Finally! Nokton 50/1.5 in M-mount

I had the version 1 LTM lens and I liked the rendering very much, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the overall size, overall ergo and 0.9m min. focus distance. Looks like the size is just a bit narrower and I am now more used to larger lenses than before, but 0.7m mfd is very nice and oh it looks sexy. :)

Any new photos? I'd love to see more.
 
Here you go.

Leica M5, Nokton-M 50mm f/1.5, Tmax400.

Erik.

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I have one inbound to me (a black one) and once I've had a chance to use it I will get some samples up as well. I'm headed to San Francisco for a long weekend in a couple weeks so I'll see if I can get some shooting time in with it there.
 
Nice shots, Erik and pechelman.

I found a decent deal on a new chrome one and it just got here. Wow, this is some serious metal and glass. Don't know if the aesthetics are for everyone, but definitely the most intriguing one I've ever come across from CV. Or Anyone really outside of some jewel like Contax RF glasses. Will run a test roll and hopefully I can get some shots in Ottawa next week during my usual work trip.
 
Just for fun I made a comparison-test shot @ full aperture with the Nokton-M 50mm f/1.5 and the Summilux pre asph v2 50mm f/1.4. Camera: Leica M5. Film: Tmax400.

Nokton:

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Summilux:

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The Nokton gives somehow a "cleaner" image.

Erik.
 
Thanks very much Erik!

- - -

I currently have the Summilux 50/1.4 Pre-ASPH (E46) and Nokton-M ASPH with me. I posted this on the Lux thread but figured this maybe useful for someone coming to look for Nokton info.

This is like Erik did above, but with X-E1 as the body/sensor so they are about 75mm equivalent in 135 format. Lux at F1.4, Nokton at 1.5. my main use will be on film, but I haven't got time to run a test roll on Lux, and I don't have a full-frame digital to test the full image circle. Both images got identical adjustments on LR, but they are both shot at same shutter speed and ISO so technically Lux picture is F0.1 worth brighter.

Nokton was purchased new, and the Lux is from 2003 but seems to be pristine/mint condition with no noticeable defects of any kind. They both had B+W MRC UV filter.

(Left: Summilux 50 Pre-ASPH E46, Right: Nokton-M 50 ASPH)

This shows the full frame of the shot.
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Larger image can be found HERE.

This shows the crop of focused area (obviously manual focused via EVF so not scientifically identical focus point).
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This is a crop of mid-ground out-of-focus areas.
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Quick observations:
Nokton has slightly wider FOV.
Nokton is sharper at wide open.
They render not too far from each other, but there are differences in characters.
Nokton has overall creamier, ASPH like bokeh avoiding double-line-like effect that you'd find in fast non-ASPH lenses.
For regular size prints coming from film M, I don't think the sharpness difference would make much of meaningful performance differences.

In short, I'd say

Nokton-M ASPH has a modern look with a classic touch. (modern optical design not overly corrected)
E46 Lux Pre-ASPH has a classic look with a modern touch. ('60s optical design with modern coating)

Looking forward to seeing the test roll with Lux in a day or two to compare with the rolls with Nokton.

Edit:
After posting this, I figured it was a bit unfair on the sharpness observation for the Lux as the focus point was off-center. Here is a crop of reframed shots, the focus is right at the center of the frame.
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I think the difference in sharpness is super minor, almost just the contrast difference. Of course this still means Nokton-M is sharper across the frame while Lux's sharpness falls off more quickly even on a cropped sensor.
 
It's nice to see how similar the two lenses are, which makes the Nokton quite a bargain!

I think I still prefer the handling of my Summicron V but that might just be due to the fact it's much smoother / quicker to focus. The Nokton has a noticeably heavier / stiffer focus ring compared to my Leica lenses, it's similar in feel to my 21mm Ultron, but also my 90mm Summicron Pre-Asph.
 
agoglanian said:
It's nice to see how similar the two lenses are, which makes the Nokton quite a bargain!

I think I still prefer the handling of my Summicron V but that might just be due to the fact it's much smoother / quicker to focus. The Nokton has a noticeably heavier / stiffer focus ring compared to my Leica lenses, it's similar in feel to my 21mm Ultron, but also my 90mm Summicron Pre-Asph.
Click to expand...

I used to have Lux ASPH. I feel Nokton-M is about right in the middle of Pre-ASPH and ASPH Lux in terms "performance" whatever that means. ;) It sure is a bargain no matter how you put it. Just about the size of Pre-ASPH Lux, 1/2 price of E46 Pre-ASPH Lux, 1/4 of APSH Lux.

Like we were discussing in Pre-ASPH Lux thread, not always the optical performance in a measurable way is everything. One might like the classic rendering of Pre-ASPH Lux better than Nokton or ASPH Lux. I'm still asking that question myself as I can only keep one of them.

I think the heavier focusing action is by design, mainly for precise focusing at wide open aperture. I like how Nokton works though I'm usually a big time focusing tab guy. My only UX issue with the Nokton was, on the chrome version at lest, it was kinda hard to see the markings on the lens in dark places. I had to really look carefully against whatever available light to see the aperture I was shooting at. This may not be an issue with the black model.

Another shot from my work trip.


Departing at Midnight by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr
 
coelacanth said:
I used to have Lux ASPH. I feel Nokton-M is about right in the middle of Pre-ASPH and ASPH Lux in terms "performance" whatever that means. ;) It sure is a bargain no matter how you put it. Just about the size of Pre-ASPH Lux, 1/2 price of E46 Pre-ASPH Lux, 1/4 of APSH Lux.

Like we were discussing in Pre-ASPH Lux thread, not always the optical performance in a measurable way is everything. One might like the classic rendering of Pre-ASPH Lux better than Nokton or ASPH Lux. I'm still asking that question myself as I can only keep one of them.

I think the heavier focusing action is by design, mainly for precise focusing at wide open aperture. I like how Nokton works though I'm usually a big time focusing tab guy. My only UX issue with the Nokton was, on the chrome version at lest, it was kinda hard to see the markings on the lens in dark places. I had to really look carefully against whatever available light to see the aperture I was shooting at. This may not be an issue with the black model.
Click to expand...

Yeah I don't have any problem pulling accurate focus, so I don't actually MIND the feel, but as with you I too have grown quite accustomed to using focus tabs across my 28/35/50 Summicrons (I bought the Lens TAAB for my 50 Summicron which I'm fond of now).

But the Nokton so far has not left me wanting for quality. I don't feel like I would have to bring my Summicron along for "improved quality" (as I would sometimes feel with some Voigtlander lenses where I had a duplicate). It's incredibly compact too without the lens hood attached, the markings on the black version are easy enough to see in my experience, another surprising attribute is how light weight this thing is for a fast 50.
 
Thanks Roland. One day I'd love to try the 1.1. Probably F1.4-1.5 lenses are my size limit but I am Hobbit sized so... ;)

Abram, I share your opinion about the Nokton. I don't feel of need for extra quality in picture nor build quality. Lovely lens all around. I do like how Pre-ASPH Lux renders (for character), but Nokton is one heck of a bargain with a stunning look.


Warping by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


Few days after the freezing rain by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr
 
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