Could you live with a ZM and a Nokton 50/1.1?

[kshapero]

Traveling in New England with my Nikon F and CV 40/2 only and having a great time. Already planning my next trip (Big Sur in CA). Thinking of the ZI and a Nokton 50/1.1 as my one lens kit. Love some input on this proposed kit.

 

[jsrockit]

I could see that being perfect as long as you don't mind the weight.

 

[thegman]

I had a Nokton 1.1 for a bit, ever really got to grips with it, and for me it transforms a normally compact RF into something a bit too big. Nothing against the optical characteristics of it, but it's just too big for me.

 

[mfogiel]

From my point of view, the Nokton 1.1 is a 1.1 aperture only lens due to the focus shift. I'd rather use an f2.0 lens as a walk around - there are many available, most of them good enough, and all better than the Nokton.

 

[kshapero]

A little perspective (I call this one "Fat Man and Little Boy"). 😛

Or fat boy and long boy

 

[j.scooter]

I have to admit
M8+Grip+Nokton 1.1 = Sexaaaay
🙂

 

[jsrockit]

Ok, so some people say it shifts, others say it does not. What is the consensus?

 

[segedi]

Could you live with a ZM and a Nokton 50/1.1?

Only if it paid half the rent and didn't snore...

But seriously, heck yes. Seems like a very nice combo and look forward to your results. A .85 M7 with 1.25x mag on it would be better though for my focusing efforts.

 

[kdemas]

You might bring an ND filter so you can enjoy the lens wide open in daylight.

 

[Glass Addict]

Nokton

Nokton

I've sold the Nokton 1.1 purely based on the focus shift and focus shift only. I didn't mind the weight, but I hated the focus shift.

 

[filmfan]

I can think of at least 10 M bodies and 50mm lenses I would much rather shoot with than the ones you have mentioned...

 

[mgilbuena]

I've sold the Nokton 1.1 purely based on the focus shift and focus shift only. I didn't mind the weight, but I hated the focus shift.

The Nokton 1.1 was my first lens when I was getting my feet wet on the Leica M4-P. Many of my shots came back out of focus.

It sent me down the wrong path, believing that focusing with a rangefinder was difficult and it took several months before I got my hands onto an M8 to make the connection that bad focus was due to the lens, not myself.

I sold the 1.1 as I need lenses to perform as I expect them to when properly focused via the rangefinder. The focus shift, especially up close, is quite significant.

 

[ferider]

Hey, Akiva, if you stop by the bay area on your way to Big Sur, let us know. A beer would be fun.

Regarding your question, any 50 or 35 would be fine (and I've done that on trips), but the ZI might be limiting 🙂 And the 1.1 seems a bit too big to travel with .... I'd rather have a smaller kit that I know I can "emergency" fix.

Roland.

 

[jsrockit]

It does shift, but if that impacts you is the question. See the "Focus Shift" section of my review.

Thanks. I don't think it is for me then... I sold the sonnar for the same reason.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Of course I could live with it. But why would I when there are cameras and lenses that suit me, personally, better?

Cheers,

R.

 

[gdi]

Where are you in NE? Post some photos of you can....

 

[wintoid]

I took a short break recently to see a friend I haven't seen for 20 years. The Nokton had just arrived, and I had no idea about this focus shift stuff. I took just the Nokton and my MP.

Usually, I like to shoot close to minimum focus, which is 0.7m for most lenses, so I find that one aspect a bit limiting on the Nokton. I live around f2 to f4, and would only go lower if I absolutely had to.

My shots came out fine, and I had no idea about the focus shift until reading this thread. I'm not about to beetle off and test it either!

So, for me, I took the Nokton as my only lens to an important occasion, and it came up trumps.

 

[Bruin]

Thinking of the ZI and a Nokton 50/1.1 as my one lens kit. Love some input on this proposed kit.

This is often my one lens kit 😎. Focus shift is much less of an issue on film. Grab a 8x ND filter if you want to shoot wider apertures in daylight. Personally I'd also bring a wide angle for Big Sur, or maybe just one fast 35.

I don't really see why people complain about the Nokton's size and weight given its speed. It weighs about the same as a 75/2 and is shorter. Yes it's a fatter lens than the short teles, but this makes no practical difference when carrying it.

 

[kram]

The ZM is about 140g lighter than a Leica M7 - so there is a weight saving form starters. The Nokton is, give or take, the same weight as the old Leica 50mm f1.2, and 1/4 of a stop faster🙂

 

[Archiver]

I personally couldn't use the 50/1.1 as my only lens, as I would find it too heavy and bulky for general carry. I would much prefer the 35/1.4 Nokton as a one lens solution with the Ikon. For quite a while I carried the Ikon and 35/1.4 as my sole film solution, and it was light and unobtrusive. I've tried doing this with the 35/1.2 Nokton, which is of similar size to the 50/1.1, and I couldn't do it.