Voigtlander 50/1.1 Nokton Images !

[Sonnar Brian]

Let me think.

This lens has been out for Two Weeks. The Noctilux has been out for almost 40 years.

So: test Shots from the Cosina should be judged against 40 years of Noctilux shots to decide which to choose from.

Or maybe the $9000 price difference will influence people even more.

If you want a special lens for OOF, get a 5cm F1.5 Summarit.

 

[Prosaic]

Incidentally can you show me a shot taken with a noctilux where it's character is essential to the emotional/storytelling nature of the photograph?

Are you kidding? That is what the whole Nocti hype is about. A fascinating look that no other lens creates.
http://www.flickriver.com/groups/63271221@N00/pool/interesting/

 

[padraigm]

Prosaic, not sure if those picture are yours but those are some stellar pictures. Time will tell if the Nokton can match up. I have had it for all of 2 hours and took some quick shots around the house with the M8 and so far I am still excited. The noctilux was always way out of my reach so I am grateful for something more affordable. I must point out thought, that on the picture of the candle you can see the apperature blades in the OOF highlight. It was pointed out previously where the Nokton shows this also. Not as severe granted but still possible. It may never be as good as the nocti but probably 95% of the time it is good enough. Even if some decide they don't like the signature of this lens I would imagine it puts trmendous pressure on prices in the used Nocti market fand thats a plus for those trying to make that happen at some point. Overall I can't think of any negatives for the release of this lens... It is very welcome to many including myself.

 

[P. Lynn Miller]

I think it would be best to take the Nokton 50/1.1 at face value for its own character and personality. Comparing the Nokton to the Noctilux, Canon 0.95, Nikkor 1.1, Zunow 1.1, etc and etc, other than in passing reference is a waste of time. Each of the high-speed 50mm lenses is going to deliver a unique signature. Learn to use each one for its strengths and weaknesses.

I did not buy the Nokton to satisfy my lust for a Noctilux or Zunow, but because it was a very fast, versatile lens that will fill a very important niche in my lens arsenal, a very high speed normal lens to wring the last ounce of light out of available darkness. I have not bothered to post anything that I have shot yet because I yet to find the sweet spot of the Nokton that makes it distinctive and unique, where I can use the Nokton to bring more than a fast aperture to the scene.

Time will show that the Nokton will find its place among the stable for super-fast 50's and at the moment if you are considering buying the Nokon f1.1, I would not hesitate, as there are no more coming from Cosina in the foreseeable future.

 

[Krosya]

Well, while nothing will match Noctilux, there are lenses in the same price range, like Cosina's own CV35/1.2 that does look better when it comes to bokeh, etc.

 

[Tom A]

I have no idea what the discussion is about here. The Nokton 50 f1.1 is a modern, ultra fast normal at an affordable price. Performance is stellar by any standard. One reason i did not like the Noctiluxes was its signature - not particularly good in mid-range, soft contrast at f1.0 etc. It wasn't that I didn't try to like it - went through 6 of them!
I have tried and used the Nikon/Zunow 50 1.1, the Konica 60f1.2 (only one that comes even close to the Nokton's performance - haven't shot enough with the 50f1.2 Konica to warrant an opinion). the Canon 0.95/50 - didn't like it.
Of course, if you are looking for a lens with 'signature" - go for the Noctilux - but I want 1 more stop and the edge of a Nokton 50f1.5. The "fuzzy" stuff may fall were it falls - thats not what I am interested in.
As always, to each his own and for me that will be the Nokton!!!

 

[nzeeman]

Well, while nothing will match Noctilux, there are lenses in the same price range, like Cosina's own CV35/1.2 that does look better when it comes to bokeh, etc.

no offense but i really dont understand why would someone want to match noctilux... with nokton f1.1 they are decades ahead of noctilux.

 

[P. Lynn Miller]

Well, Tom... it sure ain't about the photos!

The one thing I really like about the Nokton 50/1.1 is how user friendly it is. While it is bulky around the girth, it is very nicely weighted and superbly balanced with silky smooth, quick focusing and snappy aperture. Like a grow'ed up Nokton 50/1.5 but with a better fit and finish.

