Nokton 40mm question...

[Dan Chang]

Konica's build quality is much better than Nokton 40/1.4 actially 40/1.4 build quality is lousy. the focus is stiff, the design is poor on the focus helical, the helical build on to the lens mount, there are other friction in the focus barrel, the tab has a copper ring contact with other ring if the lubricant is dry is is difficult to turn and the optical elements is wobble a little bit, in one word - they cheap, so you get what paid for.

 

[sychan]

I own the M-Rokkor from the CLE, and the 40/1.4 Nokton and used to own the Cron-C. I have shot the M-Rokkor and the Nokton side by side and assure you that there is very little difference in how they reproduce colors (I didn't bother to check resolution, since every side by side test online indicates that Nokton is better). The Cron-C may have slightly warmer color rendition (perhaps due to the older coatings).

In addition, all three of these lenses have the same type of bright ring bokeh - if the Nokton's bokeh is harsher than the other lenses, it is only because it is 1 stop faster and the bokeh effects are enhanced! The Cron-C and M-Rokkor do NOT have smooth creamy bokeh, they have bright ring bokeh - the same as the Nokton. False claims about the character of Cron-C/M-Rokkor bokeh vs. the Nokton were shown to be bogus on photo.net, but apparently "love is blind", and many people love their Leica/Rokkor glass.

And finally, the Nokton's modern coatings and design handle flare much, much better than the old Cron-C did. Shooting into the sun on the Cron-C was a guarantee of disaster, here is a link to a photo I did with the sun in the frame, around noonish. There is flare, but there is lots of detail to be had across the frame (maybe even better if I stopped it down further).

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3023098