Where are all the Voigtlander 50mm f/1.1s?

[EthanFrank]

Hey guys.

I've been casually looking for one of these for a few months. While they're available new at a few places, I haven't seen a single one come up for sale in the classifieds. Are they just not that popular? I had read good accounts of it a while back, but I find that the popular lenses on this forum (the ones I see go up for sale and get snapped up in a heartbeat, the 40mm f/1.4 for example) really are fantastic lenses - should I take that to mean that the f/1.1 might be a misstep? Or is it just a little less common?

 

[mfunnell]

Perhaps they're so good that nobody who has one wants to sell it. (I don't have one. I'm just saying...)

...Mike

 

[swoop]

I think it's an odd way to asses how good a lens is by how many people are trying to get rid of it. Fuzzy logic.

 

[boomguy57]

I have seen a few come up here in the classifieds but the reviews on the lens are mixed. In fact, the size alone dissuades some from trying it, I think, especially when there are better (opinion), smaller, and cheaper lenses available that are comparable--the 40/1.4 you mentioned would be one of those.

Just my opinion, but that's my guess. Even used they go for 2x what the Nokton 40/1.4 goes for and it isn't 2x the lens.

 

[EthanFrank]

I think it's an odd way to asses how good a lens is by how many people are trying to get rid of it. Fuzzy logic.

That's a good point. However, you see Summicrons pop up all the time. The way I'd assess them is by how frantic people are to pick them up once they're up for sale.

 

[acetonic]

I've got one and I love it, so that's why it's not going up for sale.

 

[kdemas]

There were quite a few up when hey first came out and in the months/year that followed. I bought/sold one here as a matter of fact. Hopefully they've now found the right owners and are being used.

I liked the lens, didn't love it as I did the Noct. In hindsight it really is quite a bargain, definitely worth the money and a try if you like fast lenses.

 

[Doug]

If you haven't seen it yet, you might look at the existing thread of pictures shot with the 50 f/1.1.... http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76156&highlight=50mm+f/1.1

 

[Jockos]

I think there were two other for sale when I tried to sell mine earlier this month.

 

[Joosep]

Will only sell mine for a Noctilux or a SLR Magic 0.95, since those are way off my budget, then I will stick to mine.

 

[thegman]

I had one for a bit, but sold quickly. For me, it's too big, and I realised that I was not into the razor-thin DOF thing. If you are into that look though, they are a total bargain compared to the alternatives.

 

[Lss]

The 50/1.1 is a specialty lens and has practically no alternatives available. That is probably why you don't see them on the block that often. I have one and will keep it.

 

[newsgrunt]

there was one on Toronto CL yesterday I believe...

 

[jsrockit]

Focus shift and large size make it a specialty lens. It's a very, very average 50mm lens at normal f/ stops.