philip_pj wrote:
I saw their web page lists 100000 / 115000 so 88000 sounds quite reasonable, if carried over to other markets. I'll see what the local distributor says this week. I'm getting much more interested in these CV/M lenses as here in Australia they are easier to resell if need be. And if they start out at reasonable cost, the 'holding fee' is not so much in the washup. thanks again.
It seems there is a bit of a premium added to the MSRP for the US market, as noted above... I guess it offers some pricing leeway for eventual 'sales.' The standard black and silver models sell for about 835 USD and the nickel version for about 1,000 USD at Map Camera's site (in Japan). Not sure if that price is also Japan VAT inclusive, but I think it is. This link from Map converted to USD for the nickel version states 922 USD, which I'd guess is pre-VAT.
rscheffler wrote:
It seems there is a bit of a premium added to the MSRP for the US market, as noted above... I guess it offers some pricing leeway for eventual 'sales.' The standard black and silver models sell for about 835 USD and the nickel version for about 1,000 USD at Map Camera's site (in Japan). Not sure if that price is also Japan VAT inclusive, but I think it is. This link from Map converted to USD for the nickel version states 922 USD, which I'd guess is pre-VAT.
Voigtlander products in the US have, for as long as I can remember, always launched at higher prices than Japan street prices. For example, back in 2015 I happened to be in Japan just after the VM15/4.5III release and got it for about $100 less than US retail. Later that year I bought the 35/1.7 from the EU for about $625 US. I don't recall what it was selling for in the US, but it was at least a couple hundred more, which made the risk of ordering from overseas bearable.
To be fair to CameraQuest, $950 US is inline with the MSRP listed on Cosina's website.
I have 50mm F1.5 and it is really unique lens in regardless of the sharpness of VE 50mm F2 APO-Lanthar. It has own trait that other does not imitate in color rendition. I am not sure how much this version II is different from old version that I have.
This new version is a complete optical redesign. We're all waiting to find out how it compares to the previous version and many other 50mm options. Hopefully Fred will get his soon, as indicated earlier, and expedite some tests.
Also keep an eye on posts by Juha Kannisto. He will probably be the first to get this lens and has previously been very good at providing sample image galleries soon after. Hopefully he won't be too swamped with the a7C release to maintain his track record.
rscheffler wrote:
It seems there is a bit of a premium added to the MSRP for the US market, as noted above... I guess it offers some pricing leeway for eventual 'sales.' The standard black and silver models sell for about 835 USD and the nickel version for about 1,000 USD at Map Camera's site (in Japan). Not sure if that price is also Japan VAT inclusive, but I think it is. This link from Map converted to USD for the nickel version states 922 USD, which I'd guess is pre-VAT.
Here's the Map Camera tax-free price for the black MC version. 766 USD. I don't believe they ship out of Japan, unfortunately. IIRC, the only option is with a forwarder, but then wouldn't be VAT exempt.
The older lens will be little indication to this one, going on the pre-release images and design specs.
Cosina protects each market's distributor, from what I see. Here it sells for $A1295, 'panda' or 'zebra' for $A1495 so you'd have to like that one a bit more. Interesting there will be six versions, a set of single coated as well. I want a 50/2 APO with single coatings!
'The new VM Nokton is available in your choice of 3 different classic versions: Black Paint or Silver Paint for a 1960’s look, or a nostalgic 1930’s lens styling for the really hardcore rangefinder aficionado.
All 3 are available in Multi Coating for a modern look with a minimum of flare, or Single Coating for 1960’s style flare shooting against the light. Photographers have six Nokton II VM choices to best fit their own shooting style.'
Fred, will you be trying both the SC and MC lenses or just one type? I’m curious how much flare or low contrast the SC will show in similar shooting situations as the MC version.
I had the previous model and liked it well-enough, upgraded to the 50/1.2 and then traded that toward a Leica 50/1.4 Summilux ASPH (the black chrome version) which is absolutely stunning.
My other favorite 50 is a 1937 Zeiss 5cm f/1.5 Sonnar (uncoated), that I will never part with.
I just pre-ordered the “Panda” single coated version of this new lens to use as something smaller and lighter than the Summilux, with the hope that it really excels on the M Monochrom (CCD) as I find the Summilux more suited for color.
If past experience with Voigtlander lenses is any indictation, this should be a real winner.
