Hi all,I'm looking for a "classic look" 35mm portrait lens, something that has charm and a soft bokeh effect. I came across the two above-mentioned Voigtlander, the f1.2 and f1.4.Price and weight vary a lot between the two, but keeping this aside, what are the main differences in terms of rendering from those two lenses ? (bokeh, sharpness f1.2-2.0, colours...).PS : samples wld be appreciatedThanks !Gwen

I can't comment on the f1.2 but I owned the f1.4.  It's a very nice lens on the Leica M system, small, well built, sharp and contrasty but had one flaw, fairly serious focus shift. This probably won't matter on a live view camera but on the rangefinder it was a real nuisance.Mine was the multicoated version, there is also a single coated 'classic' which gives less contrast and possibly more flare.I sold it before buying my A7 so haven't tried it on the E system

I have CV 35 F/1.2 II and while I can't comment on the slower version, this one is great on A7R (can't comment on A7R II, but don't expect to be much different). Is small, but heavy, with nice colors (not as good as FE 35 though, at least to me). My copy is sharp, at least as good as FE 35. Here is few shots, first two WO, second two at F4 or F5.6,

PS : I am looking specifically at the 1.2 vII (not vI) vs the 1.4

I'll grab the opportunity and ask what is the difference between versions I and II of the 35/1.2?More on topic, and based on both owning the 40/1.4 and seeing many sample around, I'd say that the 35/1.4 has the more classic look while the 35/1.2 is more refined and has smoother bokeh.

Go to Steve Huff's web site. Warning, just posting this may cause a severe reaction as people love him or loath him.http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/That aside, he has shot a load of people shots with both lenses over the years and has many full rez portrait images to look at.Also Flickr is your friend here. There are many great examples. 35mm does take some getting used to for portrait work though. The conventional wisdom is 50mm and up.I have the the f1.2 and love its rendering style. I bought it just because it is f1.2 which can be tough to use over and above f1.4 but when you get the shot, you will love it. Personally, I convert a lot of my f1.2 shots to Black and White. But thats just me.Brian

How about the newer 35/1.7? For sure is the better one, although with more modern look, not the classic look. But sharper and with smoother bokeh at the same aperture.

Excellent portrait.Yes, the 1.7 is wirth considering also. Since I have the 1.2, I wont go into that!Mr Huff also has some examples of that lens.Brian

I was asking the same question for a while. I went for a used copy of the 1.2 vII. Why? Because for the "classic" look, I have Soviet lenses and a 50mm 3.5 Leica Elmar. The Voigtlander 35 1.2 is sort-of-classic, but also more refined. Not sure how else to describe it. It has practical applications for me in bars with low/weird light. I'm starting to convert more photos to B/W with it, too.

I have the 35/1.2 vII a fantastic lens with  beautiful creamy bokeh. don't use it often but it shines for certain applications though it is on the heavy side. Here is a shot that was recently in an exhibition with this lens on the A7http://dpsampson.zenfolio.com/p607180571/h395b270e#h395b270e

I have had the f1.2 on my A7 II for two weeks now and I love it.I posted some samples last week here:http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3916964Here's a gallery on my Flickr I'll be adding to slowly:https://www.flickr.com/photos/anderswotzke/albums/72157660268043172

Nice shots on the market, Anders.

About 30 images with my Voigtlander Nokton 35/1.2 II on my A7.https://www.flickr.com/photos/jayhawk/albums/72157644330881403I really liked this lens when I got it, but I rarely shoot it any more. I really prefer to have full EXIF on my shots, I guess.

Lift Off wrote:I'll grab the opportunity and ask what is the difference between versions I and II of the 35/1.2?More on topic, and based on both owning the 40/1.4 and seeing many sample around, I'd say that the 35/1.4 has the more classic look while the 35/1.2 is more refined and has smoother bokeh.The optical formula are almost identical. The "key" difference is the close focus difference. On top of my head, the I has a min focus of 0.7m. While the II has a min focus of 0.5m, 0.5m--0.7m is "non-coupled", i.e. you can't focus at this distance range on the Leica-M RF. For using an adapter, particularly LV, the II might be preferred.At f/1.2, the lens shows very significant fringing at high contrast area. It's still there around f/5.6. But that is the only 35/1.2 lens available, highly regarded by Leicaphites, particularly street night shot.The little CV 35/1.4 has a great price/performance. I used it on my M9, and sold it after getting my 35Lux. With A7Rii high iso performance, I see this f/1.2 over f/1.4 is not that important, except for that 1/2-stop bokeh.Steven

Steven-T wrote:Lift Off wrote:I'll grab the opportunity and ask what is the difference between versions I and II of the 35/1.2?More on topic, and based on both owning the 40/1.4 and seeing many sample around, I'd say that the 35/1.4 has the more classic look while the 35/1.2 is more refined and has smoother bokeh.The optical formula are almost identical. The "key" difference is the close focus difference. On top of my head, the I has a min focus of 0.7m. While the II has a min focus of 0.5m, 0.5m--0.7m is "non-coupled", i.e. you can't focus at this distance range on the Leica-M RF. For using an adapter, particularly LV, the II might be preferred.The II is barely smaller and lighter and is noted as having aspherical lens elements that are different because they could no longer produce the old version I aspherical lenses. If a person likes creating bokeh then the little bit closer MFD of the II seems well worth getting (along with the Voigtlander close-focusing adapter).

Great photos ! Are you using any PP colour presets ? I love the atmosphere...Anders Wotzke wrote:I have had the f1.2 on my A7 II for two weeks now and I love it.I posted some samples last week here:http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3916964Here's a gallery on my Flickr I'll be adding to slowly:https://www.flickr.com/photos/anderswotzke/albums/72157660268043172

gwenhael appere wrote:Hi all,I'm looking for a "classic look" 35mm portrait lens, something that has charm and a soft bokeh effect. I came across the two above-mentioned Voigtlander, the f1.2 and f1.4.Price and weight vary a lot between the two, but keeping this aside, what are the main differences in terms of rendering from those two lenses ? (bokeh, sharpness f1.2-2.0, colours...).PS : samples wld be appreciatedThanks !GwenFeel free to check outmy review.In short, it is a classic look, and I love it. Going to use it exclusively this coming weekend.

gwenhael appere wrote:Great photos ! Are you using any PP colour presets ? I love the atmosphere...Anders Wotzke wrote:I have had the f1.2 on my A7 II for two weeks now and I love it.I posted some samples last week here:http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3916964Here's a gallery on my Flickr I'll be adding to slowly:https://www.flickr.com/photos/anderswotzke/albums/72157660268043172Thanks! As a foundation, I use what Lightroom VSCO presets I have, but from there I tend to tweak them quite a bit to taste.

Yes that's another one to consider...You're not making my life easier !:-)Jiullian wrote:How about the newer 35/1.7? For sure is the better one, although with more modern look, not the classic look. But sharper and with smoother bokeh at the same aperture.