maly149 wrote:
Fred, do you know if there have been any improvements to the focus shift on the 40mm?
It shows the same shift caused by spherical aberration. The only optical improvement I've noticed is the better quality of the aspherical element production.
I am debating between the new Nokton 40mm f/1.2 II and the 35mm f/1.2 IV.
I already have the Nokton 28mm f/1.5 and the current 50mm f/1.2 (chrome tip). If I'm strict with myself, I don't really need either, but I'm sure you get it. I am always curious to try new lenses.
Appeals of the 40mm f/1.2 II
I quite enjoyed the Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Z-mount version when I had the Zf. It's also smaller and lighter. I wonder how it will compare to the Z-mount version?
Appeals of the 35mm f/1.2 IV
I've always admired shots I see with the Leica Summilux-M f/1.4 FLE, and I think this may be as close as you can get, perhaps even better, to a Summilux. Pricewise, the two are still miles apart, even if I source a used Summilux-M 35mm.
Another curveball is the new Apo-Lanthar 28mm f/2, but I'm not sure I would enjoy a presumably cleaner look over my Nokton 28mm f/1.5. Waiting to see your take, Fred
I would be using my SL2-S with the original Leica M-L adapter.
mfoto wrote:
I am debating between the new Nokton 40mm f/1.2 II and the 35mm f/1.2 IV.
I already have the Nokton 28mm f/1.5 and the current 50mm f/1.2 (chrome tip). If I'm strict with myself, I don't really need either, but I'm sure you get it. I am always curious to try new lenses.
Appeals of the 40mm f/1.2 II
I quite enjoyed the Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Z-mount version when I had the Zf. It's also smaller and lighter. I wonder how it will compare to the Z-mount version?
Appeals of the 35mm f/1.2 IV
I've always admired shots I see with the Leica Summilux-M f/1.4 FLE, and I think this may be as close as you can get, perhaps even better, to a Summilux. Pricewise, the two are still miles apart, even if I source a used Summilux-M 35mm.
Another curveball is the new Apo-Lanthar 28mm f/2, but I'm not sure I would enjoy a presumably cleaner look over my Nokton 28mm f/1.5. Waiting to see your take, Fred
I would be using my SL2-S with the original Leica M-L adapter.
I have owned and used the majority of candidates in the 35mm category, including the Summilux, the CV APO, CV 35/1.5, the CV 35/1.2. The Lux is nice, sharp, compact, not too heavy, the CV APO is outstanding in resolution, contrast, sharpness, the CV 35/1.5 is underwhelming in the mid zone (not bad as long as you can live with it), and the CV35/1.2 is IMHO as close as you may get to the Lux.
The high price tag of the Lux does in my opinion not warrant the questionable benefits, that’s the reason why I’ve traded it for other stuff. I’ve settled on the APO because I love the flawless, clean look of the photos and it’s bitingly sharp from f2 across the frame, and the CV 35/1.2 IV as a fantastic all purpose lens. It feels great on the cam, is pretty light for what it does, is smooth to focus, has a wonderful bokeh wide open and stopped down sharp across the frame. I do not miss the Lux at all.
mfoto wrote:
I am debating between the new Nokton 40mm f/1.2 II and the 35mm f/1.2 IV.
I already have the Nokton 28mm f/1.5 and the current 50mm f/1.2 (chrome tip). If I'm strict with myself, I don't really need either, but I'm sure you get it. I am always curious to try new lenses.
Appeals of the 40mm f/1.2 II
I quite enjoyed the Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Z-mount version when I had the Zf. It's also smaller and lighter. I wonder how it will compare to the Z-mount version?
Appeals of the 35mm f/1.2 IV
I've always admired shots I see with the Leica Summilux-M f/1.4 FLE, and I think this may be as close as you can get, perhaps even better, to a Summilux. Pricewise, the two are still miles apart, even if I source a used Summilux-M 35mm.
Another curveball is the new Apo-Lanthar 28mm f/2, but I'm not sure I would enjoy a presumably cleaner look over my Nokton 28mm f/1.5. Waiting to see your take, Fred
I would be using my SL2-S with the original Leica M-L adapter.
Toertel76 wrote:
I have owned and used the majority of candidates in the 35mm category, including the Summilux, the CV APO, CV 35/1.5, the CV 35/1.2. The Lux is nice, sharp, compact, not too heavy, the CV APO is outstanding in resolution, contrast, sharpness, the CV 35/1.5 is underwhelming in the mid zone (not bad as long as you can live with it), and the CV35/1.2 is IMHO as close as you may get to the Lux.
