Tell me about the Nokton 1.1

[L Collins]

I've never really had a fast 50 M mount lens. Always stuck with the cheaper Elmars or currently a $20 Jupiter 8.When I need a fast 50 I'll break out the Nikon f with 50 1.4.

What does the Nokton give me that I can't get with the nikkor other than an extra half stop?

 

[lonemantis]

What you get with the Nokton is a lens that's about as sharp at F1.1, maybe a bit better, as the Nikon is at F1.4 Stopped down to 1.4, the Voigtlander is definitely sharper.

I also find focusing is easier in low-light with an RF, rather than ground glass or a microprism, but that depends on your preferences. It's also a large lens by RF standards, but not that much bigger than the Nikon.

 

[Ambrosius]

But you need a camera with a larga baselength, like Leica or Zeiss Ikon...

 

[Pioneer]

But you need a camera with a larga baselength, like Leica or Zeiss Ikon...

IMO the Zeiss Ikon is the ideal for this lens with the naturally long rangefinder base and clear, wide open, viewfinder. The Leica M6 or M7 0.85 or 0.72 combined with the 125% magnifier gives a slightly longer rangefinder base but, having used this setup myself, I felt it was hampered by the less than ideal view through that viewfinder/magnifier combo.

It is a relatively large lens by rangefinder standards so you will definitely know it is on the camera. But it does provide some great shots. Compared to a lot of other options it is not terribly expensive and it is a well constructed, modern lens.

Mine seemed just a bit soft when I first bought it so I sent it to DAG camera and had Don adjust it. It is now in perfect shape to show off its very narrow depth of field.

 

[jsrockit]

What does the Nokton give me that I can't get with the nikkor other than an extra half stop?

Focus shift? 😀

 

[DNG]

I owned a Nokton 50/1.1

at f/1.1 and under 10 feet.... beautiful...
M5
50mm Nokton f/1.1 at f/1.1, or f/2 maybe
Plus-X
Xtol I think.


Father-in-Law: 7-19-2011 by Peter Arbib, on Flickr

You will like it. It was compared to the Leica one of the f/.95's I think... and there was marginal differences...(very little optically),
mainly in the Bokeh... the Nokton was slightly less smooth in transitional areas. but still beutaful..

 

[Jockos]

Had it, thought it was really nice, especially the handling, except for that AWFUL focus shift.

Now using a 1.4 and sometimes miss the speed, but then remember that with more speed I also lost DoF - which in many cases gave pretty "two dimensional images".

 

[bideford]

Mainly shoot wide open so no focus shift issues.

Great indoors for the razor depth of field (can be a little soft - but then so were the earlier Noctilux's):

or outdoors at night:

James