Voigt Nokton 50mm 1.5? Nikkor 5cm 1.4?

[CajunCC]

All I've got for my Nikon SP is the 2.8cm 1:3.5 that was on it when I found it. I've gone through a roll and started another, but it's really slow-going for me. I've never been a fan of the 28mm focal length, the max aperture is just slow, and having to use the tiny little 28/35 viewfinder on the SP is... less-fun. So I'm hoping to make things a bit more enjoyable with a fast 50mm lens. I've considered two options (are there any others?).

Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 Nokton Aspherical
++ It's available brand new
+ From what I can tell, it's optically great
+ Ergonomics (aperture ring doesn't rotate with focus, etc)
+ External mount (call me silly, but i think the internal-mount 5cm lenses are uuuuuugly... and for some reason, it matters! :bang🙂
- It's not a Nikon
- It's a "new" lens on an "old" camera
-- More expensive ($400 new)

Nikkor-S.C 5cm f/1.4
++ It's a Nikon
+ Same vintage as the camera
+ "Classic" style rendering
+ A bit less expensive
- Internal mount lenses look weird to me
- Ergonomics aren't as nice (aperture ring rotates with focus)
-- Tough to know what condition you're getting

I'm guessing I'll get a lot of recommendations for the Nikkor, since it's the "pure" choice, but I'm hoping to hear some input from folks who own or have used the Voigtlander lens. I've been looking for stuff around the 'net, but there's almost nothing about this lens. I can't even find a picture of a Nikon rangefinder with one mounted on it!

Thoughts? Opinions? Examples?

 

[jonmanjiro]

Interesting that you think the internal mount 50s are ugly... have you ever seen one in person?

 

[furcafe]

Aesthetics & ergonomics aside, I would go w/the lens that produces the look you're trying to achieve in your photos. Want the classic Sonnar look? Then the Nikkor-S is your best choice. Want something more modern, contrasty? Then the S Nokton is the way to go (BTW, it's optically identical to the LTM version, so try searching for those images).

All I've got for my Nikon SP is the 2.8cm 1:3.5 that was on it when I found it. I've gone through a roll and started another, but it's really slow-going for me. I've never been a fan of the 28mm focal length, the max aperture is just slow, and having to use the tiny little 28/35 viewfinder on the SP is... less-fun. So I'm hoping to make things a bit more enjoyable with a fast 50mm lens. I've considered two options (are there any others?).

Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 Nokton Aspherical
++ It's available brand new
+ From what I can tell, it's optically great
+ Ergonomics (aperture ring doesn't rotate with focus, etc)
+ External mount (call me silly, but i think the internal-mount 5cm lenses are uuuuuugly... and for some reason, it matters! :bang🙂
- It's not a Nikon
- It's a "new" lens on an "old" camera
-- More expensive ($400 new)

Nikkor-S.C 5cm f/1.4
++ It's a Nikon
+ Same vintage as the camera
+ "Classic" style rendering
+ A bit less expensive
- Internal mount lenses look weird to me
- Ergonomics aren't as nice (aperture ring rotates with focus)
-- Tough to know what condition you're getting

I'm guessing I'll get a lot of recommendations for the Nikkor, since it's the "pure" choice, but I'm hoping to hear some input from folks who own or have used the Voigtlander lens. I've been looking for stuff around the 'net, but there's almost nothing about this lens. I can't even find a picture of a Nikon rangefinder with one mounted on it!

Thoughts? Opinions? Examples?

 

[CajunCC]

Interesting that you think the internal mount 50s are ugly... have you ever seen one in person?

I have not. And to be fair, I thought the Nikon SP was a bit on the less-attractive side. But then when I had one in my hands, I fell in love instantly. So maybe I'd change my mind about the internal-mount lenses...

 

[CajunCC]

Aesthetics & ergonomics aside, I would go w/the lens that produces the look you're trying to achieve in your photos. Want the classic Sonnar look? Then the Nikkor-S is your best choice. Want something more modern, contrasty? Then the S Nokton is the way to go (BTW, it's optically identical to the LTM version, so try searching for those images).

Hmm. Sounds like I might need one of each... The wife is going to love THAT decision. 😉

 

[jonmanjiro]

I have a photo of an S-mount Nokton 50/1.5 on an S2 somewhere. I'll post it if I can find it.

The Nokton is a good lens, but is quite large and bulky compared to the tiny vintage Nikkor 5cm F1.4 and Nikkor 5cm F2. The bulkiness alone was a deal breaker for me.

