Nokton 35mm f1.2 lens

BillCB · 05-14-2008

Anyone know much about this lens? Anybody tried one? I see they're being offered (new) on a major auction site and wondered if any forum members can enlighten me.
Bill

Krosya · 05-14-2008

Well, you can search here - a lot of info on this site.
You could start here:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/foru...ad.php?t=54445

and here:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/foru...ad.php?t=57944

I do own this lens and I think it's incredible. While I didn't use all of the CV lenses, I did use several and I think it's the best Cosina made for RF. In many ways it's more useful than fast 50mm lens. I would deffinately recommend it, if you are not afraid of a larger and heavier lens on RF camera.

Roger Hicks · 05-14-2008

Its only drawbacks are its size and weight: it's a superb lens. The main reason I don't have one is that when it came out I already had a 35/1.4 Summilux (pre-aspheric) and I'll put up with 1/2 stop less speed and inferior image quality in return for superb ergonomics.

Cheers,

R.

Never Satisfied · 05-14-2008

I have one and hardly ever use it, not because of its size and weight, but because of a very stiff hellicoid that makes fine focus difficult. When I do use it, the results are brilliant. As with Rogers post, I also have the pre ASPH Lux which is unique but the Nokton is sharper, doesn't flare, cost half as much, but is nearly 3 times the size. If you intend to shoot wide open a lot I would recommend one, but if most of your shooting is f 1.4 and smaller, then buy something else smaller. Andrew.

Keith · 05-15-2008

The lens is also unique being the fastest 35mm you can get. If the size isn't an issue it's amazing value for money and is hard to go past.

Cosina created a masterpiece and at around $600.00 second hand it's hard not to own one if you like available darkness shooting.

With an M8.

BillCB · 05-15-2008

Thanks for the input - especially where to look on this site. (I'll have to get to know it better.)
And thanks for the patience of those of you who had to repeat what you'd said elsewhere on the site!
Bill

thomasw_ · 05-15-2008

I had one and liked its signature. But I didn't like the size or handling. That said, I am not a "only an Elmar-size RF lens" man. Accordingly you have to weigh the pros/cons of the nokton 35/1,2 for how you like to shoot.

Nando · 05-15-2008

Size is relative. It is huge for a rangefinder lens but smaller than many SLR lenses. However, I don't call this lens The Beast for nothing. I love mine. I also have a 35mm Summicron-ASPH which is much smaller. Normally, I use the Nokton in the evening or when I know for sure that I will be shooting in low light. Otherwise, I use the Summicron-ASPH.

I combined my Nokton with a Bessa-T body. The lens does feel a bit chunky on my Leicas but on the extremely light Bessa-T, it is beautifully balanced. I have no doubt that this body was made to match the lens. I, along with many others, complained about the position of the strap lugs on this camera causing the lenses to point upwards when the camera is hanging from the shoulder or around the neck. You wouldn't believe how much this bothered me. However, when I mated the Nokton to the Bessa-T for the first time, it all made sense. With the Nokton mounted, the strap-lugs were in the perfect position to keep the camera perfectly balanced. The Nokton with the Bessa-T and 35mm Brightline VF is one sweet kit. The 1.5x rangefinder helps when focusing this fast lens in low light too. I don't think I'll ever take this lens off of the Bessa-T now.

To be quite honest, the size and weight of this lens would probably bother me a lot if I was to use it on a Leica body for an extended period of time.

I also like the fact that this lens allows me to play with shallow DOF with a wide-angle. One can't complain about the bokeh on this baby either.

Some of my photos taken with The Beast:

BTW, I added vignetting on the last two. There is some vignetting wide open but nothing like that.

Kevin · 05-16-2008

One of my Leica M6 cameras is now married to this lens. For the wedding I gave her a set of 4 neutral density filters so that she can always shoot ISO 200 color film wide open during the daytime.

Krosya · 05-25-2008

here are a couple shots from my 35/1.2 wide open:

mabelsound · 05-25-2008

That bokeh is pretty sweet.

Benjamin Marks · 05-25-2008

Nice lens. Don't be scared off by claims of its large size. Its size is nothing compared to even a kit zoom lens. It really is a great performer. Focus on the image quality.

Darren Abate · 05-25-2008

I have the 35/1.2 and it is my favorite lens. While it's true that it's a lot larger than the "average" size RF lens, I don't think the size is inhibitive at all. Yes, it's heavy, but IMO it's just the right size to control smoothly. The build quality is superb; it's all metal, and solid.

I read one complaint about fine focusing, but mine is awesome. Focusing is smooth and easy, with just the right amount of feedback. Accuracy is spot-on. I really just can't say enough good things about this lens. I think that if you get this lens, you will not be disappointed.

I've attached a couple shots made with it.

rich815 · 05-25-2008

I owned one and it performed beautifully and was very nicely built. Too big and too heavy IMO for what I want in a RF lens so I sold it.

Todd.Hanz · 05-25-2008

Had one, traded it on a deal for a Mamiya 7II, wished I'd still had it!

Todd

Dan States · 05-26-2008

I've used the Nokton on both the M8 and film and it's impeccable in it's performance. NO focus shift and sharper and clearer than the Noctilux at full aperture. The attached was made on FP4 at full aperture.