ferider
Mentor
Lots of reports on this lens, some love it (available light performer) and some hate it (bokeh and focus shift).
After receiving the lens a month ago and using it a bit on the 240, I guess I am falling into the first camp. In a nutshell, except for its size, the lens is a reliable all-around performer, very usable wide open, sharp at f1.4 and above, and - compared to other fast 50s - has relatively low distortion.
First impressions:
The lens is big but not too heavy. On the heavy 240, it feels well balanced.
On my camera, out of the box, the lens is center focus calibrated somewhere between f1.4 and f2; it shifts noticeably backwards (f1.1, f1.4 and f2.0, click on the picture for larger size):
When you account for the cosine effect (focus and recompose a bit off center, see also http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148485), the lens turns out to be dead on wide open, perfect for my use:
Vignetting is noticeable at infinity, but disappears mostly at f2. My favorite, close to infinity test target, our neighbor's antenna about 100 feet away:
The lens is quite sharp at infinity even wide open. At f1.1 and f1.4, resolution is mostly limited by CA. At f2.0 and up the lens is very good. I remember seeing a measurement where the Nokton was compared to the 0.95 Noctilux and ZM Planar, and the Nokton clearly outperformed the Noctilux and was similar to the Planar @ f2.0 (http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2014/06/comparing-rangefinder-and-slr-50mm-lenses-version-0-7); I can confirm this.
Same test target as above, center crop to show resolution for different apertures:
At, f1.1, the Nokton performance is about the same as a pre-asph Summilux at f1.4, IMO.
Also off-center / in the field, performance is decent:
To be continued ....
After receiving the lens a month ago and using it a bit on the 240, I guess I am falling into the first camp. In a nutshell, except for its size, the lens is a reliable all-around performer, very usable wide open, sharp at f1.4 and above, and - compared to other fast 50s - has relatively low distortion.
First impressions:
The lens is big but not too heavy. On the heavy 240, it feels well balanced.
On my camera, out of the box, the lens is center focus calibrated somewhere between f1.4 and f2; it shifts noticeably backwards (f1.1, f1.4 and f2.0, click on the picture for larger size):
When you account for the cosine effect (focus and recompose a bit off center, see also http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148485), the lens turns out to be dead on wide open, perfect for my use:
Vignetting is noticeable at infinity, but disappears mostly at f2. My favorite, close to infinity test target, our neighbor's antenna about 100 feet away:
The lens is quite sharp at infinity even wide open. At f1.1 and f1.4, resolution is mostly limited by CA. At f2.0 and up the lens is very good. I remember seeing a measurement where the Nokton was compared to the 0.95 Noctilux and ZM Planar, and the Nokton clearly outperformed the Noctilux and was similar to the Planar @ f2.0 (http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2014/06/comparing-rangefinder-and-slr-50mm-lenses-version-0-7); I can confirm this.
Same test target as above, center crop to show resolution for different apertures:
At, f1.1, the Nokton performance is about the same as a pre-asph Summilux at f1.4, IMO.
Also off-center / in the field, performance is decent:
To be continued ....
ferider
Mentor
In use ...
In use ...
... on a business trip to Beijing. All shots wide open.
Colleagues from work:
And out on the streets ....
(nice to have selective focus at a distance ....)
(sharpness is over-rated
)
Cheers,
Roland.
In use ...
... on a business trip to Beijing. All shots wide open.
Colleagues from work:
And out on the streets ....
(nice to have selective focus at a distance ....)
(sharpness is over-rated
)
Cheers,
Roland.
uhoh7
Mentor
It's a good lens, and now you see them for good prices Just Big and Heavy, like nearly all the superspeed lenses except the Sonnetar.
Mine focuses pretty well on the M9 even at f/1.1 and after dark I often take it.
Here it is stopped down on the A7.mod:
DSC00859 by unoh7, on Flickr
and wide open:
Be Prepared by unoh7, on Flickr
Cooling off by unoh7, on Flickr
Just Big and Heavy, like nearly all the superspeed lenses except the Sonnetar.Mine focuses pretty well on the M9 even at f/1.1 and after dark I often take it.
