Nokton V/S Summicron

[elmer3.5]

Hi, would like to know your opinion about which is the best.

Nokton 40 1.4
Summicron-c 40 2.0

Your experinces about their performance on B/W and Color.

I want to get a summicron but not sure if it´s so much better than the nokton i already have.

i´m ok with the nokton and B/W, but i find it a little dull for color.

Thanks

E

 

[photogdave]

In my opinion the most significant difference is the more compact size of the Summicron. Some will say the bokeh of the Summicron is nicer too, if you care about that.
Get the Summicron but keep the Nokton for low light shooting!

 

[elmer3.5]

Sharpest?

Sharpest?

Hi, is the summicron 40 sharp as the summicron 50 IV?

thanks!

E

 

[photogdave]

Hi, is the summicron 40 sharp as the summicron 50 IV?

thanks!

E

I would say no.
Hey, this was my 2000th post! 😀

 

[ferider]

See here:

http://ferider.smugmug.com/Technical/Tests/40mm-Tests/2727734_MNe74

At f2, you will have a very hard time distinguishing Nokton and Summicron.

Which Nokton do you use (SC vs MC) ?

Roland.

 

[elmer3.5]

Cheers!

Cheers!

Hi, i use SC, perhaps that´s the issue! Is there any filter that will be like a multicoating efect????

Cheers for your 2000th post! don´t know when i´ll be there🙂

Thanks!

E

PD: Well, well, well, thanks a lot for the link, that´s what i was looking for! A practical test!

 

[baycrest]

I find the performance the same, I prefer the more compact size of the Cron over the Nokton.

The Nokton also sometimes produces an unusal bokeh which appears from from time to time. This is also a matter of personal taste.

On the CL I always use the Cron, FWIW and the Nokton is on my R3A.

 

[aldobonnard]

the summicron performance is higher, both resolution/contrast/OOF, as is the construction and feel.
however the nokton is slightly more resistant to flare at f/2
I had a nokton 40 but didn't like the bokeh at all nor the ergonomics, finally now it's a summicron 40 and the CL is very happy.
It's a damn sharp lens

 

[Makten]

The Summicron bokeh isn't all that smooth that some claim it to be. This is on an M8, and I don't know if that makes a difference. It's actually smoother at larger distances, which is a little bit wierd.

 

[Turtle]

Where you focus close and have scraggly background (especially if high contrast or against the sky) is where most lenses produce their worst bokeh. My 50 planar Bokeh is normally superb, but if I am close up and the above applies, it will produce less than great bokeh, but most lenses will do the exact same. The only lens I have used that seems to refuse to produce ugly bokeh is the Summarit-M 35 2.5. I sure it can be provoked and the more I use it the more I will likely see.

 

[Palaeoboy]

the summicron performance is higher, both resolution/contrast/OOF,

I couldnt disagree more! This is also from someone whose favourite lens is the Summicron so it may sound hypocritical. Firstly with respect to contrast the Noktons are modern lenses and they simply exceed the older 70's lens. So much so I had to get the SC version because I found the contrast of the MC version too great. At f2 to 4 shot side by side the Noktons again have a slight but notable greater resolution at the edges. Center performance is about the same. Flare there is no contest at any aperture. Even the SC version is better than the Summicron in this respect. Veiled flare is a weakness of the Summicron. I agree that the Summicrons construction is better however. All that said its usually Summicron I leave on my CLE's or CL's, I just prefer the compact package with its original hood and cap, all clip together like a robust clamshell. However this is something most others dont like! But to answer the OP question, if you already have a Nokton and its size is no problem then I dont see much advantage in getting a Summicron.