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Voigtländer MTF charts
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 8:00 pm    Post subject: Voigtländer MTF charts Reply with quote
Does Voigtländer publish MTF charts? I could not find any in their website.

I am mainly interested in the Nokton 35mm f/1.4
It is considerably cheaper than the Zeiss 2/35 Biogon and noticeably more compact.
But this sounds too good.
Any opinions?


PostPosted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 5:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I've been following the threads about NEX + rangefinder lenses on the fredmiranda forum and have not heard much positive about the Voigltänder 35/1.4. The 35/1.2 seems to be quite a lot nicer. Anyway, there is a lot of info and sample images out there.


PostPosted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Look at http://www.kenrockwell.com/voigtlander/, he has reviewed the CV 35/1.4 as well as the classical Leica lenses. He judges the CV 35/1.4 inferior to the 1961' Summilux 35/1.4, called "the king of flare" by some. He isn't against Cosina/Voigtlaender as his reviews of the 15/4.5, 21/4 and 75/1.8 show, but his verdict about the 35/1.4 and 50/1.1 is quite harsh.
I had the same decision a few years ago and choosed the UC-Hexanon 35/2 (another reason was that I prefer LTM). At that time it was in the same price range as the Biogon 35/2. I favored the small compact size over absolute sharpness and never regret. Still love that lens. Great on a Sony Nex.
From your pics you seem to like landscapes (like me), so you need a (at least) reasonable sharp lens. Forget the CV 35/1.4 about landscapes.
Small compact size and great sharpness isn't to combine in a fast 35mm lens. You need to compromize.
If you want it on a NEX, think about the Zeiss G-Planar 35/2 too. Very sharp. Cheapo.
I wasn't happy with the CV 35/1.7 as well, sold it: Ugly ghosts, bad contrast. Not even as good than my 50 years old, compact RF Canon 35/2. I kept the C/V 35/2.5 (LTM): good, nicer color than the Canon, contrasty, sufficient (not great) detail sharpness.
I think there is a reason why Cosina/Voigtlaender don't publish MTFs. They have a couple of absolutely great lenses to sell (the 25/4 and 50/1.5 belong to it as well), but they want to sell the others too!


PostPosted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 1:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
AhamB wrote:
I've been following the threads about NEX + rangefinder lenses on the fredmiranda forum and have not heard much positive about the Voigltänder 35/1.4. The 35/1.2 seems to be quite a lot nicer. Anyway, there is a lot of info and sample images out there.

The 35/1.2 is heavy (0.5 kg) and more than twice the price of the 1.4.
I doubt I will use f/1.2 often, so I'd not like to pay the extra money and carry the extra weight.
The 35mm Biogon seems a better choice for me.

taunusreiter wrote:

From your pics you seem to like landscapes (like me), so you need a (at least) reasonable sharp lens. Forget the CV 35/1.4 about landscapes.
Small compact size and great sharpness isn't to combine in a fast 35mm lens. You need to compromize.
If you want it on a NEX, think about the Zeiss G-Planar 35/2 too. Very sharp. Cheapo.

Thanks a lot for the info Smile
This 35/2 Planar seems promising...
EDIT: At ~450 Euros, I would not call it a cheapo. And the data sheet cannot be compared to the Biogon.


PostPosted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 2:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
nkanellopoulos wrote:

The 35/1.2 is heavy (0.5 kg) and more than twice the price of the 1.4.
I doubt I will use f/1.2 often, so I'd not like to pay the extra money and carry the extra weight.


Very sensible!


PostPosted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 5:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
nkanellopoulos wrote:
This 35/2 Planar seems promising...
EDIT: At ~450 Euros, I would not call it a cheapo. And the data sheet cannot be compared to the Biogon.

My G-Planar was 300. Plus the adapter (focussing with it is a cruel)
No Gaussian wideangle in the world can compete with a Biogon wide open in terms of sharpness. But on a NEX the FF corners don't matter.
The question is, how much you need edge sharpness at f/2, or the speed? Enough to carry the weight of the Biogon, or the 35/1.2?
Only you can answer it.
The reason for rangefinder (or the SONY NEX) to me is small size and weight.
Otherwise, my choice probably would be the SLR type Nikon 35/1.4.

Last edited by taunusreiter on Sat Jan 07, 2012 5:54 pm; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 5:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Maybe think about the Voigltander 35/1.7 - I have one and like it. At f5.6 it's pretty much the same as the Leitz Summaron (which I also have and rate very highly) and still sells for a lot less. You might look at Erwin Puts' website if you haven't done already, he has some comments on it.

If speed isn't a major factor in your choice, perhaps also think about the Voigtlander 35/2.5. I haven't used it but those who have them seem to say some nice things. The screw mount versions still sells at (fairly) reasonable prices. The current obsession with high speed is perhaps responsible for that.

I also had a Canon 35/2.8 once, and that was great little lens. A good rival to the Summaron, in fact. Not common these days, though.

As for data sheets, don't get depressed studying them Very Happy .


PostPosted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 7:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have the Nokton 35mm 1.4 S.C.
Love that lens.

Very nice sharpness open wide. Love how nicely it takes the subject away from the background.


Extremely sharp (maybe even a little too sharp for me) when closed.


Havent had alot of time to do better shots with it....
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