Curiosity: M8 & CV Nokton 50 1.1 reviews?

[thompsonkirk]

When this lens first came out there was a flurry of interest & a few pictures posted - & then no real reviews.

The few images I saw had nice bokeh but weren't too sharp, making me wonder if CV is having a focus shift problem again.

I wonder if Sean has a review coming out?

Maybe nobody wants to review it 'til they have new Noctilux in hand for comparison.

Kirk

[Bo_Lorentzen]

Kirk,

I have one, but am not qualified to make a actual review, think I should leave that for Sean. Besides, I do not think this lens should be compared with a new noct, but rather then 1.0

The lens do not snap as hard as some, but I do have not found it have to have backfocus issues, though I have not actually tested that in depth, so this is just a observation based on use.

.

[pklein]

I am very interested in whether the lens focus shifts appreciably when stopping down. I read something on Erwin Puts' site where he alluded to some interesting behavior (or perhaps lack of expected behavior), but he didn't elaborate. Anybody? Sean?

[khiromu]

I bought it when it became available for extra speed, but sold it and now using Summilux ASPH instead.

Nothing wrong with the Nokton, but nothing special either to me. It is fast, it is sharp, but to me, it seems to be missing something... I don't know what, but I like the look of the images from Summilux better. Or, I even like images from Summarit-M 50 (newest one) better than those from Nokton even though it is a lot slower at F2.5...

Hiromu

[sean_reid]

This has been an intense summer for work and it will continue that way through August. The Nokton 1.1 is one of the lenses/cameras on my list once I finish up the articles already in progress. I haven't had much time to write or test (or sleep) recently.

Cheers,

Sean

[lxlim]

Originally Posted by sean_reid

This has been an intense summer for work and it will continue that way through August. The Nokton 1.1 is one of the lenses/cameras on my list once I finish up the articles already in progress. I haven't had much time to write or test (or sleep) recently.

Cheers,

Sean

Do sleep Or back focusing will occur with your eyesight!

I'll bet you did not expect to be flooded with new M mount compatible lenses when you started your site

Keep up the good work!

[Etruscello]

I have used 2 samples of the Nokton 50mm f1.1 on my M8, as well as a Noctilux f1. I never made a direct comparison with the Noctilux because I had sold it before trying the Nokton.
Both Nokton samples back focused at f1.1 and had focus shift -- to the same degree. A lens specialist indicated to me that the Nokton 50mm could not be adjusted because its rear floating elements are set independently of the mechanical focusing mechanism; nevertheless, I am keeping my new Nokton because image quality and handling are superior to the old Noctilux (in my memory) and focus compensation is easy on the Leica M8.
My method of focus compensation is as follows. For very close focus at f1.1, I focus until the images in the VF are aligned and then I continue to focus closer (turn the ring to the right, i.e., toward the shutter button side of the camera) until the image is just out of alignment, i.e., the slightest double image. The results are right-on. For f1.4, I turn still slightly more, until the outer line of the image is fully duplicated with no space between. For f2 through f4.0, I turn still slightly more until there is a just perceptible space between the 2 outer lines. By f5.6, d-o-f compensates well enough. For medium and far distances, my compensation is the same, except f1.1 needs more compensation -- identical to f1.4 above. This may seem too elaborate to you, but with practice, it comes easily.
Why do I bother? For me, the IQ is more than worth it. I cannot get this lens to flare! At f1.1 contrast is moderate rendering fine dynamic range in available light. Sharpness and resolution are better than the Noctilux f1 at f1 in my subjective comparison of prints and PC images. Bokeh is beautiful, to my taste -- better than any lens I've used. Corners improve at f1.4 (they are quite acceptable at f1.1). At f2 and f2.8, the lens seems to be at its best -- at least as good as the old Noctilux. The IQ sparkles (like images I've seen from the 50 Lux). You can use f4 and f5.6 with full confidence, but the lens is already diffraction limited by f8. There is no tree-leaves CA by f4.0 and CA is very mild at wider apertures. Vignetting and distortion are minimal -- I can't see any in the pictures I take, but are apparent in comparable pictures I've taken with the Noctilux f1. I would say this lens was designed for close-up and moderate distances and wide open or near wide-open use.
My other CV lenses need work in CS4 (RAW) for contrast and sharpness when used wide-open. This lens needs some work too, but nearly as much. Leica lenses need still less work. After CS4 work, the CV images look like Leica images. The build is solid, balance on the M8 is perfect for me, and the focus ring is as smooth as butter.
These are my subjective impressions based on a lot of shooting. I think pictures on the internet confirm my impressions. If you see a soft image wide-open on the internet, I would guess it is due to the photographer's failure to focus compensate. The draw back of this lens is the need for focus compensation. For me, the value this lens represents, relative to superb IQ, makes buying it worth while. I hope my impressions help, in some limited way, inform your decisions. Tom

[jplomley]

Ah, Sean must be putting in overtime making sure the review of the M9 is ready in time for the September launch

[Ronazle]

To the degree I have experience with the Nokton 1.1, I pretty much agree with Tom. However, shooting a DOF scale showed that my lens was dead on when focused close to 3.5 feet at f:/1.1. Opening the aperture resulted in rapidly increasing back focus; at the 3.5 foot mark the backfocus went to over 50mm with the lens at f:/16. At medium or greater distances this is not a major problem, due to depth of field increases.

