Is there a Nokton "look"?

[Benjamin Marks]

In another thread, I posited that "Nokton" was really just a C/V brand name and that it did not signify anything specific in terms of lens design, speed (other than "fast") and image rendition. You've got the well-regarded 35/1.2 Asph Nokton, the super-fast 50/1.1 Nokton, the 35 and 40/1.4 Noktons and the 50/1.5 Asph Nokton. Seems like lenses under this moniker can be single coated, multi-coated with aspherical elements, without aspheres, with focus-shift, without focus shift and with an f-stop between 1.1 and 1.5. So: opinions? What does the brand name signify to you?

With interest,

Ben Marks

 

[hans voralberg]

Uhm it signifies that what even lens carry the name is faster than f2?

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Why do you write "Um" at the beginning?

 

[f16sunshine]

Hi Ben
interesting question. It seems that among the 5 noktons. 3 have a similar look to me.
The 1.5/50 and 1.2/35 being the odd out. The 1.5/50 lens seems smoother in out of focus areas and in transition. the 1.2/35 seems much smoother and quite different from the rest. That said. My judgement is based on using all but the fast 1.1/50 and 1.2/35 personally but viewing many samples from the others.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The original Nokton of the 1950s was derived from the Planar/Xenon formula. I believe the modern Noktons continue that tradition. If there is a Nokton signature, it is much like a Planar lens- well corrected, good flatness of field, more air-glass surfaces with contrast and transmission improved through the use of coatings.

 

[rxmd]

To me it just means "fast". Not that I care much for brand names.