Prominent Nokton (1950ies vintage) german, variations

[maitani]

Does anybody know the production quantity of the Original Prominent Nokton Formula of the 1950ies 50 1.5 german voigtlander lens?

50 1.5 nokton in prominent RF mount
50 1.5 nokton voigtlander in Leica L39 screwmount
50 1.5 nokton in contax RF mount (??)

does anyone know if the latter exists, or were they just adapted to contax per
prominent-to-contax adapter?

any help, productions number and background information about those lenses would be appreciated

 

[maitani]

I managed to find this info in the meanwhile on this site:

http://taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Bessa_RF_histo.html

Most lenses made for the Prominent Rangefinder as the top lens (DM 595,- in 1953 for both). Very few in Leica screw mount, a handful in Contax RF mount...

would be especially interested in the contax RF mount version, but 'a handful' sounds like a more than just hard to find lens

any more information about this lens would be appreciated, maybe somebody around here own's it or in L39 or contax mount?

 

[furcafe]

I have the Nokton in Prominent mount & LTM, but know nothing about production numbers.

I have only seen the Contax RF mount on eBay about 4 years ago, selling for many 1000s of $US. The mounting hardware looked very much like those for the 50mm Sonnars & Tessars for the Contax, which is only appropriate, because my understanding is that particular version was made after Zeiss Ikon took over Voigtlander & was intended to be the new normal lens for the never-built Contax IV (prototype only); that also probably accounts for its rarity, since it must have been produced only in the last year before they discontinued the Contax system. I believe the rationale was that the Nokton was easier to manufacture than the Sonnar (as well as being better corrected).

The only variation I have seen in the LTM version (on eBay) is that some early ones have a chrome, as opposed to the standard black, bezel, similar to the Prominent version. Mine has the regular black bezel.

Stephen Gandy has a short article on the LTM Nokton: http://www.cameraquest.com/vgtnok.htm

Does anybody know the production quantity of the Original Prominent Nokton Formula of the 1950ies 50 1.5 german voigtlander lens?

50 1.5 nokton in prominent RF mount
50 1.5 nokton voigtlander in Leica L39 screwmount
50 1.5 nokton in contax RF mount (??)

does anyone know if the latter exists, or were they just adapted to contax per
prominent-to-contax adapter?

any help, productions number and background information about those lenses would be appreciated

 

[S.H.]

I own a prominent lens (ULTRON), I use it with a prominent => Contrax and Contax => Leica Adapter. Impressive lens, on par with an pre asph summicron.


Nokton/Ultron in Contax mount exists, but it was never a production serie, just prototypes (shown in Kuc's book about the Contax, volume II).

 

[sevo]

I have the Nokton in Prominent mount & LTM.

I have only seen the Contax RF mount on eBay about 4 years ago,

Was it a real one? The only one I ever saw on ebay quite obviously had a CV Prominent->Contax mount adapter attached...

 

[furcafe]

Yes, the 1 I saw years ago was clearly the real Contax RF mount version (all chrome barrel & w/no visible separation between barrel & mount); I had previously seen photos of it in a reprint of an article by Ivor Matanle (I think) about the Contax IV. I actually bid on it, but it went for way over my budget.

I've seen that recent fake, too.

Was it a real one? The only one I ever saw on ebay quite obviously had a CV Prominent->Contax mount adapter attached...

 

[maitani]

thanks for all the help, finally arrived yesterday

most probably it will be glued on my S2 nikon

 

[S.H.]

Nice!

I found out the original hoods are not usable : with such an adapter, the lens turns and the hood blocks the VF and vignettes.

Still searching for a solution (other than a custom hood).

 

[maitani]

what a cracker of a lens, didn't expect that, it's basically on par with my millenium nikkor, or leitz summilux, with tons of character, no slouch for a 1954 lens.

 

[furcafe]

Glad you like it. Of course, it was no run of the mill 1954 lens; if it had been, I don't think Zeiss Ikon would have slated it to be the official Sonnar replacement!

what a cracker of a lens, didn't expect that, it's basically on par with my millenium nikkor, or leitz summilux, with tons of character, no slouch for a 1954 lens.

 

[Biggles]

I found out the original hoods are not usable : with such an adapter, the lens turns and the hood blocks the VF and vignettes.

Still searching for a solution (other than a custom hood).

I recently encountered the same problem when I used a stack of adapters to put my family heirloom Prominent 50/3.5 Color-Skopar on my Zeiss Ikon ZM. Solved it with a 45mm threaded round hood found on eBay. An old one, made in England. Price tag on the box was pre-decimal.

I think the Ultron and Nokton had the same bizarre 45mm filter thread as my Color-Skopar. Happy to provide detailed measurements of my lens & hood to any Ultron & Nokton owners who wish to compare.

And, just because, here's a picture from the Color-Skopar. (Film was Tri-X.) I definitely think these lenses are worth adapting to more user-friendly bodies than Prominents.

 

[S.H.]

Thanks for the tip. Measurements could be useful, as I possibly can make some simple slip on hoods (a friend has a 3D printer).

 

[Biggles]

Will measure and post this evening. Meanwhile, check PM.

 

[S.H.]

Thank you very much! 🙂

 

[Biggles]

@S.H.: 50mm Color-Skopar outside diameter and 45mm hood outside diameter of threads pictured; 1.852 inches and 1.769 inches, respectively.

If my lens outside diameter matches your Ultron's, there's a 99.9% chance the same 45mm hood will fit. More tomorrow.

 

[raid]

Where could I find a Contax Prominent adapter these days?

 

[ZeissFan]

These turn up occasionally on eBay. I bought one on eBay about five or six or seven years ago. It was inexpensive. Maybe $25.

The lens is heavy. Almost too heavy.

 

[raid]

These turn up occasionally on eBay. I bought one on eBay about five or six or seven years ago. It was inexpensive. Maybe $25.

The lens is heavy. Almost too heavy.

Mike,
Let me know if you spot another one.
I have a Prominent with the Nokton lens. They sell for $212.

 

[ZeissFan]

Actually ...

f/1.5 Sonnar: 160 g
f/2.0 Ultron: 180 g

Contax IIa with f/1.5 Sonnar: 730 g
Prominent with f/2.0 Ultron: 880 g

I should mention that the weight of the f/1.5 Sonnar varied, depending on whether you had a pre-1945 Jena, East German Jena, Zeisss-Opton or final Carl Zeiss lens.

 

[ZeissFan]

I see on of the adapters on eBay now (item no. 251255704283) -- for $200. No way would I pay that much.