Chrome or Black 35/1.2 Nokton?

[horosu]

Well,

I would like to buy the Nokton 35/1.2.

Is there any difference between the two versions (except collectability, etc)? Closer tolerances?

Thank You, Horea

 

[johannielscom]

Uhm,

I seem to recall the chrome one sold out some time ago, the black one still available. The chrome one was a 300-piece limited run for collectors. It sold for a USD 300 premium, too...

😕

 

[horosu]

I have found one available, hence the question

 

[noimmunity]

I have a chrome one that I bought new from Stephen.
It was the same price as the black one.
I love the way it looks, love the images it produces, and won't part with it ever. I doubt I could ever find one again.
The ergonomics are, as far as I can tell, the same as the black one. The aperture clicks are not as smooth as Leica or ZM lenses. Just the normal CV style. I doubt tolerances or materials are any different.
I suppose, however, that there may be a QC difference.
I would advise purchasing based on which color your prefer, assuming all other factors such as price and condition are equal.
Hope this helps!

 

[SimonSawSunlight]

I would have gotten me both if I had the funds 😀

 

[leicashot]

I've had both and they're identical. At first I thought the chrome would look really large but it looked gorgeous. I currently own the chrome, but like both equally depending on what you're into. I prefer chrome lenses so bought the chrome from Stephen who still has a 'few' remaining.

 

[Bruin]

On a practical level, I like shooting with black lenses because in the VF you see less glare off the chrome in bright sun (esp with big lenses like the Nok).

That said, I'd spring for a chrome 35/1.2 if I could 😀

 

[kshapero]

They were identical, then the chrome sold out. Later CV came out with a new chrome version (300 count) which included coding for Digital M's, other than that it was the same as the first run. I have had both colors, and they handle identically. Take your pick. An outstanding lens, albeit large.

 

[adamli629]

I think the chrome version and the black revision are same quality. But the chrome one is more expensive than the black one. If I were you, I will choose black one.

 

[horosu]

Is the newer chrome version bar-coded? I never heard that.

 

[Krosya]

If I recall correctly, newer is NOT coded, but something had to be adjusted in the mount or near mount for it to fit/work right on digital Leica. Some older lenses could have been sent back to CQ/Cosina for that adjustment/correction as well. Otherwise they are the same, from whatI understand. I prefer the black one, but chrome looks kinda cool too.

 

[leicashot]

They were identical, then the chrome sold out. Later CV came out with a new chrome version (300 count) which included coding for Digital M's, other than that it was the same as the first run. I have had both colors, and they handle identically. Take your pick. An outstanding lens, albeit large.

This is incorrect. There were only ever 300 chrome lenses made of which production has ceased. There are still some in stock but literally only a handful throughout the world. No lenses have ever been coded for digital out of factory except the Leica ones. So as Krosya said, they were modified to fit better onto digital bodies like the M8/9.

 

[D&A]

Hi Leicashot & All,

Every single one of the original run of 300 chrome 35mm f1.2 lenses sold here in the States by Cameraquest (as far as I know) were made with the rear "shroud" modification already done for use with the M8/M9 to eliminate a slight focusing issue with those cameras. None of these lenses though had the 360 degree groove in the lens mount where one could hand code with a sharpie pen so it would pevent rubbing off with repeated mounting and dismounting. That feature (the groove) came later to both Zeiss and I believe CV lenses. Current Zeiss lenses and I believe many current CV lenses now have this grove. Whether another run of chrome 35mm f1.2 lenses were manufactured recently, but now including this rear groove for handcoating, I don't know.

A question: Leicashot, does your fairly recently purchased chrome 35mm f1.2 lens have this groove? If so, it would be the first chrome that I know of that has this, which would imply a new run of the chrome 35mm f1.2 lenses.

Dave (D&A)

 

[leicashot]

Hi Leicashot & All,

Every single one of the original run of 300 chrome 35mm f1.2 lenses sold here in the States by Cameraquest (as far as I know) were made with the rear "shroud" modification already done for use with the M8/M9 to eliminate a slight focusing issue with those cameras. None of these lenses though had the 360 degree groove in the lens mount where one could hand code with a sharpie pen so it would pevent rubbing off with repeated mounting and dismounting. That feature (the groove) came later to both Zeiss and I believe CV lenses. Current Zeiss lenses and I believe many current CV lenses now have this grove. Whether another run of chrome 35mm f1.2 lenses were manufactured recently, but now including this rear groove for handcoating, I don't know.

A question: Leicashot, does your fairly recently purchased chrome 35mm f1.2 lens have this groove? If so, it would be the first chrome that I know of that has this, which would imply a new run of the chrome 35mm f1.2 lenses.

Dave (D&A)

No mine doesn't have a groove, and neither does my fairly new Zeiss Planar, though my Sonnar does.

I'm interested in knowing if anyone else has a Planar with grooves for coding?

 

[Vincent.G]

Chrome nokton 35 f1.2 will look like this.

Draws lots of curious looks on the streets for sure. 😀

 

[leicashot]

Chrome nokton 35 f1.2 will look like this.

Draws lots of curious looks on the streets for sure. 😀

I do shoot with my Nokton a little on the street, but wouldn't recommend it for 'fast street' work as it doesn't have a focusing tab, which is key to finding fast accurate focus on the street....plus the lens is quite large on the camera. For me it's more a documentary type lens due to it's physical design and fast speed.

 

[Vincent.G]

Day time walkabout fast street shots needs no focusing tab nor fast lens. Hyperfocussing is faster.

 

[leicashot]

Day time walkabout fast street shots needs no focusing tab nor fast lens. Hyperfocussing is faster.

A focusing tab helps the photographer know where he/she has the lens focused without even looking down at his lens, making changes in focus distance much faster. Hyperfocal still needs to be within a focus zone with enough depth of field. Also day time doesn't always mean 'lots of light' either. Plus not all street shooters want/need lots of focus in their images. Experience with a focus tab in the right hands will yield much faster and more accurate focusing.

 

[horosu]

Thanks for the info; It seems like a chrome one would hold no advantage, especially considering my black M9.

 

[SimonSawSunlight]

most of my street photography is done with the 35mm f1.2 (I think I should get some kind of scholarship from cosina to finance my extensive 'testing' and 'advertising' of the lens!), I'm yet to miss a shot because of its physical attributes. although sometimes a smaller lens is more comfortable, but that doesn't mean much for the resulting photograph, at least for me.