Which Nokton should I get

[BAPIEMAI]

It is decided: I will not get a Leica. Since I cannot afford the MP that I dream of I will get the Bessa R3A which by the way I like more because it's smaller. And that is the problem. I will either buy it with the Voigtlander 40 Nokton or the Voigtlander 50 Nokton with the necessary M adaptor. The whole idea behind this purchase is to have a compact machine (if I need more quality I still have my brick Mamiya). Searching through photos on the Internet I could not determine which lens is smaller in physical size so I am asking you.

Also bear in mind that my favorite focal length is 50 and my 'never use' is the 35 (which the 40 is really close to). But if the physical size of the 40 is much smaller than the 50 I will prefer that.

The lens that I will get I will keep until I can afford a 50 Summicron or a 50 Planar (meaning as soon as I can get rid of my EOS gear which collects dust)

 

[Traut]

Buy my 50mm silver Nokton. It is "new" in the box. I will make you a great deal.

 

[giellaleafapmu]

Also bear in mind that my favorite focal length is 50 and my 'never use' is the 35 (which the 40 is really close to). But if the physical size of the 40 is much smaller than the 50 I will prefer that.

I have no idea about the quality but the physical size of the two lenses can be found on the internet:

Nokton 50mm: Width 2.3' (60mm), Length 2.2' (54.5 mm), Weight 8,5 oz (243g).
Nokton 40mm: Width 2.15' (55mm), Length 1.15' (c.a. 30mm), Weight 6.15 oz (175g)

In other words the 40mm is rather smaller, 2.5 cm shorter, and lighter.

Giella lea Fapmu

 

[Huck Finn]

If you're going to gety another 50 anyway, why bother with the 50 Nokton? Get the 40 Nokton, so you can try out a different focal length. The 40 Nokton is also amazingly compact for such a fast lens & will meet your requirements in this way as well. It is about half way between the 35 & the 50, so I wouldn't rule it out just because it's a little wider than the 50. Finally, the 40 has greater depth of field than the 50, so it will be a little easier to focus.

If you haven't had the opportunity to try out the R3A, you might be well served by buying it from a dealer with a "no questions asked" return policy so that you can be sure that you're comfortable with the 40 mm frame lines, which some people have difficulty seeing, especially eyeglass wearers. Your other alternative in a camera with 40 frame lines is the Rollei 35 RF, which has 40 frame lines that are easy to see because is has a lower magnification (0.7x) than the R3A.

 

[JoeFriday]

I agree with Huck... plus, you can always pick up a Jupiter 8 at one tenth the cost and have both 40mm and 50mm

 

[giellaleafapmu]

Buy my 50mm silver Nokton. It is "new" in the box. I will make you a great deal.

Mmmmh, do you have one for sale?

How much is the price? Which forms of payments would you axcept and which kind
of gurantee would you give. I might be interested perhaps....

Giella lea Fapmu

 

[Beniliam]

Hi Bapiemai!

In my humble opinion I prefer the 40 mm focal, because the 40 mm perspective I like it . I had the Nokton 50 mm. Its a great objetive. Very nice construction and feel. Is a sharp lens, but I think its heavy for me. Because when I take photos in the street, I walk hours...

I dont know the size of the 40 mm, but seems more compact!!

I dont like the bokeh of some shots of the 40 mm, I dont know if some member of the forum can post some photo .


Here 2 pics taking with the 50 mm Nokton


http://www.rangefinderforum.com/cpg/displayimage.php?album=1610&pos=167

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/cpg/displayimage.php?album=1610&pos=137

 

[JohnM]

I have the 40 and had the 50 until recently - the 40 is smaller by a decent margin. I suspect you would be happy with both of them, but if size is a major issue, the 40 is the pick.

 

[BAPIEMAI]

Thanx for the replays. The real problem is that Voigtlander has no dealership in Greece. I have searched all the shops in Athens but everybody is obsessed with digital nowdays. I will order from Robert White since he has the best prices and more iportant it is located in Europe hence no international tax.

By the way I just saw the planar for 425 pounds so I will be getting that instead so problem solved.

Of course I can always keep my Hi-Matic which has the best lens in my arsenal (I do have some professional quality glass) and save for the MP. But I wonder how the 45 Rokkor compares to the Voigtlander 40 Nokton and the Planar, maybe you can illuminate me.

 

[rich815]

Like most say you would be happy with either but the 40 is indeed smaller and lighter, very fast and a great performer. I also have the J-8 50 and love it too. Bottomline: get the 40!

 

[Beniliam]

Thanx for the replays. The real problem is that Voigtlander has no dealership in Greece. I have searched all the shops in Athens but everybody is obsessed with digital nowdays. I will order from Robert White since he has the best prices and more iportant it is located in Europe hence no international tax.

By the way I just saw the planar for 425 pounds so I will be getting that instead so problem solved.

Of course I can always keep my Hi-Matic which has the best lens in my arsenal (I do have some professional quality glass) and save for the MP. But I wonder how the 45 Rokkor compares to the Voigtlander 40 Nokton and the Planar, maybe you can illuminate me.
__________________

Here in Spain, is the same problem. The Voigtlander distributor is horrible. Do you think that is cheaper Robert White that CameraQuest?

