I've just shelled out on a new CV 35mm 1.2

[OurManInTangier]

...am I stupid?

I have the v4 35mm Summicron already which is a great little lens but tends to reside on my M8 along with the necessary IR Cut filter as my "50mm," I've been looking for another 35mm to use as a dedicated 35 on my M6 bodies and had heard so much about this lens that I decided to go for it and bought an unused and mint example this morning.

The only reason that i've gone for another lens of the same focal length is that I often forget to remove the IR Cut filters when I switch from M8 to M6. Now I can have one dedicated to each camera body, though I do feel this is somwhat daft and extravagant albeit a certain way to avoid annoying ( and costly in their own way) mistakes.

I simply hope that it impresses me as much as it appears to have done others!

[Krosya]

Well, one way to find out, right? Post your results, pls!

[kully]

You will not be disappointed Simon - however, I think you may will need a thumbs-up/grip now ;-)

[hans voralberg]

Looking forward to your result Simon, I'm planning to buy it at the end of this month and would love some feedbacks.

[OurManInTangier]

Hopefully it shouldn't take too long to arrive and I can put it through it's paces. I'll have to remember to put the lens info in when I post some pics taken with it as I always forget to do the techie stuff!

Kully, I may go for the cheaper thumb thing if I need it, then no doubt have to spend the extra on the full grip later:rolleyes:

[hans voralberg]

Why not have both :p should be fun

[morgan]

It's really an amazing lens. Big, but worth it. Enjoy!

[mrlowlight]

I love the bokeh and the sample I used to own was very sharp wide open. Congrats!

[anabasis]

I have a 35 Chron Asph for my daytime walk around lens because it's small, but for night shooting, the CV is my choice. The only real drawback is weight and size. The RF is no longer discreet with the CV Nokton on it.

JCA

[eleskin]

I am thinking about this lens too. I would like to see some low light pics with the M8, regular view and 100% crop to see the how well this lens renders the small details wide open at f1.2.

[JohnTF]

A friend was buying one, so he bought two and I ended up with one.

Used it on an M6 and M7,

No regrets, sent it in for the M8 Modification-- amazing what you can capture in low light, seems to be very much as advertised.

Regards, John

[Benjamin Marks]

I have both of these 35s and use them as the whim suits. Don't worry, you'll use both. - Ben

[lewis44]

Here's one shot on my M8 @ f1.2, ISO 640 after sunset

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3506/3272382962_0e4907870e_b.jpg

[OurManInTangier]

No regrets, sent it in for the M8 Modification-- amazing what you can capture in low light, seems to be very much as advertised.

Regards, John

John, or anyone, what mod does it require to be used on the M8? I know I'll use the Summicron with the M8 most of the time but if I like the effect of the Nokton I may well wish to use it on the M8 as well.

Thanks

[kully]

Simon, part of the black protecting metal around the rear element fouls the M8 box. It means you can only focus to a few metres no more.

I need to send my Nokton to RW to forward to Japan to get this done - but it will probably be a couple of months away.

Unless you're getting an 2nd hand lens or one that's been on the shelf you should be OK, CV modified the shroud quite some time ago (have a butchers on the cameraquest website).

[OurManInTangier]

Ahhh. Thanks Kully, as you can tell my research was nothing if not tireless:rolleyes:

It's unused and mint ( as they so often are:cool:) but certainly second hand, looks like I'll need to send it away at some point...not before I've had some good use out of it on an M6 first.

[mfogiel]

Although I normally take it out for the low light shots, it is also an interesting tool to use with a good resolution slow film - it delivers a very smooth look and quite appreciable detail even wide open, and also, it makes everything look as if the air has been pumped out... - this example shot on Agfa Scala at EI 100 developed as negative:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2178/2269883260_6e4a97aeec_b.jpg

[JohnTF]

Ahhh. Thanks Kully, as you can tell my research was nothing if not tireless:rolleyes:

It's unused and mint ( as they so often are:cool:) but certainly second hand, looks like I'll need to send it away at some point...not before I've had some good use out of it on an M6 first.

