New Nokton 50mm 1.5

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LeoStrauss

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I'm strongly considering buying the new nokton 50mm. I know the chrome version is heavier but does that equate to better build quality? I certainly think the chrome looks nicer but if it is not a better build quality I can't justify spending the extra $150. (broke college student)

Thanks
 
leo, I bought the chrome one and it is really well made a a great performing lens, I think you will get the added cost back and maybe more if you ever decide to let it go. Something that is highly unlikely in my view.
 
I just got the chrome version of the lens. I don't know about the black one, but this thing is built like a tank. Very solid feeling, and quite hefty (in a good way). Focus ring and aperture rings are very smooth. I honestly notice no difference in build quality compared to my other Leica lenses.
 
Charlie Lemay said:
leo, I bought the chrome one and it is really well made a a great performing lens, I think you will get the added cost back and maybe more if you ever decide to let it go. Something that is highly unlikely in my view.
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tokyoshooter said:
I just got the chrome version of the lens. I don't know about the black one, but this thing is built like a tank. Very solid feeling, and quite hefty (in a good way). Focus ring and aperture rings are very smooth. I honestly notice no difference in build quality compared to my other Leica lenses.
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All I can do is concur. The silver version is as sturdy as it is beautiful. Easily the best thing Cosina has done, including their Carl Zeiss lenses.

And it's dead sexy:


Voigtländer Nokton 50/1.5 Aspherical Lens, August 06, 2013 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr
 
I have the chrome one, it's very well built and it's a joy just to turn the aperture & focus rings!

I think it'll hold value better than the black version, if you decide to resell it later on. So this could be something that justifies the $150. But then if we listen to our reasons why would we be using manual focus lenses and film cameras ;-)

If budget is a concern you could consider the much cheaper LTM version - but the closest focus distance is 1m instead of 0.7m which may be important to you.
 
I'm intrigued that Cosina chose to make the same lens out of two different materials ... I don't quite get that?

A black one for photographers and the chrome one for posers I guess! :D
 
Keith said:
I'm intrigued that Cosina chose to make the same lens out of two different materials ... I don't quite get that?

A black one for photographers and the chrome one for posers I guess! :D
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Leica do the same with their chrome lenses for some reason. I guess with brass if you want it black it usually has to be painted and will wear quickly (with some exceptions of course e.g. black chrome)
 
Keith said:
I'm intrigued that Cosina chose to make the same lens out of two different materials ... I don't quite get that?
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I think it's a question of weight. The black lens is much lighter. For a lot of people that is important. The havier chrome version is made to look like the original from the fifties. It is not possible to plate aluminium with chrome, hence the heavy brass.

Erik.
 
or two camps which just could not agree and hence a compromise :)

Btw... anyone who's interested in NL. I just got a call today from Foto Henny Hoogeveen who said they had more in stock. They forgot that I already picked mine up :)
 
The chrome version weighs more and it does not help to make better imsges when compared to the black version. If you are going to pamper and cushion the lens, then a black lens will be sufficent. If you will often drop the lens or you have a kid at home that will play volleyball with the lens, then the chrome version is better suited. If you expect that the next burlar to your home is a big dude, then the extra weight of the chrome lens may make a better self defense weapon. Is there anything I have left out here? Keith .....?


In the end, it is about GAS.
 
raid said:
The chrome version weighs more and it does not help to make better imsges when compared to the black version. If you are going to pamper and cushion the lens, then a black lens will be sufficent. If you will often drop the lens or you have a kid at home that will play volleyball with the lens, then the chrome version is better suited. If you epect tat the next burlar to your home is a big dude, then the extra weight of the chrome lens may make a better self defense weapon. Is there anything I have left out here? Keith .....?


In the end, it is about GAS.
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I'd be happy with the alloy lens but not in black! :D
 
My God that is a sexy lens. I have admired it ever since I saw photos of an original one on Camera Quest, years ago. I also owned a Voigtlander Prominent rangefinder camera and while it was quirky it was built like a tank but with silky smooth operation. I also owned three lenses - the 35mm, 50mm f2 and 100mm. All of these were beautifully built too. If Cosina makes the lenses anywhere near like Voigtlander did (and it sounds as if they do) this one will be a "cracker".
 
raid said:
Is the chrome cracker effect worth an additional $200?
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It may not be worth it exactly but i would pay for other things being equal. After all i would expect to get it back if i ever sold it. Besides Raid, I am pretty sure that you understand they joy of owning these things (I suspect you are nearly as bad as I am). :)
 
I'm pretty happy with my C Sonar but I do like the look of that Nokton in silver!
yes.gif
 
peterm1 said:
It may not be worth it exactly but i would pay for other things being equal. After all i would expect to get it back if i ever sold it. Besides Raid, I am pretty sure that you understand they joy of owning these things (I suspect you are nearly as bad as I am). :)
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I may be bad too, Peter. The good thing about having so many awesome new lenses available is that I convince myself that it is not about "just one" lens that got away. It i about many lenses that I cannot buy.

I then turn to my trustworthy Rigid Summicron or 40/2.8 Rollei Sonnar or the vintage Zeiss 5cm/1.5 adapted to ltm or the Summilux ... etc. Life is good, and I am happy right now with what I can use almost each day.
 
Keith said:
I'm pretty happy with my C Sonar but I do like the look of that Nokton in silver!
yes.gif
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I preferred the top CV lenses to stay around $500, but it seems that the newer lenses are a notch higher in quality (and price). They are amazing deals, as compared with same quality Leica lenses.
 
I find it easier to hold steady heavier cameras & lenses, of whatever color & finish, at slower shutter speeds, so there is a potential benefit for some low light shooters (I know I'm not the only one, but guess we're a minority).

raid said:
The chrome version weighs more and it does not help to make better imsges when compared to the black version.
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It depends for me whether I am shooting photos at home or when I am planning to do lots of walking during a trip. Weight plays a role when there is lots of walking. Last week, I used the heavy Vivitar 90-180 macro zoom at home. When I paced this lens in a camera bag to use locally outdoors, I found the bag to b much too heavy, so I replaced this lens by the lighter Zeiss 85/1.4, which is not a light lens.
 
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