 

[RayPA]

I find that I prefer the 50 to the 35 perspective as well, but I really like the CV 35/2.5 and the 1.7, and enjoy jumping back and forth between the 35 and 50. I imagine I'd like the 40 too, but probably won't go there because of it's too close to both. The 50 is a big, fast beauty. I love it! But if your requirements are small and light it may not be the best.

BTW, slightly OT, why did you decide to go with the R3A, rather than the R2. The R2 seems closer to the idea of the MP, than the R3A. I want an MP too, to back up my electronic M, but went with the R2 for the obvious reasons ($$$). I don't think you're gonna go wrong with either selection; I'm just curious.

 

[Huck Finn]

Thanx for the replays. The real problem is that Voigtlander has no dealership in Greece. I have searched all the shops in Athens but everybody is obsessed with digital nowdays. I will order from Robert White since he has the best prices and more iportant it is located in Europe hence no international tax.

By the way I just saw the planar for 425 pounds so I will be getting that instead so problem solved.

Of course I can always keep my Hi-Matic which has the best lens in my arsenal (I do have some professional quality glass) and save for the MP. But I wonder how the 45 Rokkor compares to the Voigtlander 40 Nokton and the Planar, maybe you can illuminate me.

Congratulations on your decision, Bapeimai. The R3A + 50 Planar should be a great combination. Enjoy!

Huck

 

[BAPIEMAI]

The reason I prefer Robert White to Camera Quest is that RW is in Europe so I will not pay custom tax, it also seems cheaper. I prefer the R3A over the R because of the body construction and the 1:1 viewfinder.
As I have never seen in the flesh so to speak the cameras but I have read that the build quaility of the R3 is far better than the R. Now if you can tell me from personal experience I might change my mind. I have heard that the R is plastic is this true ?

Also bear in mind that my Minolta Hi Matic 7 is solid as a brick so I want a RF that has similar build quality.
Another thing that is the most important for me is low light ability. I do not care about the noise of the camera (you should listen to the Mamiya, it's sniper rifle loud) but I do not want vibrations from the shutter and I have read that the R3 is better in that respect.

 

[RayPA]

...
As I have never seen in the flesh so to speak the cameras but I have read that the build quaility of the R3 is far better than the R. Now if you can tell me from personal experience I might change my mind. I have heard that the R is plastic is this true ?
....

I was referring to the R2, not the R. From what I've heard/read the R is mostly plastic. The R2 on the other hand is not. You really can't go wrong with the R2, R2A or R3A (or the R, for that matter). I'm not trying to change your mind. I was in your same predicament and was looking at both the R3A and the R2, and wanting a more mechanical camera went with the R2. I too didn't consider the R because of the body construction. You mentioned about wanting the MP, so I was curious about how we all come to buy the cameras we do. Your low-light requirement makes sense, as does the 1:1 VF. I like the sound of that feature too. Sorry for the OT tangent.

🙂

 

[BAPIEMAI]

Now I see, yes the R2 looks good but the price difference is less than 100 euro so there is no really a problem unless... is the R2 battery dependent or is it mechanical because if this the case I will definatelly get the R2. Unless of course there is even a slight difference in build quality, see I really abuse my cameras and construction is essential.

 

[Huck Finn]

Bapiemai, the R2 & its cousin, the Rollei 35 RF, are both mechanical and completely manual. The R2A & R3A are both battery dependent and feature autoexposure. Besides the 1.0x magnification on the R3A, there are two improvements over the R2 that were included on the R2A & R3A. The R2/3A are rangefinder coupled to a close focus distance of 0.7 meters - an upgrade introduced by Cosina for the Rollei 35 RF. The R2 has a close focus distance of 0.9 meters. (Most normal & wide angle rangefinder lenses have a minimum focus distance of 0.7 meters.) The second upgrade was to use ball bearings in the film transport system. Otherwise, build quality of the R2 and the R2A & R3A is identical as far as I know.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I think you had answered your own question already: you said you got the Bessa R3a because it's smaller.

The 40 Nokton is also smaller than the 50 Nokton. It is also ever-so-slightly faster, the multi-coated version costs the same, you won't need to spend extra for the LTM-to-M mount adapter, it's a little wider than the 50 Nokton, and I have seen shots taken with the 40 Nokton, I think it is much much better glass than the 50 Nokton.

If you're getting the R3a and not getting the 40 Nokton, then why bother and not get the R2a? The R3a does not have the 35mm framelines (40mm framelines instead).

I say you get the 40 Nokton first; if you want the 50 Nokton later, sure, but la raison d'etre of the R3a is the ability to frame and shoot with the 40mm lens.

My twopence.

 

[jdos2]

(Or you could buy mine, with the Prominent attached...)

 

[aizan]

wouldn't go so far as to say the r3a's mainly for 40mm. 50mm is still much more popular than 40, but not as popular as 35.