CV 35 1.2 Nokton --- WOW!

[x-ray]

A few weeks ago I posted a question about the quality of the CV 35 1.2. I have a 4th generation Summicron 35 but wanted a faster 35mm and was considering a new 35 summilux or the older first generation summilux. I previouslu owned the 1st version and generally liked it but it did suffer from excessive flare. Thanks to the great members of this forum i deceided to purchase the CV 1.2. I can only say that it's fantastic. It's very well built, sharpness is excellent even wide open and really fantastic stopped down a stop or two and the flare control is second to none. I just came back from mardi gras and shot a number of rolls at night with delta 3200 using the Nokton 35, asph 50 summilux and 75 summilux. All were outstanding performers but I was particularly pleased with the CV. I will post additional images as I have time to scan the negs but I have one that really shows the flare control. It's not a particularly interesting or good shot but I did it to see how the flare was handled. There is motion in it due to the 30th second exposure and people are dancing so there is blur. The area of interest is the windows behind the dancers. The exposure was 1/30 at 1.2 on delta 100. This give a good idea as to how dark it was. The windows are to the outside of the building during daylight hours. I would guess the contrast difference to easily exceed ten or more stops. Notice the lack of flare.

Thanks for the great advice!



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[x-ray]

OOPS! Can't upload 16 bit tifs. Let's try the image again.

 

[dcsang]

Nice shot Don!! 🙂 Would love to see more. What body were you using for the shots? I've been sort of "back and forth" for a faster M-mount 35, and I can't afford the Summilux right now but the CV 35mm 1.2 sure is tempting considering I have seen them go for around $725 USD.

Cheers
Dave

 

[Gman]

I was considering this lens, as well. I'm concerned about the size and weight. What was your feeling since you seem to carry several lenses. How's your back?

BTW- you have some fantastic photos in your gallery!

 

[x-ray]

I was shooting the MP body with .85x VF.

No problem with weight. It's certainly a much bigger lens than the 35mm summicron but still not a big lens by SLR standards. I'ts easy to say that weight isn't a problem because I drag around my canon kit for most commercial assignments. In the kit is a 1DsMKII, 20D, 15, 16-35, 24 1.4, 24tse, 35 1.4, 24-70, 50 1.4, 85 1.2, 135 2, 70-200 2.8 and variious other goodies including five (sometimes ten or more) monolights, stands, umbrellas. gitzo 13xx carbon fiber tripod and head, cables, meters and sometimes a 200 1.8 or 400. This is light compared to myMF and LF film days.

One thing I really like about the CV is the lens is the right size to fit my hands. It's really not that large and cradles well in the hand. Focus is silk smooth and build is solid.

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[rover]

Killer Canon Kit there.

 

[x-ray]

As much as I like my canon digital I hated their SLR film equipment. The EOS 1 series is OK but I dislike the other bodies. I've owned and used M series Leicas for thirty eight years and just have a love for them. They're not for everything but they do fit the bill for much of my work and fun. When I need an SLR I fall back on my old Nikon F2 and Nikkor glass.

Sometimes I'm sorry that I forced the digital evolution in the commercial market in my area. I was the first in the area to go digital and drug clients into the digital world which forced the other commercial shooters here to go digital too. Now I am the lab doing all my raw conversions and color corrections and spend more time behind the computer than I would like. I've been promoting film again and finally getting some clients to use it as a high end alternative. There's absolutely nothing more stunning than large format transparencies.

Like an fool I sold some of my film equipment when the digital mania was raging within. Fortunately I came to my senses and replaced the equipment that I really missed.The god part of this was I sold high and bought low ans made some money in the process.

I don't shoot nearly as much film for clients like in the old days. At one point I was shooting three hundred rolls of transparency film a month plus that much or more B&W. Most of the work in later years was MF but i was still shooting a few hundred sheets of 8x10 and 4x5 a year. Times change!

Like many of you I really hope leica comes out with a really killer M digital in the next year. If they do and it performs like it should this is where my money will go rather than new canon updated bodies. With the 1DsMKII @ 16.7 mp I don't really see a reason for more pixels untill canon improves their wide glass. The 24 1.4 is a very good lens for the speed but below that there isn't a good prime and the zooms are lacking too. I've gone through the decision about a high MP digital back for my Hasselblads but deceided to go film and scan high res when I need more MP. I've really gotten sick of updating digital equipment every eighteen months just to keep up. New cars are the only thing that I can think of that depriciates faster than a digital camera.

I can say only one thing, LONG LIVE FILM AND LEICA!


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