W-Nikkor C 3.5cm f/1.8 Photos!

[menos]

Beautiful shot Richard! I love the glow around the lights, while the lens still retains plenty of detail (very different from the later Leica 35 Summilux).

 

[semrich]

Dirk, interesting that you noticed that. I got the 35 summilux before the Nikkor and now like the Nikkor better for the smaller size, rendering, and even though it's a bit slower still does as well with night shots.

 

[menos]

Yes Richard, I am on a several years ongoing journey on finding the perfect fast 35mm lens - I had tried them all except a few exotics, I have on my list.

The few hours, I only have so far with the 35/1.8 W-Nikkor really impressed me a lot. This lens is truly special! I didn't have a night shoot with mine yet, but I will change that soon.

A street portrait of a young man, who crossed paths with me on my first day with the LTM W-Nikkor:

 

[Calzone]

Yes Richard, I am on a several years ongoing journey on finding the perfect fast 35mm lens - I had tried them all except a few exotics, I have on my list.

The few hours, I only have so far with the 35/1.8 W-Nikkor really impressed me a lot. This lens is truly special! I didn't have a night shoot with mine yet, but I will change that soon.

A street portrait of a young man, who crossed paths with me on my first day with the LTM W-Nikkor:

Dirk,

Hopefully at the next NYC Meet-Up I can get Klaus to do a few shots using my 35/1.8 Nikkor in LTM on his MM.

I think the Nikkor is a magic lens. I think the amount of midrange on overcast or rainy days is mucho detailed.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

Very nice Dirk.

 

[Calzone]

Very nice Dirk.

Dirk,

Plus one.

BTW the Thoriated glass on my Nikkor is slightly yellowed. Although single coated for vast midrange it still has this punchy contrast like in your image above. John (JSRockit) above reports a slight yellow cast on color shots on a M9.

Cal

 

[menos]

Thanks Cal and John!

I am already in love with that lens!

Cal if you plan, to get a Mono, I strongly suggest you try this lens out on one - the detail is simply unbelievable until you have seen the files on the screen and did some prints.

I always read, how everybody loves this lens and found it's rendering in images always beautiful, but that this lens is SO special, I couldn't dream of.

Of course, I am a very fresh owner and enthusiastic, but I would judge, this lens is for me as significant in it's specie character than a Leica 50/1 or a Noct-Nikkor - very, special character and surprisingly very high resolution.

… not to mention, how very tiny it is.

 

[helen.HH]

Here is a recent shot I took with the LTM version.
Istanbul next to the Galata Bridge.

Beautiful Richard ... Great Lens indeed
Have to AGREE, similar to the pre asph Lux 35 in Beautiful Glow
but the nikkor handles low lighting Better

 

[semrich]

Thanks Helen, never any regrets getting this lens, here's another shot from the same roll.

 

[Calzone]

Thanks Cal and John!

I am already in love with that lens!

Cal if you plan, to get a Mono, I strongly suggest you try this lens out on one - the detail is simply unbelievable until you have seen the files on the screen and did some prints.

I always read, how everybody loves this lens and found it's rendering in images always beautiful, but that this lens is SO special, I couldn't dream of.

Of course, I am a very fresh owner and enthusiastic, but I would judge, this lens is for me as significant in it's specie character than a Leica 50/1 or a Noct-Nikkor - very, special character and surprisingly very high resolution.

… not to mention, how very tiny it is.

Dirk,

In the 50's resolution was the primary design criterion. I say the 35/1.8 is right up there with a modern ASPH lens, but what I think makes this lens so remarkable is the detailed contrast in B&W. It has that richness of a larger format in both contrast and detail.

I'm thinking that on my MM it will be a match made in heaven. Only around 1.5K were made in LTM. I would agree that there is something magic about the 35/1.8.

Cal

 

[ferider]

LTM version yesterday, TriX, Rodinal 1:100:

 

[menos]

Richard - great stuff! Keep the night shots coming - I absolutely love that look!
I loved that look already with the pre ASPH Summilux, but the W-Nikkor is a lot more delicate and precise, drawing the night!
I repeat myself here: "If I only had known earlier about this lens …!"

Dirk,

In the 50's resolution was the primary design criterion. I say the 35/1.8 is right up there with a modern ASPH lens, but what I think makes this lens so remarkable is the detailed contrast in B&W. It has that richness of a larger format in both contrast and detail.

