Fast 50's and noktons!

[Flyfisher Tom]

Thanks for the test. Photogenic model indeed.

I'm very impressed with the way the Canon 1.2 and 1.5 (sonnar) comported themselves in this test. Held up very well against the DR, which is high praise indeed. You may be responsible for some oncoming GAS ;-)

 

[taffer]

I'm highly impressed with the original Nokton. I was owner of the Canon 50/1.2 and also had a Contax Sonnar 50/1.5, parted with both...

I liked the 1.2 overall but wide open it was quite difficult to follow a moving subject close up, which usually meant quite a low ratio of properly focused shots. When I nailed it though, I liked the results a lot. It has only get better now that Joe has given that fogged rear element a good cleanup.

Didn't test the Sonnar long enough, and since I'd need 200+ bucks for the adapter, I decided to trade it when our very own Brian put a very attractive offer over the table.

I agree with Tom, this is a GAS producer thread par excellence 🙂

Oscar

 

[furcafe]

You should be OK. I've used my Prominent mount Noktons on my M Leicas using the same adapter arrangement (Cosina Voigtlander Prominent-Contax RF & various Contax RF-to LTM or M Mount) & have not experienced any focus issues. I also have the chintzy Prominent-LTM adapter sold by Arsenall & an original LTM Nokton for comparison purposes.

IMHO, however, both the original Nokton & the Zeiss Sonnars (I would also include the Nikkor Sonnar derivatives--don't have the Canon versions) compete quite well in sharpness w/the CV Nokton ASPH & the Canon 50/1.4 (don't have the 50/1.2), @ least in real world shooting. They do suffer a bit along the edges wide-open (in sharpness & in light fall-off) in comparison to the modern lenses, but I don't find that to be a big deal in actual use, particularly when shooting people or in dark environments (same as w/Noctiliux @ f/1). They're also not as resistant to flare as modern glass, but that's another matter.

I was disappointed by the DR Summicron, enough that I sold it & replaced it w/the regular Rigid. From its reputation among Leicaphiles, I had expected to be somehow blown away. I've found it to be merely a nice, sharp optic, but nothing special (very nice build quality, though) when compared to a 50/2 Sonnar or Ultron, 50/1.8 Canon, etc. of the same era.

I picked up one of the Contax -> M-Mount adapters from a Hong Kong EBay seller, and have a Prominent -> Contax adapter.

I really like the overall color and look of the original Nokton, but in terms of sharpness, it can't compete with lenses like the Nok ASPH, or even the Canon 50/1.2 (it seems comparable to the Canon 50/1.5). I wonder how much the additional focus error from the 2 adapters is effecting this? I may do some tests on this. Crazy bokeh aside, I really like the look of this lens.

I got the Prominent Nokton from a Prominent kit that I picked up a year or two ago, sold the body, kept the lens 🙂

In terms of pixel peeping sharpness, of the 50's I tested at wide apertures, the ranking would be Nokton ASPH, Canon 50/1.2, the DR Cron, Orig Nokton and Canon 50/1.5 tied. By F4, sharpness ceases to be an issue (to my eye).

I may do some more tests with the Sonnarish lenses to try and control for focus error and see what happens. I forgot to put the Zeiss Opton 50/1.5 into the mix the other day 🙂

 

[wrenhunter]

Sorry for my dopiness -- the first few shots I looked at, the model was not holding any paper.

The original Nokton does indeed have great bokeh -- but the CV's is not too shabby, and I happen to have one on its way to me now 🙂

Thanks for the test sychan.

 

[raid]

Sychan: This is an excellent test. I enjoyed going over each photo. There is a difference between the lenses when it comes to Bokeh when used wide open, but when closed down a little, all are excellent performers in my opinion.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[Taipei-metro]

Ahhh well, if helps any, she's a computer engineering undergrad and a current grad student at UC Berkeley - way too bright, but tired from the late semester crunch...

Wow, beauty and the brain. Who cares about the test?
Mr.Shutterflower, do you have any idea of how hard to get in UC Berkeley?
Lots of AP classes, 1,400+ SAT, 4.0 or more GPA, top 1% from high school grats.
It's the dopey lenses not worthy enough to photograph her.
Why didn't I get the chance to meet this kind of girl in UCLA 10 years ago?
Thanks for the test. Mr. Chan.