Nokton 35/1.2 II + M9 = wow !!

Wobba · 08-31-2011

I picked up the new version of the Nokton 35/1.2 a few days ago and, so far, I'm very impressed. This lens gets so much right. First up, it feels great. Focus is silky smooth and the aperture ring clicks into place nicely with just the right amount of damping. Prior to receiving the lens, I was a little concerned about the size but once mounted it's balanced and feels great in the hand.

In terms of IQ, it is already quite sharp from wide open with decent contrast, unlike the previous version which was rather low in contrast until stopped down. There's zero focus shift. And the bokeh is lovely. Stopped down to around f8, it is razor sharp across the frame and better than my 35/2 ASPH. Coding for an M8/M9 is also a breeze since the mount has a slight recess. This is an incredible lens for the money.

Mounted on the M9:

All shot at f1.2 on my M9:

Stopped down to f2.8:

Wobba · 08-31-2011

Here's a Quick & Dirty focus test series - All 100% crops

Shot at f1.2

Shot at f1.4

Shot at f2.0

Shot at f2.8

Shot at f4.0

Shot at f5.6

Shot at f8.0

Never Satisfied · 08-31-2011

Hey wobba, where did you get the lens from, the Camera Exchange?

Wobba · 08-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Never Satisfied

Hey wobba, where did you get the lens from, the Camera Exchange?

My lens came from Scott at Mainline. He is all out until the next shipment arrives but Camera Lane had one in their window today.

SimonSawSunlight · 08-31-2011

there seems to be less distortion than with v1, but I think I still like v1's OOF areas a little better.
whatever, so far it seems to be a great lens and a worthy replacement.

jarski · 08-31-2011

inspiring post and great photos

leicashot · 08-31-2011

Looks nice, but I agree about the bokeh, which does seem smoother on the V1.

Quite honestly I think this bokeh may just have more character though....time will tell

Wobba · 08-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonSawSunlight

there seems to be less distortion than with v1, but I think I still like v1's OOF areas a little better.
whatever, so far it seems to be a great lens and a worthy replacement.

I can't comment on the V1 but the V2 requires +5 in Lightroom to correct distortion.

SimonSawSunlight · 08-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wobba

I can't comment on the V1 but the V2 requires +5 in Lightroom to correct distortion.

oh ok, forget what I said then. I thought these were uncorrected files.

Wobba · 08-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by leicashot

Looks nice, but I agree about the bokeh, which does seem smoother on the V1.

Quite honestly I think this bokeh may just have more character though....time will tell

G'day Kris,

There is so much to like about the way this lens renders. I have owned the 35 V4, 35/2 ASPH and 35/1.4 ASPH and prefer the Nokton to all three. It helps that focus is spot on at every aperture and at all distances.

Vince

P.S. I'm hanging out for the 28 Summiduper.

Wobba · 08-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonSawSunlight

oh ok, forget what I said then. I thought these were uncorrected files.

These files are all uncorrected. Distortion is very minimal that you won't see it in these images. I shot my garage roller door and the slight distortion that was visible was easily corrected with about +5, in LR.

leicashot · 08-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wobba

G'day Kris,

There is so much to like about the way this lens renders. I have owned the 35 V4, 35/2 ASPH and 35/1.4 ASPH and prefer the Nokton to all three. It helps that focus is spot on at every aperture and at all distances.

Vince

P.S. I'm hanging out for the 28 Summiduper.

Thats a good sign Vince as I know how picky you are

I should have mine this week, and now missing the Summiduper

SimonSawSunlight · 08-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wobba

These files are all uncorrected. Distortion is very minimal that you won't see it in these images. I shot my garage roller door and the slight distortion that was visible was easily corrected with about +5, in LR.

ok ok ok, I think I'm less confused now.

leicashot · 08-31-2011

Vince, did you get the lens hood? How does it look? Big? How about a pic?

SimonSawSunlight · 08-31-2011

too bad the price in germany is about 1860 USD...

Wobba · 08-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by leicashot

Vince, did you get the lens hood? How does it look? Big? How about a pic?

Unfortunately Scott did not receive the hoods. I think he said they will be in stock in a few weeks. I've been shooting outdoors in bright conditions without a hood and flare hasn't proven to be an issue at this stage.

Wobba · 08-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonSawSunlight

too bad the price in germany is about 1860 USD...

That's a big ask. The list price in Australia is AUD $1250 including tax which works out to AUD $1136 ex. tax.

DamenS · 08-31-2011

Great shots Wobba - so overall you like this lens more than the first version ? I was a little concerned (especially about build quality) when they discontinued the first lens stating that the glass had become too hard to get (or was too toxic ?) and that the lens had become too expensive to produce ... that made me think the Version II was going to be a bit "cheaper" when it came to the build and that the new glass may not be as nice.

Did Scott happen to mention when they expect the next shipment and do you know if this second version is available in chrome ?

Ta - lot of questions I know, LOL !!

Wobba · 08-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by leicashot

Thats a good sign Vince as I know how picky you are

I should have mine this week, and now missing the Summiduper

It'll be interesting to see how it compares to your shiny V1.

Here's a bunch of dopey test shots:

The real Wobba:

Some more bokeh samples:

Wobba · 08-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by DamenS

Great shots Wobba - so overall you like this lens more than the first version ? I was a little concerned (especially about build quality) when they discontinued the first lens stating that the glass had become too hard to get (or was too toxic ?) and that the lens had become too expensive to produce ... that made me think the Version II was going to be a bit "cheaper" when it came to the build and that the new glass may not be as nice.

Did Scott happen to mention when they expect the next shipment and do you know if this second version is available in chrome ?

Ta - lot of questions I know, LOL !!

HI Damen, I don't have a great deal of first hand experience with the V1. I shot with one a coupe of years ago and it seemed quite sharp from wide open but contrast was very low and required quite a lift during PP. As I said earlier, I have owned a bunch of Leica 35's (including the 35 Summarit which I forgot to mention) and the V2 Nokton appeals to me more than any of the Leicas, except perhaps for the Summarit which had very sweet bokeh.

The build quality is top notch, irrespective of price. It is a steal for AUD $1250. This could easliy sell for a lot more.

Scott didn't say when the next batch was due but Camera Lane had one in their window today.

leicashot · 08-31-2011

Wobba thats looking sharper at f/1.2, and bokeh isn't as smooth, but I'm still liking it! Send me a full rez pic, shot wide open

DamenS · 08-31-2011

Thanks for the response Wobba - darn I need an excuse to spend money like I need ... well, I don't need one ! Looks like a trip into the city might be on the cards tomorrow ...

leicashot · 08-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by DamenS

Thanks for the response Wobba - darn I need an excuse to spend money like I need ... well, I don't need one ! Looks like a trip into the city might be on the cards tomorrow ...

Tell Al Kristian said to do a 2 for 1 special

Wobba · 08-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by leicashot

Wobba thats looking sharper at f/1.2. Send me a full rez pic, shot wide open

Sure mate. I'll email a RAW sample to your gmail account.

Wobba · 08-31-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by leicashot

Wobba thats looking sharper at f/1.2, and bokeh isn't as smooth, but I'm still liking it! Send me a full rez pic, shot wide open

The last shot was stopped down a little, perhaps to f2.0.