Uhhhh... Where have all the 35mm f/1.4 Noktons gone?

filmfan · 07-29-2011

...or am I just blind

It seems like only a few weeks ago that these were plentiful on the used market... Now that I am trying to purchase this lens, I cannot find one anywhere besides over-priced ebay listings. Ultimately I am trying to secure myself an SC version, but whatever.
Any tips on finding one? (i.e. other forum classifieds)
Any explanation besides the old M9 rationale?
Thanks,

-Sam

filmfan · 07-29-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by photomoof

Wait until you find one. Camera collectors know this, users often do not.

Yeah, you're of course right. It's so hard when you have a brand new Leica M6 sitting around and no lens to shoot with it. This makes me an impulsive lens shopper.

thegman · 07-29-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by filmfan

Yeah, you're of course right. It's so hard when you have a brand new Leica M6 sitting around and no lens to shoot with it. This makes me an impulsive lens shopper.

If you're really impatient and want a reasonably priced lens, maybe get a Summaron, Color Skopar or something else a little slower, and a little cheaper. When the Nokton comes along, you can opt to sell the other lens for probably no loss at all.

I got a DR Summicron pretty cheap, and it's a lovely lens, no desire to replace it. Avoid the obvious collectables, and you'll get a great lens for surprisingly little money.

filmfan · 07-29-2011

Maybe someone will just see this thread, pity me, and sell me their copy. RFF is amazing like that.

jsrockit · 07-29-2011

I just bought a SC off ebay recently and had to pay near new prices. It came with the hood at least. Anyway, like all M mount lenses these days, they are hard to find. CV are being used by a lot of NEX / micro 4/3 people and that, coupled with the distasters in Japan = scarcity.

Cameraquest has them new... but I guess you want a used one? $579 new is not bad.

By the way, despite its CA and barrel distortion, I'm very happy with the lens.

filmfan · 07-30-2011

Yeah $579 is a little steep for me. My limit is going to be $450 on the lens. I guess I would take a 40mm as well.

valdas · 07-30-2011

I've been looking for a used one as well, but could not find... I've just bought new one (with hood) from a dealer in Germany over ebay... Not cheap though...

robbeiflex · 07-30-2011

Put in a Want to Buy ad here in the classifieds - they are free. Also, keep bumping this thread and maybe someone will notice.

Tom A · 07-30-2011

The problem at the moment is that a/ those of us who have 35f1.4 SC or MC's tend to like them and keep them. There is nothing around in M-mount even close to the new price of the 35f1.4 SC.MC from Leica or anyone else and b/ With the Yen at 75 for the US $ - price adjustments will probably be necessary for new stock.
I would suggest that you bite the bullet, get a new one now and later, if the prices goes up, you can sit back and smile. Once the new price goes higher, used prices go up too.

__hh · 07-30-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom A

The problem at the moment is that a/ those of us who have 35f1.4 SC or MC's tend to like them and keep them. There is nothing around in M-mount even close to the new price of the 35f1.4 SC.MC from Leica or anyone else and b/ With the Yen at 75 for the US $ - price adjustments will probably be necessary for new stock.
I would suggest that you bite the bullet, get a new one now and later, if the prices goes up, you can sit back and smile. Once the new price goes higher, used prices go up too.

While I agree with what Tom says, something in the back of my mind tells me that this message is fully endorsed by Cosina Voigtlander Pty. Ltd.

hans voralberg · 07-30-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by filmfan

Yeah $579 is a little steep for me. My limit is going to be $450 on the lens. I guess I would take a 40mm as well.

http://www.keh.com/Camera/format-35m...c=55943&r=WG&f

Keh has a 40/1.4 for $415, right within your budget.

jordanstarr · 07-30-2011

I don't see how you can afford a new Leica M6 and feel that the $600 for a brand new lens is steep. Unless you got it for a steal, you bought the carriage before the horse and you might just have to bite the bullet and get a new one. Used ones fetch only $100 cheaper than new ones on average anyway, so it's not like you're losing out. Buy it new, if you want to upgrade, they retain their value very well and you won't lose much when you sell it, especially if you bought it new and are the first and only owner.