All in all, while I am not star-struck by the Nokton 1.1, I am very satisfied with my purchase.

 

[bastian a.]

I still hope that old Noctiluxes will become cheaper because a lot of people buy the new Nokton ...

🙂

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The F1.1 Nokton is an amazing achievement.

Cosina is to be commended, and the new owners are to be congratulated.

As far as character, fast, sharp, plenty of contrast, and little vignetting.

If someone buys this lens and is unhappy with its character, I can FIX that. Send it to me, and I will remount the rear element in backwards. That will produce plenty of character.

 

[0bli0]

I still hope that old Noctiluxes will become cheaper because a lot of people buy the new Nokton ...

i think the Mandler-designed Noctilux will actually increase in price for awhile: a) the price of the .95 is out of reach for many but owning one is still quite desireable & b) the .95 seems to lack *some* of the character of the 1.2 and 1.0 that i believe people were expecting in the nokton 1.1

i could be wrong and it's only my opinion, but it's been my observation so far...

personally, i like my new nokton. it is a little different than my Canon 1.2 LTM. i'll still use both, but the sharpness of the nokton (and its smooth transition out of DoF) gives it a character of its own. the only think i dislike is the oof highlights if it is stopped down at all. as someone else pointed out - why don't they use curved blades?! even my jupiter does...

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

There will always be some people that will not be satisfied.

Always. You can take that to the bank. And then buy the Noctilux 😀

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Curved Blades- I'm sure someone studied that. With an aperture of thise size, you have to be careful that the blades move smoothly and do not hang up. The Nikkor 5cm F1.1 is infamous for blades running amuck.

 

[P. Lynn Miller]

If someone buys this lens and is unhappy with its character, I can FIX that. Send it to me, and I will remount the rear element in backwards. That will produce plenty of character.

Unhappy with your lens... book it for one 'Brian's Lens Character-Building Sessions'... give your lens a real personality! 🙂

 

[Prosaic]

no offense but i really dont understand why would someone want to match noctilux... with nokton f1.1 they are decades ahead of noctilux.

Ahead or behind, depends on perspective.

So far, I read more comments of people being disappointed by how stinking "normal" the lens draws than the way round.

 

[Peter Klein]

There are cheaper ways than a Noctilux to get "character." Try a Canon 50/1.2 wide open. Or a Summitar (coma city!). Or a (classic screw-mount) Summarit. Or any Sonnar-design lens.

People complained about the VC 35/1.2 having a lack of character, too. I think it's wonderful.

 

[Lotari]

So, there was not a significant difference in distance to account for such a significant difference in DOF? Correct? In other words, CV lens has a lot deeper DOF for 1.1 lens compared to 1.0 lens?

If one looks at the bigger images (Noctilux, Nokton), it looks like Nokton was focused some 1 - 2 meters behind the subject. That would affect DOF quite significantly.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I've seen one close-up portrait with enough structure in the background to allow the character of this lens to be evaluated. I'll stick with the assertion that it shows slight astigmatism and slight over-correction for spherical aberration- the "trademark" of a super-speed Xenon derivative. "Some Swirlies" in the OOF areas.

Maybe I'll buy one of these just to compare with the other classic super-speed lenses.

And, I'll put up some shots made with lenses with the rear element reversed.

 

[elshaneo]

I saw the lens last Monday, it's a real beauty although it kind of dwarf the Leica M8 it was attached to ;-)

 

[Dan States]

The answer to carping about the lens not having a "signature" is for CV to make a special "Signature" edition. This version would have strong field curvature, making it unpredictable for off center focus. It needs loads of vignetting, so that the outer 30% of the frame is so dark you might as well have been using an F2 lens, and a definite yellow color cast, so your slides will never match in color balance with your other lenses.

Just for giggles, lets give it some strong focus shift, and don't forget to make it a chore to focus by designing in a slow, heavy focus action. To cap it off lets add a nice plastic built in lens hood that never stays in place!

What shall we call it?