Best Noctilux 50/.95 vs Noctilux 50/1 vs Voigtlander 50/1.1 Comparision I've Seen

[CameraQuest]

a lot of people have opinions about the Leica 50/1 Noctilux, 50/.95 Noctilux, and Voigtlander 50/1.1 Nocton.

No one else that I've seen offers such complete comparisons as Jeff Hapeman. All shots done on M9.

see
http://www.digitalhapeman.com/2011/02/05/update-ultra-fast-50mm-lenses-on-the-leica-m9/

Images are compared from all 3 lenses
images side by side
from wide open to f/16,
from 1) upper right 2) center 3) lower center left

so for the 3 lenses, you have 9 comparison shots for each f/stop

On top of that, the mosaic like pattern of comparison images
are reproduced in SEVEN sizes
which are linked just above the mosaic
from square (75x75)
to original (5487 x 5391)

Jeff made his own conclusions, but you have enough data and samples there to make your own.

Stephen

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I'm very impressed with the 50/1.1 Nokton. This lens is a bargain at the asking price, and I do not see why anyone would convert the Canon 50/0.95 to M-Mount with this lens available. I own two of the Canon 50/0.95's.

A friend of mine has the 50/1 and the 50/0.95 Noctilux. When he visits next, we can do out own 3-way comparison.

 

[berlincontemporary]

Um... only crops?

 

[Keith]

That .95 is some lens ... but for the price it would want to be!

The Nokton appears to be very good up against the f1.0 Noctilux ... the focus shift on both of those compared to the .95 is eye popping though.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The focus shift on my Nokton is about the same as the original 5cm F1.5 Sonnar. I've fairly used to the shift from F1.5 to F4. With an RF, you can compensate by not letting the images coincide in the VF, focus a little in front of the intended point of focus.

 

[Keith]

Yes ... I've learned to do this with my ZM Sonnar. It did my head in for a while until I got used to it! 😛

 

[35mmdelux]

Appears as if the Nokton holds its own against the cadillac of Leicas.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

A $10,000 lens is not practical for most people, even if it is the best. Cosina will deliver the best price/performance ratio rather than the "absolute best". It's all relative.

 

[Alnitak]

Um... only crops?

Full-sized images are now up in this set:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jhapeman/sets/72157622580527317/

Along with some sample images taken at other times with a different copy of the Nokton (also excellent; the QC on this lens seems to be better than on some other Voigtländer lenses), the Noctilux f/0.95 and both an M8.2 and the M9.

Jeff

 

[berlincontemporary]

Interesting. They look all quite similar to me on digital.

 

[Mackinaw]

I'm very impressed with the 50/1.1 Nokton. This lens is a bargain at the asking price, and I do not see why anyone would convert the Canon 50/0.95 to M-Mount with this lens available. I own two of the Canon 50/0.95's.

Well, the Canon 0.95 will always have that "wow!" factor, just because it is a 0.95 lens. Sort of like Nigel's guitar in "Spinal Tap" that went up to 11.

I think the 1.1 Nokton will have more of an impact on the Canon 50/1.2. They're virtually the same speed with the Nokton being a much more modern lens and, I'm guessing, much better.

Jim B.

 

[awilder]

I found the test interesting but when I owned the 50/1 Noct. and tested it extensively with film, the results were quite a bit different near the edge of the frame where the edge definition was rather soft as expected at the larger opennings. The results were consistent with test reports from E. Puts and camera publications that tested the lens at the time it was introduced. I suppose the digital sensor being optically flat makes a huge difference in this respect and consequently, if shooting primarily digital, the 50/1 might be a better value than the 50/0.95 if insisting on Leitz glass.

 

[ampguy]

Since the reviewer shows the focus shift going on, but based on an initial accurate focus setting wide open, I wonder what the centers and edges would look like if the index for initial accurate focus were set for f2 or f2.8.

For static tripod shots, focus bracketing may dial out the shift, where the Nokton, and Noct F1 might look even closer to the 0.95 in the area of focus and contrast.

With RF focusing, the 0.95 shines here, but with focus bracketing and/or live view, the Nokton and F1 could get very close, I think.

 

[Vickko]

hmmm. I think you just saved me $10K.

 

[Superdan138]

Some Nocti shots...

 

[mfogiel]

I think the main strong point of the old Noctilux, is not the sharpness but the bokeh, and on this count to my eyes it is much more pictorially interesting than the bokeh of Nokton. Therefore, I think that the duel should be betwen two "normal bokeh" lenses i.e. the Nokton and the new Noctilux 0.95, the old Noctilux will remain in a class of its own.

 

[Harry S.]

Wow, the current noctilux really is amazing. I think the Nokton keeps up really well, however the thing that bothers me the most about it is how it renders a little too much on the cool side for my liking.

 

[efirmage]

Bokeh is the most disappointing thing for me on the Voigtlander. Sharpness is really pretty good. Rendering is flatter, but not 10 times flatter. Rather just have a 1.4 lens that looks great wide open.

 

[sanmich]

Price wize, the Hex 1.2 should be presented as an option too..
I wonder how it compares to the Nokt 1.1.

 

[jsrockit]

The .95 is clearly the best. no doubt !.
Don't compromise quality for cost.
Old German saying "I can only afford to buy the best".
Why would you want to buy 2nd best knowing there is better ?.
For my money I would want the best.

Well, $10000 vs. $1000 ... I'll take second (or third) best. It is only a lens. Great photos have have been made with worse equipment. :bang: