Ergonomics of Voigtlander 50mm 1.5? (the newer version)

[Kumachrome]

Hi,
yep, I'm asking, yet again, about another 50mm lens. Still stuck deciding. I think it may be because I'm trying to find a lens I'll just be happy with, rather than always lusting after another lens, or carrying around 3 different 50's in my bag.
Anyway, the CV 50mm 1.5 m mount lens. 50mm focal length, my favorite. F1.5 max, so good enough for low light, and very nice and vintage looking to match my black m2.
But, how are the ergonomics? Is it bulky, make the camera awkwardly weighted?
And, my main question, how is focusing on it? Is the focusing throw short, or long? I'm currently using a Canon 50mm 1.4 LTM, and although it's a great lens, the focus throw is 180 degrees, making quick focusing a chore (to me.) Not to mention, it's dampened a little too well, so that makes it even slower:bang:.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

It is not long for sure. But I was not able to focus it fast, like I could with the Rigid or Planar. The focus is not stiff, but if you are trying to force it, it refuses. I almost hear how it was telling me - "no rush, I"m not Elmar 3.5 lens, I'm 1.5, take your time to get focus accurate".

 

[Moto Mark]

I use mine mostly on my IIIg and with an adapter my M240. It’s a bit big on the IIIg and I do notice the weight as opposed to my other LTM lens, a collapsible 5cm Elmar.

But besides that it’s a great lens, not as sharp as my Zeiss Biogon but I really like the ‘look’ I get from the Voigtländer. The focus is similar to the Zeiss, in other words I don’t notice a big difference in the focus throw.

If you can find one for a good price I say go for it, you won’t be disappointed.

 

[Daryl J.]

If you mean the hourglass shaped one, the ergos are why I don't use it. The focus ring is both narrow and almost sharp. But I have large hands and a white collar job. Your mileage may vary.....

But aesthetically it's amazing and in terms of rendering it is beautiful and full of character.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The worst thing on the silver version is that you cannot read the f/stop numbers. Also the red dot is hard to find.

However, the rings move very smooth. No complaints about those.

Erik.

 

[brennanphotoguy]

I really like that lens but I've used it numerous times (briefly) and hated the knurls more than anything.

 

[f16sunshine]

Love the image quality.
IMO, The "older" ltm lens handles better than the new one.
I also feel the focus ring feels a bit jaggy and sharp.
It's subjective.

OP, you should get one and try it.
If you want f1.4-ish speed at 50mm, the Nokton provides not only one of the best IQ's.... it provides by far the very best value.
The IQ is up there with the Lux Asph.
I like it for low light and high push film speed where it really shows up.

Taken by Adnan, on Flickr

 

[sleepyhead]

I also really did not like the knurling of the focus ring.
Nice pictures though.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Yes, the 50mm f/1.5 is a very nice performer. Beautiful portrait, Andy!

Leica M5, VM Nokton 50mm f/1.5.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Voigtländer now makes a 40mm f/1.2 lens. Wouldn't it be nice if they made a copy of the first Noctilux, the 50mm f/1.2? Same dimensions, same look. That will be big hit. The original 50mm f/1.2 Noctilux lens from Leitz now costs $20.000. The Nokton 50mm f/1.1 is too big (but a great performer).

A 50mm f/1.2 by Voigtländer, with the same looks and dimensions as the original 50mm f/1.2 from Leitz, would be fantastic!

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M5, Nokton 50mm f/1.1.

Erik.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Voigtländer now makes a 40mm f/1.2 lens. Wouldn't it be nice if they made a copy of the first Noctilux, the 50mm f/1.2? Same dimensions, same look. That will be big hit. The original 50mm f/1.2 Noctilux lens from Leitz now costs $20.000. The Nokton 50mm f/1.1 is too big (but a great performer).

A 50mm f/1.2 by Voigtländer, with the same looks and dimensions as the original 50mm f/1.2 from Leitz, would be fantastic!

Erik.

At least, for sure.
But to me just like Color Skopar 50 2.5, or 35 M Skopar, Nokton 35 1.4 in 50 will do.

 

[f16sunshine]

The CV choices are all really excellent considering the price point they come in at.
The 50mm Nokton in particular.
I prefer the Color Skopar for its size as at this point I can’t use a rangefinder very well in light so low it requires an f1.4/5 lens.
In previous years, the Nokton was my main choice.

 

[Bille]

I also really did not like the knurling of the focus ring.
Nice pictures though.

The black one looks smoother than the chrome one. Which did you use?

 

[brennanphotoguy]

The black one looks smoother than the chrome one. Which did you use?

Well there's two models. There's the older LTM model and the new one that's current production. The older LTM model looks a bit different and doesn't have those crazy raised knurls.

 

[steveyork]

Hi,
yep, I'm asking, yet again, about another 50mm lens. Still stuck deciding. I think it may be because I'm trying to find a lens I'll just be happy with, rather than always lusting after another lens, or carrying around 3 different 50's in my bag.
Anyway, the CV 50mm 1.5 m mount lens. 50mm focal length, my favorite. F1.5 max, so good enough for low light, and very nice and vintage looking to match my black m2.
But, how are the ergonomics? Is it bulky, make the camera awkwardly weighted?
And, my main question, how is focusing on it? Is the focusing throw short, or long? I'm currently using a Canon 50mm 1.4 LTM, and although it's a great lens, the focus throw is 180 degrees, making quick focusing a chore (to me.) Not to mention, it's dampened a little too well, so that makes it even slower:bang:.

You have to realize that creative people get bored easily. That's why so many us have multiple lenses in the same focal length. If 50 is a lens you use a lot, as I do, it's unlikely you'll find one that satisfies you from now to the end of time. The obvious solution is to get several and rotate through them.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

You have to realize that creative people get bored easily. That's why so many us have multiple lenses in the same focal length. If 50 is a lens you use a lot, as I do, it's unlikely you'll find one that satisfies you from now to the end of time. The obvious solution is to get several and rotate through them.

Most creative people I know in photography were/are used/using only few lenses. Like three, five and different in focal length. But they were/are "focused".
Creativity in learning is different thing. I think, most of us here are in creative learning and with some light flavour of ADHD.

I like J-3 on bw prints, but it is doode on digital and not very ergonomical. I like Cron IV build, but it is very flat on bw film. I liked this thread lens for many things, but it is slow to focus. I'm looking at 7A lens because it might be fast to focus, but it is heavy and specific lens. And so on.

If I could only stop and concentrate on one+ genre and single media... my little creativity will only benefit from this. 🙂

 

[Cartago_Wine]

How would you guys perform zone focusing with such narrow depth of field scale engraved on the Nokton 50/1.5 VM?

 

[Ccoppola82]

I never really zone focus with a 50mm anyway...so that wouldn’t be an issue for me. I do wish this lens had SOME sort of tab on it so I knew at 6 o’clock an approximation if my focus distance. I really like that about tabbed lenses. Seems it is easier to work and not break stride. I grabbed this lens At a great price not long ago and I really love it.

 

[michaelwj]

I'm borrowing a black one, and after a few rolls I can say that the rings are smooth, no issues there, and focus is fast and accurate.
My main issue is that the focus ring is so narrow and I seem to always change aperture instead of focus. Maybe it's because the aperture ring is the first thing that feels like the focus ring I'm used to?