It really depends on the build date, the more recent ones or the modified ones, have a kind of circular groove around the retainer for the rear element as I recall-- if you send me a photo of the back I am sure I or someone can let you know if it has the modification. I had mine done in NY and they sent back the old part, it was the old retainer on the back element.

Someone in the know would know from the serial number if it was built after the M8, it very well may be OK.

Some purchased during a window of time were modified by Cosina dealers gratis, I recall some talk about a tool provided by Cosina to their dealers to deal with the problem.

Might be further information on the head bartender's page.

Regards, John

[OurManInTangier]

My nokton arrived today, in a worryingly large delivery box, though thankfully there was a far smaller box inside!

It's a beast for an RF certainly, but I'm used to lumping round with two D3 bodies and various lenses so this shouldn't be a problem. It works perfectly on my M8 too which is an absolute bonus so is clearly a newer version of the lens, which also accounts for the fact it really is in brand new condition.

All round I think I've been extremely lucky getting this lens, and at a fraction of the asking price from the stores too.

Now to get some proper pictures taken with it rather than test shots of my flighty cats

[JohnTF]

Congrats on the purchase, hope the size of the lens does not scare the cats, don't drop it on your foot. ;-) Did the shade come with it?
When I find stuff at a "fraction" of the going price, it is often an improper fraction.

Regards, John

[helenhill]

CONGRATS ...Simon :cool:
Please post some Pixs I ADORE your Work
and am Interested in THAT lens
or the 25 Zeiss

Best to You - Helen

[mllanos1111]

I love this lens and use it for everything. Here are a couple late at night with some Tri-X.

[steverett]

I like to use it on still subjects with slow film (Pan-F) to really take advantage of the smoothness and shallow DOF, or with high-speed film in bars to take advantage of the large aperture. Both of these times, the size of it doesn't really matter.

[yanidel]

I did exactly the same. Started with the 35mm Summicron v4 than added the Nokton 1.2. They are good complements, the Cron as a carry around and day lens and the Nokton purely for shots wide open and night.
I went to the Paris Marathon this weekend and shot only with the Nokton at 1.2. Fun excercise though difficult to get all shots in focus on running subjects. Below are a few samples.

[raid]

Congrats on the acquisition of such a lens. One day, I may do the same.

[swoop]

I have both as well. They're great.

[Keith]

So much for 'saving!' :p

[Way]

This will be my next lens. But in all honesty, Simon, you'd take great images with ANY setup! Love your work.

[BillBlackwell]

...am I stupid?

Not at all. For a time I had a 35mm Asph Summilux, a 35mm Asph Summicron, and a 35mm f/1.2 Nokton. I only bought the Nokton to try it out (it was relatively cheap).

My better sense finally got hold of me though and I sold the Nokton and the Summilux.

Now that was stupid!

[OurManInTangier]

CONGRATS ...Simon :cool:
Please post some Pixs I ADORE your Work
and am Interested in THAT lens
or the 25 Zeiss

Best to You - Helen

Thank you Helen, I'll try to remember to put the lens details on my gallery posts as I often forget any technical details. Have you got a gallery here or elsewhere online? I couldn't find a link via your signature.

This will be my next lens. But in all honesty, Simon, you'd take great images with ANY setup! Love your work.

Thanks Way - I was surprised with its size...I thought it would be even bigger after all the talk about it. If you have any doubts I'd overcome them and go for it...I've had it a day but my first impressions are extremely favourable simply for the signature, its a little soft at 1.2 but certainly by f4 its sharp as a knife. I don't tend to shoot wide open that often as I simply can't focus quickly and accurately enough for my liking but there's little doubt that some shots will be wide open.

Just a real shame I'm booked solid with work over Easter and can't go out to play:( Soon though, very soon...