CV 50/1.5 Nokton-M

[jett]

I have too many 50’s. I plan on selling all of them (mostly vintage 50’s) except for my 50/1.1 Nokton (for low light).
I want an all-around, sharp, durable, compact 50mm 1.4-2.0 that focuses down to 0.7m.

Initially I was looking into 50/2’s (Planar, Summicron, Hexanon) and I concluded that they are all excellent/comparable…I would be happy with any to be honest. Now, I’m considering the 50/1.5 Nokton-M. I would grab the LTM but it doesn’t focus down to 0.7m…and it is larger (I believe).

The extra stop (or almost an extra stop) advantage over the 50/2 lenses isn’t that big of a deal to me because f2.0 works 80% of the time and when that doesn’t work, I can use my 50/1.1 (or faster film). I’m mostly attracted to this lens because it is possibly everything the above 50/2’s have, plus a stop, for a similar price. I like CV lenses too.

Any opinions on this lens, versus, the above aforementioned lenses? How does it compare in size? How much do they typically go for on the used market?

 

[Erik van Straten]

You are in the wrong section. You have to look in the Voigtländer, Cosina, Bessa section. There is a thread with many images made with the Nokton-M 50mm f/1.5. Great lens.

Erik.

 

[Doug]

Since you have the high speed need covered with the f/1.1, why not go for smaller size with, say, the Voigtlander Heliar f/2... It collapses about 1/4 inch for even more compact lightweight carry.

 

[jett]

The Heliar does not focus closer than 1m. Focusing closer than 1m is important to me.

 

[lawrence]

I would like to recommend the Planar ZM 50mm f2.0. Optically this is a superb lens and I prefer it to my Summicron 50mm. It's quite compact and light while the Nokton-M is also excellent but somewhat larger.

 

[Doug]

The Heliar does not focus closer than 1m. Focusing closer than 1m is important to me.

True, true... but the Planar focuses to 0.7m and is made by Cosina as well... A great lens and costs somewhat more.

 

[sundaystroller]

having both planar and nokton, I vote for the Planar (since you also own the 50 1.1). Planar is smaller and has that punchy and trasnparrent renderin. It also has smoother boke than the 1.5 nokton.