New multicoated version of 3.5cm f/1.8

[VinceC]

My original 1950s version of this lens is so heavily used that the focus is no longer reliable. I started hunting around for a replacement. One thing led to another and, courtesy of fellow RFFer Jonmanjiro (thanks!), I ended up buying an SP-2005 kit with the new 35/1.8 lens.

Performance seems to be identical to the original version of the lens except wide open. My version of the 1950s lens has alway had some veiling flare wide open, possibly due to the single coating. With the multicoating, this flare seems to have vanished. The lens, as expected, does have interesting out-focus-characteristics, especially around f/2.

Here are some wide-open examples.

 

[VinceC]

Some more examples in every day use (without a meter, I'll add, for those following my recent discussions on another thread about metering).

These were both shot at f/2 and show how "bokeh" behaves depending on how close you've focused.

This is in London and shows how well the multi-coating tames extremely harsh backlight/sidelight. The sun was not too far outside the frame.

 

[VinceC]

And here are some picture in the British Museum, also mostly wide open.

Everybody takes pictures of the Rosetta stone:

 

[splitimageview]

Very interesting. The bokeh in photos 4 & 5 reminds me of that of the old 50/1.4 Nikkor-S that I just sold here.

Did you use a hood on the London Ferris wheel shot?

 

[MikeL]

Thanks for posting these Vince. Did images from your older lens look like that at f2? It looks about right for wide open (f1.8), but more swirl than I've seen with mine at f2. Just curious.

 

[VinceC]

No, I didn't use the hood for the london shot. I really don't like lens hoods because they get in the way. I know they make for better photos, and I do keep one permanently on my telephotos for that reason, because I do a lot of shooting in backlight.

 

[VinceC]

>> but more swirl than I've seen with mine at f2. Just curious.<<
There might be more swirl with the new version than with the old. It's more likely that I'm just more aware of bokeh than I used to be. I might do a side-by-side with the new and old lenses to check.

 

[MikeL]

I also noticed the leaves in focus on the right side that are behind them, and I see that kind of curvature with mine at f1.8, but again it usually goes away by f2. Not a big deal, but it's there.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Interesting to see that the multicoating makes such a difference! Thanks for posting these, Vince.

How do you find the SP 2005 finder compared to your other Nikon RFs?

 

[VinceC]

Finder on the SP-2005 is just great and bright. No more hunting for focus with a dim, beat-up vintage SP. RF patch seems to be on par with the S3-2000.

 

[furcafe]

Thanks for posting these, Vince.

Your timing is perfect since I just ordered a 3.5cm/1.8 2005 from Jon(manjiro) to replace my vintage 3.5cm/1.8 for use in difficult lighting conditions (e.g., club/stage lighting), where the old lens has always had a significant flare problem.

If everything works out w/the new lens, I'll probably be selling the old 3.5cm/1.8.

 

[BillBingham2]

Very good stuff Vince, thanks for sharing.

B2 (;->

 

[ZivcoPhoto]

Yes Vince, I'd also like to know if the out-of-focus of the new is comparable to the old.

My old 35mm F1.8 has very pleasant out-of-focus, regardless of stop.

I wonder if new multicoatings have an effect.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Nice shots, Vince. New SP-2005.... I know that one will get a real work-out!

When will we see photo's from it published?

(Those Pictures make me miss the girls)

 

[naren]

Yes Vince, I'd also like to know if the out-of-focus of the new is comparable to the old.

My old 35mm F1.8 has very pleasant out-of-focus, regardless of stop.

I wonder if new multicoatings have an effect.

I believe coatings can only affect contrast and flare, but the bokeh is a function of both lens design and number of aperture blades. Out of curiosity I did a comparison between a 6 blade and 7 blade 105mm f2.5 Nikkor. The 6 blade was older and single coated and the 7 blade was one of the first multi-coated lenses I believe designated "PC". I noticed a difference in bokeh, but an even more noticeable difference in contrast- with the earlier version being more contrasty and saturated. So that was the opposite of what I expected. Just thought I'd share...🙂 I am going to post a few of the pics I shot with that gorgeous lens in the bokeh thread when I have a chance.

 

[Palaeoboy]

Interesting to see that the multicoating makes such a difference!

Alot of older glass types are not able to be made today because the process to make them is often polluting so when a lens gets updated even though the formula is identical, almost always some of the glass types are replaced with more modern ones. Im almost certain that Nikon made use of their glass expertise to select the best modern glass types for the job. I would love a modern 35 f1.8. Its a shame you have to buy a whole camera to get one.

 

[VinceC]

>>Alot of older glass types are not able to be made today because the process to make them is often polluting so when a lens gets updated even though the formula is identical, almost always some of the glass types are replaced with more modern ones. Im almost certain that Nikon made use of their glass expertise to select the best modern glass types for the job. I would love a modern 35 f1.8. Its a shame you have to buy a whole camera to get one.<<

The original 35 f1.8 used radioactive lanthium glass. Brian Sweeney and I measured one with a Geiger counter once, and the needle went wild (but not wild enough to register dangerous levels). I suspect the new lens might not be radioactive, which might account for its "harder" look.

 

[dreamsandart]

I've been wondering how Nikon dealt with the glass types in the new lens. The SP/35 were only for domestic sale, in Europe because of EC manufacturing regulations using radioactive glass would be a problem, the Zeiss 38mm Biogon formula was changed for this reason (don't know if Japan has any regulations about manufacturing or using radioactive glass these days). I imagine the old lanthanum glass isn't even around, so what did they replace it with? With new high index glass types available was this a simple exchange, or was there more involved?

 

[VinceC]

This is hardly scientific, but I took a few shots with my old and new versions of the 35/1.8 ... The lenses appear to perform identically, so the formula is almost certainly unchanged. I think there could be slightly more contrast with the multicoated version.

I took several shots that I can't tell apart. This one, I had the presence of mind to put the other lens in the frame. Old version first, followed by the new.

 

[dexdog]

Impressive performance on the modern version of this lens. I would be very interested if someone were to offer a new 35/1.8 for sale. I have both the Nikon and LTM versions of the vintage lens. It is a great performer for the most part, although the post-war CZJ 35mm Biometar (35/2.8) kicks the Nikkor's butt at resolution at f2.8 and f3.5 on my Contax cameras and my Nikon SP. The two are equal at f4, with the edge to the Nikkor at smaller apertures.