50mm Nokton VS. Leica 50mm, Which one is the best value?

[eleskin]

How many of you have done a direct comparison between the 50mm Nokton and various Leica 50mm Lenses? I have tested my 40mm Nokton against my 35mm Summicron version 4 and have found that wide open, the Summicron is much sharper. How does the 50mm Nokton stack up against Leica lenses? Is the 50mm Nokton sharper than the 40mm Nokton?

 

[furcafe]

I recently sold the CV 50/1.5 Nokton & still have the 40/1.4 (used mostly on an R-D1). On the Leitz/Leica side I have the pre-ASPH 50/1.4 Summilux & the Noctilux. I think the 50 Nokton stands up very well to the Leica lenses optically, though it obviously doesn't have the same build-quality. Bottom line, for practical shooting, I think the Nokton is clearly the better value.

Since you asked a similar question earlier (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69092) I will repeat my earlier answer/link as to the qualities of the Nokton:

More opinions on the Nokton here:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69328

I'm not sure about your wide-open comparison of the 40 Nokton to a 35 'cron, as the Nokton is 1 stop faster. Did you compare the 2 lenses @ f/2?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Furcafe sold his Nokton to me, and I am very happy with it. Even wide open is is sharp. I haven't tested it against Leica 50's, because I don't have one. I do have an Olympus 50mm f1.4 Zuiko, the latest one with the serial number over 1,100,000 that is reputed to be the best OM system 50/1.4 version, and I have an AF-Nikkor 50mm f1.4. The Nokton is a lot sharper wide open than the AF-Nikkor, and is very comparable to the Olympus (which is a far better lens than the Nikon in my opinion after using both for many years).

The Nokton costs $360 new. I got mine far cheaper buying it used (Thanks again, to furcafe for the good deal he gave me). Even if i'd paid full price by buying it new, it would be WAY less than a Leica lens (even if the Leica was used). I can't see that the Leica lens can be much better, and even if it is, I doubt you get your money's worth.

Here's a Nokton shot, wide open. I focused on the closest eye.

Here's one stopped down, I think at f11. The thistles in the background are very detailed if you see the photo blown up.