35mm 1.2 or 35mm 1.4 / Tom?

[chris91387]

i hope this hasn't already been discussed somewhere else but i'm in the market for a faster 35mm (i'm currently shooting a CV pancake 2.5) and am debating back and forth between the 1.2 nokton and 1.4 (SC).

i'm looking for the sharper of the two since the extra .2 of a stop is pretty minimal with regards to low light photography. take size and price out of the equation and just consider sharpness.

i've seen some truly amazing photos from the 1.2 and lots of very nice images from the 1.4.

maybe someone like our good friend Tom could enlighten me a bit on this?

thanks everyone and happy holidays.

- chris

 

[papasnap]

just a quick note - the difference is actually half a stop, not .2 of a stop 🙂 so it's actually a useful difference when working in very low light, and has a very noticable effect on DOF & bokeh (see attached example, just a quick and rough scan from my nokton @ f1.2)



Based on tests I've seen others post, I seem to recall the f1.2 nokton as the sharper of the two. I have the f1.2 nokton and it's certainly sharp enough for me! It's a terrific lens.

That said, from my perspective, if I was to pick between the two lenses I'd be doing it less on the basis of sharpness, more on their other qualities (bokeh, flare control, size and handling etc).


Cheers!
papasnap

 

[Rafael]

There's a similar discussion going on HERE.

 

[chris91387]

There's a similar discussion going on HERE.

ah yes, great link. thanks.

- chris

 

[jonmanjiro]

My name is not Tom A and I have never shot with the Nokton 35/1.2 🙂 But I do own a Nokton 35/1.4 and have no complaints about the sharpness at f1.4. I have the MC version and I love the results I get with it on slide film - beautiful contrast and I've never had it flare on me yet, and I like the distinctive bokeh signature.

However, my advice is go for the Nokton 35/1.2 if you don't mind the size and extra weight. But if you prefer light and compact, go for the Nokton 35/1.4. You can't really go wrong either way.

 

[Tom A]

It is very difficult to tell if a modern lens A is better than lens B! The advances in lens technology in even the last 10 years has raised the standards almost to a point were the brand and type makes very little difference.
I have the 35f1.2 and the 35f1.4. I use them for different purposes. The 35f1,4 is a comfortable travel lens or stuck on a M2 as a "walk about" lens. It will do stuff at f1.4 that is more than satisfactory to me. The 35f1.2 is not a lens to take lightly. It is big and has some heft to it (which actually helps in holding it still at slow speeds). The performance at 1.2 is as good as you can wish for. Where it has an advantage over the 35f1.4 (apart from 1/2 stop speed) is that it is extremely resistance to flare, where the VC 35f1.4 SC can show it under extreme condition.
Absolute resolution is not that important at extreme low light, rendering light sources and shadows "readable" are.
The choice of which one to get should depend on what you are shooting and your style of shooting. Yes, if your shooting is in low light and in marginal conditions, go for the 1.2. If that kind of photography is not your usual style, go for the f1.4. The extra 1/2 stop comes into play at the ragged edge shooting, but the f1.4 is no slouch either - though you might have to brace yourself for 1/2 sec or 1/4 sec exposures, whilst with the f1.2 you could get away with 1/8 and handheld!
As with any "lens" question - always go to Flickr and type in the tags for the lenses you are interested in. There are plenty of examples what these lenses and other premium fast 35's can do there. It is not the ideal medium to see images on, but it gives you a good idea.

 

[chris91387]

tom, thanks for your reply. your opinion is very much appreciated.

i have been on flickr and have seen many many pictures from both lenses (many of them from you) and have found impressing pictures from both. i truly am looking for something faster for those low light moments. i am pretty pleased with my tiny pancake 2.5 CV and would happily carry that around for "normal" shooting but would like the speed of something faster (albeit bulkier) on occasion.

thanks again for your input and know that i appreciate all the "tests" you do and in sharing your results.

best,
chris

 

[Debusti Paolo]

i suggest you to buy a Noktin 35/1.2

 

[Johann Espiritu]

I've ad the chance to use both, and kept the 1.2. Do a search on my flickr (link below) and see my results. 🙂

In the end, I kept the 1.2 for several reasons:

1. The distortion of the 1.4 was a little too much for my type of photography;
2. I got a 35/2.5, so if I wanted to bring a small lens, I take that - the 1.2 goes for "special missions";
3. The bokeh of the 1.2 is smoooooth;
4. Cosmetic reasons - I have the chrome version of the 1.2, and 1 of 300 was too much to part with. 🙂 Looks good on my chrome M7 too!

