Unexpected Quality (or perhaps the lack thereof)

[jljohn]

I received a new-to-me Chrome Voigtlander 50mm Nokton f/1.5 yesterday (from leicashot) and was genuinely surprised by the quality. I have been reading up on 50mm lenses a lot lately, and and most commenters and reviewers comment on the lower quality of the Nokton as compared to Leica lenses in general and some even note that it seems a lower quality than the Zeiss. Now I certainly cannot comment on the quality regarding lens longevity (but frankly neither can most online reviewers who have their lenses for a few weeks for the review), but mine is absolutely top notch. In fact, it makes the 35mm Summicron (pre-asph) feel like a plastic toy! I would say that it feels better (smoother focus throw and aperture adjustment) than most Leica lenses I have handled in local shops (with the notable exception of the simply beautiful Black Paint 50mm last pre-asph Summilux I stumbled across last week.) Compared to the new Zeiss lens that I tested, it is much tighter and smoother.

I am not picking on Leica or Zeiss--I am just impressed with the initial quality of the Voigtlander. I look forward to checking out the optics in the next few days.

Anyone else had a similar experience being pleasantly surprised with a piece of photographic equipment?

Jeremy

 

[monochromejrnl]

In my experience the early VC lenses were generally better built (perhaps better quality control when the then production volume was lower - speculation only though). The VC50/1.5 Nokton is one of the better built VC lenses and comparable to the modern Leica lenses in terms of out of the box fit and finish. However the I suspect cosmetics will deteriorate faster on the Nokton than on a current 50 Cron.

The best built lenses I've ever had the pleasure of using were 50'cron rigid and DR from the late 50's and early 60s, and perhaps a little surprisingly, Pentax SMC-Takumar screwmount lenses from the 60s. My 55/1.8 SMC Takumar is as smooth and well built as virtually anything I've ever used.

Enjoy your Nokton - optically as good as virtually any 50mm ever made for 35mm film.

 

[kshapero]

There are other reasons Leica lenses cost so much, but CV build quality has always been very good IMHO.

 

[ferider]

Forget what reviewers say - who knows what benefits they have from whatever manufacturer they favor ? Your 50/1.5 is a great lens - and the chrome ones feel better than the black ones (no brassing).

One of my all time favorite RF lenses is its sister, the 28/1.9 Ultron ASPH - similar in built and really great optically.

Don't get me started on the v4 35/2 Summicron with its plastic pieces glued together. The v3 and earlier ones are much more solid. Similar to monochromejrnl, my best built lens is the DR Summicron.

My most recent positive surprises were in classic SLR land (Olympus OM mount): a Kiron 28/2 and a Vivitar Series 1 90/2.5. Built like rocks and great optically. And cheap on the used market.

Roland.

 

[lxmike]

My father had the early cv 50 nokton and I was very impressed with the build quality, myself I have a chrome cv 25/4 LTM thread, and I have not a grumble abut its build quality either

 

[Roger Hicks]

Forget what reviewers say - who knows what benefits they have from whatever manufacturer they favor ? Your 50/1.5 is a great lens - and the chrome ones feel better than the black ones (no brassing).

One of my all time favorite RF lenses is its sister, the 28/1.9 Ultron ASPH - similar in built and really great optically.

Don't get me started on the v4 35/2 Summicron with its plastic pieces glued together. The v3 and earlier ones are much more solid. Similar to monochromejrnl, my best built lens is the DR Summicron.

My most recent positive surprises were in classic SLR land (Olympus OM mount): a Kiron 28/2 and a Vivitar Series 1 90/2.5. Built like rocks and great optically. And cheap on the used market.

Roland.

Dear Roland,

Not exactly. I've always said that while I probably can be bribed, no-one has ever offered me enough money for me to find out.

And when it comes to kit, I'll never praise something I don't like, and wouldn't want to use, any more than I'll slag off equipment I do like because I can't afford it.

There's no great ethical dilemma here. If I don't like a camera or lens (or anything else), why would I want to keep it? I should add that I don't regard it as fair play to sell things I've been given, and I should further add that reviewers are given rather less stuff than many people imagine.

And like you, I was mightily impressed by both Kiron and the Series 1 90/2.5 (which I still have, bought new, but which needs tightening up after at least a couple of decades of use).

Cheers,

R.