40mm f1.4 Nokton vs. 35mm f2.5 Skopar PII

[Taynt3d]

Is there already a thread on this? If so, I couldn't find it.

I'm actually less concerned about the image quality aspect of this comparison (although feel free to pile on about that), and more concerned with sheer size (or lack of it). For those who have handled both (or maybe the 35mm Nokton and the Skopar), is the PII that much smaller? How much smaller (physically) are we talking about? Do you literally feel like your camera fits in pockets it used to not fit in (with the PII), or not really?

I'm pretty satisfied with my 40mm, but I'd say more than half the reason I reach for my rangefinder is because I don't feel like dealing with my brick of my DSLR (5D2). So, I've been contemplating getting the 35mm to use with my R3A (and keeping the 40mm Nokton too).

Thoughts?

 

[back alley]

i have owned them all (it seems)...not enough difference, size wise to make the move.

spend the money on a cv 21 or 25 and have some fun. it's like a point & shoot with the 21.

 

[umboody]

I wouldn't make a choice based purely on size. The difference is pretty negligible between the two. And if you like wide lenses, do as Joe says and have some fun with a 21 or even a 15 or 12. I'm waiting for a 15 at the moment and can't wait to play around with it...

 

[ferider]

I don't recommend the switch. The 40 is a great and compact lens.

Unless you like lens tests Forget 25 and wider 🙂. Get a 28/2 or 28/1.9 instead - perfect match with the fast 40 🙂

Roland.

 

[kshapero]

i have owned them all (it seems)...not enough difference, size wise to make the move.

spend the money on a cv 21 or 25 and have some fun. it's like a point & shoot with the 21.

completely agree here with Joe and others although the CV 35/2.5 is a fine lens no doubt.

 

[back alley]

I don't recommend the switch. The 40 is a great and compact lens.

Unless you like lens tests Forget 25 and wider 🙂. Get a 28/2 or 28/1.9 instead - perfect match with the fast 40 🙂

Roland.

...Unless you like lens tests Forget 25 and wider...

can you explain a bit more roland?

 

[Frank Petronio]

I liked the 35/2.5 rendering far better than the 40/1.4.

 

[ferider]

...Unless you like lens tests Forget 25 and wider...

can you explain a bit more roland?

J/k, Joe. Seriously though, in contrast to wider FOV, you can get a fast affordable 28, and 28 and 40 go very well together.

 

[Epimetheus]

I have had both and Skopar is noticeably smaller but the Nokton is pretty small to start with. I have also had two copies of the 35mm Nokton and been disappointed with all of the 1.4 Noktons. They do have character wide open which is nice but they have quality issues a lot more than Skopars. None of the Noktons have focused properly on my M9. Field curvature is also often a problem with Noktons. Skopar however focuses spot on with every aperture and renders beautifully. It is slow though and lacks character in comparison.

 

[Taynt3d]

Ok, this has been really helpful, so thanks.

How about the 28/3.5 Color-Skopar? Anybody have one of those that could comment on size and image quality?

 

[back alley]

28/3.5 is very small and quite sharp, brass innards, so it's havey for it's size and well built.