Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.1 or Summicron 50/2 (Dual Range)

[silver halide]

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I have an old M3 and have been happily using it with an equally as old Summicron 50/2 Dual Range.

But I've recently been thinking about changing my daily lens to the Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.1.

 

I shoot street both night and day, and I religiously stick to 400 ISO film....I imagine, that though a tad heftier, the Nokton would allow me to get my shutter comfortably up to at least 1/30 - 1/60 at night (of course the shallow dof might be a nightmare)...and I could toss a softar on it to make the bokeh extra dreamy (if warranted)....

 

I was hoping to get some opinions as to whether it's worth changing up my lenses?...btw, I still plan to keep the Summicron. Thanks, I appreciate the advice.

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[lct]

Why not if you can manage bokeh like this? I can't personally so it is not my cup of tea i'm afraid.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1242308&postcount=16

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/1276587-post64.html

[bpalme]

I had the Nokton 1.1 and sold it. I just thought it was too soft for my taste. Purchased a Cron and love it. Sold the Nokton. The old cliche' "sharpness isn't everything" is thrown around so much, but to me sharpness really means a lot. I would not own Leica if it wasn't for the razor sharpness. What I would suggest is try it out and if you don't like it sell it. For the most part you'll be able to sell it for about what you pay for it. .. $850-$950 U.S..

(4 months and waiting for a 50 Lux)

If money is an issue consider the VC 1.5 or Zeiss but I only paid $1600 for my late model cron and saw one go for $1500 the other day on FredM.

[Washington]

Of all the lenses I own or have used the Nokton is my least favorite and I wish I

never bought it because I believe this whole super-fast lens fad is just that.

I have some spectacular CV lenses…. so, I am not knocking the brand.

I do not believe the Nokton is a better choice than the good-old Summicron.

[silver halide]

as appealing as a razor thin dof is, I don't expect I'd take it further than f/2 for most shots unless a shot requires it (night or artistic preference)...and I guess I'll have to get used to stepping 0.5m back ;-)

 

thanks for the replies, it's good to know that it compares favorably to leica glass.

[silver halide]

Of all the lenses I own or have used the Nokton is my least favorite and I wish I

never bought it because I believe this whole super-fast lens fad is just that.

I have some spectacular CV lenses…. so, I am not knocking the brand.

I do not believe the Nokton is a better choice than the good-old Summicron.

 

ha...in the extreme sense, I believe that in regard to DSLR use, there certainly is a shallow DoF fad, I expect it to reverse itself with everyone trying for deep-focus soon.

 

but my main argument for the nokton is getting my shutter up (handheld) in the dark of night. i love my summicron as well ;-)

[silver halide]

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Of all the lenses I own or have used the Nokton is my least favorite and I wish I

never bought it because I believe this whole super-fast lens fad is just that.

I have some spectacular CV lenses…. so, I am not knocking the brand.

I do not believe the Nokton is a better choice than the good-old Summicron.

 

ha...in the extreme sense, I believe that in regard to DSLR use, there certainly is a shallow DoF fad, I expect it to reverse itself with everyone trying for deep-focus soon.

 

but my main argument for the nokton is getting my shutter up (handheld) in the dark of night. i love my summicron as well, and is still a very fast lens ;-)

[Washington]

There is no argument: just buy it and see for yourself.

[Lindolfi]

This is my experience so far :

 

The Nokton 50/1.1 is

 

1) too big as a general purpose lens on an M camera

2) sharp on axis at all apertures with corrected rangefinder cam

3) sharp at f1.1 but less contrasty than at f1.4

4) not suitable for taking pictures of planar objects at f/2 and wider due to field curvature (soft corners)

5) showing focus shift from frontfocus (15mm at f/1.1 at 1 m.) to backfocus (15mm at f/4 at 1 m.)

6) a lens I use often, and it produces nice results, but given the volume and the optical limitations, this is not my favourite lens for 50mm

7) a lens that has given me some nice images at full opening, like this one: click

[Washington]

Lindolfi,

I agree with everything you have said.

But just as an aside: I have an external finder for every lens I use under the

Visoflex focal lengths. For me, this is very handy.

[Washington]

silver halide,

You know, I’ve had some second thoughts about this and perhaps the Nokton

would fill the bill for the job intended. So, without my own preferences, it might be a good idea to give it ago for what you intend. It’s not very expensive and may indeed be just the thing.

[silver halide]

yes, I've read about the focus shift (in some experiences...i'll have to go through a roll first to see whether mine suffers a similar fate), and relative larger size...but the overall impression has been complimentary...and it should retain it's value, so there's no real risk to buy & try it myself as suggested.

 

time to put in the order and start shooting! ;-)

 

thank you all for the thoughtful responses.

 

UPDATE : I just bought myself 1000$usd of additional light ;-)

[silver halide]

I'm curious, how does the image out of the CV 50/1.1 compare against the apparent "classic" look of the Zeiss Sonnar 50/1.5?...I don't have the latter lens myself, so I thought I'd ask....I assume my older 50/2 would more closely resemble the Zeiss than the newer CV.

[Washington]

Just a suggestion.

Asking these kind of questions is pointless as everybody has their own opinion.

Just go buy a lens and if you don’t like it: sell it.

[silver halide]

Just a suggestion.

Asking these kind of questions is pointless as everybody has their own opinion.

Just go buy a lens and if you don’t like it: sell it.

 

ha. good point....the lower the f-stop the higher the subjectivity i guess...I was probably just hoping for some kind words to relieve the dent to my wallet

 

i'm sure I'll have fun either way. Thanks.

[uroman]

i actually enjoy hearing both sides on these debates. so, thanks for the opinions and please offer more!