mdspace
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Which one is the best and why
CV Nokton 1.5/50 vs Zeiss ZM Sonnar 1.5/50
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Roger Hicks
Veteran
I have both and prefer the look of the C-Sonnar -- but the Nokton has more even illumination, better resolution and less focus shift. Which is therefore 'better'?
Cheers,
r.
Cheers,
r.
funkaoshi
Well-known
I have a J3, which is a copy of the Zeiss lens. I like it a lot. I think Sonnar lenses have a very nice look to them.
spiderfrank
just a dreamer
I didn't vote, because I know only my Nokton, so I couldn't be fair.
I think the Nokton is a beautiful lens, but I like very much also the old Jupiter-8, that's a Sonnar type lens.
Anyway... I let the pictures talk, with some samples of photo I made in the last weeks with the Nokton 50. Hope to see here some photos made with the new Sonnar
Ciao
Franco
I think the Nokton is a beautiful lens, but I like very much also the old Jupiter-8, that's a Sonnar type lens.
Anyway... I let the pictures talk, with some samples of photo I made in the last weeks with the Nokton 50. Hope to see here some photos made with the new Sonnar
Ciao
Franco
spiderfrank
just a dreamer
spiderfrank
just a dreamer
spiderfrank
just a dreamer
spiderfrank
just a dreamer
ferider
Veteran
Choose the Sonnar for portraits or size and the Nokton for price, speed and landscapes.
The 50 Nokton bokeh is great.
The 50 Nokton bokeh is great.
kxl
Social Documentary
Used to have a Nokton; currently have a Planar and Sonnar.
If I just had 1 50, it would be the Planar followed by the Nokton. The Sonnar signature is nice, but IMHO, the Planar is a niicer overall choice. SO, if this is going to be your only 50, get the Planar, or if you'r elocked in to your 2 choices, get the Nokton.
If I just had 1 50, it would be the Planar followed by the Nokton. The Sonnar signature is nice, but IMHO, the Planar is a niicer overall choice. SO, if this is going to be your only 50, get the Planar, or if you'r elocked in to your 2 choices, get the Nokton.
cmogi10
Bodhisattva
Had them both.
Threw the nokton out the window, the sonnar's now a body cap.
One of the best M mount lenses out there (In my humble opinion of course)
Edit: Better though? Who even knows what that means....
Threw the nokton out the window, the sonnar's now a body cap.
One of the best M mount lenses out there (In my humble opinion of course)
Edit: Better though? Who even knows what that means....
P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
I wrote this in another post about the Nokton 50/1.5, but I will write it again. I like the Nokton 50 so much that I own two of them. I also have a '49 Jupiter-3 that actually has a Zeiss Sonnar 50mm 1.5 optical cell, which I also would not part with. If a ZM Sonnar 50/1.5 shows up at the right price, I will buy one.
But the Nokton 50 is my go to, every day lens that lives on my M5. It sharp, with good contrast, very flare resistant with a good signature. As for the bokeh, in most instances it renders OOF areas very well, but given the right circumstances any lens can deliver funny stuff in the background. And the price is right...
Broken | Sydney, Australia 2008
Bessa R2 | Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f1.5 | Plus-X | Rodinal 1:100 Stand
Snug | Sydney, Australia 2008
Bessa R2 | Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f1.5 | Tri-X EI 3200 | Rodinal 1:100 Stand
But I suppose I can't really tell you which lens is better since I do not own the ZM Sonnar 50/1.5... but I doubt you will be disappointed with a Nokton 50/1.5.
But the Nokton 50 is my go to, every day lens that lives on my M5. It sharp, with good contrast, very flare resistant with a good signature. As for the bokeh, in most instances it renders OOF areas very well, but given the right circumstances any lens can deliver funny stuff in the background. And the price is right...
Broken | Sydney, Australia 2008
Bessa R2 | Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f1.5 | Plus-X | Rodinal 1:100 Stand
Snug | Sydney, Australia 2008
Bessa R2 | Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f1.5 | Tri-X EI 3200 | Rodinal 1:100 Stand
But I suppose I can't really tell you which lens is better since I do not own the ZM Sonnar 50/1.5... but I doubt you will be disappointed with a Nokton 50/1.5.
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nahum
Member
I had the Nokton.Wasvery happy of it but it was too big and I love small lenses.
Sold it,bought the sonnar which is compact and nice. Unfortunately, I missed some shots because of back focus issue. I should have kept the nokton. Anyway, I bought the canon 1.4 LTM which is small and focuses OK.And also, bought the Summmarit 50 2.5 which is small and perfect for whenaperture is not such a strong issue
Sold it,bought the sonnar which is compact and nice. Unfortunately, I missed some shots because of back focus issue. I should have kept the nokton. Anyway, I bought the canon 1.4 LTM which is small and focuses OK.And also, bought the Summmarit 50 2.5 which is small and perfect for whenaperture is not such a strong issue
cmogi10
Bodhisattva
Sonnar.
cmogi10
Bodhisattva
cmogi10
Bodhisattva
cmogi10
Bodhisattva
Sorekara
Member
I looked at both of these lenses when I was searching for a 50, but I went with the Sonnar. The Nokton just seems a bit big for an M-mount 50/1.5, whereas the Sonnar is compact and super-sweet handling. I use the hood on mine, but the lens is supposed to be a relatively flare-proof design, so I wonder if you could get by without one and make it even smaller?
The pictures that I've seen from both lenses look really good, and though the signatures are different I doubt either would let anyone down. That being said, I really love the unique look of the Sonnar - it's great for people shots and adds atmosphere to everything else too. (And whatever focus shift there is hasn't caused me any practical problems either.)
The pictures that I've seen from both lenses look really good, and though the signatures are different I doubt either would let anyone down. That being said, I really love the unique look of the Sonnar - it's great for people shots and adds atmosphere to everything else too. (And whatever focus shift there is hasn't caused me any practical problems either.)
noimmunity
scratch my niche
I agree with the above. The Planar is the better overall all around up and down in and out lens. Everybody agress it shines in colour; I also love the rendition in black and white.
I used to have both the Planar and the Sonnar. The only reason I got rid of the Planar :bang: was because that was part of the deal I made with myself when I nabbed a 75/2 Summicron. 😱
Back to the OP's question, it seems to me the answers given above illustrate the main issues of each lens. Neither one does close focus up to 0.7 meters. Each has a different look and different handling. Up to you to decide which you need for what purpose. If you do choose the Nokton, you might consider picking up a J-3 (sonnar formula) as a cheap alternative way to get that sonnar look. Some examples of that lens are really nice.
Better yet, buy the Planar in the classifieds now and get a J-3. 😀
Last edited:
Sparrow
Veteran
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