Older Nokton 50mm f/1.5 ID Needed

[EthanFrank]

Hi, all.

I'm eyeing an older Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.5. I jumped when I heard 'Nokton'...and then I saw the lens mount. The seller knows nothing about it, but it doesn't look like an L39 or M mount to me.

Some Google-ing revealed this site - http://riotefe.blogspot.com/2009/04/voigtlander-nokton-50mmf15.html

That certainly is the lens in question, but Google's translation leaves much to be desired, though, and I can't decipher what is written about the mount.

Any help would be appreciated! 🙂

Thanks.

 

[EthanFrank]

Figures - I researched and researched, and I found nothing, and so I posted this thread.

Now, I've found the answer! It's an old Voigtlander Prominent lens. It seems as though a few adapters have been made - a few by Cameraquest a while back. It looks like the only current one in production is the Kipon Prominent to L39 adapter, but I have yet to find reviews of it.

Guys, is a 50mm 1.4 Nokton + Prominent to L39 + L39 to M apapter the way to go here, or is it not worth the effort?

Worthy of note, all of this will cost me just under $600, down the road (time to save!)

 

[johannielscom]

I seem to recall that a Voigtlander Prominent Nokton 50/1.5 is a pretty sought after lens and tberefore expensive.

If the lens and adapter together set you back USD 600, you can probably sell at a profit if its not your cup of tea.

I don't know of current prices on that lens and your take the condition in account though, a needed CLA would less sweeten the deal I suppose.

Good luck and if you decide to go for it, sbow some shots!

 

[Tom A]

I have the Prominent Nokton with a Voigtlander Adapter for Nikon Rf mount (can be used then with a Nikon to Leica adapter too - adapter mania).
It is a good lens, but at the time it was stuck on the Prominent - a camera whose ergonomics were less than perfect!!!!
Image quality of the Nokton 50f1.5 is very high, some flare but very "smooth" rendition and though a bit soft contrast wide open - it "snaps" up the contrast from f2.8.
However, it is a heavy lens and it also can have issues with internal fog and the aperture blades are a bit prone to sticking. By many considered one of the best 50 mm lenses from the late 50's and early 60's.
If you are buying one for use, I would recommend the VC Nokton 50f1.5 LTM instead, modern design, great image quality and considerably lighter.
If you are buying for a "classic" look - yes go for it. At that price though - it better be close to perfect. You can buy a Pominent and the lens for less than that!
Some shots on our Flickr under the tag "Prominent Nokton 50mm f1.5" - with the Nikon adapter.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Hi, all.

I'm eyeing an older Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.5. I jumped when I heard 'Nokton'...and then I saw the lens mount. The seller knows nothing about it, but it doesn't look like an L39 or M mount to me.

Some Google-ing revealed this site - http://riotefe.blogspot.com/2009/04/voigtlander-nokton-50mmf15.html

That certainly is the lens in question, but Google's translation leaves much to be desired, though, and I can't decipher what is written about the mount.

Any help would be appreciated! 🙂

Thanks.

First photo shows it is mounted on a Prominent camera in synchro compur or compur rapid shutter:

 

[chrishayton]

Ive tried one of the prominent lenses on a Leica adapter on my old m8 and wasn't impressed, very soft wide open, acceptable stopped own, Not a patch on the modern CV one (but then you wouldn't expect it to be)

 

[nicography]

Couple days ago, i purchased a Prominent Voigtlaner 50mm f1.5. It came with a Prominent to Ltm adapter that was made in west germany many years ago. I attached this lens with a 50/75 Voigtlander ltm to m adapter, and the images are super sharp with the M9. It produces really nice blue, green, and the bokeh are way better than my Voigtlander 50mm f1.1. Although it doesn't have excellent flare control, I think it is normal for a lens at this age.

 

[furcafe]

The original Voigtlander 50/1.5 Nokton was 1 of the classic fast 50mm's from the 1950s, rivaled only by the Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar (& its sibling the 5cm/1.4 Nikkor-S). Voigtlander also made the lens in Contax RF & Leica thread mount (LTM), see, e.g., http://www.cameraquest.com/vgtnok.htm, but they're rare & very expensive.

Examples:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/tags/voigtlander5015noktonltmc195260/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/tags/voigtlander5015noktonc195260/

I know nothing about the Kipon adapter, but if it works properly & you want a more vintage look, it could be worth using the Prominent version w/an adapter.

Figures - I researched and researched, and I found nothing, and so I posted this thread.

Now, I've found the answer! It's an old Voigtlander Prominent lens. It seems as though a few adapters have been made - a few by Cameraquest a while back. It looks like the only current one in production is the Kipon Prominent to L39 adapter, but I have yet to find reviews of it.

Guys, is a 50mm 1.4 Nokton + Prominent to L39 + L39 to M apapter the way to go here, or is it not worth the effort?

Worthy of note, all of this will cost me just under $600, down the road (time to save!)

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I use the 50/1.5 Nokton on the Prominent, and one with an S-Mount adapter.

It is a Planar design, quite good. Much sharper than the Summarit, on par with the Zeiss Sonnar of the day.

The filter size will drive you nuts. Turns out the filters from a Polaroid 180 and 195 will fit it.