Finally! Nokton 50/1.5 in M-mount

Leica M2, Nokton-M 50mm f/1.5, Tmax400.

The level of distortion of this lens is very low indeed.

Erik.

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Just few samples with VM 50/1.5 ASPH (Velvia 50 and Ilford FP4)
 

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Is there a review of the new model with the ltm model, side by side?
The old model has sharp center wide open with soft edges, getting sharp at 2.8.
Is the M version getting closer to the pre-asph Summilux in performance?

The minimum distance has been reduced from 0.9m to 0.7m, but the ltm lens can be modified for a closer minimum focus.this leaves the better costruction quality and the possibility of sharper edges wide open.
 
raid said:
Is there a review of the new model with the ltm model, side by side?
The old model has sharp center wide open with soft edges, getting sharp at 2.8.
Is the M version getting closer to the pre-asph Summilux in performance?
Click to expand...

Dear Raid,

As I remember that Erwin Puts reviewed the first version of CV50/1.5 and compared with Summilux Pre-A. The nokton wins marginally especially at the corner (due to the asph element I think). but the difference is negligible.

For the new one, I think we can use the old one as the reference. I don't think it will have any substantial changes from the old one.
 
ferider said:
Me too, Erik, and thanks for sharing this wonderful photograph.
Click to expand...

Roland and Erik--very provocative statement! Can you make a few comparisons with lenses you've owned? I've owned a few 50s I've loved, including latest Summicron, Konica Hexanon, and currently Summilux-Asph. I'm intrigued by this lens.
 
jja said:
Roland and Erik--very provocative statement! Can you make a few comparisons with lenses you've owned? I've owned a few 50s I've loved, including latest Summicron, Konica Hexanon, and currently Summilux-Asph. I'm intrigued by this lens.
Click to expand...

Hi Juan,

I've never used the Summilux Asph. I have used Summicron v5, Hexanon and a variety of other 50s (see also my ongoing 50mm project). Technically, the three lenses that you mention are certainly at least on par with the Nokton, at the f-stops they provide. However, when you look at 50s faster than f2, with little distortion, clean OOF rendering, min. focus of 0.7m, no flare issues, no field curvature ("focus shift"), next to the Summilux asph, there is not much around. The pre-asph Summilux distorts and shifts quite heavily, and creates busy backgrounds on occasion (I sold mine when I got the Nokton); it's a design from the 60s, after all.

Plus, I do use Leicas because I like the handling; lens IQ is only half of it for me. And the build and handling of the new chrome Nokton is outstanding.

Roland.
 
Question to the Nokton users here:
How easy is the focus turning?
I like my lenses very easy to turn (like leica modern summicron 50 or 35)
The focus rings looks like it offers very little grip...
 
roundg said:
Dear Raid,

As I remember that Erwin Puts reviewed the first version of CV50/1.5 and compared with Summilux Pre-A. The nokton wins marginally especially at the corner (due to the asph element I think). but the difference is negligible.

For the new one, I think we can use the old one as the reference. I don't think it will have any substantial changes from the old one.
Click to expand...

Hello Robin,

Yes, Erwin Puts concluded what you have mentioned above, but I look for actual side by side comparisons of the two versions of the Nokton to see if getting the new model is really essential from an optical point of view or not. If the LTM version was already this good, then the M version is most likely "not worse".

I was lucky in getting a LTM example with min distance 0.65m.
 
Thank you Roland. I am very happy with my Summilux-Asph., no reason to change it. That Nokton just looks cool. I must be a 50mm guy, because I've never owned one I didn't like for its particular character. I loved the Nikkor 50/1.4 ltm and Summilux pre-asph. for all their 'imperfections.' By the way, do you still have that M-Hexanon? I think I may have sold it to you.
 
Erik van Straten said:
The best 50mm I've ever used.

Leica M3, Nokton-M 50mm f/1.5, Tmax400.

Erik.
Click to expand...

Beautiful shot! :)

So, what 50s have you owned/used?

I have the Zeiss 50/F2, which I like, but there are times I wish for something a bit faster, perhaps a bit less surgical. I've debated for a long time about getting the Sonnar 50/1.5, but the focus shift has always worried me a bit (perhaps more than it should.) I also recently used the Nokton 1.1 and found it to be fun to use, but being a rental, didn't have enough time to really absorb it's qualities.
 
I have had no problems focusing quickly w/the new Nokton, even w/gloves. As on the 1950s (non-ASPH) LTM original, I think the scalloping/knurling on the focus ring compensates for its (relatively) smaller width.

Depending on your eyesight, you might have problems reading the aperture & focus distance on the chrome version (rendered in black) in low light/night conditions (also true of the '50s original).

sanmich said:
Question to the Nokton users here:
How easy is the focus turning?
I like my lenses very easy to turn (like leica modern summicron 50 or 35)
The focus rings looks like it offers very little grip...
Click to expand...
 
I love this lens, especially how it easy it is to focus with.

Here is a couple of shots wide open on portra 800 (scanned by my local lab).

26972502021A.jpg
86286502223A.jpg
 
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