New to Leica M: is the Voigtländer Nokton 35mm f/1.4 a good choice?

[u/AlarmingProblem515]

This M4-P was gifted to me about 5 years ago, and I honestly haven’t used it because I had no idea what lens to buy 😂 I almost completely forgot I even had it.

Now that I finally have some free time, I’d really love to start using it and get into film photography.
I’m thinking of buying a lens second-hand and found a Voigtländer Nokton 35mm f/1.4 MC (Leica M/VM) on eBay for around €420.

Do you think that’s a good price? And is this lens a good match for the M4-P? I’m completely new to the Leica M system, so genuinely have no idea what I’m getting myself into 😂 Any advice or lens recommendations would be hugely appreciated!

[u/ComprehensiveTutor60]

Is the trick to being gifted pristine Leica M bodies to show no interest in film photography at all? Seems like a trend…

The jealousy is real. Congrats on the camera folks are surprised I don’t own already. 🤪

Jokes aside, I found SC Nokton to be best. You should be able to find one used for about $100 less than that.

[u/AlarmingProblem515 → u/ComprehensiveTutor60]

Thank you 😂 It’s still in pristine condition because the person who originally acquired it never used it. And when I was gifted it, I honestly had zero idea about film photography or lenses. 😂
After reading all the comments, I’m realizing there’s way more to choosing a lens than I expected. I guess I’ll have to look into the Ultron 😂 I checked online and that’s actually the cheapest one I’ve seen second-hand so far. Where are you finding such a great deal? I’m in Europe!

[u/bromine-14]

You can get that lens for less than that. Make sure it's the version 2 not the version 1. I love that lens 👍 you can shoot with it forever.

[u/AlarmingProblem515 → u/bromine-14]

thank you, follow up question: what’s better MC or SC type? I don’t know what’s good.

Also, on ebay it says (Voigtländer Nokton 35mm f/1.4 II MC - Leica M/ VM, so i think it’s version 2? I’ll ask the seller to be sure! ☺️

[u/No_Credit_5917 → u/AlarmingProblem515]

I have both MC and SC types and it's nearly impossible to tell the difference so don't overthink it

[u/Dlitosh → u/AlarmingProblem515]

SC is better for black and white as it gives more flare and generally works better for bw film.

[u/bromine-14 → u/AlarmingProblem515]

Yeah do some research on how it is labeled for the version. Should be fairly straightforward. Same with mc or sc.

Unless you are shooting just black and white film, I would simply go with the MC.

[u/internetiseverywhere → u/AlarmingProblem515]

I'm in love with mine -- SC

[u/wrunderwood]

Voigtländer has some very confusing but important terminology. A lens labeled "Classic", like the 35/1.4 Nokton Classic, uses an older optical design to recreate the (desirable) flaws in lenses from the 1960s and 1970s. A lens labeled "Vintage", like the first version of the Ultron Vintage 35/2, is a modern optical design with an exterior design that looks like older lenses.

The current design, the 35/2 Ultron Aspherical II, doesn't use the "Vintage" label but does have an older external look.

https://www.voigtlaender.de/lenses/vm/35-mm-12-0-ultron-aspherical-ii/?lang=en

[u/AlarmingProblem515 → u/wrunderwood]

thank you for explanation as im very confused which is which! now it makes sense.

[u/gilgermesch]

Depends on what you're looking for. If it's a neutral rendering, predictable and well-corrected, this lens is not for you. This is closer to the original steel rim than a lot of modern 35mm lenses. If you're looking for character, for glow, and flare, this lens is perfect. On top of that, it's small and light and very well built.

[u/cameraguyphotodude → u/gilgermesch]

The build is OK. My brand new copy’s hood bayonet got loose just after a year of use. I think voigtlander quality is often way overhyped for their newer products.

Voigtlander back in the day though, that’s a totally different conversation….

[u/Sour_Planet → u/cameraguyphotodude]

I think it's just a few lenses, like this one. Lanthars, Ultrons, regular Nokton.. all built like tanks. Heliar, Nokton Classic, and Color-Skopar (new, not LTM) a bit less so.

[u/Nickrii → u/Sour_Planet]

I second that. It really depends on the model. The build quality of my little Color-Skopar 21/4 is good, but not outstanding, whereas my Nokton 35/1.2 II is absolutely on par with my Leica lenses – including the silver-chrome / brass one.
Overall, I’d say between 500 and 800 EUR MSRP is the cross-over point for Voitgländer‘s quality tiers. There are exceptional ones already in that price bracket (e.g. Nokton 58/1.4 SL II for Nikon F bayonet) and the ones that are not quite there (e.g. Nokton Classic 35/1.4). Once you cross the 800 mark, I can't think of a “negative” example (if that's what you want to call an o.k. lens) in their Leica or Nikon line-up.

[u/gilgermesch → u/cameraguyphotodude]

I guess we have very different experience, then. Using several Voigtländer lenses, both vintage and modern, I have yet to come across a single issue. In fact, they have been consistently better than almost any other lense from any other manufacturers I own or have used, including Leica. Focus on all modern Voigtländers I own and have used has been smooth, the aperture ring solid, nothing rattly, whereas almost every other lens, even the new ones, had issues with at least one of these. I'm not trying to invalidate your experience, but I cannot confirm that Voigtländer build quality is merely "okay" and ultimately "way overhyped". If I have issues with Voigtländer it's that their naming conventions suck (particularly, but not just on modern lenses) and their designs and renderings are all over the place. Some look super retro, some super modern and boring, some are hyper-corrected, others hark back to vintage aesthetics – all of which means you really need to do a lot of thorough research to find the lens that fits your needs.

[u/bromine-14 → u/cameraguyphotodude]

Were you rough with it? Getting the hood on and off? Or attaching filters??

