Voigtlander 35mm f2.5 for Nikon RF

[scorpius73]

These don't show up anywhere. How does the older Nikon 3.5cm f2.5 stack up against the newer Voigtlander 35mm f2.5?

 

[batterytypehah!]

I recently got the Nikkor 3.5cm/2.5 in LTM and liked my first roll a lot, except the Leica has a light leak. Some sample photos here http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1281426#post1281426 and in post #9 here http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87189. Sorry for the rough scans.

The LTM version has a conventional external aperture ring. I don't think I could live with the recessed ring on the Nikon/Contax version. That speaks for the CV.

 

[VinceC]

I've never seen a side-by-side and never used the CV version. However, by most accounts the CV is comparable with the other modern CV lenses. It would be difficult for meaningful improvement of the Nikkor's sharpness, even in the corners. However, the Nikkor as a 1950s lens would probably have less contrast.

 

[Tom A]

I have both the CV 35f2.5 and the Nikkor 35f2.5 in Nikon mount. The Nikkors are as good as the 1 and 2nd generation Summicrons. Lower contrast than the CV lenses - but perfect for bl/w. The CV is outstanding - about as good medium speed 35 you will ever need.
The aperture ring on the Nikkors are bit fiddly - but you soon get the hang of it. I tend to shoot the Nikkors with slower film and pucnh up the contrast with the developer. The CV is just one that goes along for regular stuff.
Oh, the Nikkor 25f4 is not unsharp by any means. The center is really sharp, edges at f4 go a bit soft - but it has massive edge fall-off. The CV 28f3.5 is the same formula as the LTM version and I rank that as one of the best 28's ever made. Sharp, with a very distinct 'signature" in black/white.

 

[jonmanjiro]

The CV lenses are nicely made and sharp, but sort of the マグロ女 of the lens world ...

Besides taking photos, what exactly do you do with your lenses ??? 🙄

 

[jonmanjiro]

These don't show up anywhere. How does the older Nikon 3.5cm f2.5 stack up against the newer Voigtlander 35mm f2.5?

They're both great lenses! Get both 😀

My experience with the CV 35/2.5 is that it's super sharp right into the corners, high contrast even at f/2.5, and smooth bokeh. Great if you want a modern look!

In comparison, the Nikkor 35/2.5 has softer corners wide open but sharpens up by f5.6-8, has lower contrast, and you can get an interesting swirly bokeh effect in the right circumstances. It's got character! If you can find one of the final batch of 1,200 lenses, it will have an aperture ring similar to the W-Nikkor 35/1.8 which makes changing the aperture a little easier than on the earlier versions.

 

[jonmanjiro]

I want one of those newer 35/2.5s like you have, but they often sell for more than the 35/1.5s.

Sometimes you can find deals. This one sold for 41,550 yen last Sunday on the YJ auctions. And on the very same night, this regular type late black 35/2.5 sold for 46,000 yen, or 4450 yen *more* than the much rarer lens. 😕

 

[scorpius73]

Thanks for the info guys. I would love to have a 35mm for my Nikon RF. I have noticed that I almost never use my portrait lenses but I'm always using my 28, 35 and 50mm lenses for my other cameras. So, I will keep my eyes open for a CV or Nikon 35mm f2.5. The f1.8 is out of range though.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Yahoo auctions is a black hole of confusion. None of the prices ever make any sense. I had seen that newer 35/2.5 on there, but I thought even 41,000 was too high.

Ain't that the truth. I would have grabbed the new 35/2.5 for 41,000 yen if I didn't already have one, but 46,000 yen was way high for the regular black version.