Nokton 35/1.2 and flare?

[Krosya]

Hi,
I'm kicking around an idea to get this lens. But since it has rathe large front element and short lens hood, I wonder how flare resistant it is?
Any user comments about this issue and possibly any others about Nikton 35mm 1.2?
Thanks

 

[kully]

Hallo Kroysa,

I havn't had my 35/1.2 for long but just with the standard hood (and a B+W MRC UV filter) flare has not been a problem when I've been shooting in sunlight, overcast, nighttime, stages with their flare inducing lights. The only time I've had a problem was with a large grease mark on the filter itself.

For me, the lens size was a bit.. well... I thought it was going to be huge before I got it.

You say you have CV lenses, if it helps you any, I cannot tell the difference between slides taken with my 35/1.2 and 50/1.5. If you like the one you will like the other.

It is heavy though, I can feel that weight after constantly holding it in my hand for a few hours.

 

[wintoid]

I think it's relatively flare-proof. I don't carry the hood, but use a B+W 486 filter on it for my RD1S. Here's an example of how flare-proof it can be, shooting directly into the sun...



As for the rest, well I feel it's the best lens I've ever used.

 

[x-ray]

I've had mine for almost 2 years now and don't use it every day but carry it when I know I might need it. I posted some images a while back where I shot at a carnival (f1.2) at night exposing for darker areas and a 1000w halogen light was in the frame. The blacks remained black and the flare was virtually nonexistant. It's as flare resistant as the 35 Biogon IMO. I shot another series in a bar at f1.2 in New Orleans with window in the edge of the frame. The difference in exposure for the interior and the window had to be 8-10 stops different with no flare that I could detect. Point light sources are of no problem either. Everything that I have seen and experienced indicates it's much more flare resistant than the 35 summilux asph. I've stated before that if this lens had the leica name on it it would be hailed as the greatest 35mm FL lens of all time but due to the CV name and lower price it seems to be overlooked by the Leica cult.

Over all I would give the 35 1.2 a high rating. It is a bit larger and heavier but as a realist I understand the speed comes with a price. Besides great flare resistance the resolution is superb and f1.2 is a truly usable aperture with minimal fall off at the edges. I owned the 50 1.2 noctilux back in the 70's and find the Nokton a much better lens in all departments and about the same size. IMO the 35mm FL is a better available darkness lens then a 50 due to increased (not by much) DOF. Every little bit helps when shooting under the kinds of conditions this lens shines in.

A side remark, I don't use a filter but do use the hood.

 

[Krosya]

Thanks for the info!
Could someone maybe post a couple of night shots with this lens?
Thanks.

 

[mfogiel]

Here are some shots, this one had this long reflection in, and if the lens flared, it would be really ugly:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59177039@N00/1791815214/
this is a type of shots where it really shines, this taken at f1.4, i see no flare at all:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59177039@N00/1792498613/
this one shot wide open at 1/8th:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59177039@N00/1162469875/
and another one with a light source inside:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59177039@N00/1163318764/
This lens is not as sharp as the Biogon, but it has a special type of rendering at wider apertures, it makes the photos look, as if they were made in a vacuum... I do not know how to explain this, but to me it is quite striking:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59177039@N00/1800886868/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59177039@N00/1794807300/

 

[cmogi10]

Don't you hate threads about gear you've sold with good pictures?

 

[mfogiel]

Gear you've sold? Who are you talking about?

 

[cmogi10]

Clarification:
I had a 35/1.2. sold it maybe a month ago maybe more, don't really miss it because I don't think about it, much happier with my current kit but when I see good examples it makes me regret selling it, luckily only temporarily.

 

[Krosya]

Here are some shots, this one had this long reflection in, and if the lens flared, it would be really ugly:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59177039@N00/1791815214/
this is a type of shots where it really shines, this taken at f1.4, i see no flare at all:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59177039@N00/1792498613/
this one shot wide open at 1/8th:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59177039@N00/1162469875/
and another one with a light source inside:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59177039@N00/1163318764/
This lens is not as sharp as the Biogon, but it has a special type of rendering at wider apertures, it makes the photos look, as if they were made in a vacuum... I do not know how to explain this, but to me it is quite striking:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59177039@N00/1800886868/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59177039@N00/1794807300/

Great photos there. I'm really tempted to get one. I wonder if I can focus it accurately wide open on my Hexar RF? 😕
Anyone wants to lend me their CV 35/1.2 so I can check? lol 😉
(but if I like it, I can't promise I'll return it. hehe )

 

[sherm]

Just don't take as much time deciding as you did your M6.....😉

 

[sherm]

Clarification:
I had a 35/1.2. sold it maybe a month ago maybe more, don't really miss it because I don't think about it, much happier with my current kit but when I see good examples it makes me regret selling it, luckily only temporarily.

That's the thing Carl it isn't always the equipment.............

 

[Krosya]

Well,
At first I was thinking to get a 50/1.2 lens, but it's hard to find and costs a lot more. I can easily find CV 35/1.2 and it is priced better. Plus I think I can focus 35mm 1.2 wide open better than a 50mm one on either M6 or Hexar RF.
Problem is - I'm more of a 50mm shooter than a 35mm. I only have one 35mm lens now, which is Ultron and I like it. Yet when it comes to 50mm - I have several and use them all more often than one 35 mm I got. But I just love those fast fast lenses, hense the whole idea of Nokton 35mm came about.
So, I trying to decide if I should hold out for a 50/1.2 or go with 35/1.2?
Any thoughts?

 

[mfogiel]

Read this:
http://www.1point4photography.com/blog/cv-nokton-35mm-f12-review/