Voigtlander 35/1.4 Nokton -- underrated?

helenhill said:
MIkhail : Wow, the Nokton did Splendid for such difficult Light
Just Lovely & such a Glow
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Thank you.
I sold it later for Biogon 35/2.8 ... not even so much because I needed money, but rather because I did not want to fiddle with two 35 lenses, and I am not a collector.
It is wonderful little lens, and can produce nice glow. It does have barrel distortions, that's true. 75% time it did not matter, but for those 25% I got Biogon. It is sharper than Nokton but I found that in many instances where people's faces involved, I don't want this super sharpness and would prefer Nokton. Anyway, I would not hesitate recommending it, with reservations for some barrel distortions.
 
Couple more in color

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It's easily my most-used lens and it acted as my "fast 50" on my M8. I found it to be a great all-around lens, too. Here's a few favorite shots from it:


Flying Lantern Launch, July 04, 2011 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr


At the Summit, Yellowstone National Park, WY, October 07, 2011 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr


Popcorn, September, 2010 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr


Closing Up, Nouvelle Eve, Omaha, NE, August, 2010 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr


Meeting The Tapir, August, 2010 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr


Kelp Forest, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA, October 13, 2011 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr


Photo Mola mola, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA, October 13, 2011 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr


Jar Jar Binks In Carbonite, ILM, San Francisco CA, March, 2009 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr


Green Boat, November, 2008 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr
 
My experience with Nokton Classic 35mm 1,4: I traded it against the 35mm :1,2 because of the bulk. I wanted something that fits in the pocket with my M4 rapidwinder body.
About the sharpness etc: I have a priviledge of being in a very good relations with local importer of Voigtländer and could ask them to open the packages of five different noktons. I had my M8 on tripod and have to say: There is a notable difference with the calibration between the 5 lenses. Because of the blow up function of the M8 I coul pick up the best one...
I think Tom´s Nokton Classic was hand picked at the factory. Mine is just as good !
Our leica service guy says, it is relatively simple to adjust the calibration on most of Voigtländer lenses, compared to leitz lenses. They have to be sent to factory...
My experience with Vogtländer is that they are very good, when you get a good one ! A simple test would be to have a printed page positioned slightly in angle. draw a strong line about halfway and focus to that. then with a good loupe or magnification on screen check that the lens focuses dead on, if not... have it fixed !
 
The Nokton 35mm f/1.4 was my first ever lens. It was fantastic, sharp, tiny, fast, and lovely to use with that little focus tab. I sold it to get a used Summicron, basically because it said "Leica" on it. Really should have just kept the Nokton, I can't think of a bad word to say about it really.
 
Yup, that minimal focus distance. I'm glad somebody else likes the lens! I just looove your cats, btw; esp. the tiger-striped one.
 
Rangefinderfreak said:
My experience with Nokton Classic 35mm 1,4: I traded it against the 35mm :1,2 because of the bulk. I wanted something that fits in the pocket with my M4 rapidwinder body.
About the sharpness etc: I have a priviledge of being in a very good relations with local importer of Voigtländer and could ask them to open the packages of five different noktons. I had my M8 on tripod and have to say: There is a notable difference with the calibration between the 5 lenses. Because of the blow up function of the M8 I coul pick up the best one...
I think Tom´s Nokton Classic was hand picked at the factory. Mine is just as good !
Our leica service guy says, it is relatively simple to adjust the calibration on most of Voigtländer lenses, compared to leitz lenses. They have to be sent to factory...
My experience with Vogtländer is that they are very good, when you get a good one ! A simple test would be to have a printed page positioned slightly in angle. draw a strong line about halfway and focus to that. then with a good loupe or magnification on screen check that the lens focuses dead on, if not... have it fixed !
Click to expand...

I've read similar reports, consistent with my own experience. It was a great match for my RD1s, minimum focus was spot on.
However, on my M6, close focus was way off. It takes some practice, but it is possible to get good bokeh after some trial and error
with distance and f values. It did get very good grain results with faster films stepped down. I got the SC version, but it was still s/w
contrasty compared to the 1960s lenses that have that classic low-medium contrast look. I think the characteristics of the 35/1.7 Ultron
beats the Nokton, but the Ultron has reportedly serious maintenance and "falling apart" issues. I ultimately went with a Lux preAsph v2
b/c I could afford it (before the prices skyrocketed) and I for the "glow" which I love.
 
Definitely my go to lens these days. Ergonomics of this lens are excellent. Ultimately, it's the slight imperfections that draw me to this lens though.
M7, Acros in Rodinal 1+50, 35/1.4 SC
 
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