Thanks for pointing that out Nate. I was wondering... It irked me that the moment the original version was discontinued that he jacked up the price $300. But what other options are there for getting this lens in the USA/Canada?
thrice wrote:
That's quite interesting Nate, I was wondering why it is cheaper in Australia of all places than at CameraQuest.
Gandy is the only authorized importer/distributor, so he basically sets the prices for everyone in the west because if they are in the US they can't sell lower than him and if they are outside the US they base their prices off of his ie Hong Kong, Korea, etc.
rscheffler wrote:
Thanks for pointing that out Nate. I was wondering... It irked me that the moment the original version was discontinued that he jacked up the price $300. But what other options are there for getting this lens in the USA/Canada?
I have thought of grey marketing the lens just to piss of Stephen, but if I am buying at Japanese retail prices there is certainly no money to be made, but it would still be worth it just to sell for a few dollars less than him.
If I could get lenses at Japanese bulk prices then we'd seriously be in business. The lens is now about 10% more expensive from Gandy than it is from popular Japanese retailers. The lens is the same price it was as the V1 in Japan the whole time, but it used to be hugely cheaper in the states. It has NEVER been cheaper to buy NEW Voigtlander items in Japan, but now it is for a few items like the 35/1.2II and the m4/3 25/0.95. It's despicable.
rscheffler wrote:
So then I should buy from Australia or Japan?
I'm not sure what Joseph Yao charges, but he is a good guy to deal with. In the past he has shipped me lenses from HK and is significantly cheaper than Gandy. I haven't asked him about the 35/1.2II yet. The website I normally order form in Japan is down, but I might just order the 35/1.2II to give it a try if it really is improved. I expected no improvement.
From the little bit I have seen it doesn't look better than the 35 Lux ASPH. It always has been close, but the Lux has had far more contrast and is just a bit sharper at all apertures to my eye. I'll wait and see.
Ryan, whoa, looks like a nice lens. Sharper than the 35Lux ASPH But really, the samples you posted, especially stopped down looks sharp. I do like the rendering of this lens wide open but the size and viewfinder blockage is what deters me. Post more shots soon.
Daniel, do you still have the V1 or have you upgraded to V2?
Nate, can you provide Joseph Yao's contact details or the name of other dealers for the CV lenses outside USA?
Ryan, whoa, looks like a nice lens. Sharper than the 35Lux ASPH But really, the samples you posted, especially stopped down looks sharp. I do like the rendering of this lens wide open but the size and viewfinder blockage is what deters me. Post more shots soon.
Daniel, do you still have the V1 or have you upgraded to V2?
Nate, can you provide Joseph Yao's contact details or the name of other dealers for the CV lenses outside USA?
[email protected] is his email. Please tell him Nathan from Okinawa, Japan sent you. No idea if he can help, but I'd rather buy from him anyway.
These prices are from Fujiya, which is one of the best stores out here with great deals. (These are with today's yen rate which is about 10 cents lower then it averaged in the spring. 76 yen to the dollar. It is hell.)
Nokton 35/1.2 VII
$1,366.78 (105,000 yen) Fujiya
$1,399.00 CameraQuest
Thanks Chris (or do you prefer Luna?). Are you planning to update to the new version? Looks like there isn't much of a difference in the 35 f/1.2 from Japan to make it worthwhile. But the 25 f/0.95... wow. The 35 f/1.2 Australia price though is tempting... But even for $150, I might just buy from Photo Village. I'm sure that's a calculation taken into consideration by CQ when setting the price. Seems like he might be taking a page out of the recent Canon equipment refresh pricing strategy book.
Looking forward to more photos from Ryan (hint, hint)!!
I've been called Luna more then I've been called Chris.
About getting the V2, I was along time ago but since then have grown out of it. The V1's low contrast screwed with my head. I don't like flat looking colors and the V1 is perfect for this.
Looking at the V2, I see almost the same key signature low contrast look. The CA, f/1.2 performance and flare all seem controlled better with the V2, but the contrast is still far behind what I want in my 35mm lens.
If anyone wants a deal on the V1, hit me up. I want this thing to go.
Before, there was a bigger difference but something has changed; not sure if it was Fujiya's price or what. At least I think so. Our RFF thread was better at discussing Gandy's business practices. But of course, once he was outed, he locked the thread and remove the revealing post. Which is understandable. If I was running a scam I'd protect it with the utmost scrutiny.
But enough about Gandy.
Wow, wish I would have known this info...I certainly would have bought elsewhere as well. Ron, hopefully today I can shoot more with the lens . Yes, it is sharper than my 35 Lux and I had a great copy with no complaints. Unfortunately, I sent off the 35 Lux the other day...should have kept it though for another day or so to give it a good comparison. Contrast on the Nokton is a little less than the Lux ASPH but much improved over VI. It was way too weak for my tastes in the first version of the lens.
Also, don't forget - the new Nokton goes down to .5m with .5-.7 not rangefinder coupled. However, with digital it is easy to get a good shot by checking the lcd after the shot. I took many shots at .5 the other day and moving in slightly to get an accurate shot at .5 vs .7 was very easy. Nice bonus with this lens
Some more 35 Lux ASPH shots. I will try to hit up this area later this afternoon to get some similar shots with the Nokton
Ryan, nice 35 lux shots. I remember seeing some of these before ?
Charles, both very good shots. Love how the 75 lux renders. Must resist 75 lux
Joe, nice soft light.
Here's a few random shots (28 Cron). Hoping to get some time with the M9 this long weekend.
I wanted to share this shot here (not with the M9, but a Leica lens nevertheless). I have a Leica R APO Telyt 4/280 (use it on a 5d2). Leica considers this one of their sharpest lenses ever designed. It is diffraction limited, and can theoretically resolve upto 400 lp/mm!
Sorry about the big size (just wanted to show detail), this image is unsharpened (except for LR default settings 25/0.9).
But really, the samples you posted, especially stopped down looks sharp. I do like the rendering of this lens wide open but the size and viewfinder blockage is what deters me. Post more shots soon.
The 35CV 1.2 V2 does look like a good buy if one can live with the size.
