Nokton 35/1.2 II + M9 = wow !!

[Tom A]

Estimate only. The 0.5M close focus is designed more so for adapting to non M cameras like the NEX, GXR and M 4/3. To focus at 0.5M you need to set the lens to 0.7M, move in until focus is achieved, then guestimate from there how much 20cm is, then focus bracket to increase the hit rate.

What I usually do with lenses that focusses closer than the rangefinder coupling is to measure off say 0.5 m from the filmplane ( a couple of mm in from the back) and mark my neckstrap with a piece of tape. All I have to do is stretch the strap from the camera to the subject/object. Obviously you can do it for 0.5 and 0,6 m - though I tend to do it for 0.5 only. Same thing works fine on the 15f4.5 and the 12/5.6 which in LTM goes down to 0.3 m.

 

[leicashot]

What I usually do with lenses that focusses closer than the rangefinder coupling is to measure off say 0.5 m from the filmplane ( a couple of mm in from the back) and mark my neckstrap with a piece of tape. All I have to do is stretch the strap from the camera to the subject/object. Obviously you can do it for 0.5 and 0,6 m - though I tend to do it for 0.5 only. Same thing works fine on the 15f4.5 and the 12/5.6 which in LTM goes down to 0.3 m.

You've always been smarter than most Tom, and even after these years of studying and working hard.....you're still smarter 😉

Nice tip I'm gonna try, cheers

 

[sazerac]

Butter tarts

Butter tarts

I remember a place in Vancouver called Tartine that had the most delicious butter tarts...


She works at our favorite Pie Shop here in Vancouver

 

[leicashot]

How about a shot thats been stopped down to f/4 or f/5.6?

 

[ashwinrao1]

More please....LOL...I need my lust for this lens augmented LOL...

 

[ashwinrao1]

I have read through most of this thread, and have a couple of questions, other than marvelling at the beautiful photos of Kristian and company...

First, do most of you feel that this lens renders more or less like the v1? Images here seem to have a bit more contrast and pop (a bit more 3D), but it may be your wonderful post-processing at work.

Bokeh seems pleasing...Seems that there is a sharper fall off between focus and OOF...am I imagining this?

Size seems better...How does this lens, compare with regards to handling, to the 50 lux asph, to which its size was measured earlier? The biggest issue that i had with th prior v1 nokton after 2 tries was size...IQ was lovely, but the size got me, esp when I have more compact and lovely 35's in the bag...

 

[leicashot]

Hey Ashwin, well I think that it boils down to 2 things, listed in order of importance.

1. There are more people actually 'using' the Nokton VS FLE cause most are constantly being traded for a profit ;-) I also believe the market that buys the Nokton are more likely serious shooters, compared to the more wealthy owners of the FLE (no I'm not trolling). Besides your photos Ashwin I'm yet to see anyone really utilize the FLE well. Right now I see that lens as a hot profit lens where it's value outweighs it's potential performance, and this is sad to see, as it's an incredible lens for it's size.

2. If you didn't like the size and handling of the V1, the V2 won't suffice. While it is noticeably smaller, it's not significant. They are still approximately the same dimensions and size. Compared to the Lux ASPH, the handling is wonderful, but again, really just like the previous version, but with a closer focus distance for guessing on the M, and more so designed for live view use on M4/3 and NEX cameras. Also at 0.5M wide open, the sharpness is relatively soft compared to being shot at 0.7M.

My advice to you Ashwin, as you're an owner of the FLE, go out and use it and forget about the Nokton. If I owned the FLE and cared about size (which is important) I would milk it for all it's got. While I think the Nokton still has the better signature, it's the picture that's more important. The photographer's input and creativity MUST supersede any possible differences between the two lenses. If only more of the photographic community would learn this point. This is also what separates the users on the Leica forum and this RFF forum.

These fast lenses are also often misused, with inappropriate use/over-use of the wide open aperture. I rarely see HCB or Magnum photos shot wide open, and for good reason. The best photographers shoot for content, not bokeh, and it's the content that makes a great picture, not the lens, or it's rendering and bokeh.

I have read through most of this thread, and have a couple of questions, other than marvelling at the beautiful photos of Kristian and company...

First, do most of you feel that this lens renders more or less like the v1? Images here seem to have a bit more contrast and pop (a bit more 3D), but it may be your wonderful post-processing at work.

Bokeh seems pleasing...Seems that there is a sharper fall off between focus and OOF...am I imagining this?

Size seems better...How does this lens, compare with regards to handling, to the 50 lux asph, to which its size was measured earlier? The biggest issue that i had with th prior v1 nokton after 2 tries was size...IQ was lovely, but the size got me, esp when I have more compact and lovely 35's in the bag...

 

[D&A]

Ashwin, I completely agree with the two postings above and Kristian summed it up eloquently. Only thing I would add, since I too had a chance to shoot with both the FLE and new 35mm f1.2 Ver II...is that there is one aspect to the new 35mm f1.2 V. II that I posted elsewhere and have been in communication with some about. Namely the new V.II lens appears to have a considerable amount of field curvature...which becomes prominant at mid distance and continues to infinity. Although most posters have used this lens for close to mid-distance shots (ie: reportage type photography)....if someone was to use it for landscapes, they might quickly notice that although the central portion of the image is extremely sharp...sides and edges remain soft, even at f4.5-f5.6 Again this is only noticable at longer distances and when subject is sort of a mostly flat field. In these cases the extreme foreground of the sides of the image are sharp, whereas it should be the sides at the greater distances that should have sharp detail, resembling the center of the image. This for some reason appears to be more so in Ver. II lenses than the older Ver I samples I've shot with in the past, on the exact same subjects. THe FLE lens is exceptional in edge to edge sharpness...maybe more so than any other 35mm rangefinder lens I've shot with and as pointed out, from a purely technical standpoint, the FLE may be one of the finest 35mm lenses ever designed.

