Heres a quick little test that some might find interesting between the CV Nokton 1.2 and the 1.4. This was shot stopped down to f5.6, and the 1.4 lens does quite well in the center, right on par with the faster 1.2. Its a soft lens wide open but stopped down it actually can perform well, in the middle at least. Look at the extreme corner performance though, the 1.2 is flawless edge to edge but 1.4 just looks awful. It simply never gets sharp in the edges even well stopped down and as such, its just a horrible landscape lens.
Likewise it might be interesting to look at the quality of the out of focus rendering of both the 1.2 and 1.4 versions. The 1.2 is quite smooth and pleasing while the f1.4 can only be described as "jittery" or "busy" and all together rather unpleasing to the eye (IMHO anyways)
I actually ordered one of the 35mm f1.7 CCTV lens (Only $39 w/ adapter and free shipping, via Rainbow Imaging!) and I'm going to be curious to see how its performance compares with the Nokton f1.4. Its going to have soft corners obviously, and its reported to be sharp in the center, much like the CV35 1.4, but at about 1/15th the price of the Nokton.
Yeah, the Nokton 35/1.4 just never really gets sharp in the corners for landscape, even when stopped down. Granted, since my M adapter focuses a bit past infinity, the Nokton's corners actually improve when the is center is focused PAST infinity, which obviously softens the center of the image. That is why I defer to my Zeiss 35s, unless it's dark and I'm shooting people (not all that often.)
millsart, any insight on the rendering style between the Nokton 50/1.5 and Nokton 35/1.2? Are they similar?
millsart wrote:
I actually ordered one of the 35mm f1.7 CCTV lens (Only $39 w/ adapter and free shipping, via Rainbow Imaging!) and I'm going to be curious to see how its performance compares with the Nokton f1.4. Its going to have soft corners obviously, and its reported to be sharp in the center, much like the CV35 1.4, but at about 1/15th the price of the Nokton.
I am also considering this one, but the seller's claim of no vignette on the NEX baffles me given the size of the sensor VS the CCTV one.
sebboh, ty, your #3 is really striking--very impressive rez with that 350, which I had never heard of.
@dasrocket sry man--it was a sweet day, acutally stayed mostly sunny and warm on the mountain, with big clouds rushing around. Right now it's dumping like mad. Can't see my lawn anymore.
Landscapes are big for me, in summer I take my little motorbikes out in the backcountry alot, so it does bum me when I see soft edges at f8, though I think the 35/2.5 skopar is alot better. I crave a 35/1.2 but could never carry it, so it would not be a landscape lens for me.
The J8 is the same in this respect in my testing so far , as is the Canon RF 50/1.4. I'm thinking of an M-rokkor or summicron 40/2, and I read the CV 50/1.5 is pretty sharp accross the frame also.....
uhoh7 wrote:
The J8 is the same in this respect in my testing so far , as is the Canon RF 50/1.4. I'm thinking of an M-rokkor or summicron 40/2, and I read the CV 50/1.5 is pretty sharp accross the frame also.....
the contax g 45/2 is cheaper than any of those (at least it was, haven't checked prices for the last month), and not much bigger than the cron, definitely smaller than the cv, and of course it is excellent across the frame.
sebboh wrote:
the contax g 45/2 is cheaper than any of those (at least it was, haven't checked prices for the last month), and not much bigger than the cron, definitely smaller than the cv, and of course it is excellent across the frame.
It's fantastic, as your shots show, but while the 40 cron is more expensive I think the other 2 can be had for the same money with patience
the 45/2 seems to running around 300 for a good deal
The CV Nokton 35 1.2 and the 50 1.5 are somewhat similar in their rendeing style. The Nokton 50 is a bit more like a pre-asph Lux, though actually a bit sharper in its drawing style. The 35 behaves more like a 35 ASPH. Still very smooth and creamy but a little less overall character, more modern.
I had a 35 Skopar II f2.5 as well and it was a pretty decent lens overall. Much better than the 1.4 Nokton, but compared to the 35 Biogon or CV35 1.2 it was a little lacking, especially in the corners again. Nice compact size though.
Not a bad lens for the money if you want a semi fast, and pretty good lens optically, but at f2.5 its not really all that fast, and even stopped down its not that good in the corners, about on par with the 18-55 at f8, or at least my copy.
Pretty good for the price though, I think they are around $400 these days. I again don't like the focus tab though. If it were me I'd spend a little more and go for a ZM or even a Contax G 45, which is also a nice lens. Little long if you want the classic 50mm equiv, but good sharp lens. Adapters a bit of a pain sometimes though.
Speaking of adapters as well, I got a Fotodiox "pro" M to NEX adapter and I'm quite impressed with it as I can actually achieve infinity focus at the infinity mark on a few lens, like the 35 1.2. I don't know if its just the variance, or they actually spec them to a tighter tolerance, but its performing better than my Rainbow Imaging, Voigtlander and no name Ebay adapter.
It is a coincidence, Millsart. I have a Novoflex, a Voigtländer and a Fotodiox, and there is not discernible difference in quality, or in ability to reach infinity -or not- JMHO.
uhoh7 wrote:
It's fantastic, as your shots show, but while the 40 cron is more expensive I think the other 2 can be had for the same money with patience
the 45/2 seems to running around 300 for a good deal
@dasrocket really like the very first one
@sebboh I'm seeing them right at 4 from conservative sellers (the rokkor), and the 45/2 at about 330+ and then the adapter is what--75? tempting though
OK, first you guys made me drop a small fortune on Zeiss glass for my 5D Mark II. Now you made me drop some more cash for a NEX-5. I picked up the standard 18-55mm zoom for now and trying to decide what lens+adapter I want to try first.
Another thread in this forum is dedicated to the C/Y 35-70mm but I have not seen anyone adapt one to the NEX-5 in my little bit of searching. Has anyone here tried that combo? Anyone have an opinion on a decent quality C/Y to NEX adapter?
, as is the Canon RF 50/1.4. I'm thinking of an M-rokkor or summicron 40/2, and I read the CV 50/1.5 is pretty sharp accross the frame also.....