The high price tag of the Lux does in my opinion not warrant the questionable benefits, that’s the reason why I’ve traded it for other stuff. I’ve settled on the APO because I love the flawless, clean look of the photos and it’s bitingly sharp from f2 across the frame, and the CV 35/1.2 IV as a fantastic all purpose lens. It feels great on the cam, is pretty light for what it does, is smooth to focus, has a wonderful bokeh wide open and stopped down sharp across the frame. I do not miss the Lux at all. ...Show more →
Had same issue with a brand new 50 ii checked it aginst 3 bodies and known well calibrated lenses. The 40 ii and 35 iv had no issue. 50 also was noticeably tighter.
jhonzatko wrote:
I got my 50/1.2 II and 35/1.2 IV lenses yesterday. The new black design is really great. Unfortunately, I have a problem with the front focusing on the 50/1.2, so I have to return it.
ftllens wrote:
Had same issue with a brand new 50 ii checked it aginst 3 bodies and known well calibrated lenses. The 40 ii and 35 iv had no issue. 50 also was noticeably tighter.
I had an issue with my 40 1.2 II. Wasn’t centered and slightly out of calibration with my M bodies. Had horrible CA even stopped down to f/5.6. Tried a different one, extremely sharp, CA only at f/1.2-f/2, but that one focuses well beyond infinity. Because its perfect otherwise, held onto that one
I should add, Stephen at CameraQuest is great to work with. One of the best in the industry from my perspective.
ftllens wrote:
Had same issue with a brand new 50 ii checked it aginst 3 bodies and known well calibrated lenses. The 40 ii and 35 iv had no issue. 50 also was noticeably tighter.
Unfortunately, even with Cosina's precision, RF calibration with these f/1.2 lenses doesn't seem to be an easy task. I've had my share of issues with the Nokton series and RF calibration. That said, I was pretty happy to see that all the new versions I've tested were centered and perfectly calibrated at f/1.2.
I picked up a Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2 II Nokton, and this copy is perfectly aligned with the rangefinder and well-centered...just like the reference sample Cosina provided for this review.
Here are a few test shots I took with it today:
All shots were taken wide open. On the M10-R, I sometimes use the frameline selector to display both the 35mm and 50mm framelines, then frame by aiming for the space in between to get more precise composition with 40mm lenses.
LEICA M10-RVoigtlander 40mm f/1.2 II Nokton lens40mmf/1.01/4000s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RVoigtlander 40mm f/1.2 II Nokton lens40mmf/1.01/1000s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RVoigtlander 40mm f/1.2 II Nokton lens40mmf/1.21/2000s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RVoigtlander 40mm f/1.2 II Nokton lens40mmf/1.21/3000s100 ISO0.0 EV
Has anyone done a comparison between the 35mm and 40mm to the Zeiss 35mm f1.4 zm?
I have the Zeiss and think is amazing, but given these are newer lenses, perhaps thy are better and smaller
Aug 22, 2025 at 05:50 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
Malabito wrote:
Has anyone done a comparison between the 35mm and 40mm to the Zeiss 35mm f1.4 zm?
I have the Zeiss and think is amazing, but given these are newer lenses, perhaps thy are better and smaller
The CV lenses are definitely smaller, but the ZM 35 f/1.4 is an excellent lens. Having used it and the 40mm a lot, I like both lenses, but the Zeiss lens is quite a bit sharper at wide apertures and much better at close focus.
Steve Spencer wrote:
The CV lenses are definitely smaller, but the ZM 35 f/1.4 is an excellent lens. Having used it and the 40mm a lot, I like both lenses, but the Zeiss lens is quite a bit sharper at wide apertures and much better at close focus.
Thanks! I guess i will continue to keep my ZM I don't take it out as much given the size, but when i do i am always amazed how easy its to use it and the results
I like the VM 1.2 50 mm, it can work well enough in quite dark conditions. This was my morning "bear hunt" in Anchorage today, the black bears are fishing while it is really dark in predawn, and disappear quickly in the light when people are around. I can use the 1.2 at 6400 iso and this is hand held at 1/20th with a M11P, so still dark to capture an image. It would be great to have more light, but the bears do not cooperate. I had only a few minutes while the mother and cub fished in the near dark, then they moved on so low light photography is all I can do and the VM 1.2 50 is working well.
