35mm Nokton: 1.4 v2 vs 1.2 v3?

[jaifo]

I am willing to move from a Zeiss 50mm sonnar to a VM 35mm. Reason? Two; I want my portraits to be more environmental and although I truly love the sonnar oof looks, I can’t handle the backfocus easily on my Leica M-D.

Any opinions or comparisons there?

Thank you!

 

[Doug]

There are ways to cope with the C-Sonnar's focus shift, and the lens can also be adjusted to your preference. Mine was originally at ideal focus at f/2.8, and after a trip to DAG for coding & adjustment, it came back set perfectly for f/2 or so, but at that point I didn't need to make any focus accommodations at any aperture. Here are a couple of shots with it on my M240...

The sidewalk artist is doing a sketch of yours truly...

Try to arrange to keep the Sonnar if it's economically feasible, as it's a great lens IMHO. On 35mm lenses, there's a lot to choose among. It would be nice if you got one with rendering style complementary to the Sonnar... Good luck!

 

[jaifo]

Thank you Doug!
I got mine optimized for 1.5 but that means (for my own copy) that the backfocusing is still there (small) and the lens presents the least at 1.5.
I may still keep it and add a 35mm specially if i conclude that the 35f1.4 is a good option (much cheaper than the new 1.2)
You can see that most of my pics on my IG @syrjames are shot with it + M-D.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

It is very easy. 1.4 is if you need 1.4 not often, but need it. And you also like small lenses with true RF handling. 1.4 is funky in bokeh and fuzzy on the out of center, not sharp.
1.2 if you really need good 1.2-1.4 most and wiling to worn out lugs for it.

BTW, I have Jupiter 3 from fifties and after I put some effort to collimating it, it works fine for portraits. On M-E. And it is Sonnar without huge price tag. But I rarely use it. Just sold mine last 50mm Leitz. 35 and wider for portraits is much better, IMO.

 

[steveyork]

Most people who shoot rangefinders eventually gravitate to the 35mm focal length. I believe, the benefit of a rangefinder is greatest at that spot (35mm). I've been shooting the 1.4 Nokton II for the last year, and it's a very good lens w/ a lot of character with a relatively small price. Very practical too, given size and weight considerations and its' 0.7m MFD with a "normal" 43mm filter thread. Much better option in my mind then the pre-asph Summilux. True, wide open it is a bit soft, with crazy bokeh (which I like), but stopped down it's crisper, and that gives a whole bunch of variety in one lens. I shoot B&W film; I don't know anything about its' digital performance.

 

[jaifo]

Thank you all for the comments.
I have decided to go for the Nokton Classic.
As you mention, Steve, I think it's time to gravitate to the most natural focal length and combo for RF.
BTW, nice pics and sweetest of dogs.