Nokton 50mm 1.5 vs Zeiss Planar 50mm f2

[gtto]

Hi,
I am trying to buy an M8.2 and also trying out which lens to start with. I think I have narrowed it down to the Nokton 50mm 1.5 or the Planar 50mm f2. I would be interested in any opinions. I don't want to spend much more than these cost until i am sure the M is something i will like using. Thanks. Gary

 

[kbg32]

The Nokton is very sharp, great color rendition, and renders beautifully on the M8 and M9.

 

[tbarker13]

Love the planar. I shot with one for most last year (tons of portraits) and then sold it.
It's one of my few sales regrets. I have to find another one.

 

[ferider]

They are both great and even the used price is quite similar now. In practice, they differ in size, speed and min. focus. I suggest to pick your poison based on that 🙂

 

[efix]

For what it's worth, here's my two cents.

Nokton: Sharp from the start, slightly low on contrast, gentle out-of-focus blurring, overall rather uninspiring rendering (imho). Althouth I did like its colour reproduction, which seems to be a tad on the cool side as with most CV lenses.

Planar: Sharp from the start, medium-strong contrast (not as strong as other Zeiss lenses), rather "spherical" way of drawing o-o-f areas yet still pleasing, characterful rendering due to the secret Zeiss formula with a bit of that famous "3D-pop". Warm Zeiss colours, which I love.

 

[jsrockit]

Well, the Nokton is easier to find right now... both are great lenses. On a digital Leica, the Planar (the Planar shows none) will show less purple fringing in tree branches against a white sky for instance... if that matters. Obviously the CV is bigger, but faster.

 

[x-ray]

I owned both and also the 50 asph Summilux 50 at the same time. Sold the Nokton and the ASph Summilux in favor of the Planar. Nothing wrong with any of them but particularly love the Planar. It's typical Zeiss in rendering. Very sharp, extremely flare resistant, excellent contrast and smoooooth tonality. To me it's a classic look but sharper without being in your face like the asph Summilux.

 

[cz23]

I just posted a similar question on LUF, so I look forward to the views here.

I've got the Nokton. It's a great lens, but I really dislike its ergonomics. So I'm considering the Planar. My question there was about the Planar's contrast. I once owned the Zeiss 35 and it was too contrasty for my taste. But I loved it's handling. Good to read above that the 50 is apparently less contrasty.

John

 

[Peter S]

Used the Nokton on my M9 and I really liked the results. I starting selling lenses I was not using and then suddenly along came a nice second hand 50 summilux asph so I spent the money on that lens and in the process sold the Nokton. Only thing that I like more about the summilux is the closer focus that is possible, other than that the Nokton still compares very well, even more when you consider the price.

 

[robbeiflex]

Planar.

I voted with my wallet, and of the two it's the one I still have. 😉

I prefer its ergonomics, warmth in colour rendering, and size.

Cheers,
Rob

 

[fotomeow]

Gary, I've asked myself the same question and kept getting the same answer: buy them both.
And then go get a vintage Leica lens for a few hundred bucks and put it on your new M8.U. Vintage Leica and modern Leica cross paths for a some very nice effects, especially if you are doing portraits.

 

[Tobers]

I haven't used the Nokton, but I'm extremely impressed with my Zeiss 50/2 on my M9. It is without doubt one of the best lenses I've used. Super sharp at f/2 and lovely bokeh.

Cue puppy pictures...


Puppies by Tobers, on Flickr


Puppies by Tobers, on Flickr

Also, super flare handling. You get a sort of glow which is just fab. None of those floating coloured balls that you get with SLR zooms that I'm used to. Here's a couple of examples.


Broken by Tobers, on Flickr


Daughter by Tobers, on Flickr

 

[squinza]

Tobers, first photo is amazingly cute 🙂

But.... how did you manage to obtain flare? My sample is, well, flare-free, never saw a hint of it!

 

[Tobers]

Thanks - lovely little things those puppies.

Flare - simple to get - I just pointed the camera directly at low sun and then moved the sun just slightly out of frame. Done intentionally obviously. I'm in a bit of a flare mood these days.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

OP, you sure you want a 50mm lens as a starter on the crop sensor ?
Nearly a 70mm lens on a full frame remember, not to say I don't use one 😀 so vote for the Zeiss.
On my M8 the 28mm is nearly welded on, but I'm a wide(ish) guy (35mm near equivalent).

 

[seakayaker1]

No experience with the Zeiss 50/2 but some samples of the CV 50/1.5 with the M8.2 & M9.

M8.2 with 50/1.5

M8.2 4ith 50/1.5

M9 with Nokton 50/1.5 - Shot from 22nd floor window

M9 with Nokton 50/1.5

I think it is a fabulous lens and well worth the price and it is readily available new and can ofter be found for sale used for less.

 

[x-ray]

Used the Nokton on my M9 and I really liked the results. I starting selling lenses I was not using and then suddenly along came a nice second hand 50 summilux asph so I spent the money on that lens and in the process sold the Nokton. Only thing that I like more about the summilux is the closer focus that is possible, other than that the Nokton still compares very well, even more when you consider the price.

I would agree completely even disregarding price. I found very little difference wide open between the two and at f2 virtually no difference. I liked the ergonomics of the Nokton better and liked the smoothness of focus in the Nokton vs the rough feeling focus of the asph. In real shooting I couldn't tell the difference in negsbshot with either lens. I must say I'm biased in favor of the Planar though.

 

[D&A]

I couldn't agree more with x-ray. I compared the Nokton to the Leica 50mm Lux asph wide open and stopped down and in most cases at 100% crops and examination of the entire frame..it was "that close". Maybe just a small amount of edge sharpness would go to the Leica. The handling of both lenses is also as x-ray described. I am lucky to have a chrome Nokton and I'm finally getting around to listing my dad's absolutely brand new Nokton for sale, which he brought quite a few years ago but never used.

I did shoot with the Zeiss 50mm f2 for a short time, and it's a lovely lens too...no faults could be found with it...but I usually need all the speed I can for my intended uses and the Nokton has always been a favorite of mine.

Dave (D&A)