I'm thinking that on my MM it will be a match made in heaven. Only around 1.5K were made in LTM. I would agree that there is something magic about the 35/1.8.

Cal

Cal, this is so true! I went just through my first batch of shots from the W-Nikkor - those mid tones are M A S S I V E !
I have not a good hand yet on developing my B&W shots from the Monochrome - I might revert with the Nikkor for a while and shoot with the M8 and M9, which are a lot easier cameras in this respect.

LTM version yesterday, TriX, Rodinal 1:100:

http://ferider.smugmug.com/Picture-a-Week/2012/1212-B/i-pb4Z8c3/0/O/Scan-121217-0008.jpg

Roland, I wish, I could take a train to work! So much stuff can happen on the way - pictures everywhere!

Here is a few picks from the W-Nikkor:


look at me man by teknopunk.com, on Flickr


birdie by teknopunk.com, on Flickr


breathing Firebird by teknopunk.com, on Flickr

 

[semrich]

Here's a shot with it on the M8 processed with Silver Efex Pro

 

[helen.HH]

😱 Damn You ALL in this Thread ... 😉
This is probably one of the Most Superb 35's one could have

Want....Want...Want !!!

QUESTION:Is this Ltm version with an amadeo adapter for an M Body ?????
or should I splurge and Get an S2 ...😱...😀

 

[Erik van Straten]

QUESTION:Is this Ltm version with an amadeo adapter for an M Body ?????

There are two versions of the lens, ltm and Nikon bayonet. You can use the ltm-version plus a normal adapter on your M. The ltm-version is however rare.
I guess you can use the Nikon bayonet-version via an Amadeo-adapter on your M.

Erik.

 

[Calzone]

😱 Damn You ALL in this Thread ... 😉
This is probably one of the Most Superb 35's one could have

Want....Want...Want !!!

QUESTION:Is this Ltm version with an amadeo adapter for an M Body ?????
or should I splurge and Get an S2 ...😱...😀

Helen,

I own one of the LTM versions, and I use it with a version 1 CV LTM to M-mount adapter. I believe these adapters from CV that are specially made for use with LTM lenses with infinity locks are no longer available, but I had the wisdom to buy a spare. I literally bought the last two at Photo Village when they were still available. If you need an adapter I have one for you.

Realize that only about 1,500 35/1.8's were ever made in LTM and that they are rare. I paid $1.7K for mine, but this is cheap compared to a 35 Cron V1. The 35 Cron close focuses closer, but the Nikkor is faster at 1.8.

BTW wide open the Nikkor can display this wonderful glow of veiling flare that is absolutely dreamy and wonderful under bright-bright conditions, but on wet rainy overcast days the contrast and midrange detail looks like a larger format in the form of mucho shades of grey.

For the upcoming beauty contest that will be part of the NYC Meet-UP I will be entering a black paint Leica II (Model D) that features chrome knobs and no strap lugs. I will mount the 35/1.8 Nikkor, an extra TA Rapidgrip (LOL), and a Zeiss 25/28 VF'er. Surprisingly the LTM 35/1.8 is rather small and this rig remains small even though I added a huge Rapidgrip. Surprisingly the Rapidgrip looks like it was engineered for the tiny screw mount. Also the framing is easy to image with the 25 and 28 frames present. I know you have a weakness for LTM's. LOL.

BTW John C. has a black paint 2005 SP with the 35/1.8. What a beauty. This camera won last year's top prize in our beauty contest.

Cal

 

[ferider]

I guess you can use the Nikon bayonet-version via an Amadeo-adapter on your M.

Erik.

If I remember right, the rear element of the S mount version doesn't fit the Amadeo adapter, Erik. There are a couple of custom M modified, Millenium 35/1.8 copies around though.

Cal, for the 35/1.8 a regular LTM adapter will work fine. For the 35/2.5 LTM you need a type I adapter.

Also would like to mention that the 35/2 UC Hexanon is a modern coated copy of the 35/1.8.

Roland.

 

[ferider]

The CV hood vignettes, Cal. This is a slightly wider Heavystar hood that works ok with filters.

 

[Calzone]

The CV hood vignettes, Cal. This is a slightly wider Heavystar hood that works ok with filters.

Thanks. Also BTW nice rig.

Cal

 

[helen.HH]

Thanks Roland for the heads up....😉

Not sure about moula at the moment
Having repaired 2 M bodies and Xmas here
Ahhh Decisions