W-Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 LTM

[raid]

There is some vignetting in th last images posted here.

 

[Calzone]

There is some vignetting in th last images posted here.

Raid,

Agreed. Part of the vintage charm. I really like how this lens renders on both film and on my Monochrom.

The other limiting factor is the close focus. Oh-well.

Cal

 

[pepeguitarra]

Plus one. I love the perfect contrast on my Monochrom.

Also my LTM version sports the red "C." Because it likely is an older lens it features more yellowing due to the nuclear hardening effect. At this point it is about a half stop of yellow filter built into the lens.

Another bonus is that it is a very small lens.

Cal

Thanks. I will post of the whole set up later. I did not see any yellowing on my copy, so that is a plus.

 

[pepeguitarra]

There is some vignetting in th last images posted here.

Yes. The hood is one of those clip on (not the original 35/1.8 but the 50/1.4 which according to Ken Rockwell is the same), and it can be moved easily with a touch. That explains the vignetting specially uneven one.

 

[Calzone]

Yes. The hood is one of those clip on (not the original 35/1.8 but the 50/1.4 which according to Ken Rockwell is the same), and it can be moved easily with a touch. That explains the vignetting specially uneven one.

Thanks for the clarity. Much appreciated.

Cal

 

[pepeguitarra]

Thanks for the clarity. Much appreciated.

Cal

Actually, the lens does not vignette if used without filter (uv, or uv/ir) If used with filter, it will vignette wide open, but will clear at f2.8 or so. With the 50/1.4 hood (which fits very well) and the uv filter, it will vignette all the way to f4. I kind of like the vignette, although it can be removed on LR easily.

Here are some other shots taken at f5.6 with filter and hood:

Commercial Architecture by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


Punto de Fuga by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

 

[Calzone]

Actually, the lens does not vignette if used without filter (uv, or uv/ir) If used with filter, it will vignette wide open, but will clear at f2.8 or so. With the 50/1.4 hood (which fits very well) and the uv filter, it will vignette all the way to f4. I kind of like the vignette, although it can be removed on LR easily.

Here are some other shots taken at f5.6 with filter and hood:

Commercial Architecture by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


Punto de Fuga by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

This has been my experience also. I shoot hoodless and the consolation is that on my old version the half stop of built in yellow filter makes for ideal contrast without filters, although on my Monochrom I do use filters.

Cal

 

[pepeguitarra]

This lens is just pure joy!

This lens is just pure joy!

I am really happy with this lens. I will test it against the Summicron 35/2 Version 1 this weekend to see if I need to let one go and keep the other one.

W-Nikkor35mmf1.8ltm@f8-WWTPlant4 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

 

[BillBingham2]

There is some vignetting in the last images posted here.

If you're looking for perfection get a Zeiss, if you want greatness get a classic Nikkor.

At least IMHO.......

B2 (;->

 

[Calzone]

Way back I was thinking of either a V1 35 Cron or a 35/1.8 Nikkor in LTM.

I went with the Mikkor because the going rate back then was about 2/3rd's the price of a Cron. I figured I saved about $800.00.

I did not like the idea of soft coatings and cleaning marks of 50's Leica glass, and the lens I bought had been just CLA'ed and was good to go.

Another thing I love about the Nikkor is that it has a distance scale in feet only.

The Cron focuses closer though...

I reversed a trade and got my Noct-Nikkor back. I had a 35 Lux ASPH pre-FLE for over two years, I own a black paint 35 Cron ASPH that I will likely downsize (too much contrast), and the only remaining 35 is my 35/1.8 Nikkor in LTM. If I am remembering the number correctly, only about 1,700 were ever made in LTM so it is a rare lens.

Good luck with your decision.

Cal

 

[pepeguitarra]

Thanks for recommending the size. I think the Zeiss is indeed a too perfect for the kind of work I would like to do. As the Elmarit-M 28/2.8 ASPH, is very contrasty. Here is couple of samples:

M8-Cron50-2collap-zeissBiogon35mmf2-026 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


M9-ZeissPlanar35mmf2-UnionStation1 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr



M9-ZeissPlanar35mmf2-VideoWalking by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


M9-ZeissPlanar35mmf2-PlazaOlvera by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

M9-ZeissPlanar35mmf2-IrvineStation1 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


M8-ZeissBiogon35mmf2-003 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


The Waiting Time by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


ZeissBiogon35-2- Information2-1 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

 

[Calzone]

This is a bit off topic, but I find the 28 Cron ASPH as the one ASPH lens that has moderate contrast that produces a vast midrange.

It seems that once you pass or get into 35mm FOV the added magnification of the focal length seems to boost contrast. For me the 28 Cron and 35/1.8 Nikkor are kinda just right as far as contrast level for the B&W I do.

On one hand the 35/1.8 Nikkor is kinda modern in rendering, but then again a bit retro as far as contrst/saturation. This I find pleasing. If you have the chance check out a 28 Cron for the rendering and the contrast/saturation level.

Cal

 

[pepeguitarra]

Here is the Elmarit-M 28/2.8 ASPH

Here is the Elmarit-M 28/2.8 ASPH

ON THE M8:

ElmaritM28mmf2.8asph-ChineseNewYear5 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

ElmaritM28mmf2.8asph-LA2-2 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

ElmaritM28mmf2.8asph-ChineseNewYear3 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

 

[raid]

If you're looking for perfection get a Zeiss, if you want greatness get a classic Nikkor.

At least IMHO.......

B2 (;->

I have both .... "perfection" and "greatness". 😀😀😀😀

 

[pepeguitarra]

This lens does not cease to amaze me: W-Nikkor 35/1.8 ltm

This lens does not cease to amaze me: W-Nikkor 35/1.8 ltm

Wide open inside a restaurant:

Kentre by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

 

[pepeguitarra]

Some positive comments about this len:

http://leicaphilia.com/tag/nikkor-ltm/

 

[Calzone]

I've been printing shots from this lens mucho big (20x30) in B&W. Really amazing how detailed and sharp. What I love the most is the perfect contrst that seems innate with my Monochrom. Gotta love that retro smoothness combined with sharpness, smooth OOF, and at times retro glow.

Cal

 

[iaeaix]

Fantastic lens. If you can spare the cash to buy one, go for it! My favorite "classic" 35mm lens by far. It would be nice if it focused closer, but its not a deal breaker for me.

Miyazaki-san has converted two 2005 reissue S-mount W-Nikkor 35/1.8 lenses to M-mount for me. Minimum focus is unchanged (for an S-mount lens) at 0.9m. I don't recommend the conversion though, because the lens focuses in the Nikon direction rather than the Leica direction (which will annoy some people) and more importantly the conversion is irreversible. I also had to spend a lot of time reworking the handmade plastic focus cams to fix severe back focusing, and what a tedious process that was...

May I ask what is the cost to convert the Nikkor 35 1.8 s to leica? Thanks

 

[jonmanjiro]

May I ask what is the cost to convert the Nikkor 35 1.8 s to leica? Thanks

50,000 yen I think. A shame to trash a perfectly good S-mount 35/1.8 lens regardless of the cost though.

 

[splitimageview]

You're better off pick up broken Konica Hexar af camera and having the lens converted to M mount (via MS optical). A lot less expensive, closer focus (then the ltm) and modern lens coating

Have you had this done?