Picture of the day (May 9, 2010)

Leica M8 + Nokton 35/1.4 @ f/1.4, 1/45 sec, ISO 1250

The Nokton 35/1.4 arrived

Today I received a small package containing a Voigtländer Nokton Classic MC 35mm f/1.4 M-mount lens (I had originally wanted the SC version, but it was sold out at that dealer). I ordered it in anticipation of another item I intended to purchase (and hoped to receive today), but the deal was called off, unfortunately. Or maybe fortunately, since the seller may not have had the most honest intentions …

Anyways, I received the Nokton, and I was really surprised at how miniscule this lens is. I mean, I knew it was going to be small – but not that small! It’s not much larger than my Lumix 20/1.7, but a lot heavier as it is built from solid metal – it easily weighs as much as the E-P1 alone! (The specs say 200g, but I had both front and rear cap on it which might have added to its weight.) It seems really well built, the focusing and aperture rings run smoothly and are conveniently operated by protruding levers.

Image courtesy of Voigtländer.

The lens looks and feels fabulous in its shiny, tiny blackness. I can hardly wait to bring it to action – but then again, I still have to wait for that other item to go with it …