The lens is excellent in all respects at 1.1 with an amazing lack of flare (unlike my 1.5 Nokton. I can 't imagine anyone being unhappy with it is used as an available light lens at maximum aperture. ron

[adli]

Originally Posted by jplomley

Ah, Sean must be putting in overtime making sure the review of the M9 is ready in time for the September launch

I wounder how you can review a camera that is yet not announced by the potential producer?

It will take many months from an announcement before the camera will be available for anyone to review it.

[thompsonkirk]

Thank you so much, Tom & Ron, for interim reviews. Sounds like some samples focus accurately at f1.1, & some don't. 1 out of 3 isn't very good odds, even with the small sample. And to avoid focus-shift problems it would be best just to switch lenses when not needing the widest apertures.

That's enough info for me to know I don't 'need' one. It's already hard enough to focus a wide-aperture lens, so rather than get into the focus compensation routine, I think I'll stick with 35mm f1.2 Nokton for low light. I seem to have a good copy, & I don't need a low-light 50=66.5mm focal length badly enough to learn the focusing routine. I'd probably either forget to use it, or else start using it with the wrong lenses!

Kirk

[sean_reid]

Again, the CV 50/1.5 is a stunning lens and just a bit slower. Worth considering for those who don't already own a 50 Lux ASPH.

Cheers,

Sean

[rhow]

Originally Posted by sean_reid

This has been an intense summer for work and it will continue that way through August. The Nokton 1.1 is one of the lenses/cameras on my list once I finish up the articles already in progress. I haven't had much time to write or test (or sleep) recently.

Cheers,

Sean

Looking forward to your review! Your articles are always my reference when it comes to photographic gear.

[thompsonkirk]

Agree with the above! And with Sean's suggestion.

I'm now using the 50 Nokton 1.5 for wide-open shots, & the rest of the time a fine old collapsible Summicron. Pretty happy with this combo & not interestsed in Nokton 1.1 unless Sean finds its 'way cool.'

Kirk

[Etruscello]

I must post a revision to my informal review of the Nokton 50mm f1.1 above. I've had such good experiences with the lens in the field at f1.1, even without focus compensation that I decided to test it more precisely: at 3.5 feet, f1.1, using yard stick ruler and tripod set to 45 degrees angle. Ronzale, above, is correct: focus is dead on at f1.1. (My opinions about focus shift when stopped down from f1.1, above, remain the same.)
Attached is an image of an Irish dancer taken at f1.1, with focus on the eyes. (Her kicking foot and the dancer behind her are out of depth of field and show, I think, the value of this type of lens.) Her eyes are very sharp. The low resolution of the e-photo may not show that.

[rwboyer]

Originally Posted by thompsonkirk

Agree with the above! And with Sean's suggestion.

I'm now using the 50 Nokton 1.5 for wide-open shots, & the rest of the time a fine old collapsible Summicron. Pretty happy with this combo & not interestsed in Nokton 1.1 unless Sean finds its 'way cool.'

Kirk

Every time I hunker down and get ready spend the cash on a Noctilux something like this happens - this thing has been out for a while and I am really in need of an in depth objective and subjective review of this thing before I go with a Noctilux or the Nokton.

Grrrr.

At least I am not confused about the M9 decision.

RB

[hookonclassic]

I do have this lens with a M8.2 and I like it. To me, this lens is value for money.
Some photo shoot with CV 50 1.1 to share.
Character of this lens is subjective to each user and I will leave my comments out.





Cheers

[rwboyer]

Thank you for the images - were these shot at 1.1?

RB

[cookedart]

Put a bunch of images up on my flickr, all shot at 1.1 (in daylight i used a 3 stop ND filter).

Flickr: Search cookedart's photostream

Sorry, they're post-processed and downsampled - but they should give you a good idea of the lens' character.

[cookedart]

Wanted to post these up hoping they would help someone considering buying this lens... These pictures are of the lens mounted to an m8 with a UV+IR filter mounted - no hood.

The first image is the approximate finder blockage that the lens exhibits.

If you think this lens is huge, consider that it is actually the same size as the Canon 28mm 1.8 USM lens.. a small SLR prime by most claims.