35mm Summilux pre-ash vs 35mm nokton f1.4 SC

[rlouzan]

Hi,

Is the 35mm f1.4 Nokton SC colour transmission and contrast similar to a 35mm Summilux pre-asph? What are the main differences on slide film?

Thanks in advance,
RLouzan

 

[ferider]

What are the main differences on slide film?

Summilux has less distortion and (much) more flare wide open. Otherwise similar, also wrt color and contrast (only experience on color negative film, though).

 

[raid]

So paying more money for the Lux is a snob factor?

 

[mr roberts]

The distortion that many refer to is the only thing that keeps me from dumping my older Summicron in favor of the Nokton. Is it really significant/noticeable or is it mostly under certain conditions? Straight edge at the outer part of the frame, etc.?

 

[ferider]

What does money have to do with it, Raid ? 😕

Mr. Roberts: in practice, for me, it is no problem, really. If you have used classic SLR 35mm lenses, like Zuikos, or Nikkors, they have more distortion. Yes, noticable with straight edges at the picture border.

It's more of an internet thing IMO: the 35/1.2 from CV has similar distortion, and rarely is it mentioned.

Have a look at the flickr M-mount group (see my signature), lots of sample pictures.

 

[boy_lah]

CV 35/1.4 on m8 @ 1.4

 

[mr roberts]

I think I might just have to bite the bullet. I'd like to get it down to just the 2 lenses/2 bodies. There's too much money (in my situation) in lenses sitting unused though some will be hard to part with.

It seems to color very nicely as well. Thanks boy_lah. SC or MC? Just curious.

 

[Ronald M]

I hate distortion. Makes pic look bulbous even without a straight line. I see it, most do not.

I use the Nikkors on digital only and fix it. It is amazing how I got spoiled with Leica glass and did not know it. In fact, I did not know lenses could distort.

 

[boy_lah]

Multi coat version. Tom A says makes very little diff the coating but SC better for B&W. MC if you also shoot colour and I do.

 

[boy_lah]

Film shots.

More on my flickr tagged appropriately: http://www.flickr.com/photos/glass_and_tubes/tags/cv3514noktonmc/

 

[mr roberts]

I'm not seeing it in the posted people shots, but I'll take another look through the samples I've saved to look again. It might be a reasonable tradeoff for the speed as I'm likely one of the ones who won't be able to see it.

Thanks for the additional samples, boy_lah.

 

[ferider]

S.C. version:

Distortion stronger at closer focus and more visible with architectures (see the last picture).

 

[ferider]

beautiful roland!

: :

you love it or you don't...

But if you do, you just deal with the lame ergonomics and enjoy the results with the famous glowing whites....what ferider terms "flare" in his post 😉

Thanks, Thomas. I have seen people make some great use of the pre-asph 'character'/'glow'. The last one I remember is Tim's:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tbarker/3748686182

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[helen.HH]

Its my FAVORITE lens...

Its my FAVORITE lens...

 

[helen.HH]

and another

 

[raid]

What does money have to do with it, Raid ? 😕

.

Don't be confused, Roland.
I was more referring to the Leica Factor.

 

[johnny.moped]

Distortion is clearly visible, but only if you are into non-people-shots.
have a look at the bottom of this image (and at the lamp on the left).

but on the other side (as i mentioned) it won't affect most people-shots.

 

[helen.HH]

The pre asph is DIVINE

 

[Rogrund]

The photo below is totally uninteresting and meaningless in any other aspect than to somewhat illustrate the distortion of the Nokton 35/1.4. Like ferider said, straight lines at the picture border can cause problems.

However, I think the ergonomics and build quality of the Nokton is better than any Leitz or other Voigtländer lens I have owned. And that's enough for me. 🙂

 

[helen.HH]