Nokton 50f1.2 vs 50f1.1

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ktmrider

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I own the 50f1.1 and wondering if the 50f1.2 is worth purchasing. I am getting ready to travel around the world for 6 months and will definitely be taking a 50 for my MP240. I also own the latest 50 Summicron which might go because of size. Reading the thread under 50f1.1 it appears a lot of owners do not feel purchasing the f1.2 is worth it.
 
The Nokton 50mm f/1.1 is a miracle. So fast and so sharp ...

I've not seen very much shots with the Nokton 50mm f/1.2 so far (except those of Mike, of course).

Leica M3, Nokton 50mm f/1.1, Tmax400/Adox MCC 110.

Erik.

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Yeah I'm kinda shocked how sharp my 50 1.1 is at 1.1

I'm sure the 1.2 is very nice. Maybe borrow/rent/try one at the store for a few shots?

As I already have the 1.1, I went w the 40 1.2 which is a fantastic piece of glass.
 
Have 50f1.1 and first version of 35f1.2. I suspect that I will not be adding 50f1.2 but keep 50f1.1 and 50 Summicron.
 
If I would go around he World, the lenses I'll take are those I trust.
If lens works for you it is more convenient than size. M is not canonikon in size anyway.
 
The 1.1 is really good.
I have decided to part with mine only because I have a hard time focusing it reliably, but with live-view, it should be great...
 
sanmich said:
The 1.1 is really good.
I have decided to part with mine only because I have a hard time focusing it reliably, but with live-view, it should be great...
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Good point about live view. A lot of rangefinder purists think it's unnecessary, and while that's true, it makes life easier in some situations, like focusing a very shallow depth of field lens.
 
I’ve actually been curious if the 50 1.2 is better than the 1.5 but oddly haven’t gotten to see many comparative shots.
 
ktmrider said:
I own the 50f1.1 and wondering if the 50f1.2 is worth purchasing. I am getting ready to travel around the world for 6 months and will definitely be taking a 50 for my MP240. I also own the latest 50 Summicron which might go because of size. Reading the thread under 50f1.1 it appears a lot of owners do not feel purchasing the f1.2 is worth it.
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I’ve been pondering your question for a few days. Since I have both the Voigtlander 50mm f1.1 and 50mm f1.2 Nokton VM lens I felt a certain obligation to say something.

My first reaction to your question was to say something like “the 50mm f1.1 Nokton is magic, so much mojo in that lens, hell everything you photograph will be on the cover of National Geographic”. But then I decided to look through my files of images from both lenses and I was surprised at how much I liked the photographs from both lenses. So much so that I couldn't say that one was better than the other.

So, why was I so eager to sing high praise for the 50mm f1.1 over the f1.2?

I can only surmise that it’s something about the looks and handling of the 50mm f1.1 that makes me think that I’m going out on an adventure and before the day is done I’ll have lightning in a bottle - I just know it! And, it has been true; when I go out with that lens something magical always does happen.

When I hold the 50mm f1.1 in my hand it reminds me of a WWII hand grenade. It’s heavy, it’s shaped kind of funny (like a hand grenade); it’s manly, the glass is big - like a hubble space telescope! Okay, maybe I’m getting carried away.

The 50mm 1.2 is heavy, big, manly, takes awesome pictures, does everything that the f1.1 does but it’s less inspiring.

Obviously I’m less of a technical kind of a guy and more of a creative gut feeling person. So, here’s the bottom line (in my opinion)...

If you’re a dreamer and an adventurer stick with the 50mm f1.1 Nokton VM lens.

If you’re a technical kind of person - please feel free to ignore everything I’ve said and look at comparative tests and data and draw a conclusion as to which lens will give you the best images.

Third option: Forget about the 50mm f1.1, f1.2 and 35mm f1.2- The Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 Nokton VM lens is all you really need to have fun, travel light and get your stuff on the cover of the National Geographic!

Enjoy your trip, I’m sure you deserve it!

All the best,
Mike
 
Just picked up a Voigtlander 50 1.2 Nokton M and just shot a dozen or so test images.

All wide open on one of my Leica M 10s (wanted to see if I could focus it). The first 11 are all wide open wit hthe last image at 5.6 IIRC. The lens is very well made and the aperture has great firm 1/2 stop clicks. Focus is smooth and very nice to use. Over all first impressions are very good indeed. Love the kind of vintage lens glow when wide open. It seems to be very sharp and I didn't seem to have any issues with focusing it wide open.

wide open (1.2)
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at 5.6 I think.
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Yokosuka_Mike said:
- The Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 Nokton VM lens is all you really need to have fun, travel light and get your stuff on the cover of the National Geographic!
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I don't know about NG, but since putting the 40/1.2 on my M10, I have been pondering the need for other lenses.

WhiteMannie.jpg


The White Mannie of Findochty with 40/1.2
 
I recall Brian S telling me that the CV 50/1.1 and 35/1.2 were incredible deals. I got the 50mm lens but not the fast 35mm lens.
 
Out to Lunch said:
My two cents, and as said above, it's big and heavy. If you bring the Nokton 1.1, also bring a tripod.
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The Nokton 50mm f/1.1 weights 433 grams, the 50mm f/1.2 Noctilux weights 480 grams and the first version of the 50mm f/1 Noctilux weights 580 grams; just to continue: the first version of the Summilux 50mm f/1.4 is 323 grams, the second version of the Summilux 50mm f/1.4 is 297 grams and the chrome version of the v4 Summicron 50mm f/2 (model without shade) is 282 grams.

For its size the Nokton 50mm f/1.1 is not heavy, only 110 grams more than the first version of the Summilux 50mm f/1.4. The Nokton 50mm f/1.2 weights 344 grams, btw.

Erik.
 
Thanks for all the input. Stephen Gandy says the 50f1.2 is different enough and much better than the 50f1.1 to justify getting one. Now I don't really like duplicating focal lengths and have the 50 Summicron. I am thinking I will hold off on the 50f1.2 and will take 25/50/90 with the MP240 and a Fuji X100F to cover the 35mm FOV and as a backup on my trip around the world. And it will be the 50f1.1 versus the Summicron as well.
 
ktmrider said:
Stephen Gandy says the 50f1.2 is different enough and much better than the 50f1.1 to justify getting one.
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I'd have to agree. My 50mm f/1.1 was my 'go to' lens for years. I bought the f/1.2 at the end of last year and the difference is quite stark - contrast, colours, and sharpness. My f/1.1 was sharp but the f/1.2 is sharper from the center through to the edges.
 
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