Range-rover
Veteran
it just gives that little bit of wideness that you sometimes need where a fifty won't do.
Range
Range
furbs
Well-known
I agree with your thinking. 35mm is not my favorite as a matter of fact 50mm is. I already have the summicron f2 so I figured a 35mm would be good to have in my kit and being that I'm not a wide angle guy I did not want to spend out for 35mm so I am in agreement that buying a less expensive lens for the use of low light times when I'm not using the 50mm would be best.
I think you will like shooting with a fast 35. The focal length will let you use slower shutter speeds than your 50 at all apertures, and along with the option to shoot at 1.4, you can make photos in quite dark environments. Throw some Delta 3200 in that M6, and hoo boy...
Brian Legge
Veteran
I love mine. The only weakness that gets to me at times is the distortion. For shots without major, eye catching lines its an incredible lens. If that is critical to you, skip the lens. If not - if you want speed in a small package - its brilliant.
liamC
Established
Erik van Straten
Veteran
The weak point of this lens is the distortion. The Ultron 35mm f/1.7 is a MUCH better lens.
Erik.
Erik.
Lss
Well-known
It's another good lens, but it is also larger than the 35/1.4, does not focus to 0.7m, etc.
kshapero
South Florida Man
Agree, both are wonderful.
The 35 MC with Tri-X shot at 240 ISO on my M3 with no ext VF.
Probably both were shot at f11, 1/500
haempe
Well-known
This is true, Erik.
Coma can also be a problem sometimes.
But the lens is still on a very high level.
A shabby example of the barrel distortion to expect:
Not the first-choice-lens for architecture, but thoroughly suitably as a compact low light lens.
Problem with CV lenses is sample variation, mine Ultron 35/1.7 was a lemon, simply not sharp enough to keep it... I was very disappointed.
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
the 35 1.7 ultron is a Great Lens...discontinued now, hard to find
For my Taste I prefer the nokton 35 classic 1.4
here are two shots with the ultron
I ADORE this Portrait by helenhill_HH, on Flickr
The Play of Shadow & Light ...God & The Homeless by helenhill_HH, on Flickr
For my Taste I prefer the nokton 35 classic 1.4
here are two shots with the ultron
I ADORE this Portrait by helenhill_HH, on Flickr
The Play of Shadow & Light ...God & The Homeless by helenhill_HH, on Flickr
ferider
Veteran
The 35/1.4 Nokton is a great lens.
And regarding distortion, yes it does but no worse than the Summilux ASPH (check Leicas data sheets !), the CV 35/1.2, the UC Hexanon 35/2, the Nikkor 35/1.8 LTM, the Hexar AF, etc., etc.; still much better than many fast SLR 35mm lenses in any case.
Really, the only fast (<= f1.4) rectilinear 35mm lens that I have used is the pre-asph Summilux. However, there is so much veiling flare wide open, that in my book, it's not a true 1.4 lens.
If the distortion really bugs you, and you use a modern Leica with smaller framelines (M6 and above), I recomment the 40/1.4 Nokton, more rectilinear, but a little busier bokeh.
Note that I don't think > US 500 for a lens is "cheap". I feel, people who think this are very much spoiled by Leica prices.
And regarding distortion, yes it does but no worse than the Summilux ASPH (check Leicas data sheets !), the CV 35/1.2, the UC Hexanon 35/2, the Nikkor 35/1.8 LTM, the Hexar AF, etc., etc.; still much better than many fast SLR 35mm lenses in any case.
Really, the only fast (<= f1.4) rectilinear 35mm lens that I have used is the pre-asph Summilux. However, there is so much veiling flare wide open, that in my book, it's not a true 1.4 lens.
If the distortion really bugs you, and you use a modern Leica with smaller framelines (M6 and above), I recomment the 40/1.4 Nokton, more rectilinear, but a little busier bokeh.
Note that I don't think > US 500 for a lens is "cheap". I feel, people who think this are very much spoiled by Leica prices.
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
It's a great lens.
