So I got a Nokton 35 and now all my other lenses look like crap.

[Dan States]

Just a few days ago I ordered a Nokton 35 F1.2 from our sponsor, Mr Gandy and since then all my other lenses look like rubbish.

Now, it's not like I own crappy lenses. At one time or another I've had just about every M lens ever made short of the 135's. Currently I have a batch of Zeiss ZM's and an Ultron 28 and they all looked pretty darned good...until I started up with this Nokton.

The lens is magnificent at all apertures. Compared to my Noctilux at equal apertures the Nokton simply works better, focuses easier and offers a wider angle of view. I've TRIED to make it flare and it will not. I've SEARCHED for signs of coma in night shots and it ain't there. Indeed, other than a slight increase in overall contrast when stopping down to f1.4 the lens is utterly predictable and superb.

The lens is largish, but large like Marilyn Monroe, not Rosie O'Donnell. I have not used the hood yet and will not.

Comparing directly to the Leica ASPH 35's I find the Nokton to be a bit lower in overall contrast, but with more predictable focus, a LOT less light falloff and equal in usable resolution on the M8. There is a touch of distortion, about on par with the old Planar 35 from Contax.

Compared to the original Summilux 35, well, there is no comparison because the Summilux 35 was horrible at f1.4 and so unpredictable that I couldn't count on getting even usable shots.

Compared to the classic Nikon 35 F1.4 the Nokton is like finally getting that full 1.4 aperture you always dreamed about without the coma and focus shift.

I'm taking to time to write this in part because there seems to be a persistent rumor that derived from the E Puts review that the lens is only so so, and that it does not show much crispness unless well stopped down. I have to say that Puts must have had a bad sample and am happy to say that I have a great one!

Best wishes
Dan States

 

[wintoid]

I completely agree. It's the best lens I've personally used. Better even than my old Canon 35mm f/1.4L. I've not tried the Summilux or Biogon though.

 

[cmogi10]

I miss mine 🙁

 

[Krosya]

Sounds good - do you have pictures to support what you say?

Edit: I don't really question what you say, but rather want to see the pics. I did at one point want to get this lens, but finally decided that I'm Ok with the Ultron 35/1.7. So, if you could - show some photos please. I would really like to see all these things you are talking about - on the photos.

 

[mfogiel]

Dan,
I like this lens a lot, but in the f1.2-f2.0 range, from f2.8 on my Biogon 35 is just plainly better in all respects, so I wouldn't say Nokton made my Zeiss lenses look like crap - I think you are probably relating to other brands ;-) I mainly use it for B&W, and I find it is a bit like the Leica lenses: has lower microcontrast than Zeiss.
Here are some shots for a comparison:
Nokton
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1031580767&size=l
Biogon
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1240549537&size=l

Nokton
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1792498613&size=l
Biogon
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1362510410&size=l

 

[Keith]

Dan,
I like this lens a lot, but in the f1.2-f2.0 range, from f2.8 on my Biogon 35 is just plainly better in all respects, so I wouldn't say Nokton made my Zeiss lenses look like crap - I think you are probably relating to other brands ;-) I mainly use it for B&W, and I find it is a bit like the Leica lenses: has lower microcontrast than Zeiss.
Here are some shots for a comparison:
Nokton
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1031580767&size=l
Biogon
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1240549537&size=l

Nokton
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1792498613&size=l
Biogon
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1362510410&size=l

I'm not knocking you here but I really don't see that images shot in even slightly different conditions have much relevance. For me to be convinced I need the same shot of the same subject in the same light ... from a tripod with each of the lenses in question.

I know that's a lot to ask but someone actually needs to do this with these 35's so I can make up my mind which one should grace my new Ikon! 😛

 

[Krosya]

So, Hexanon is not good enough anymore, Keith? Hmmm.

 

[Keith]

So, Hexanon is not good enough anymore, Keith? Hmmm.

That's what I mean ... the Hex would need to be thrown in the mix as well and if something else outperformed it noticably I would consider selling it and upgrading because I have 'gearhead's syndrome' ... and I've discovered that peer pressure is the ultimate trigger! 😛

 

[Roger Hicks]

It's astonishingly good for a fast 35, but it's huge and heavy. I had one on loan for a few weeks but had no great desire to buy it. Then again, I don't buy lenses on the basis of how they perform with test charts: I go for ergonomics and 'magic'. The latter is impossible to analyze but can be defined as 'giving me a disproportionate number of pictures that I really like, as compared with others of the same or similar focal lengths'. Because of what I do for a living, I have plenty of chance to compare lenses on a real-world, reasonaly long-term basis (weeks or months).

Of my three favourite lenses, one is very good indeed with test charts -- 75/2 Summicron, bought 18 months ago -- and the other two are the 35/1.4 pre-aspheric Summilux, bought new 25 years ago, and the 50/1.5 Sonnar, acquired last year.

