Nokton 35mm 1.2 on Bessa R2A/R3A

[stompyq]

I've been debating getting a Nokton 35mm 1.2 for a while now and got more or less pushed over the edge with the sticky thread on this forum. Right now i have a Leica CL (which i really like) with a 40mm scmmicron-c. I think focussing the nokton wide open will be very difficult with the Leica so i've been looking to pick up either a bessa R2A or R3A (yes i know there are no 35mm framelines) to go with the futer purchase of the lens. I want to pick up the body first (the 35mm is over budget right now). From almost all the pics from this lens it seems it's primarily being shot with Leica bodies. Has anyone used it with either of the two bessa's?? how comfrotable/easy is it to focus? My only guide is a bessa R (now sold). I'am wondering if i should save for a Leica M2 but don't like the fact that it has no meter (i need one) and the fact that it's more expensive than the bessa.

 

[baycrest]

I've got 3 35's. I guess I went a bit overboard, but I have 3 bodies to put them on the R3A, M8u, & M6 😛

• Biogon f/2
• CV f/1.2
• Lux f/1.4

Biogon is a great lens, but its f/2 and dosen't have the speed of the other 2 lens. While evenly sharp over the entire frame, its not as sharp as the CV.

The CV is a bit on the heavy side if you're going to compare with either of the other 2. Its a great lens optically, and in my view, I prefer it to the Lux, other than the size and weight, which might not matter to yourself, unless you've actually got a choice when you walk out the door with your gear.

On the R3A its an excellent lens, but I find I need the 35mm finder, unless you want to guess where the framelines are. Looking outside and using the whole viewfinder doesn't work for me, on the 3A, tried that first and then picked up the finder.

If the weight & size don't bother you, go for it, its easy to focus. Its the best of the 3 IMHO.

 

[zenlibra]

I've just ordered this lens from CameraQuest because of the sticky thread, even though I don't have a camera that has 35mm framelines. I have an R3M and a T so I went ahead and got the external viewfinder. I think focussing will be fine with the T due to the EBL and 1.5x magnification, but a longer EBL found on a Leica M or Zeiss Ikon would be much better than the R3M.

 

[stompyq]

I've actually been wondering about the bessa T and this lens. It has the advantage of having a meter like my bessa L. Let me know how it works out.

 

[ethics_gradient]

I think it's used more on Leicas because the owners of those cameras are more likely to spend $800+ on a lens. As a Bessa owner, I fully acknowledge being a bottom-feeder 😛

I have an R3a and I'm debating on trading it for an R2a so I can have the 35mm framelines. I've done side by side comparisons with my SLR on a tripod and the area around the 40mm frames is definitely not as wide as a real 35mm lens, as some say. Maybe it technically is, but you have to virtually insert your eyeball into the finder and look left and right to get the whole field of view, and even then it seems a little cut off. I realize framing with any RF camera is partially guesswork, but I would find shooting a
35 on the R3a as it is a bit too much of a leap for my taste. I do like the finder of the R3a, so maybe I'll try an external VF first. They seem so overpriced for what they are though :-\

As far as focusing, my assumption has been that Cosina wouldn't make a lens their own flagship RF cameras couldn't focus accurately, and after all, the DoF on a fast 35mm lens is greater than of a fast 50. I could easily be mistaken on this, of course.

 

[stompyq]

As far as focusing, my assumption has been that Cosina wouldn't make a lens their own flagship RF cameras couldn't focus accurately

This was my thinking too, but with all the talk of EBL etc i'am a little confused.

 

[Fujitsu]

I've been debating getting a Nokton 35mm 1.2 for a while now and got more or less pushed over the edge with the sticky thread on this forum. Right now i have a Leica CL (which i really like) with a 40mm scmmicron-c. I think focussing the nokton wide open will be very difficult with the Leica so i've been looking to pick up either a bessa R2A or R3A (yes i know there are no 35mm framelines) to go with the futer purchase of the lens. I want to pick up the body first (the 35mm is over budget right now). From almost all the pics from this lens it seems it's primarily being shot with Leica bodies. Has anyone used it with either of the two bessa's?? how comfrotable/easy is it to focus? My only guide is a bessa R (now sold). I'am wondering if i should save for a Leica M2 but don't like the fact that it has no meter (i need one) and the fact that it's more expensive than the bessa.

I am using it on the R2M, fine.

 

[Johann Espiritu]

I use my chrome 35/1.2 on both my M7 and my R2A. Ironically, it feels a little more at home on the M7 as they are both heavy and extremely well built. The 1.2 is one of the best built 35mm lenses I own (I have the 35 Color Skopar "Classic" and the 35 'Cron ASPH too), and it's solid feel is a mathc for the M7's build quality. On the R2A, I almost feel as if it is the body mounted the lens, and not the other way around!

Focus-wise, it should be more accurate (in theory) on the M7, but in practice, I have found little difference - even wide open.

 

[morgan]

I use the 35/1.2 on an R2A (and R-D1) all the time. It's a big lens (for a RF) no matter what body it's on. I like the R2A a lot, although i wish I could have an M7 (I like AE, what can i say). Focus on the 35 is nice and smooth and just delivers incredible image quality. Buttery smooth bokeh to die for.