Opinions of Nokton 50mm 1.1

[Docderm]

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Reviews seem very mixed. Would welcome new input and especially example photo's shot wide open. 

Does it compare at all to the Noctilux 0.95 or is far inferior? 

Thanks

[Mark Pope]

Subscribe to Reid Reviews. There is an excellent comparison of the Nokton f1.1, Noctilux f1 and Noctilux f0.95.

The Nokton acquits itself very well. I'm using one on a MM246 and I'm very pleased with the results I have achieved.

I would love a Noctilux 0.95, but £8k vs £0.8k? I don't think so!

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[Mark Pope]

M2460755.jpg by Mark Pope, on Flickr

[FlashGordonPhotography]

I started my Leica journey with the Nokton. Was later seduced by the Noctilux. The Leica is better. But IMHO not that much better. But I've spent my money amd am happy to keep The Leica. In hindsight it would be a bog call to do it again.

 

Gordon

[lanetomlane]

I bought the Nokton a couple of years ago because I couldn't see spending so much money on a Noctilux. Last year I had a Monochrom and a number of lenses stolen. After the insurance pay out Stephens Premier replaced the lenses and offered me their demo 0.95 instead of a Summilux 50. Obviously the Noctilux is better, but whether it's worth the difference in price is debatable. From what I've read the Nokton's can vary from lens to lens. There seem to be good ones and bad ones.

 

 

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[250swb]

The Nokton is a very good lens especially if you don't simply consider it a 'fast' lens, it works at other apertures as well. I sold mine a long time ago because I became increasingly sceptical about the whole 'bokeh' and super narrow DOF thing, and using it for anything else it is a big lens, not all that comfortable day in day out on the front of an M Leica but it would balance on an SL.

Edited March 24, 2017 by 250swb

[wattsy]

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I would love a Noctilux 0.95, but £8k vs £0.8k? I don't think so!

 

Yes, there's no doubt that the Noctilux is a substantial investment though I have seen them go for under £5k secondhand. If you keep it and use it for 10-20 years, the cost is more easily justified. I also personally think it is better to spend the big money on lenses than bodies which, especially if digital, can get churned through far more frequently. If narrow depth of field and bokeh are your thing I think the F0.95 Noctilux does have a genuine edge (I don't recall seeing the kind of juddering bokeh from the Leica lens that I can see in the background of your photo below). That said, I no longer own this lens (I'm not enough of a "50" user to justify any serious investment at this focal length) and I can't see myself spending that kind of money on a single piece of gear again.

 

M2460755.jpg by Mark Pope, on Flickr

[Mark Pope]

Ian,

50mm seems to be my 'go to' focal length at the moment.  I fully agree with your assertion that it's better to spend money on lenses.  If I have the funds in the future and a good secondhand 0.95 or for that matter, a 1.0 comes up, I would probably buy one.  The beauty of buying secondhand is that Leica lenses seem to hold their price, so in theory, they are a fairly low risk investment.  In the mean time, I will continue to have fun with the Nokton 

 

Here are some more examples, all taken at f1.1, using an ND 0.9x filter.

M2460762.jpg by Mark Pope, on Flickr

 

M2460793.jpg by Mark Pope, on Flickr

 

Week 12 - Sofa, Gorse Hill by Mark Pope, on Flickr

Edited March 24, 2017 by Mark Pope

[FlashGordonPhotography]

​​One thing I forgot to mention. The Nokton does have some focus shift between 1.4 and 4.

 

Gordon

[Docderm]

Does anyone have some comparison photo's to share with the same scene taken with Nokton and also Noctilux?

Thanks in advance for your help

[Mark Pope]

As it happens, there is a relatively recent thread on the rangefinder forum which may help (a bit).

[250swb]

Does anyone have some comparison photo's to share with the same scene taken with Nokton and also Noctilux?

Thanks in advance for your help

 

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2009/11/24/leica-noctilux-classic-f1-vs-voigtlander-nokton-1-1/

[Docderm]

Thanks to all

 

I would really appreciate some more examples of nokton 1.1 vs noctilux .95 from actual situations where you have tested them

 

I kinda have concluded that the nokton defocussed area is acceptable but the subject is not sharp

On the other hand, the Noctilux seems to more consistently do a much better job with both

Opinions?

Thanks

[lukeadair]

I used the Nokton for a year or so before investing in the Noctilux (0.95). This is just my opinion, of course, but I think that unless you have a VERY discerning eye, you will often not be able to tell the difference in results between the two lenses -- unless, that is, you put a print from each side by side. Then, you might notice some . . . what? . . . I'll say "refinement" . . . in the Noctilux shot that is missing from the Nokton.