Cheers,

R.

 

[wintoid]

Sounds good - do you have pictures to support what you say?

For flare resistance try http://www.flickr.com/photos/wintoid/1372756707/

Looking through my photos, it seems I use the Nokton most at home (possibly because of the size), and I don't have approval from management senior to me to share those images :/ I also use it exclusively on the RD1S with an IR filter. It almost never goes on a film body.

That's what I mean ... the Hex would need to be thrown in the mix as well and if something else outperformed it noticably I would consider selling it and upgrading because I have 'gearhead's syndrome' ... and I've discovered that peer pressure is the ultimate trigger! 😛

My other 35 is the M-Hexanon 35mm f/2.0. I basically prefer the Nokton apart from the size. I don't have comprehensive pictures of rulers and brick walls to justify this. It's merely my personal preference. I think it has the magic that Roger speaks of.

 

[lZr]

Hey guys, not everything must be shot 35 mm, because it is sharp, no DOF etc..
Times go and you will want your arsenal of lenses, no doubt. Do not be so excited.

 

[chambrenoire]

OK so I got a Voigtländer Bessa R2 with a Nokton 35/1.2 + Skopar 35/2.5 P II (pancake version, with LH-4 lens hood), two flash units, for $780USD yesterday. Good deal? The dude had only taken two rolls with the whole equipment. MINT +++ condition! 😀 Can't wait to get out and do some low light photos.

 

[Jacob]

OK so I got a Voigtländer Bessa R2 with a Nokton 35/1.2 + Skopar 35/2.5 P II (pancake version, with LH-4 lens hood), two flash units, for $780USD yesterday. Good deal? The dude had only taken two rolls with the whole equipment. MINT +++ condition! 😀 Can't wait to get out and do some low light photos.


Congratulations, great bargain! I think You'll need f1.2 in this weather.I called on that ad too but You had allready sniped it...
BTW, very nice Stockholm pics with that M2 sledge of Yours.
Best regards
Jacob

PS I won't sell my beloved AF-C, sorry for not getting back earlier

 

[chambrenoire]

Congratulations, great bargain! I think You'll need f1.2 in this weather.I called on that ad too but You had allready sniped it...
BTW, very nice Stockholm pics with that M2 sledge of Yours.
Best regards
Jacob

PS I won't sell my beloved AF-C, sorry for not getting back earlier

Haha! OK so I guess I was lucky 🙂
Thanks for the nice comments on my M2 pics.. Too bad weather out today here in Stockholm, cold and raining and gray 🙁

Regarding the AF-C: That's OK, found one at a second hand shop for 30SEK/$5USD with a flash. Thanks anyways!

 

[Dan States]

Dan,
I like this lens a lot, but in the f1.2-f2.0 range, from f2.8 on my Biogon 35 is just plainly better in all respects, so I wouldn't say Nokton made my Zeiss lenses look like crap - I think you are probably relating to other brands ;-) I mainly use it for B&W, and I find it is a bit like the Leica lenses: has lower microcontrast than Zeiss.
Here are some shots for a comparison:
Nokton
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1031580767&size=l
Biogon
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1240549537&size=l

Nokton
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1792498613&size=l
Biogon
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1362510410&size=l

I agree that stopped down the Biogon 35 is excellent, but I sold mine because of the poor full aperture performance...coma in night shots in particular. I think each photographer has specific needs from their equipment and for me full aperture and low light performance is tops.

Best wishes
Dan

 

[Dan States]

It's astonishingly good for a fast 35, but it's huge and heavy. I had one on loan for a few weeks but had no great desire to buy it. Then again, I don't buy lenses on the basis of how they perform with test charts: I go for ergonomics and 'magic'. The latter is impossible to analyze but can be defined as 'giving me a disproportionate number of pictures that I really like, as compared with others of the same or similar focal lengths'. Because of what I do for a living, I have plenty of chance to compare lenses on a real-world, reasonaly long-term basis (weeks or months).

Of my three favourite lenses, one is very good indeed with test charts -- 75/2 Summicron, bought 18 months ago -- and the other two are the 35/1.4 pre-aspheric Summilux, bought new 25 years ago, and the 50/1.5 Sonnar, acquired last year.

Cheers,

R.

Absolutely agree that the best lenses are the ones that make the best pictures for the user! We are living in a golden age for rangefinder photography when you can choose from so many outstanding tools, many at reasonable prices!

 

[Maxapple88]

If any 35mm I am really considering the Nokton, I am just strongly concerned about its size... I'll have to actually try it on in a store once but, it looks too bulky to lug around everywhere, which is what I do.

 

[kevin m]

You could do what Reid Reviews suggests and buy both the Nokton and the VC 35/2.5. The combo still costs less than any new Leica 35 for no real loss in performance. Pull out the 1.2 when needed and use the 2.5 as your 'walk about' lens. 🙂