A $150(US) difference between similar 35mm

michealj

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Twin Cites, MN
Name
Micheal
Hello Everyone.
I have been researching 35mm lenses to add to my kit. The only 35 mm I have is an Olympus M 35 mm f/2.8. It is good but the weakest of my Olympus lenses. I do not want to spend $1000 or more for a lens.

I have settled in on two Voigtlander lenses the, Nokton Classic 35 mm f/1.4 for $560 and the Color-Skopar 35mm f/2.5 for $409. These meet my goal of staying close to $500. Looking at the images between the two I have found online, I have developed a bit of a preference but not an overwhelming feeling of this one is better than that. Partially because of the difficulty of sorting out images that have been taken with a full frame. I use an A6000 and an A7II. I use them both, so the chosen lens will be used on both. My pictures are an eclectic collection of people, Family gatherings, outdoors anywhere candids, and museums and still life.

I realize this is a personal opinion I am asking for on these lenses. But, I have looked at everyones images and have a great appreciation for your abilities and skills with a camera. Therefore your opinions count with me.

Which have you used and your thoughts about the lens? If you had one and sold it... Would you buy another of the same or the other?

Thanks for reading this far. It is appreciated.

Micheal
 
I have 35mm 1.4 and used more on Sony nex. I have not used much with A7R, but I know it is one of the lenses that does not have any problems. One test shot on A7R:

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Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)


I like the mf tab and size is small, but bokeh gets a little busy. You can check the CV 35mm 1.4 & CV 40mm 1.4 review which are very similar lenses:
Voigtländer Nokton Classic 35mm F1.4 Review
The Voigtländer Nokton 40mm f/1.4 [short review].
and some samples/discussion on CV35/40mm:
Voigtländer 35mm F1.4 - do you like it?
A7II - Voigtlander 40mm low keeper rate

I tried CV 35mm f2.5 on nex and m43. After seeing it had corner smearing on m43, I sent it back to keh. It is most probably due to thicker sensor topping. I read that is a problem with A7 also. I think it was OK with nex.

I don't know if you consider the Sony 28mm f2 & 35mm f2.8 which can be found used cheaper also. I think both has better bokeh then CV 35mm, but you get extra 1 to 2 stops with CV 35mm eg better for low light. Also Sony 28mm has big distortion correction. Here are reviews:
Review: Carl Zeiss Sonnar FE 2.8/35 ZA T* - phillipreeve.net
Sony FE 2/28 - Review - phillipreeve.net

Keh has Sony for $367. If you don't like it, I am sure you can return with no problems:
SONY 28MM F/2 FE BLACK (SEL28F20) E MOUNT AUTOFOCUS LENS {49} | KEH Camera
 
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I have used Voigtlander lenses extensively on Leica M and LTM. I still have a 50mm f2.5 Color Skopar for my Leica IID. Stephen Gandy's Cameraquest site used to be a great source of info; I think he was the main US dealer. I never had the 1.4 but I had three copies of the 2.5 over the years. I preferred the pancake in LTM; I found the later M mount version didn't handle so well. Voigtlander lenses in general are well-made, high performance optics. I had 15, 28, 35, 40, 50, 75 and 90mm examples - sometimes more than once - and never had a bad one. If I was in the market for a 1.4 today I would look very seriously at a 40mm Nokton - a superb lens if you can put up with the extra 5mm of focal length. Back to the 35 2.5; I liked mine so much I kept it and sold a 35mm Summicron IV because I preferred both the handling and the bokeh...
 
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I used them both on an M9P and both worked nicely on that body. If it helps you decide, I have a very nice condition 35mm 1.4 Nokton Classic S.C. that I'd be willing to let go for $400 (it's been replaced by a Summilux ASPH). If you are interested, I can send photos.

Cheers,

Antonio
 
Yes, Cameraquest has a nice website. I got the CV 15mm III from him. But Cosina kept the black CV 35mm 1.7 ultron overpriced in US compared to the world prices... That is another option for 35mm:
Voigtlander Ultron 1.7 / 35 mm - Review - phillipreeve.net

I use more contax g glass which is great and has phase detection af with Sony's, but Contax g 35mm f2 is the limit on FF Sony's. Biogon 28mm has issues. I wish skopars or biogons work for Sony or m43, but here is why they don't unless you replace the sensor topping:
LensRentals.com - The Glass in the Path: Sensor Stacks and Adapted Lenses
LensRentals.com - Sensor Stack Thickness: When Does It Matter?
Leica has legacy glass, so they kept the topping very thin on m8/m9 to use older glass, hence the other problems came with that as infrared bleeding, sensor cracking, etc...

I have used Voigtlander lenses extensively on Leica M and LTM. I still have a 50mm f2.5 Color Skopar for my Leica IID. Stephen Gandy's Cameraquest site used to be a great source of info; I think he was the main US dealer. I never had the 1.4 but I had three copies of the 2.5 over the years. I preferred the pancake in LTM; I found the later M mount version didn't handle so well. Voigtlander lenses in general are well-made, high performance optics. I had 15, 28, 40, 50, 75 and 90mm examples - sometimes more than once - amd never had a bad one. If I was in the market for a 1.4 today I would look very seriously at a 40mm Nokton - a superb lens if you can put up with the extra 5mm of focal length. Back to the 35 2.5; I liked mine so much I kept it and sold a 35mm Summicron IV because I preferred both the handling and the bokeh...
 