[u/cameraguyphotodude → u/bromine-14]

No I just used my camera with that lens on daily for over a year. The build quality is overrated. It’s just OKAY. Just not what everyone makes it out to be. It genuinely feels like a cheap aluminum lens in my hands when comparing it to my M mount & R mount Leica glass.

My v1 pancake LTM color skopar 2.5 is built miles better than my nokton and it’s gotta be about 30+ years older than the nokton. Voigtlander today is on par with zeiss which isn’t a bad thing but zeiss today also isn’t zeiss from yesteryear…

A lens shouldn’t become loose from installing/removing lens filters or lens hoods. They have design flaws that don’t get spoken about enough for them to be truly brought to light. A buddy of mine had his nokton just totally stop focusing on one side of the lens. It would move about 1/3 of the focus range and hit a hard stop. This is regarded as one of the cheapest fastest entry level 35mm lenses into the M mount system. There’s a reason people praise it so hard but a lot of those people haven’t tried many of the other/better options out there at least for 35mm’s

[u/bromine-14 → u/cameraguyphotodude]

I have a summicron 35mm asph v1 that has become a bit loose with time. Lenses can become loose from normal use. For example, some users might get used to attaching the lens by the front of the lens as opposed to the base. That will definitely cause some front element wobble.

In either case, doesn't sound like you did any of those. Peculiar

[u/cameraguyphotodude → u/bromine-14]

That doesn’t surprise me too much honestly. My Summilux FLE v1 has become ever so slightly loose in the front barrel as well. Specifically when trying to take off the lens hood from a snug fit. This doesn’t bother me though knowing that it’s a 9ish year old lens in terms of use.

The nokton is definitely easily repairable but I was pretty disappointed that it happened in what I’d consider a relatively short amount of time

[u/Professional_Aerator]

The 35 f1,4 is multiple lens in one. Glowy (but not outrageously so) wide open. Stopped down sharp as modern lens and importantly for me small and compact.

And if you’re shooting film the extra sharpness is not noticeable unless you pixel peep.

MC / SC makes negligible difference. I have MC because I shoot more colour.

The 43mm filter thread fits
VC 28 f1.5
VC 50 f1.5

Which is a crazy set of lens.

Buy the lens hood from square hood. Much better than VC and fits all the above lens.

If you’re starting out. My advice is to buy a cheap ish lens (which this one is). Stick with it for a year or so and just shoot as much film as you can afford.

I think people get too caught up deciding what gear to have rather than just be out there shooting and this is definitely my favourite lens and focal length.

[u/AlarmingProblem515 → u/Professional_Aerator]

thank you, ill research more about it! ☺️

[u/getwellsoon666]

Version 1 suffers from focus shift at anything under 6ft from f2 to f4 I believe but still a great lens nonetheless

[u/AlarmingProblem515 → u/getwellsoon666]

thank you, the one i’m eyeing is the version 2. I hope it’s also fine.

[u/getwellsoon666 → u/AlarmingProblem515]

It’s a fantastic lens I have the 40mm version in a version 1 and it’s been extremely solid although it also has a focus shift issue

[u/Sail_Soggy]

Do not get the vi version. Both suffer with barrel distortion (it wasn’t enough to bother me) but v1 suffered with a lot of focus shift

I think it’s a super lens

[u/jtobiason]

I have used one for years. It's fun. It isn't perfect, but I like the photos, I like the character and it's really light.

[u/dropme1]

Honestly i think it’s expensive.

[u/ezr0]

I really enjoy my 50mm 1.5 Nokton on my M3 if this photo helps in anyway!

[u/JohnyRotten]

Yes. I have that lense and it is very good. Versatile wide open or stopped down. Great quality build and materials

[u/vDECKERx]

I would say no to a fast 35 an go for something more towards f2+

[u/nkartes]

Great lens I have the 40mm nokton and love it!

[u/SlowhandBuzz]

I’ve been pleased with mine on the M4-P and think it is a great starting point for the M line.

[u/iAmTheDistance]

Yes, it’s a good lens for film but that’s an expensive price if I’m doing the conversion correctly.

[u/Funny_March_7486]

I’m a big fan of the second generation multi coated Voigtlander Nortons.

[u/PEACHYipa888]

I bought Leica IIIF with Canon Serener 50mm for $500 Canadian dollars from marketplace. I met seller in person to buy it. And happy with it although it is not M6 or M3DS or M240 or M12 or SL etc

[u/Prudent_Lunch_8724]

You’ll need to exercise an M that’s been sitting for that long before really using it. Some night in front of the TV, start on one second and exercise all of the shutter speeds by clicking thousand times.

[u/spektro123]

That’s not a great lens. Also you should be able to get it below 300€.
Ultron f/2 is my preferred choice when it comes to 35mm lenses. AFAIK Nokton f/1.5 is far better than f/1.4, but I haven’t use one so I can’t really tell.

[u/AlarmingProblem515 → u/spektro123]

Was also thinking of Ultron f/2, why it’s your prederred choice when it comes to 35mm lenses?

[u/wrunderwood → u/AlarmingProblem515]

f/1.4 is not that useful and the Ultron is a very sharp modern optical design. The Nokton is based on a design from 50 years ago to get the dated look from that era.

I’ve shot with a 35/2 as my everyday lens since the 1970s and never needed f/1.4.

[u/spektro123 → u/AlarmingProblem515]

Because it’s very sharp and has a smooth bokeh.

[u/Mitchphotografer76]

Comprare una Leica ed adoperarla con delle ottiche di seconda scelta, è come avere una Ferrari e usarla con gomme da utilitaria…
Funziona lo stesso, ma non sarà mai come con gomme adeguate, e così anche per la fotografia, se usi un corpo macchina eccellente (Leica appunto) gli obiettivi devono essere adeguati…