However, there's a 40mm summicron in the classifieds here if you prefer it. http://www.rangefinderforum.com/phot...super-23/cat/3

raid · 07-30-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by filmfan

Yeah $579 is a little steep for me. My limit is going to be $450 on the lens. I guess I would take a 40mm as well.

There are several CV 40mm lenses on ebay for below $400.

Tom A · 07-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunghang

While I agree with what Tom says, something in the back of my mind tells me that this message is fully endorsed by Cosina Voigtlander Pty. Ltd.

Not endorsed by anyone! I have the Nokton 35f1.4 (SC) and I think I rather sell my Summilux 35f1.4 than the Nokton. It is one of my most used lenses - usually on a M2.
As for the economical prognosis - it doesn't take a genius to add this up. If the Yen sticks at current levels - ANY japanese made products will be going up in price, from cars to cameras. It is too bad as Japan needs to get their industry going after the damage done by the earthquake and tsunami. The fact that the US is incapable of getting their economy in order is not the fault of anyone else - but it will affect the price of imports of course.

porktaco · 07-31-2011

have we decided that the 40 is a qualitatively different lens than the 35?

Tom A · 07-31-2011

Sam, as other have proposed, the 40mm f1.4 is a very good alternative to the 35f1.4 Nokton. I would just suggest that you file down the "claw" on the bayonet to bring up the 35 frame on the M6. Frame by using the inside of the 35 frame-lines and you will nit be far off. The 40 makes a great 35/50 alternative and performance wise it is no slouch.

filmfan · 08-01-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordanstarr

I don't see how you can afford a new Leica M6 and feel that the $600 for a brand new lens is steep. Unless you got it for a steal...

I did indeed get the M6 for a very nice price. But it's not that my budget is too low for a new Voigtlander lens, as much as it is the preference to not to pay more for something than I have to... this is one of the reasons why I can afford the M6 in the first place. In other words, just because I can afford to pay more for something does not mean that I would want to do so.

jsrockit · 08-02-2011

You are not going to get a 35mm Nokton used for $450 right now...there are just not enough of them out there for sale...you will opay over $500 for sure. Perhaps you need to go for the 40 then.

stupid leica · 08-02-2011

I have found that on most forums, if you are having a hard time finding something- put it in your signature block: "WANTED! 35mm Nokton!"

This is a great lens, when you find one you'll love it for sure. I had the MC and it was wonderful. I'd still have it, if i was still shooting M.

Once you find one, a bunch more will show up on here for less. :P

kshapero · 08-02-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsrockit

I just bought a SC off ebay recently and had to pay near new prices. It came with the hood at least. Anyway, like all M mount lenses these days, they are hard to find. CV are being used by a lot of NEX / micro 4/3 people and that, coupled with the distasters in Japan = scarcity.

Cameraquest has them new... but I guess you want a used one? $579 new is not bad.

By the way, despite its CA and barrel distortion, I'm very happy with the lens.

Yes a charming lens on a NEX.

2WK · 08-02-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by filmfan

Yeah, you're of course right. It's so hard when you have a brand new Leica M6 sitting around and no lens to shoot with it. This makes me an impulsive lens shopper.

Ahaha...I was in the exact same boat a few months back. Dry firing my M6 over and over. I saved a bit, then bit the bullet...

http://www.adorama.com/VT3514SC.html

No regrets!

kossi008 · 08-02-2011

I sold mine only to finance something else.
Did not care for the barrel distortion, but otherwise a good lens, and a great one for the money.

ryanflynn · 08-03-2011

I had to look for a couple weeks, then a rash of them popped up over on fredmiranda.com. A virtually new SC version cost me $510 shipped, but that was a lot better than anything I saw on fleabay, on top of it being the elusive SC.

mooge · 08-03-2011

this place has the nokton 40 (new) for $400 and the 35 for $550, but the 35 isn't in stock and (I was told) won't be for a while. the 40, however, is. and so is the 28.

I was going to buy a 35 from them this past weekend but they didn't have any...

cheers.

WalterM · 08-03-2011

i have a 35mm SC Nokton I considered selling, but it seems like they get a lot of love, so i decided to give it another chance