Nokton 35mm f1.4 ... some questions!

[SolaresLarrave]

I was offered a used copy and said yes before asking whether it was SC or MC. For a while I thought I had made a mistake, but, to be quite honest, I don't think my photographic style will ever challenge the lens to the point in which it becomes critical that it is single- instead of multi-coated.

In short, the lens is good for me. As long as it does what it's supposed to do, I'll be glad.

Thanks for your remark about my shots! 🙂

 

[maddoc]

I think the pre-asph summilux 35 rendering would compliment your zm sonnar 50's rendering almost perfectly. The challenge is whether your budget range allows you to snag a copy. After trying it I bet you will agree; but the good news is that if you decide to sell it, you won't lose much if anything.

+1. Both lenses make a good combination but the 35mm Summilux-M pre-ASPH has become quite expensive...

 

[Lax Jought]

I really like my Nokton. I have one only, permanently attached to Mulder (black M5 body). Wanna see what it does in BW?Wanna see what it does in color?
BTW, it's SC. Keith, I'd buy one. It's fast, it's good, it's sharp once you go past f2.8... what else do you want? 😉

PS. Sorry about the pic size.

Love the photos, nice colour rendering too.

I've got the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 MC myself, I've never had any observable issues with the lens.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Small and great, Zeiss 35 2.8, small, great and cheap, CV 35 2.5, small, great, cheap and fast, CV 40 1.4. With the last one you get speed, low distortion and OOF zones a lot easier than with a 35, and with nice bokeh at 1.8 and 2, and even at 1.4 in most situations.

Cheers,

Juan

 

[ferider]

The Zeiss 35/2.8 is about as big as the Nokton 35/1.4 🙂

Funny, when the 35/1.4 came out, everybody was convinced bokeh was smoother than with the 40 (which is true - I have both).


You know, Keith, just stop worrying and get yourself a Summicron v3. Looks great on the M2 ....

... with nice Mandler bokeh:

Then sell your Sonnar, M2, 35 + 90 Summicrons are all you'll ever need 🙂

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Sorry for posting this again, with the Nokton 40:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40894234@N07/4549633224/sizes/l/

First shot maybe at 5.6, and the last two at 1.4: sharp. Beautiful bokeh. Most lenses can show bad bokeh sometimes. But the Nokton did this. Or was it me? 🙂

Cheers,

Juan

 

[umcelinho]

I had some circular flare issues with my copy sometimes, but pretty much mot of the time it wasn't an issue and it could deliver beautifully. I've traded my SC for a MF camera and got myself a 1.2, but the size and weight (mostly the weight) are pushing me back to a smaller and lighter lens. I've never noticed any focus shift issues with mine.

I shot mostly colour with it, but here are some BW ones, all wide open.

..except for this one. can't remember the aperture but should be f11 of f8...

 

[andredossantos]

This lens has a horrible rep and I think its unwarranted. Sure, there is distortion and some other quirks yadda yadda yadda. Its a freaking 35mm M mount lens that opens to f/1.4 and it costs how much less than the Leica version, $2400? Its an incredible value. Sure, if you have the funds spend it on the Summilux ASPH but for the rest of us this lens does its job admirably. And i never understood the "bad bokeh" rep either. But then again Im not a bokeh connaisseur 😉 I had the MC version.

Wide open on delta 100

Untitled by andre dos santos, on Flickr

wide open on neopan 400 pushed one stop

Untitled by andre dos santos, on Flickr

wide open on portra 800

all packed by andre dos santos, on Flickr

wide open on delta 3200

Untitled by andre dos santos, on Flickr

wide open on neopan 1600

narrow by andre dos santos, on Flickr

 

[Lax Jought]

I can't perceive any barrel distortion in that last photo (nice photos too, by the way!)

*edit - was referring to another photo before the other photos were posted.

 

[andredossantos]

Some non-wide open, mid aperture examples:

ektachrome e100g

DPT by andre dos santos, on Flickr

acros 100

henry w payne by andre dos santos, on Flickr

provia 100f

Untitled by andre dos santos, on Flickr

ektachrome e100g

Untitled by andre dos santos, on Flickr

e100g

claw by andre dos santos, on Flickr

provia 100f

just another building in a puddle pic by andre dos santos, on Flickr

 

[andredossantos]

And two more:

close to wide open--f/2 on acros

Untitled by andre dos santos, on Flickr

wide open, neopan 1600

claws by andre dos santos, on Flickr

 

[andredossantos]

I can't perceive any barrel distortion in that last photo (nice photos too, by the way!)

thanks 🙂

the lens definitely distorts, sometimes worse than others, but it never bothered me...

 

[Keith]

I'm starting to think that the Nokton may keep me happy! (until I win the lottery and by a brand new ASPH Summilux)

Roland ... as much as I'd like the Summicron to grace my M2 I'm on a bit of a beans and rice income at the moment. 😛

I'm wondering about the Nokton's performance at f2 ... does the bokeh become a little less busy? The reason I ask is because my alternative choice, the Biogon, is an f2 lens and I'm curious how the two stack up against each other at this aperture!

 

[Keith]

Andre ... thanks for all the great examples. Very much appreciated. 🙂

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Definitely it would be great to see the same image done with the Biogon, the two noktons and maybe a summicron (and summilux) too... I mean a scene including bokeh and lines parallel and close to frame borders, to see distortion. Maybe someone owns all the lenses...

Cheers,

Juan

 

[Roninman]

Leica M6, CV Nokton Classic 35mm f 1.4 MC, Legacy Pro 400 @800,Rodinal 1+50 9min, 2011
Keith I'm pretty sure this was @f2

 

[porktaco]

Dude. Canon 35/2. Srsly

 

[Lax Jought]

My 2cents worth of 35mm Nokton MC photos:

@ f/1.4, cropped the edges off a bit

@ f/16, uncropped

L1006153 by thelateshowwithsanjuro, on Flickr

@f/1.4 with a cheap ND8 filter, uncropped

L1007955 by thelateshowwithsanjuro, on Flickr

 

[Keith]

Dude. Canon 35/2. Srsly

You know ... I had one of those and sold it! :bang:

 

[Lax Jought]

You know ... I had one of those and sold it! :bang:

You have a nasty habit of selling good things Keith.....