You've asked for a 35mm lens but if you're OK with something slightly longer, the 40mm/f2 Summicron or 40mm/f2 Rokkor (M mount) are great, compact lenses. I have the Summicron somewhere in a box and all it needs to come back to life is an A7II, lol.
 
Thank you Everyone, I appreciate your input.

Serhan, I have seen some of your images and they were with the Nex, and was looking for input for FF as well. Thanks for the reviews, I will spend more time with them.

Bill, I read much of your input on the Color-Skopar when searching the forums. Your enthusiasm is what kept the lens on my list. I too, have looked at the CV 40mm f1.4. I will look again.

Antonio, great images and if I decide in favor of the 35mm f1.4 I will PM you. Thanks.

Ken, Interesting option you suggest with the 40mm f2. Hmmmm, a Summicron.

I must look at the CV 40mm f1.4 again. It may fit my kit a bit better. If I take Serhan's advice re: the Sony 28mm f/2 then the 40 makes better sense than the 35mm. The 28mm would be my first FF native lens. I am leaning towards the faster lenses because I shoot indoors available light a lot. Must learn to use fill flash in 2016!

Looks like this week I will take my MD mount 35-70 and tape it at 40mm and use it when I am out and about.

Thanks again, I appreciate your time to help me.

Micheal
 
I've never used the Color-Skopar, but the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 (MC) was my one and only lens for a couple of years, and I've continued to use it along with other lenses since.

I used the Voigtlander primarily on my M8.2 and it produced some great images, however it tended to flare quite harshly if there is a light source in frame, or somewhere just outside of frame. I've pointed other lenses at light sources and the flaring is minimal, or at least quite ok as an effect. The Voigtlander is harsh. Here are some extreme examples. Note - extreme examples.

24165437943_0c74bbc481_b.jpg


5598117386_a6ebb656e7_b.jpg


6841103525_2a1f178683_b.jpg


7454110660_e20e32829d_b.jpg


Again, these are extreme examples.

So if you don't usually point at your camera at light sources, you're absolutely fine with the Voigtlander because it produces some really, really nice IQ particularly if you use it wide open most of the time.

Another thing - the corners may be a little soft until you stop it down to at least f/4-5.6 but I didn't really care about that because I wasn't shooting landscapes or anything that required me to stop down that far, usually. After all, if you regularly shoot at smaller f/stops then you might as well go for the Color-Skopar.

One other thing - when I tried the Voigtlander on my Sony A7, there was some severe vignetting. Others seem to have reported minor vignetting so I don't really know what's going on here, maybe some settings I don't know about.
 
No interest in going native/AF?

The Sony-Zeiss 35/2.8 is pretty great and is going for around $500 new from Asia dealers or used here in the US. If you have any interest, you're welcome to try out my copy (I live in Woodbury and work in Eden Prairie).
 
I've never used the Color-Skopar, but the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 (MC) was my one and only lens for a couple of years, and I've continued to use it along with other lenses since.

I used the Voigtlander primarily on my M8.2 and it produced some great images, however it tended to flare quite harshly if there is a light source in frame, or somewhere just outside of frame. I've pointed other lenses at light sources and the flaring is minimal, or at least quite ok as an effect. The Voigtlander is harsh. Here are some extreme examples. Note - extreme examples.

24165437943_0c74bbc481_b.jpg


5598117386_a6ebb656e7_b.jpg


6841103525_2a1f178683_b.jpg


7454110660_e20e32829d_b.jpg


Again, these are extreme examples.

So if you don't usually point at your camera at light sources, you're absolutely fine with the Voigtlander because it produces some really, really nice IQ particularly if you use it wide open most of the time.

Another thing - the corners may be a little soft until you stop it down to at least f/4-5.6 but I didn't really care about that because I wasn't shooting landscapes or anything that required me to stop down that far, usually. After all, if you regularly shoot at smaller f/stops then you might as well go for the Color-Skopar.

One other thing - when I tried the Voigtlander on my Sony A7, there was some severe vignetting. Others seem to have reported minor vignetting so I don't really know what's going on here, maybe some settings I don't know about.

Thank you for these examples and your assessment.
 
Thank you Everyone, I appreciate your input.


I must look at the CV 40mm f1.4 again. It may fit my kit a bit better. If I take Serhan's advice re: the Sony 28mm f/2 then the 40 makes better sense than the 35mm. The 28mm would be my first FF native lens. I am leaning towards the faster lenses because I shoot indoors available light a lot. Must learn to use fill flash in 2016!

Micheal

Well, I found a very good price on a CV 40mm f1.4. If the mail carrier comes through it should arrive tomorow.
 
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