Again as Kristian pointed out...sometimes too much emphasis is often put on these lens characteristics (in general) rather than putting the lens to actual use and letting the image tell the story. No need to tell you that Ashwin as you're images certainly speak for themselves.

I will say though that the Bokeh and OOF rendering with the new V II lens is extremely pleasant and the imagery it produces as a whole leaves little to be desired. A very well balanced lens in my opinion and a phenominal value.

Dave (D&A)

 

[ashwinrao1]

Thanks so much Kristian & Dave. More or less the reasoning that I came to with the V1 seems to hold here with the V2. I am in love with the 35 FLE, despite its quirks, and find the size/performance of this lens to be astounding. I think that the V2 Nokton may shake me for the same reasons that the V1 did, based on what you guys have said. I will continue to enjoy your remarkable images, and thanks all for the kind words....

And also for saving me from another bad case of GAS lol....

 

[leicashot]

Here's a few more samples wide open

and I really don't see distortion as an issue, do you? f/8

 

[santela]

Ahhh, this lens is driving me nuts. Already got a Zeiss 35/2, but wanted a fast lens for low light. Just bought a M7 so money is tight, and I'm also lusting for the NEX7. Damn it can't make up my mind!

 

[Shade]

The lens is impressive, I think I will call my dealer tomorrow and see if they can get me one!

 

[menos]

Really like the shot of the iPod user in the underground Kristian!

 

[Shade]

Are there any discernible phyiscal differences on the lens?

 

[leicashot]

Are there any discernible phyiscal differences on the lens?

There are but read the thread. It's all there

 

[cam]

more shots, please, particularly night ones!

i'm wanting something to use in bars and the ability to get closer (thank you, Tom, for the tip about leaving a mark on the strap!) and even a stop more would be glorious (i often already shoot at 2500 -- it's that dark!).

 

[uhoh7]

Wonderful thread, great shots.

The message I'm getting is: V2, good, V1: how's your copy?

I've lusted after this lens for a year or more, but never quite got there in time at reasonable price. 2 days ago a nice looking V1 popped up on FM and I managed to snag it for 850 shipped, good seller who says it's a good copy--we'll see but I trust him.

I have an m6, but will use the nokton primarily on the nex-7 which arrives around the 15th. I'll post some samples, if any are interested.

My only contribution here is to note that 2 differences will be somewhat nullified for 5n/n7 shooters. First, obviously with live view focus shift is not an issue. Second, we now have the hawk's helicoid m adapter, which allows close focus on all Ms.

I'm very excited to finally get to try this great lens 🙂

As an aside:
So far the superspeed sharpness champion on the nex cameras is without doubt the obscure pen-f 42/1.2. I have a good 50/1.1 but the pen is sharper at all apertures: in fact very impressive edge to edge at f/8. Here it is wide open:

Turns out the Pen-f frame is nearly identical to APS-C. The real iceing on the cake is the footprint. Quite small, the pen weighs 263 grams. 🙂

 

[menos]

The message I'm getting is: V2, good, V1: how's your copy?

Really? I was under the impression, to only hear good things from V1 users - which seems, to continue with V2 users obviously ;-)

I have a mint V1, love the rendering and pairing to some other lenses, I prefer, but don't like the handling of these vintage styled Voigtlander lenses.
I don't use mine therefore :-(

 

[uhoh7]

Ashwin, I agree with Kristian. The only real difference between the V1 and V2 lenses is the size and the new 0.5m MFD of the V2 (and a much better hood). I will say that I had one V1 that I just didn't like; too soft and too much halation wide open. The copy I am using right now is incredible--it's sharper than the V2 I have, and both my V2 and the V1 are sharper than my 35 'Lux ASPH (non-FLE). As with all the Voigtländer lenses, one has to be aware of sample variation due to the spotty QC process.
Jeff

I'm getting that idea here 😉

 

[uhoh7]

Initial impressions on APS-C---I know, i know 😉
V1 here, found for 850USD shipped.

full size
Shot on original Nex-5

Utterly unique lens. I've never seen so much contrast from a superspeed @1.2ish---I mean not even close. Yet unlike the 50/1.1, it does not blow the highlights, but creams them. Rich blacks and creamy whites. Topped off with a Canon LTM 50/1.2 like glow. In the contex of a 35s DOF. Wow.

I'd braced myself for the pepsi-can. Hence, I thought, is this it? The footprinnt is considerably smaller than the 50/1.1, and weight is about 24g heavier on my scale.

Someday I'll get some film back from shooting on the M6. Meantime I just got a nex-5n---huge step forward with its quiet shutter and utterly sick high ISO performance--last nite. Above shots with the old n5.

Anyway no news here for all of you who really know the lens--for me a revelation. 🙂

PS now with 5n: