe monochrome", apply this and watch the contrast drop but every dial stay at 0. I then used this as my starting point for creating a preset that I use as my baseline. M10-M Reset.xmp You can import with this menu Edited March 31, 2023 by Nimar 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Warwick Posted March 31, 2023 Author Share #13 Posted March 31, 2023 (edited) 10 hours ago, hmzimelka said: So unless you just want a new lens - totally normal around here 😂 - then I would rather start with a more neutral camera profile in your RAW editor. It's probably the better option for me, ie, trying to adjust the contrast in post, and/or playing more with the Tiffen filters like the BPM / Glimmerglass (I own the 62mm filter versions of both these filters for the GFX, just need to get a step-down ring to try it on the M10M, assuming at stage I can still see anything past the M framelines!). I've been dialling down the contrast more on files I took with the M10M + 35mm APO Lanthar, and more than anything lifting the Blacks slider in ACR, and it's getting me quite close to what i'm after. If anything, it's quite nice to have such a technically good lens as the starting point (*), it's nice in some ways for me to have a reliable and "unsurprising" lens, even if it means taming the contrast down to something less aggressive for my taste. I suspect if i went for a more "classic" lens, knowing me I might miss the edge-to-edge sharpness, even if its native contrast is closer to what i'm after. (*) given it is so technically good, the main downside I've personally found with the 35mm APO Lanthar is its length relative to (say) the tiny M 35 APO Summicron, the former does cut into the framelines quite a bit in comparison. Probably a lens with a good reason for me (beyond accurate focusing off centre) for considering a Visoflex in order to help edge-to-edge composition. Edited March 31, 2023 by Jon Warwick 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirubadanieru Posted August 10, 2023 Share #14 Posted August 10, 2023 Given my disappointment with the SR remake and still wanting a small f1.4 lens, I bought the Nokton VII MC and took it with me to Hong Kong. I was really impressed with its rendering!! reading the reviews online you'd think this lens is super soft, but not at all. Actually, it's much sharper than the Lux pre-asph, without being too sharp / clinical like some modern lenses. Loving the lens so far, heptics wise is very similar to the lux pre asph, and price wise makes it a great lens to carry anywhere without any worries. Should have bought this lens earlier. Some pics below shot between f1.4〜f2.8 on cinestill. 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! 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/374888-voigtlander-35mm-14-nokton-classic-v2-%E2%80%9Cless-modern%E2%80%9D-rendering/?do=findComment&comment=4832247'>More sharing options...
Greenhilltony Posted August 10, 2023 Share #15 Posted August 10, 2023 2 hours ago, shirubadanieru said: Given my disappointment with the SR remake and still wanting a small f1.4 lens, I bought the Nokton VII MC and took it with me to Hong Kong. I was really impressed with its rendering!! reading the reviews online you'd think this lens is super soft, but not at all. Actually, it's much sharper than the Lux pre-asph, without being too sharp / clinical like some modern lenses. Loving the lens so far, heptics wise is very similar to the lux pre asph, and price wise makes it a great lens to carry anywhere without any worries. Should have bought this lens earlier. Some pics below shot between f1.4〜f2.8 on cinestill. 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! The rendering is also kind of dreamy. For the sharpness I doubt if you export the images to the 2480px longer side standard. Can’t recognize your focus area so I can’t tell if the sharpness is ok… Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirubadanieru Posted August 10, 2023 Share #16 Posted August 10, 2023 1 hour ago, Greenhilltony said: The rendering is also kind of dreamy. For the sharpness I doubt if you export the images to the 2480px longer side standard. Can’t recognize your focus area so I can’t tell if the sharpness is ok… I think you gotta click on them, as this site is not the best for photo uploading (despite being a photography forum lol). I just upload them from my phone in lower resolution, that’s all, but if you click on them you usually get to see a sharper image. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rramesh Posted August 10, 2023 Share #17 Posted August 10, 2023 I am currently using a Voigtlander Nokton 35 1.5 with a 1/4 Black Pro Mist on my M10-P. I like the glow effect with a sharp lens. I'm still experimenting with this and may at some point consider a Nokton 1.4 SC II for a more dreamy look. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skilar Posted August 10, 2023 Share #18 Posted August 10, 2023 6 hours ago, shirubadanieru said: Given my disappointment with the SR remake and still wanting a small f1.4 lens, I bought the Nokton VII MC and took it with me to Hong Kong. I was really impressed with its rendering!! reading the reviews online you'd think this lens is super soft, but not at all. Actually, it's much sharper than the Lux pre-asph, without being too sharp / clinical like some modern lenses. Loving the lens so far, heptics wise is very similar to the lux pre asph, and price wise makes it a great lens to carry anywhere without any worries. Should have bought this lens earlier. Some pics below shot between f1.4〜f2.8 on cinestill. 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! Dreamy indeed, lovely shots. Can I ask what made you go for the MC over the SC? What disappointed you with the SR remake? I'm looking to pick up a lens in this vein, but still narrowing down the options. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirubadanieru Posted August 10, 2023 Share #19 Posted August 10, 2023 40 minutes ago, skilar said: Dreamy indeed, lovely shots. Can I ask what made you go for the MC over the SC? What disappointed you with the SR remake? I'm looking to pick up a lens in this vein, but still narrowing down the options. I didn't think too much about it tbh, since I saw online the difference wasn't major between both SC & MC. Since I use the cron v1 for b&w I thought the Nokton would be more for color work, that's why the MC. The flare resistance is definitely better than the pre lux & SR remake on the MC. SR remake, I've already shared in a few threads but basically the original was one of my favorite leica lens & the remake is quite different from the original in terms of size & functionality, which disappointed me. The attention to detail from Leica on this remake was also not there with QC issues, no marketing, crappy hood, case as a regular lens, etc. Compared to the other reissues that really tried to replicate & pay an homage to the original, the SR was way off. Changing from e41 to e46, not allowing the use of filter & hood at the same time, all of this combined were deal breakers for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simone_DF Posted August 10, 2023 Share #20 Posted August 10, 2023 58 minutes ago, skilar said: Dreamy indeed, lovely shots. Can I ask what made you go for the MC over the SC? My reason to go for the MC version is that I can always slap a BPM filter or similar for a more dreamy look, or use it without filters when I want to avail of the MC benefits. Yes I know a filter is not the same, but it was the right compromise for me Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.