Voigtlander Nokton classic 35mm f/1.4 FE

Versus the 35mm Lux ASPH, the Nokton is a great value! The Nokton 35mm f/1.4 looks like the pre-ASPH version of the Leica 35mm Summilux f/1.4. The compact design is the main reason that I get it. The Lux pre-ASPH suffers from flare when strong light goes straight into the lens but it has that magical "Leica glow." The Nokton 35mm f/1.4 shows some improvement on the flare but still have some issue on this department I have a multicoated version with the hood always on. Out of a roll of normal use under broad daylight, I could have just 1 picture not usable. The Nokton does not have the "Leica glow" neither. However, this lens has all the attributes that I was looking for as a "carry around all day" type of lens: fast, compact, light weight, cheap, rugged (especially the metal hood). I compared it with the legendary Summilux 35mm ASPH (latest version), same composition/aperture/speed/light/time using the same roll of film. The result is surprisingly acceptable. The Nokton has less contrast. As far as resolution power is concerned, it would be hard press to say the 35mm Lux ASPH has the edge. The 35mm Lux ASPH, however, is the clear winner on the abbretion at the corners, even at mid range aperture. Personally, I prefer the Summilux boken but it is not a show stopper. For the price of the Nokton, you get what you get and more. If you are thinking about single coated version or multicoated version, save yourself some time and buy the multicoated version. The single coated version was designed for some specific Japanese market who looked for the nostalgic look of their pictures. You can achieve the same effect either buy pulling the film or during post production. It has more down side (lose image quality when pushing the film and flare may come into play more), if you get the single coated version.

a good tiny lense It's my first Leica M lens, and it's a tiny and really sturdy piece of optic, mostly in metal. It is soft, and a little bit weird on punctual intense spot, wide open but it allow me to shoot in darkness (f1.4) and become quite sharp from f2.8 even though it lacks a little bit of contrast. It is an all manual lens but it is built this way so it is easy to use with a little training. 1Lso it is an ancient type lens with deformation, vignetting, and softness wide open which is really pleasant to me because it gives some temper to my shots. At around five hundred bucks, it's a real good lens.

Awesome lens for Leica Camera Crystal clear NOS lens for my Leica camera. I've shots a couple of rolls, images are super sharp and the colour is amazing.