Nokton 35/1.2 II + M9 = wow !!

[G1DRP]

Great photos! Thanks for sharing them.

[mls64]

Originally Posted by G1DRP

Great photos! Thanks for sharing them.

Thanks Ian.

[Jesse2004]

Hi All,

I notice from some photos posted above, and as pointed out by Alnitak, purple fringing seems to be quite severe in high contrast areas. Some even noticeable without enlarging. Another example:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joezander/7592423934/

Since I don't have much experience with such large aperture lenses, could someone explain this issue a bit more? Is it normal for a lens in this class or it is a drawback of this lens? Will it get better when stopping down?

[menos]

Originally Posted by Jesse2004

Hi All,

I notice from some photos posted above, and as pointed out by Alnitak, purple fringing seems to be quite severe in high contrast areas. Some even noticeable without enlarging. Another example:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joezander/7592423934/

Since I don't have much experience with such large aperture lenses, could someone explain this issue a bit more? Is it normal for a lens in this class or it is a drawback of this lens? Will it get better when stopping down?

Welcome Jesse!

This has nothing to do with a specific lens.
It has only to do with having been shot with a digital sensor, being nuked by a much larger contrast, than it can swallow, creating this effect.

Only remedy, to ease this effect, is exposing differently (underexposing and bringing the shadows back in post processing) or exposure bracketing and combining exposures in PP.

The use of color negative film would also be a solution, opposed to using a M9.

[Jesse2004]

Thanks for the quick reply, menos, very informative!

Now there is one question remaining: how this lens stacks up against the Zeiss 35mm f2 in terms of IQ, especially at f2 or f2.8? Size comparison is not needed, it's just too obvious.

Jesse

[leicashot]

Originally Posted by Jesse2004

Thanks for the quick reply, menos, very informative!

Now there is one question remaining: how this lens stacks up against the Zeiss 35mm f2 in terms of IQ, especially at f2 or f2.8? Size comparison is not needed, it's just too obvious.

Jesse

The Zeiss 35/2 is an average performer wide open, similar to the pre-ASPH Summicron. But it's distortion control is great and it has very little field curvature. While the Nokton has more field curvature (good for isolation), it is also sharper wide open and at f/2.8. It's also a little better against flare....but of course there's a considerable size difference.

My tests also indicated a better sharpness at f/2.8 against the 35mm C-Biogon as well, which says a lot about just how good the Nokton is. I also recently compared the Nokton against the latest Summilux ASPH 35 FLE, and they're both equal at f/1.4. The Nokton is also much better against flare, but the Summilux has a flatter field and a little less distortion.

[huntjump]

Leica M-E + 35mm 1.2

B&W Dress (back) by Adam Regele, on Flickr