Noctilux v NOKTON

[KallumR]

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I know (of course) that a Leica Noctilux is considered one of the best Leica lenses, but I was looking at Voigtländer NOKTON range and I was wondering just how much worse is NOKTON from Leica's Noctilux lens set.

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[bideford]

Not wishing to hijack a thread so early but I have the Nokton which I find just too soft wide open (maybe my copy) and the focus shift when opening up, especially between 1.1 and 5.6 renders the lens unusable.

 

Just got a very nice copy of an old Canon 1.2 LTM today - at first looks is seems to easily match the Nokton when wide open (perhaps better but I need to find some time to judge this) - if there is no focus shift perhaps this would be a valid alternative?

 

Never had either Nocti so I'll leave more experienced users to comment.

 

James

[CheshireCat]

There are 3 totally different Noctilux designs:

- Noctilux f/1.2 (rarity)

- Noctilux f/1

- Noctilux f/0.95

 

Despite what some users in this forum will say, I think they render in totally different ways.

 

That said, the best way to decide which lens is best for you is to check the Flickr groups related to each lens. Just search the groups using the lens name. Many shots are posted at full resolution, and you can download the original file.

 

When you have sorted all 4 lenses by preference, it is just a matter of finding the one that matches your price target

[Stealth3kpl]

I recall Steve Huff being very excited about the Voigtlander, and compares it to the Leica 0.95 ( I think) with many examples.

That said, he gets very excited when the milk is delivered, or the kettle boils.

Pete

[250swb]

Yes, a couple of years ago Steve Huff did a very good like for like comparison and the Voigtlander didn't get shamed at all, in reality it was down to the finer points of rendering. The less fine point though is the price of each lens.

 

I had the Nokton for a while and found it too heavy for carting around everyday, and I preferred the DOF of a f/1.4 lens anyway, f/1 or f/1.1 just made the image meaningless for what I was using it for with so little being in focus. But I wasn't disappointed with the Nokton optically at all, a very fine lens, as are many in the Voightlander line if you know which ones to look for.

 

Steve

[wilfredo]

I gave the Nokton a go but also found it too soft wide open. Others have had better results. Perhaps they are not all built the same? Best to test before buying. I finally settled on the Summilux ASPH. You can't beat it wide open, and it's not a bulky lens. It's not as pricey as the Noctilux, but still not cheap. If sharpness wide open is not a requirement, then the Nokton is a great lens, and a great value.

[rirakuma]

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Although the Nokton is rated at f1.1 it shouldn't be categorized with a noctilux just because of speed. The older noctilux may not be the sharpest lens in the lineup but it has a lot of pop, bokeh character and very pleasing colours all three of which I'm sure many can agree edges the Nokton. The difference is not always going to be day and night but like every lens comparison you can shoot them so they produce similar results or you can exploit the strong points of each lens and compare the differences. The noctilux look at its best cannot be replicated by the Nokton. It's up to you whether that "look" is worth the thousands of dollars of difference. Also please don't take my post the wrong way, I'm not saying you cannot take nice pictures with the Nokton because in the end its the photographer's skill that produces great images.

[henning]

I've had the f/1.2 Noctilux, a couple of examples of the f/1 Noctilux (one of which I retain) and shot with the Nokton and the f/0.95 Noctilux.

 

In general terms for shooting, forget the f/1.2. The f/1 is better in almost every way except size. The Nokton renders more like the f/0.95, but in general the sharpness is closer to that of the f/1 than that of the f/0.95. The Nokton is slightly sharper and vignettes less than the f/1, but flares more (but so does almost every other lens)). If you're just looking for speed, the Nokton is an excellent choice and an outstanding value, but the rendering overall is just so-so, with some unpleasant artifacts showing up regularly. I decided against the Nokton and kept the f/1 for its character, and use the Summilux ASPH for images where I want the lens to intrude as little as possible.

 

Henning

[jbl]

In the Noctilux space, the f/0.95 is the "best" from what I can tell as shooter. I've never done actual lens tests. I have all three Noctiluxes and I'd agree, the f/1.2 doesn't add a lot, though it's significantly smaller than the other two. It is plenty sharp, but it's nicer to use as a collector's item and I really mean that as shooting with an interesting, old lens. The ergonomics on the 0.95 are a lot better IMO than the f/1 (specifically in focus throw).

