A New Legend is Born - My review of the 50 Nokton

[Nick De Marco]

The new 50mm Nokton f1.5 ASPH VM reviewed on film on my blog: -

http://rangefinderchronicles.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/the-new-50mm-nokton-f15-vm-on-film.html


The making of a new Legend - Nokyon on my M3 by nickdemarco, on Flickr


Wheel barrow by nickdemarco, on Flickr


Dad's garden by nickdemarco, on Flickr


Photo19_18A by nickdemarco, on Flickr


Photo26_25A by nickdemarco, on Flickr

I love the new Nokton ...

 

[MISH]

your pictures look great and it certainly looks fantastic on your cameras. It is so wonderful to see new things like this coming out ...... maybe the rangefinder renaissance is not over yet

 

[rfaspen]

So, honest now. Is the M version a different performer than the LTM version? I very nearly picked up the LTM version (a great deal that I just missed) because I know its an awesome lens. If the M-mount version is even better....well...

 

[raid]

Is the M version optically different from the ltm versions?
Is the Nokton a better lens than the Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar?

Who knows?

 

[leicashot]

Tile should maybe be ' A legend is re-born'

 

[sazerac]

Fantastic shots and great article on your website, but you gotta stop! I need to tell myself that I don't need this lens! 😉

 

[jonmanjiro]

Is the M version optically different from the ltm versions?
Is the Nokton a better lens than the Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar?

Who knows?

We know the answer to your first question, Raid. Cosina's website states (in Japanese) that the optical formula is unchanged from the LTM version, but the multi-coating has been updated (presumably for digital).

Regarding your second question, perhaps you can define better for us first.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Nick's shots show that barrel-distortion is really not an issue with this lens.

Aspherical lenses can correct distortion and coma at the same time.

Seen side by side with the earlier version, the new lens has a better -darker- coating. On highly corrected lenses like this coating is very important.

I hope Cosina will bring out an updated version of the aspherical Ultron 35mm f/1.7 too.

Erik.

 

[raid]

We know the answer to your first question, Raid. Cosina's website states (in Japanese) that the optical formula is unchanged from the LTM version, but the multi-coating has been updated (presumably for digital).

Regarding your second question, perhaps you can define better for us first.

If the optical construction is the same, than does a nicer lens body tempt you to replace your ltm Nokton with the M Nokton?

As for choosing between the Zeiss 50/1.5 and the CV Nokton 50/1.5, which lens :
1. is sharper
2. has higher resolution
3, higher contrast/lower contrast
4. has more/less focus shift
5. feels better on your camera
6. focuses closer
7. has maybe a better resale value
8. makes you a happier photographer

"Better" means many things.

 

[raid]

It seems that there are two differences from the ltm version based on what as been discussed:

1. Multicoated
2. More solid construction (some say)

The M mount is unimporyant as an adapter can take care this,

 

[jonmanjiro]

If the optical construction is the same, than does a nicer lens body tempt you to pay an extra $500?

As for choosing between the Zeiss 50/1.5 and the CV Nokton 50/1.5, which lens :
1. is sharper
2. has higher resolution
3, higher contrast/lower contrast
4. has more/less focus shift
5. feels better on your camera
6. focuses closer
7. has maybe a better resale value
8. makes you a happier photographer

"Better" means many things.

One does get focusing down to 0.70m, improved multi-coating, native M-mount, and a very pretty lens barrel for the extra $500. Enough to tempt many people I'd imagine (not me personally though, but I don't own the LTM version either).

As for "better", I think we can safely assume that it means different things to different people... which is better for you, Raid? For me, I'm quite happy with the 50mm lenses I already own, which don't include either the Sonnar or Nokton, so my answer is neither.

 

[splitimageview]

I am a big Sonnar fan, but 0.7m vs 0.9m is significant for me, enough to tilt things to the Nok...

 

[Ruhayat]

Coincidentally, I've been testing a set of CV lenses I just acquired. This one is from the LTM version of the 50mm 1.5 showing the sharpness (on the rope), lovely rendering and smooth fall off of the bokeh:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97682169@N08/9267501390/sizes/z/in/photostream/

 

[raid]

Does the ltm version have 0.9m as min distance?

 

[splitimageview]

Yes, 0.9m on the LTM

 

[raid]

OK, this is a big deal.

 

[Keith]

OK Raid ... explain to me why you need another lens! 😀

 

[Ruhayat]

Hi Raid,

yep, LTM version has a 0.9 minimum distance.

 

[raid]

OK Raid ... explain to me why you need another lens! 😀

I do not need any new lens, Keith.
I am curious about lenses, though.
I must be a lens snob as I prefer German lenses.😀😱😎

 

[joeswe]

It seems that there are two differences from the ltm version based on what as been discussed:

1. Multicoated

This is a misunderstandig. Both versions of this lens are multicoated. However, the multicoating on the new version has been improved.