Hope that helps,

Johann

 

[Tom A]

tom, thanks for your reply. your opinion is very much appreciated.

i have been on flickr and have seen many many pictures from both lenses (many of them from you) and have found impressing pictures from both. i truly am looking for something faster for those low light moments. i am pretty pleased with my tiny pancake 2.5 CV and would happily carry that around for "normal" shooting but would like the speed of something faster (albeit bulkier) on occasion.

thanks again for your input and know that i appreciate all the "tests" you do and in sharing your results.

best,
chris

Chris. if you already have the 35f2.5 - go for the 35f1.2!

 

[nachomaga]

Hi all, I´m thinking in the 1.2 too 🙂 What about the lens block in the viewfinder? I have a Bessa 2A and I tested the lens in a shop, it blocks perhaps 20% of the viewfinder! I think the Zeiss Ikon is the best camera for this lens, but buying two is too much money, hehehe...

Well, what do you think? (the people who got the f1.2 whith the Bessa) Is very disturbing in normal situations?

Thx in advance and sorry for my bad english 🙂

 

[boy_lah]

When i first started i had the 1.2 as my only lens. I absolutely hated how big it was and how much it blocked the RF. I sold it and got hte 1.4. Love the 1.4 as my all day lens. But now i miss the beautiful photos the 1.2 make.

Morale of my story? 1.2 is not a good idea as your ONLY lens. If you can afford two...then the 1.2 is a worthwhile 'special day' lens.

oh...forgot to add, i find both lens perfectly sharp. I also learnt 1.2 vs 1.4 is very little difference if there is not enough light. you're better off pushing or using faster film.

 

[lngu81]

I asked myself the same question when I 1st purchased the 1.2 4 months ago... the lense is very sharp @ 1.2!, I shoot at 1.2-2.8 with an R3m and mainly quick scale focusing... i have no problem so far

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

If the size isn't a problem, get the 1.2. I have one, and never notice intrusion into the viewfinder on the Zeiss Ikon. I think i bought the 1.2 before the 1.4 was available, but when i considered the 1.4 later, i was struck by how much i disliked the bokeh in too many sample shots. Same goes for the 40mm/1.4. The 1.2, however, is as good as any lens can be in that regard. And, it is very good a 1.2 and 1.4. Ah, but the size.....

 

[whitecat]

Get the 1.2.

 

[P. Lynn Miller]

Everyone talks about how big the 35/1.2 is, well, it is not 'that' big. In fact, I like the size of the 35/1.2, it is has some heft which helps settle the camera in your hands, the focus and aperture rings are big and bold enough the you don't fumble in the dark. It is perfect to use with the M5.

What a lens, I swear mine is actually f1.0, when I compare it to my Nikkor 50mm f1.2. One thing for sure it blows the doors off the Nikkor in every way.

I keep hoping the CV will come out with a 50/1.2...

And if you have a 35/2.5, then get the 35/1.2, which is the same combination I have, a tiny 35mm of everyday use, but I am finding I use the 35/1.2 all the time, and it performs very well at f2 and 2.8 as well.

 

[uinku]

Is there a reason why we have two of these threads? Can a mod consolidate them into one considering they're about the exact same topic and this one was made a few days after Nokton Wars?

 

[SimonSawSunlight]

Is there a reason why we have two of these threads? Can a mod consolidate them into one considering they're about the exact same topic and this one was made a few days after Nokton Wars?

maybe some like it in stereo 😉