And regarding distortion, yes it does but no worse than the Summilux ASPH or the Nokton 35/1.2.
yummy good, always Loved that shot Roland !
ferider
Veteran
Thanks, Helen
Hi Roland, just curious... you're talking about barrel distortion at infinity right? I know of one source on the net (who shall remain nameless
) who measured the barrel distortion at 3 meters with the following three lenses as follows:Nokton 35mm F1.4 - 2.0% at 3m
UC Hexanon 35mm F2 - 1.5% at 3m
Leica Summilux 35mm F1.4 FLE - 0.5% at 3m
I haven't made any measurements myself, but this matches my hands on experience with two of these three lenses. I have no experience with the UC Hexanon, but when I had it I did notice that the Nokton's barrel distortion seemed more obvious at closer distances. Which was the opposite of the Summilux which seems to improve at closer distances.
ferider
Veteran
Hi Roland, just curious... you're talking about barrel distortion at infinity right? I know of one source on the net (who shall remain nameless
Yes Jon.
Go ahead, tell us who you are referring to ....
BTW, the same person also writes about the 35/1.4 Nokton:I was referring to the 35/1.4 Summilux ASPH that has about -1.6% distortion, see here: http://us.leica-camera.com/photography/m_system/lenses/7263.html (click on "TECHNICAL DATA").
No idea about the FLE, might be much better.
tempest68
Established
Between Ken and Steve, I trust Steve's opinions more so than Ken's. I take Ken's reviews with more grains of salt than Steve's. Now I am not one that completely dismisses Ken, as I can find some value in his reviews. But sometimes I think him and I are at polar opposites on certain things. Whereas with Steve I usually feel like his shooting style and his reasonings for liking or disliking something just seem to match up more with how I tend to view the photographic world.
I don't have the 35, but I have the 40 in the S.C. version. As far as M.C. vs. S.C., I'd say really consider whether you shot B&W or color more before choosing. If you do 50/50, I'm not sure which one I'd pick.
froyd
Veteran
Better for distortion, sure. But better at being smaller? Better at having a tab? Better at offering an aperture of 1.4? Better at focusing down to 0.7m?
Not everybody wants a small lens, many people hate tabs, many think 1.4 is superfluous, and many never place subjects closer than one meter. The Ultron is best for them, for sure.
The Ultron was in my bag for a year, and never like it one bit. I disliked the size, ergonomics, and found it lacking character. I'm liking the Nokton a bit better, but the siren song of other 35s is calling me already. Unfortunately, 35s faster than 2.0, with focus tabs, and focusing closer than 1m are generally pricey propositions!
Vincent512
Vinny the Lens
Thanks for the input. I shoot mostly B&W and develop the film myself ... If I can get the SC one I will try for that.
maggieo
More Deadly
FWIW, the Nokton Classic is my most-used lens (it was my "fast fifty" on the M8). Mine's a MC and I think it worked well in color and in B&W, both film and digital.
Here's a few samples:
Mikey Shoots Jellyfish, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA, October 13, 2011 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr
At the Summit, Yellowstone National Park, WY, October 07, 2011 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr
Flying Lantern Launch, July 04, 2011 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr
Film:
Popcorn, September, 2010 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr
Dad, Living Room, August, 2010 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr
Photoset of 35/1.4 Nokton Classic
Here's a few samples:
Mikey Shoots Jellyfish, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA, October 13, 2011 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr
At the Summit, Yellowstone National Park, WY, October 07, 2011 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr
Flying Lantern Launch, July 04, 2011 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr
Film:
Popcorn, September, 2010 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr
Dad, Living Room, August, 2010 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr
Photoset of 35/1.4 Nokton Classic
Erik van Straten
Veteran
I think lacking character is a quality for a lens. The picture (the vision of the photograper) should have character, not the lens. The lens should be free of lens faults so that the photographer can make pictures with character.
Erik.
benji77
@R.F.F
The little Voigtlander 35/1.4 SC was my second or third lens since I started RF in 2010. Since then, many have come (and gone), but the 35/1.4 stays with me.
A short quick blog from me on this lens.
I think putting the 'numbers' and 'graphs' aside, the bigger question is 'will you use it'. At this price point, I personally feel it is extremely value for $$, where you could get the Voigtlander 28/1.9 with it at the price of a Cron.
A short quick blog from me on this lens.
I think putting the 'numbers' and 'graphs' aside, the bigger question is 'will you use it'. At this price point, I personally feel it is extremely value for $$, where you could get the Voigtlander 28/1.9 with it at the price of a Cron.