Alpha_Geist wrote:
Fred, will you be trying both the SC and MC lenses or just one type? I’m curious how much flare or low contrast the SC will show in similar shooting situations as the MC version.
Might just have to pick up both!
I will review the 'boring' Black MC version -- although I do like the panda styling.
Alpha_Geist wrote:
I’m curious how much flare or low contrast the SC will show in similar shooting situations as the MC version.
Indeed. I was quite fond of the original 35/1.4 Nokton SC's look, but there were situations (street lights at night, mostly) where the flare would render a bit wonkily.
asiafish wrote:
I had the previous model and liked it well-enough, upgraded to the 50/1.2 and then traded that toward a Leica 50/1.4 Summilux ASPH (the black chrome version) which is absolutely stunning.
My other favorite 50 is a 1937 Zeiss 5cm f/1.5 Sonnar (uncoated), that I will never part with.
I just pre-ordered the “Panda” single coated version of this new lens to use as something smaller and lighter than the Summilux, with the hope that it really excels on the M Monochrom (CCD) as I find the Summilux more suited for color.
If past experience with Voigtlander lenses is any indictation, this should be a real winner....Show more →
I don’t much care for the panda look so I’m leaning towards the plain black single coated version, also to use on an M9M.
d.s. wrote:
Indeed. I was quite fond of the original 35/1.4 Nokton SC's look, but there were situations (street lights at night, mostly) where the flare would render a bit wonkily.
I know I will be picking up this lens (Panda me!) in the future, but I’ve never owned CV’s 35/1.4 Nokton SC or MC. I’m partial to the 50/1.5 C Sonnar ZM, so I’m leaning towards the MC, but I also like trying out different things and the SC, at least in my book, is different. I’ll wait for some fellow FMer’s reviews and samples before I take the plunge!
I could see the Panda in a hip street precinct or Sunday morning fair, bay side promenade or high street, though. You know, them doing this six versions of the one lens ploy might indicate they think it's pretty good, and versatile like all good 50s should be. The PR images are typical Cosina, an understated and very stylish demonstration of the artistic capabilities. Late October, soon see. I'd buy boring black MC here, for what I would want from it.
rscheffler wrote:
This new version is a complete optical redesign. We're all waiting to find out how it compares to the previous version and many other 50mm options. Hopefully Fred will get his soon, as indicated earlier, and expedite some tests.
Also keep an eye on posts by Juha Kannisto. He will probably be the first to get this lens and has previously been very good at providing sample image galleries soon after. Hopefully he won't be too swamped with the a7C release to maintain his track record.
Here's the Map Camera tax-free price for the black MC version. 766 USD. I don't believe they ship out of Japan, unfortunately. IIRC, the only option is with a forwarder, but then wouldn't be VAT exempt....Show more →
I expect to get mine on 10/22 as I prebooked at Map Camera soon after the lens was announced. I'm getting the Black MC version for the benefit of lighter weight and lower price though I really like the looks of the Panda version. I will post some samples as soon as I've had some time to shoot, might not have much time on 10/22 though as I have a busy workday then. At least on 10/23 and the weekend 10/24-25 I should have more time. I will use the new A7c mostly with this new lens at first so many of the initial samples might be with A7c.
I also got a bit intrigued by the original Panda Topcon Topcor-S 5cm f2 from the 1950's and I might pick that old one somewhere along the way if I ever find one at an attractive price in reasonable condition There are also Silver and Black versions of that lens (each one had some optical changes too and they were released at a bit different timings) and the Panda version is the more highly sought after and rare one and also supposedly has the best IQ among the 3. I already bid on one at Yahoo JP Auctions but I was beaten by another bidder as I didn't want to go too high... It went for 51K JPY in the end and there were quite a lot of bidders. It was in quite pristine condition and included the original hood which is rare. A bit less pristine ones would likely go for around 30-40K. Here is one Japanese blog post showing some nice samples with the original Panda: http://pwfukagawa.blog98.fc2.com/blog-entry-82.html
Just preordered!
Thanks for the heads-up, Fred. Much obliged.
Getting the black MC version for the weight and cost though I think the nickel one looks better.
I know some people might scoff at this, but Haoge also makes a knockoff metal LH-6 equivalent hood for close to half the price. I bought mine for $39 on Amazon in anticipation of getting this lens, though the hood currently seems to be sold out at the moment. Might be worth checking eBay, if you don't want to get the original LH-6.