Here it is stopped down on the A7.mod:
DSC00859 by unoh7, on Flickr
and wide open:
Be Prepared by unoh7, on Flickr
Cooling off by unoh7, on Flickr
Erik van Straten
Mentor
I can confirm Rolands writings completely.
The lens is heavy, but much lighter than the Noctilux 50mm f/1.
I've never seen a lens this sharp @ f/2, see picture. At full aperture, this lens is absolutely great for portraits.
No distortion. Great lens for a silly price.
Leica M5, Nokton 50mm f/1.1, Tmax400.
Erik.
The lens is heavy, but much lighter than the Noctilux 50mm f/1.
I've never seen a lens this sharp @ f/2, see picture. At full aperture, this lens is absolutely great for portraits.
No distortion. Great lens for a silly price.
Leica M5, Nokton 50mm f/1.1, Tmax400.
Erik.
robert blu
quiet photographer
Helen, your photos need to be in a book! I'm pre-ordering one!
robert
robert
ktmrider
Well-known
Have thought about this lens a lot recently and thanks for putting up the photos of the test shots. Two things are holding me back: I really don't like having duplicate lenses of the same focal length and I do not know how much I would really use its low light capabilities.
I own the 35f1.2 and a 35f2.8 and have had the 35f1.2 mounted for the last month on the M9 but have not used it anywhere I could not have used the C-Biogon. I figure the same thing would apply to the 50f1.1 and my 50 Summicron.
It does appear to be a great lens for the money. Even though I have the money, I no longer can justify the price of Leica optics as jewelry so if I was really looking for a super fast 50, I would get this lens.
I own the 35f1.2 and a 35f2.8 and have had the 35f1.2 mounted for the last month on the M9 but have not used it anywhere I could not have used the C-Biogon. I figure the same thing would apply to the 50f1.1 and my 50 Summicron.
It does appear to be a great lens for the money. Even though I have the money, I no longer can justify the price of Leica optics as jewelry so if I was really looking for a super fast 50, I would get this lens.
Huss
Mentor
Love this shot.
A truly nice one Helen.
Peter_S
Peter_S
I like the lens. I had a ZM Sonnar (and Planar) before, which is different in character. I may prefer the VL Nokton overall, it has spot-on focus at f/1.1 and is very sharp stopped down.
I have a feeling if that lens was a Leica and demanded three times the price, it would have a much better reputation and perceived performance....
Here at f/9.5 on an M8.2 (taken in Armenia).
I have a feeling if that lens was a Leica and demanded three times the price, it would have a much better reputation and perceived performance....
Here at f/9.5 on an M8.2 (taken in Armenia).
Lss
Well-known
I don't know about that, but I know I wouldn't have bought the lens at three times the price regardless of brand or reputation.
Erik van Straten
Mentor
For portraits this lens is a must.
Leica M2, Nokton 50mm f/1.1, Tmax400.
Erik.
Leica M2, Nokton 50mm f/1.1, Tmax400.
Erik.
ferider
Mentor
Great photos, Helen, Peter and Erik.
Some more from last night in Beijing.
The team shopping for hats ....
Roland.
Some more from last night in Beijing.
The team shopping for hats ....
Roland.
ferider
Mentor
And two more in color:
Enjoy,
Roland.
Enjoy,
Roland.
Erik van Straten
Mentor
Leica M5, Nokton 50mm f/1.1, Tmax400.
Erik.
Erik.
uhoh7
Mentor
raid
Dad Photographer
Is the current cost about $900 for a new lens?
Timmyjoe
Mentor
$899 at B&H Raid.
mdarnton
Well-known
I didn't much care for mine, just because of the ergonomics and the slippery focus ring Voigtlander puts on too many of their lenses, but this fixed everything for me, and I like it a lot better now: http://www.lenstab.com/
Erik van Straten
Mentor
Leica M5, Nokton 50mm f/1.1, Tmax400, gelatine silver print.
Erik.
Erik.
BLKRCAT
75% Film
this thread got me off my ass to process my roll of Tri-x I had sitting in front of me. Love the Nokton.