Thinking of selling my Nokton 35/1.2 for Sonnar 50/1.5

[mllanos1111]

I love my Nokton 35/ 1.2 but I can only afford one lens at the moment and I'm finding that I'm more of a 50mm user.
I had the Zeiss 50/2 but I needed something faster and I'm thinking that the Sonnar may be what I need.
If I was to sell the Nokton how much more would I have to spend to get the Sonnar?
How much smaller is the Sonnar?
Thanks

 

[kshapero]

Sonnar is a lot smaller and you will pay at least a few hundred which is too bad because the 35/1.2 is a hell of a lens. Have both!

 

[back alley]

not sure that the sonnar is your best choice for a one lens kit.
it is more of a specialty lens in my mind.

 

[fixbones]

Milanos, both the 35mm f/1.2 and 50mm sonnar are great lens.
I have the sonnar and would love to get the 35mm f/1.2 nokton one day.

Just a note, lthough the sonnar is f1.5, i rarely use it below f2.8 as the focusing can get tricky. I only use f1.5 as an emergency measure or only if i have too. So if you shoot wide open most of the time, you might not like how this lens works or you'll have to get one optimized for f1.5.

 

[Tom A]

Speaking from experience - never sell a lens you like! Start a small savings account in a piggy-bank and accumulate money until you can afford the 50f1.5 too. The 35f1.2 is one of the "cutting edge" lenses - rivaling anything from Leica and 50mm lenses are plentiful in a variety of forms and you can always pick one up.
The Sonnar 50f1.5 is one of my favorite 50's - but truth be told, I could live with any of my other 50's if I had to (Nokton's,Summicron's,Summilux's, Heliar etc) - but not without the 35f1.2!

 

[Bob Michaels]

but I can only afford one lens at the moment and I'm finding that I'm more of a 50mm user.

There is your answer.

 

[raid]

I have always favored the 50mm perspective.
I recommend to you to hold on to your 35/1.2 and to get a custom adapted old version 5cm 1.5 Sonnar LTM from Brian Sweeney. This way, you will keep the fast 35mm lens and you will get an alltime favorite of many users of the Sonnar. The original is the one to get.

 

[jmkelly]

I'm not really a 35mm shooter either - the two I have spend more time on the R-D1 (where they crop to 53mm) than they do on film bodies. That said, I think Tom A's advice above is spot-on - "never sell a lens you like."

IMO the ZM Sonnar is a great all-around lens. I have not had the focus on mine optimized for f1.5 but I hardly shoot it stopped down any more than f2.8 - far more often wide-open. I feel the whole focus-shift issue is so much rubbish - all Sonnars do it, it's part of the unique "look" of the lens. For me, I suppose focus point compensation has become automatic with all my Sonnars (think I have - and use - ten different Sonnar variants).

If you are on the fence, keep the 35/1.2 and follow Raid's advice. Borrow someone's ZM after you have decided whether or not the whole Sonnar thing works for you.

 

[mllanos1111]

Wow thank you all for the great advice. Tom your advice has always helped me out.
I know your right about it, I was just wishing I had a 50mm now, but alas I will have to wait.
I do love the Nokton, but the Sonnar has always been in the back of my mind.
I had not heard of this older one that Raid speaks of, I will have to look into that.
Thank you so much

 

[dotur]

Try former FSU Sonnar lenses, preferably a KMZ Jupiter 3 from sixties.
You will not have to sell CV 35/1.2 in order to buy that one.





My site: www.ivanlozica.com

 

[kermaier]

There are many older LTM lenses that are Sonnar variants. Among the best are the Nikkor H.C. 50/1.4 and the Canon 50/1.5, which tend to go for $300-$600 depending on condition (and which variation, for the Nikkor).

But, as has been mentioned here, Sonnars have a particular signature that may not be suitable as a one-lens-fits-all solution. Something more all-round might be better. In a vintage lens, the Canon 50/1.8 is hard to beat for performance or price -- those typically cost about $150. In a modern lens, get the CV Nokton 50/1.5. That's a really great lens, even wide open, for not too much money - you should be able to find one used for less than $300.

::Ari

 

[jonmanjiro]

Among the best are the Nikkor H.C. 50/1.4

Just a small correction. The Nikkor H.C is 50/2, the Nikkor S.C is 50/1.4.

 

[Debusti Paolo]

Don't Sale Your 35/1.2 Nokton

 

[morback]

not sure that the sonnar is your best choice for a one lens kit.
it is more of a specialty lens in my mind.

I must constantly do "specialty photography" then. 😛

It's a great lens with character (both visually and in use, aka focus shift). It's a permanent fixture on my Ikon. It's not a "specialty" lens.

The other posters gave you great alternatives.

 

[Keith]

Easy ... keep the 1.2 35mm, get an M8 and the crop factor will give you close to 50mm.

Sorry ... that was silly ... but it's late here! 😀

 

[mllanos1111]

LOL too funny. Heck I could afford an M8 than I'd have no problem affording the Sonnar. 🙂

Easy ... keep the 1.2 35mm, get an M8 and the crop factor will give you close to 50mm.

Sorry ... that was silly ... but it's late here! 😀