[CheshireCat]

The ergonomics on the 0.95 are a lot better IMO than the f/1 (specifically in focus throw).

 

This is really subjective. I find the weight, size, and balance of the 0.95 a big step back from the f/1.

Focus throw of the f/1 is just fine for me. If I miss a shot, it is not because of the focus throw.

The 0.95 hood is much more convenient than the one(s) in the f/1 version(s), though.

[jbl]

This is really subjective. I find the weight, size, and balance of the 0.95 a big step back from the f/1.

Focus throw of the f/1 is just fine for me. If I miss a shot, it is not because of the focus throw.

The 0.95 hood is much more convenient than the one(s) in the f/1 version(s), though.

 

 

Those are all good pints and you're right that the f/1 works a lot better in your hand than the f/0.95. I had the 0.95 first and maybe got used to its focus throw. But they're all great lenses.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

I found my copy of the Nokton plenty sharp enough wide open, compared to the F1 Noctilux. The 0.95 seems sharper but I've not shot that one other than a few test shots outside a store.

 

The Nokton focus shift was the reason I sold mine, although if I had a 240 at the time I may have kept it. Purple fringing was terrible on the M9 at times. But in lower contrast and non backlit scenes I really liked the Nokton wide open.

 

at F1.1

 

 

L1013289-2.jpg by Flash Gordon Photography, on Flickr

 

Gordon

[Etruscello]

I have my 2 cents to add, and only 2 cents. There must be sample variation at play with the 50mm Nokton. Mine was quite sharp at f1.1 -- clearly comparable to my eyes to the old older version Noctilux at f1. Yes, focus shift is a significant issue, largely mitigated now, however, with the advent of the M and its LV.

The new Noctilux f 0.95 is beyond any lens' reach for sharpness, contrast and shear beauty wide-open. Tom

[colonel]

That said, he gets very excited when the milk is delivered, or the kettle boils.

Pete

 

Quote of the day thanks for that

[the warrior]

Anyone can write, including steve huff, that's free, but I wonder if you can compare a Rolls-Royce Phantom with Huynday i10 ???

 

Both cars are equally comfortable: it's an ........ adventure

[CheshireCat]

There must be sample variation at play with the 50mm Nokton. Mine was quite sharp at f1.1 -- clearly comparable to my eyes to the old older version Noctilux at f1.

 

Interesting how sample variation is - by default - imputed to Voigtlaender, not Leica.

The Noctilux f/1 has been produced from 1976 to 2008, I guess the production process was improved in 32 years...

 

Always give the benefit of the doubt.

[Etruscello]

Good point -- I could have had a bad Noctilux rather than a good Nokton. I doubt it, however, because the IQ of my pictures taken with the Noctilux f1 compared favorable to published Noctilux pictures I've seen. Alas, I can no longer further evaluate the f1 as it has been sold. Steve Huff has posted some images of the Noct f1 vs. the Nokton f1.1, wide open. To my eyes, his two lens samples also show the Nokton equal, or better. Tom

[CheshireCat]

Steve Huff has posted some images of the Noct f1 vs. the Nokton f1.1, wide open. To my eyes, his two lens samples also show the Nokton equal, or better. Tom

 

Hard to achieve critical focus on the M9 with f/1 lenses. A correct comparison requires Live View. And even with the M, you would be limited to the center of the frame.

 

Anyways, at f/1 the rendering character is much more important than sharpness for me, and I like the Noctilux character much better.

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[TheGodParticle/Hari]

I know (of course) that a Leica Noctilux is considered one of the best Leica lenses, but I was looking at Voigtländer NOKTON range and I was wondering just how much worse is NOKTON from Leica's Noctilux lens set.

 

 

 

Good build quality, good contrast, interesting flare response, fast focus throw, decent bokeh and good sharpness was my experience with this lens.

 

The price : performance ratio of most Voigtlander lenses I've used has been very good

 

I had this lens for almost 2 years and it have me many good memories on my m9

 

Here are some:

 

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[TheGodParticle/Hari]

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