the FASTEST 35 standard production lens ever
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Voigtlander 35/1.2 Nokton Aspherical
the FASTEST 35 standard production lens ever
made for 35mm rangefinder cameras
"The lens is incredible! No flare, barely any vignetting up to 1.4, smooth bokeh, razor sharpness. The 35mm Nokton is a truly amazing lens"
Charlie Lemay -- new 35/1.2 owner
At PMA 2003 I was more than happy as Cosina's CEO Mr. Kobayashi handed me his newest creation, the Leica M mount 35/1.2 Nokton. It is generating a tremendous amount of interest, from Voigtlander and Leica shooters alike.
35/1.2 Voigtlander Nokton Stats: 10 elements in 7 groups, 3 elements Aspheric, f/stops 1.2 to 22 in half stops, close focus .7 meters, 52mm filters, size 63mm x 77.8mm, weight 490 grams, 63 degree field of view, 12 aperture blades, beautifully made heavy duty construction, available in Leica M mount, black only, standard non vented hood included with the lens, optional Leica M style vented hood.
Handling: this is a big lens due to the fast 1.2 aperture. The focusing helical is silky smooth, with a short focusing throw from infinity to minimum focus in approximately 95 degrees. The aperture ring is also silky smooth, with full and half stop detents. Filter size is 52mm. As I am writing this on March 8th 2003, this 35/1.2 lens # 14 is one of only two on the North American Continent. The other is in the camera bag of Tom Abrahamsson for a future article in the LHSA Viewfinder.
Also available later in the year will be a new classic style all metal 35mm brightline finder.
4 Voigtlander 35's: 35/2.5 C, 35/2.5 P, 35/1.2 Aspherical , 35/1.7 Aspherical
50/1.5 Nokton ASPH, Bessa R2, 35/1.2 Nokton ASPH with both its shades, 28/1.9 Ultron ASPH. Both the 35/1.2 and the 28/1.9 are the fastest production lenses in their focal lengths ever made for any mount 35mm rangefinder camera by any manufacturer.
optional vented hood on the left, standard hood on the right
The 35/1.2 hoods have cutouts to match up with the mounting lug on the lens.
The previous 35 RF speed king lens was the Leica 35/1.4 ASPH. Will an half a stop really make any difference to you? Most of the time certainly not, but if you are a pro and that extra half a stop even brings you just one extra printable pic a year, it could make a big difference in your pocketbook if the other shooters at the event missed the shot in the low light.
Tom Abrahamsson has shot the 35/1.2 extensively. He says he can see no difference between the Voigtlander 35/1.2 at 1.2, and the Leica 35/1.4 Summilux at 1.4, high praise indeed.
Revised: November 26, 2003 . Copyright © 2003 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.
