EXCERPT page containing first few paragraphs. 2024-04-23 12:26:51
UA_SEARCH_BOT_compatible_botmozilla/5.0 applewebkit/537.36 (khtml, like gecko; compatible; claudebot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com) @ 3.141.202.187
For full access, subscribe here. Or click title to login. 
Voigtlander Nokton 35/1.2 II Ergonomics
The ergonomics of the Voigtlander 35/1.2 II are excellent.
In most respects I prefer the ergonomics of the Voigtlander 35/1.2 II to the Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH FLE. In particular, the focusing ring is far superior to the clumsy tab focusing of the Leica 35/1.4 (readers are welcome to prefer tab focusing, but I find it quite clumsy and not precise).
Build quality
The lens is metal and glass, very solidly built, it feels very similar to a Zeiss ZM lens.
The lens markings are engraved, and use white paint— nicely done. The white-on-black is a good approach for its high contrast in dim conditions, though I would have preferred larger aperture numerals for easier reading. Exception: the red markings for the distance scale in feet, which are unreadable in dim light. Traditional, and hardly unique, but a very poor decision for usability.
Article continues for subscribers...
Diglloyd Guide to Leica is by yearly subscription. Subscribe now for about 25 cents a day ($90/year).
BEST DEAL: get full access to ALL 8 PUBLICATIONS for about 75 cents a day!
Diglloyd Guide to LEICA contains in-depth coverage of Leica M system cameras and lenses, with additional coverage of Leica M Monochrom, Leica Q.
Special emphasis is placed on Leica M lenses and certain Zeiss ZM lenses.
- Make better images by learning how to get the best results right away.
- Save money by choosing the right lens for your needs the first time, particularly the Summilux/Summicron/Elmarit choice and/or Zeiss ZM.
- Make better images, a sort of “cheat sheet” saving yourself months or years of ad-hoc learning. Processing parameters are discussed and shown.
- Jaw-dropping image quality found nowhere else utilizing Retina-grade images up to full camera resolution, plus large crops [past 2 years or so].
- Real world examples with insights found nowhere else. Make sharper images just by understanding lens behavior you won’t read about elsewhere.
- Aperture series from wide open through stopped down, showing the full range of lens performance and bokeh.
- Optical quality analysis of field curvature, focus shift, sharpness, flare, distortion, and performance in the field.
Want a preview? Click on any page below to see an excerpt as well as extensive blog coverage, for example on Leica.