Just playin around with the 35 Noktons

[noimmunity]

...and I gotta say, the colors on the Big Beast seem much better to me than those on the lil classic. Really casual shots (I don't even have a cat), so I'm too embarassed to post 'em.

I remember Roland did a comparison one time between the Nokton 35/1.4 and the Leica 35/1.4 asph, and I remember the colors on the Leica being so much better.

I have an SC version of the Nok 35/1.4 and I'm shooting uncoded on the M8 (for comp purposes my coded 35/1.2 was also treated uncoded). My SC Nok doesn't exhibit extreme focus shift and otherwise seems like a really good copy. I will add, too, that for black and white on film I really LOVE the look it can produce...

 

[rover]

I am relatively satisfied with my stuff, but I think I may have to find another big Nok. I did really enjoy it when I had one.

 

[ferider]

Here was the comp., Jon:

On Fuji Reala 100, I remember. (A) SC Nokton, (B) pre-asph Lux, (C) asph Lux. When you compare color, I recommend to check the histograms. Could be that the 35/1.2 has less transmission at f1.4, which can favor color rendering.

These days I use the MC Nokton, since I find it a bit more predicable wrt veiling flare.

Roland.

 

[noimmunity]

Thanks, Roland. There was another series that you showed, with electric power lines and flowers, I think, no bay shots. You also included 100% crops that were very convincing.
But this comp is interesting. The Nokton has a grayish-blue cast or murkiness that is absent in the asph photo. I noticed that before when I compared my Little Nokton to my Rollei Sonnar.

In cursory tests, I've found that the color on the Big Nokton is better than the Little Nokton at any aperture. In fact, my taste is that the Big Nok wide open is even better than the Little Nok stopped down.

In all fairness, there is a quality to the SC version which you showed in several shots that have a dreamy pastel look to them.