Ziess vs Nokton

[filmtwit]

My understanding is that both are made by Voiltlander (Japan).
Is their a big difference between the same focal length lenses?

I'm asking in part because I'm looking for 50mm either f1.5 or 1.4 m-mount.

Thanks,

 

[Steve Bellayr]

It is my understanding (though I could be wrong) that Zeiss made by Voigtlander is with Zeiss specifications. I have several Zeiss lenses. They are larger than comparable Leica. I find them well made and optically superb. But, I have not used Cosina Voigtlander lenses. A good place to search for comparisons is Puts blog. He has reviewed Zeiss & CV lenses.

 

[Keith]

If you can deal with the focus shift of the Zeiss 50mm C Sonnar f1.5 it's the one to get. The Nokton's not quite in the same class IMO.

Since I got my Sonnar it's the only 50mm M mount lens I use ... it's performance is outstanding once you master it's quirks.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

I agree with Keith. I have one and it is fantastic.

 

[jpberger]

The sonnar is indeed a fickle mistress. If you're loaded It would be a great combo with one of the 50 heliars for two completely different character lenses. Just a thought.

 

[jonmanjiro]

My understanding is that both are made by Voiltlander (Japan).
Is their a big difference between the same focal length lenses?

I'm asking in part because I'm looking for 50mm either f1.5 or 1.4 m-mount.

Thanks,

FYI

Cosina. The name of the Japanese company that manufactures Voigtlander and Zeiss lenses is Cosina. Cosina purchased the right to use the Voigtlander name for their own range of lenses, and Zeiss commissions Cosina to manufacture a range of Zeiss lenses (to tighter quality control).

 

[Keith]

FYI

Cosina. The name of the Japanese company that manufactures Voigtlander and Zeiss lenses is Cosina. Cosina purchased the right to use the Voigtlander name for their own range of lenses, and Zeiss commissions Cosina to manufacture a range of Zeiss lenses (to tighter quality control).

You're such a mine of information! 😀

Damn I love that Sonnar I got from you ... it's re-ignited my affair with my Ikon! 😛

 

[filmtwit]

Ya, you're right.

I'm currently rocking a Canon 50mm f1.4 LTM with M-mount converter, which I like a lot, but the lack of fucus at 1 meter and less is kind of a downer for it I hate to say.

If I remember right, but the Nokton and Ziess 50mm focus to .7 meter?

FYI

Cosina. The name of the Japanese company that manufactures Voigtlander and Zeiss lenses is Cosina. Cosina purchased the right to use the Voigtlander name for their own range of lenses, and Zeiss commissions Cosina to manufacture a range of Zeiss lenses (to tighter quality control).

 

[Keith]

Ya, you're right.

I'm currently rocking a Canon 50mm f1.4 LTM with M-mount converter, which I like a lot, but the lack of fucus at 1 meter and less is kind of a downer for it I hate to say.

If I remember right, but the Nokton and Ziess 50mm focus to .7 meter?

Not sure about the Nokton ... but .9 meter for the Zeiss.

 

[Richard G]

Nokton has a lot of support here on RFF too, but I have the C Sonnar and love it. It is not bigger than the equivalent Leica, I don't think. Certainly it is shorter than the version 2 Summilux I had, and lighter.

 

[Mister E]

Not sure about the Nokton ... but .9 meter for the Zeiss.

Also .9m for the Nokton.

 

[Keith]

Nokton has a lot of support here on RFF too, but I have the C Sonnar and love it. It is not bigger than the equivalent Leica, I don't think. Certainly it is shorter than the version 2 Summilux I had, and lighter.

The size of the Sonnar surprised me when I got mine ... I was expecting it to be larger.

I don't know if they are generally all this good but the focusing action of mine is exceptional ... extremely light with just the right amount of damping. Nothing else I own comes close.

 

[Richard G]

I've dropped mine three times now, the last time cushioned by the now mangled hood but carrying behind the dead weight of an M5 and the lens is still perfect.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Certainly, the Nokton and Sonnar are very different lenses -- more different than two 5cm f/1.5 lenses have any right to be. I could drone on about bokeh and God knows what else but the simple truth is that the Sonnar is 'magic' for me, whereas the Nokton was merely a very good fast lens. Probably, purely technically (sharpness, illumination, etc.) the Nokton is 'better'. But the Sonnar is nicer. For me, anyway.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Avotius]

A lot of people really like the Zeiss Sonar. Not my fav lens I have to say. I got the Planar instead, but if I had the money I would have got the Leica 50mm f1.4 Summilux pre-asph because it focuses down to 0.7 and that does make a difference no mater what anyone says, and I really like the rendering of thats lens. It is more money though. A friend of mine has the Sonar 1.5 and the short time I used it in a bar I kept hitting the near focus limit and that was really annoying.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

FYI
Zeiss commissions Cosina to manufacture a range of Zeiss lenses (to tighter quality control).

I would be very interested where that statement could be corroborated, and not by reference to another poster with no source.
Not saying it isn't true and not picking on you personally but I read it a lot. Do Zeiss say that ? Does Cosina admit that ? Or are we going on owner perceptions, "I had a Zeiss it was great the Cosina was a rough focus feel." Sample of one of each and subjective opinion. Give us the facts 😀

 

[morback]

I would be very interested where that statement could be corroborated, and not by reference to another poster with no source.
Not saying it isn't true and not picking on you personally but I read it a lot. Do Zeiss say that ? Does Cosina admit that ? Or are we going on owner perceptions, "I had a Zeiss it was great the Cosina was a rough focus feel." Sample of one of each and subjective opinion. Give us the facts 😀

Why don't you read this on Zeiss' website?

The Sonnar is a really nice lens (except for the .9). Same as Roger, imo the Cosina alternative is very good optically but to me feels very bland. In general VC are unattractive to me due to the various aberration they display.

I cannot verbalize the "signature" of the Sonnar but every so often I am struck by it when reviewing my pictures (mix of Planar & Sonnar). I think part of it is the very nice grain showing in the oof with the excellent depth separation.

It works for me, and unless I find a .7 lux at a decent price I don't think I'll part with it anytime soon.

As a side note, my Sonnar's focus is much stiffer than my Planar. My Planar is perfect in smoothness without being too slick, but my Sonnar is a little too stiff. Zeiss didn't seem to agree with me when I sent it in and didn't change the focus mechanism to my wishes (besides adding a hair and some dust inside).

It's not an oversight, they wrote me a letter to the effect that they thought it was perfect as-is...😕

Maybe I should have communicated with them in Goethe's own language...

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Why don't you read this on Zeiss' website?

Because it tells me the exacting standards to which Cosina make Zeiss lenses and does not say that Cosina do not apply the same standards to the lenses they manufacture under their own name, that's why 😀

 

[ChrisLivsey]

BTW as a disclaimer I own Zeiss, Cosina and Leica lenses in M mount.

 

[sper]

The Zeiss is similar to the CV 'classic' lenses. It'll have character, while the Nokton is just plainly a sharp lens. I'm am consistently impressed with my Nokton's performance, especially considering it is a remarkably cheap lens. I got mine for $230 dollars used and I don't see any of the ZM or Leica 50s as worthwhile 'upgrades' considering the cost/performance ratio.

Although the Zeiss is sharp stopped down, and draws nicely, the focus shift is a problem for me. I don't want to have to choose between sharp at 2.8 and sharp wide open.