Nokton 50/1.5 vs Nokton 50/1.1

Nokton 50/1.5 vs Nokton 50/1.1

  • Nokton 50/1.5

    Votes: 89 46.8%

  • Nokton 50/1.1

    Votes: 101 53.2%
  • Total voters
    190
A few Nokton 50f1.1 shots

A few Nokton 50f1.1 shots

There has been a lot of talk about the new 50 f1.1 Nokton and how well it does this and that compared to the other fast 50s. I bought the new f1.1 when it first came out but haven't had much chance to use it due to a too busy life. I will say that the build quality is impressive (comparable to my Leica 35ASPH f2), and it is a joy to use.

Below I included a few photos that I took walking about the research lab I manage, and while they're not great photos per se, I thought it would give folks a little idea about bokeh and such. I shot with the lens wide open on my Leica MP.

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With Tom's permission, I did a small comparison of two of his pictures mentioned above. They are shots of the same scene with both Nokton 1.1 and Noctilux, used wide open. Tom's pictures can be seen here:

F130 Nokton F1.1 @1.1:

www.flickr.com/photos/rapidwinder/3862193085

F130 Noctilux f1.0 @ 1.0:

www.flickr.com/photos/rapidwinder/3862974334

3865838948_b74a405082.jpg


Compared are level histograms of full-frame B+W negative scans (3000 x 2000 pixel, 8bit). While the contrast rendition is a bit different between the two lenses, the overall transmission is basically identical. Even more equal than Benny's RD1 shots that I compared previously, due to the Noctilux vignetting more. The Nokton shows a bit more details in the shadows, while the Noctilux seems to render the highlights a bit more contrasty.

Best,

Roland.
 
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ferider said:
With Tom's permission, I did a small comparison of two of his pictures mentioned above. They are shots of the same scene with both Nokton 1.1 and Noctilux, used wide open. Tom's pictures can be seen here:

F130 Nokton F1.1 @1.1:

www.flickr.com/photos/rapidwinder/3862193085

F130 Noctilux f1.0 @ 1.0:

www.flickr.com/photos/rapidwinder/3862974334

3865838948_b74a405082.jpg


Compared are level histograms of full-frame B+W negative scans (3000 x 2000 pixel, 8bit). While the contrast rendition is a bit different between the two lenses, the overall transmission is basically identical. Even more equal than Benny's RD1 shots that I compared previously, due to the Noctilux vignetting more. The Nokton shows a bit more details in the shadows, while the Noctilux seems to render the highlights a bit more contrasty.

Best,

Roland.
Click to expand...

Roland,

You're not playing fair!

Wow. Practically identical transmission measurements between the 50/1 Noctilux and the 50/1.1 Nokton?

Roland, the down side is that you are made it a lot harder for the "I've never shot with it but I'm an Anti 50/1.1 Nokton Expert" to avoid looking like no-nothing trolls.

Why bother posting with facts when the "I've never shot with it but I'm an Anti 50/1.1 Nokton Expert" are all too willing to post and insist upon their "not based upon their own experience" opinons?

Stephen
 
HenningW said:
Last Friday Tom A. loaned me his blueprinted f/1.1 Nokton, ...
Click to expand...

CameraQuest said:
Roland,

You're not playing fair!
Click to expand...

Stephen,

Well, I'd rather see sample pics with lenses straight off the assembly line and not with lenses blueprinted for the CV-Advertising Squad.

I myself had bad experience with Cosina's Quality Control - two copies of the 28/2.0 went back to the dealer and I got myself the Elmarit 28/2.8.
Also I had to send back the first copy of my Nokton 50/1.5 because it was defective. The second copy, however, is a phantastic lens!

So, if I was buddies with Mr K., I would certainly buy lots of blueprinted CV-lenses. Being just the average customer, I don't want to waste my time sending lenses back and forth until I get a decent copy.

Just my two EUR-cents. 😉
Cheers,
Uwe
 
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Uwe_Nds said:
Stephen,

Well, I'd rather see sample pics with lenses straight off the assembly line and not with lenses blueprinted for the CV-Advertising Squad.

I myself had bad experience with Cosina's Quality Control - two copies of the 28/2.0 went back to the dealer and I got myself the Elmarit 28/2.8.
Also I had to send back the first copy of my Nokton 50/1.5 because it was defective. The second copy, however, is a phantastic lens!

So, if I was buddies with Mr K., I would certainly buy lots of blueprinted CV-lenses. Being just the average customer, I don't want to waste my time sending lenses back and forth until I get a decent copy.

Just my two EUR-cents. 😉
Cheers,
Uwe
Click to expand...

Well said.
 
Uwe_Nds said:
Stephen,

Well, I'd rather see sample pics with lenses straight off the assembly line and not with lenses blueprinted for the CV-Advertising Squad.

Well, in this case it was a fair comparison. Hennings Noctilux had just come back from a factory "fine tuning" - so, for all practical purposes, it was also "blue-printed". I have used other 50f1.1's and compared to mine the difference is miniscule or neglible at best. The "blue-printing" can account for maybe 4-5% improvement or "stock" - but often, you cant see any significant changes. It has more to do with how you want the focus to feel etc.
Click to expand...
 
Eric,

That 1.1 shot is a wonderful portrait... The narrow depth of field goes very well with his expression, and with the fact of being isolated, inmersed in the book... It's incredible that lens' design!... Sharp wide open, AND with such a relaxing bokeh... Well done!

Congratulations!
 
andante1685,

If you search enough, most "good bokeh" lenses you like by now, can ALSO give you double lines and harsh bokeh, depending on the elements gathering in a scene...

There are some examples around of a very soft bokeh with Nokton 50mm f/1.1, and this subject was already discussed in this forum; if you buy one or get one from a friend, you will see that if you play a bit with the camera to subject distance, or with the subject to background distance, you get different bokehs, and if there are intense light sources or too contrasty lights and shadows in the background, you can make them soft by stopping down the lens 1 stop or 1/2 a stop, and yet keep a selective focus on your subject with beautiful blur behind it...

But being able to deliver a dreamy bokeh is not its only strength... It's an ultrafast lens with a size -not too big, not too heavy- making it a great "only one" lens, ONLY IN ITS KIND, and wide open is amazingly sharp for its speed, better than all other brands, you can check it... Construction, materials and precision are of same level as Leica lenses. Middle apertures resolution and contrast are superb too.

I use lenses in all formats and brands, including Zeiss, Voigtländer, Rodenstock, Schneider, Nikon and Leica, and in my opinion the Nokton 1.1 is one of the best lenses ever designed on earth.

Leica offerings are above it in price only...


Cheers,

Juan
 
You know what's real fun?


Get the Nokton and try this:


A roll of Kodak's Portra800 and your camera ISO setting at 1600.


A 58mm blue 80c filter for shooting home with tungsten light. (Corrects most of the yellow but allows a bit of it for a real interiors feeling...)


Have fun with friends by night handholding at f/1.1, and then ask the lab for a push2...


You'll be amazed when they give you colorful, sharp, nice bokeh prints!






Cheers,


Juan
 
 
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Could anyone that has both the 50 1.1 and 50 1.5 do a few testshots side by side? from 1.1/1.5 to 5.6 or something? I would love to see how these to perform when it comes to contrast, resolution and bokeh.
 
What a hilarious thread!
Anyway, after judging the images I discussed here:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79844
and receiving a small unexpected windfall, I've ordered myself a new Nokton 1.1! I've also used the 1.5 and i think it's a fantastic lens - I've shot two wedding with it. But it's too close to f/2 and I have a Summicron for that.
Can't wait for my new Nokton!
 
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