If your SP is a second system and you also shoot with M-mount cameras (just a guess), I suggest getting a vintage Nikkor 5cm lens for your SP and the recently released M-mount Nokton for your M-mount kit. You've got both bases covered that way.

A vintage Nikkor 5cm feels just right on the SP, and I expect you'll have a change of heart about its appearance once you have one in hand 🙂

 

[furcafe]

Not the sharpest shot (just an iPhone 4s snap), but here's the S Nokton on my SP 2005:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/8576503063/

jonmanjiro is absolutely correct about the S Nokton being much larger/bulkier than the internal mount 50s. However, I've never found it to be particularly cumbersome (& the build quality + handling is an improvement over the LTM version).

Edit:

Here's 1 of my original SPs w/the 5cm/1.4 Nikkor-S:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/3310013789/

 

[jonmanjiro]

I have a photo of an S-mount Nokton 50/1.5 on an S2 somewhere. I'll post it if I can find it.

Found it!

 

[Erik van Straten]

For me the S Nokton is excellent on the S2. The lenshead does not turn when focusing, the f-stop is easily set and the modern rendering is sometimes a welcome variation.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Nikon S2, S Nokton 50mm f/1.5, Tmax400.

Erik.

 

[Dez]

Probably the best choice of all would be the Millennium Nikkor shown at the left of Jon's photo. Unfortunately they are hard to find and terribly expensive if you do locate one.
me, I'm happy with the original Nikkor 1.4 on my SP.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[VinceC]

I like the original Nikkor 50s because they are so small. You really can keep it in a pocket. Size-wise, it's a great companion to the 28mm.

 

[ivanuskokovic]

I have the CV 50mm f/1.5 coming in the mail. Curious as to how it'll feel in the hands with my S2 or S4 rear capping it.

 

[CajunCC]

Man, you guys don't make this choice any easier, do you? 😛

I'm thinking that I'll probably enjoy the Nokton lens a bit more as a "user" lens due to its ergonomics and higher contrast at wide apertures. I may still pick up a Nikkor for those times when i want a more "vintage" look. Unfortunately every lens purchase saps money from my Leica M fund... :bang:

 

[Frontman]

The Nokton is a superb lens, I have one which is more or less permanently mounted to my Leica M4. I prefer it to the 50mm Summicron or Summilux, it is a real bargain and a serious performer.

For my Nikon SP I recently replaced the old Sonnar-type Nikkor with a Millenium Nikkor. I will know how well it works once my chemicals cool down (it has finally become hot in Tokyo) and I can get my film developed.

The internal mount lenses require less effort to focus when using the focusig wheel, so I have nothing against them.

 

[furcafe]

Remember, all you need is the right adapter from Amedeo to use those lenses on a Leica M body.

Man, you guys don't make this choice any easier, do you? 😛

I'm thinking that I'll probably enjoy the Nokton lens a bit more as a "user" lens due to its ergonomics and higher contrast at wide apertures. I may still pick up a Nikkor for those times when i want a more "vintage" look. Unfortunately every lens purchase saps money from my Leica M fund... :bang:

 

[furcafe]

Unless your copy is damaged or something, I think you'll find the Millenium 50/1.4 to be a very good lens, as well it should be.

The Nokton is a superb lens, I have one which is more or less permanently mounted to my Leica M4. I prefer it to the 50mm Summicron or Summilux, it is a real bargain and a serious performer.

For my Nikon SP I recently replaced the old Sonnar-type Nikkor with a Millenium Nikkor. I will know how well it works once my chemicals cool down (it has finally become hot in Tokyo) and I can get my film developed.

The internal mount lenses require less effort to focus when using the focusig wheel, so I have nothing against them.

 

[CajunCC]

Remember, all you need is the right adapter from Amedeo to use those lenses on a Leica M body.

I learn something new every day! That's actually really excellent.

 

[enasniearth]

I like the standard Nikon 5cm 1.4 , it performs well and has the advantage that you can focus using the finger wheel on the camera .

 

[Frontman]

Man, you guys don't make this choice any easier, do you? 😛

I'm thinking that I'll probably enjoy the Nokton lens a bit more as a "user" lens due to its ergonomics and higher contrast at wide apertures. I may still pick up a Nikkor for those times when i want a more "vintage" look. Unfortunately every lens purchase saps money from my Leica M fund... :bang:

You should simply enjoy your Nikon. I have a lot of Leica gear, but I find that I prefer to use the Nikon stuff. Nikon rangefinders aren't for everybody, but the old photo journalists and war photographers liked them, and after using Nikon S gear for awhile, I can see why.