Canon 50 1.2 or Nokton 50 1.1, Wide Open

[elmer3.5]

Hi, i have the canon lens, but wonder how sharp wide open is in comparison the Voigt nokton 50 1.1, so vote those who know!

(Have to say that after dealing with focus shift and fixing it with the epson and m6, finally i got the best result with the Zeiss Ikon!)

Thanks!

 

[Keith]

I think the Canon lens is plenty sharp enough at f1.2 but it does suffer some fall off towards the edge of the image at this aperture which the Nokton doesn't from what I've seen. I still wouldn't have the Nokton over the Canon though as I feel the OOF areas are unpleasantly rendered.

I agree that it works very well on the Ikon which is where I use mine when I need the speed! 🙂

 

[Krosya]

While I have never used a Nokton 50/1.1, it - being a modern lens is probably sharper than Canon LTM 50/1.2. However, a good Canon is pretty sharp - I used to have one and it was sharp enough for me.

but a more modern Hexanon 50/1.2 is sharper.

Now signature/oof of Canon vs Nokton is a different story.

 

[elmer3.5]

same

same

Hi, although i haven´t tested a nokton what i´ve seen on flickr used with film, it´s not far away from my canon.
And by the way i find the canon rather small for it´s aperture.

Bye

 

[spkennedy3000]

Not sure this is a matter of opinion, must surely be the Nokton.
I love my Canon and find it sharp enough, but it is more about character than sharpness for me.

 

[ethics_gradient]

Not sure this is a matter of opinion, must surely be the Nokton.
I love my Canon and find it sharp enough, but it is more about character than sharpness for me.

That's basically how I feel about it (own the Canon, haven't tried the Nokton, only seen samples online).

 

[LeicaTom]

I love my Canon, the signature and oof bokeh, it beats the Nokton, hands down 🙂

The Canon is a classic lens, everyone should have one....

Mine is "minty" and it works just great on my M6 or my M8, it's really a matter of taste, if you like that "vintage" 1960's look, the Canon is for you 😀

Tom

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

but wonder how sharp

If you break them, they'll be equally sharp.

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

canon is really small in size compared to other fast lenses. I havent use nokton but I dont feel any need when I have my lovely canon.

 

[elmer3.5]

Thanks!

Thanks!

Hi, thank you all for your answers based on experience!

Poll results give vast advantage to the nokton lens, but i think it´s more to do with the age fact!

i´ll keep my canon and hope someday find a mint noctilux very cheap 😀!

cheers!

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I briefly had the "Noctilust" until I got my Canon 50mm f1.2. If you have one already, and still have symptoms of "Noctilust"... put that lens on a camera body and take a long walk at dawn or dusk, take your film to the closest minilab, have it developed and scanned into a CD, stick said CD into your computer and enjoy!

Otherwise, it's two aspirins and call me in the morning. 😉

 

[mfogiel]

I have both. Nokton shots are sharper and Canon shots are prettier.

 

[johannielscom]

When sharpness is key, vote Nokton. But, the OOF areas of the Nokton are rather harsh. The Canon is smoother all over, see selfie below. Not even top sharp, while low-speed hand-held shot.

That M5 with Black Rim Canon 50/1.2 was a nice combo, but I sold it. Can't even remember what the GAS attack was about...😱

 

[Mablo]

That M5 with Black Rim Canon 50/1.2 was a nice combo, but I sold it. Can't even remember what the GAS attack was about...😱

Hmm... what a great excuse to start looking for a M5. Thanks for the idea Johan 🙂

 

[johannielscom]

Hmm... what a great excuse to start looking for a M5. Thanks for the idea Johan 🙂

Make it a black one, Matt! Fits that Black Rim Canon really nice! 😉

 

[Neare]

As people are already saying, Nokton definitely is sharper, Canon is smoother however.

So, what's more important when shooting wide open huh? 🙂

 

[ferider]

Not only is the Nokton much sharper in the corners, but brighter with much more contrast:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ferider/3682676506

And bokeh is in the eyes of the beholder, I find the Canon double lines and background eliptical donuts outright ugly, and I had two good copies. Apples and oranges for sure.

Roland.

 

[David Murphy]

I own the Canon 50 F1.2. I doubt it's as sharp as the CV 50/1.1 simply due to technology advancement in optical design and fabrication between now and the late 1950's. However the Canon 50/1.2 is certainly good enough at F1.2 for many of us. Also speed is not the only reason I own the Canon 50/1.2. It is also a beautifully made lens, and delivers very crisp images stopped down just a tad. Since the Canon 50/1.2 is a LTM lens (unlike the Voigtlander 50/1.1) it can be used on many, many camera bodies. All said, I still hope to acquire a Voigtlanter 50/1.1 in the future!

 

[hans voralberg]

Canon is less sharp, more flare 😉

 

[ethics_gradient]

Can someone explain the purpose of the infinity lock on the Canon 1.2 to me? I find it really annoying, especially when I'm using it to calibrate an RF.