M8 + Voigtlander 35 F/1.4 MC Review

[hudsong]

Hello everyone. I'm posting an ongoing review of this combo on my blog here: http://hudsongardner.tumblr.com/tagged/week_with_m8
At the end of the week I'll write up a conclusion. I know one of the biggest issues with the 35 1.4 is focus shift, but so far I've experience no focus shift whatsoever.

 

[ashrafazlan]

Thank you, i've been on the fence regarding this lens..your review is greatly appreciated 🙂

 

[ferider]

Good review. Great lens.

 

[ashrafazlan]

Hudson, quick question. I was surprised that your nokton didn't suffer from any focus shift. I've read others with new copies of this lens without the same problem, is yours a new copy as well?

 

[ampguy]

Unless you specifically test for focus shift

Unless you specifically test for focus shift

you may not notice it with casual use.

Focus shift is when changing apertures, the point of focus, within the DOF range for that lens and aperture moves unacceptably to the front or rear of that DOF window, not necessarily out of the window showing an obvious out of focus error.

If the OP did tests like Sean Reid does, or like I do (see my test for CV 40/1.4), you will know for sure if a lens has shift or not.

Hudson, quick question. I was surprised that your nokton didn't suffer from any focus shift. I've read others with new copies of this lens without the same problem, is yours a new copy as well?

 

[ashrafazlan]

Yeah, my 28/2 ultron exhibits minor shifting (thank god!) What I'd like to know though is whether newer versions of the nokton shift less than the older ones..something which seems to be the case based on feedback from newer buyers.

It would be nice to have some real confirmation before I buy one, I really need a fast lens right now 😡

 

[maggieo]

you may not notice it with casual use.

Focus shift is when changing apertures, the point of focus, within the DOF range for that lens and aperture moves unacceptably to the front or rear of that DOF window, not necessarily out of the window showing an obvious out of focus error.

If the OP did tests like Sean Reid does, or like I do (see my test for CV 40/1.4), you will know for sure if a lens has shift or not.

Don't forget, there's a lot of sample variation in the Noktons. Sean tested my first copy of this lens in his review and it was awful. The copy that replaced it, at no cost, thanks to our bartender (Support Cameraquest.com!), has been spot-on through all apertures, near as I can tell. (It probably is focus-shifting some, but at a point that DOF makes the shift moot.)

 

[hudsong]

My copy was bought (along with the M8) from Photovillage NY. It is a brand new 2009 copy, multi coated, not single coated as most of them seem to be. I really have not had any problem with focus shift... but I'm not a person to shoot newspapers stuck on a brick wall. In the ~250 images I've taken so far, at various apertures, none of them have been back or front focused.
Thanks for taking a look, by the way!

 

[hudsong]

Hello everyone,
I just finished up my first "Week with M8" review on my blog.
You can read the conclusion here:
http://hudsongardner.tumblr.com/post/428474270/day-7-end-voigtlander-35-m8-review

and see all the rest of the posts here:

http://hudsongardner.tumblr.com/tagged/week_with_m8

I hope this helps some of you decide who are on the fence about this lens! 😉