Fast non leica glass - vote

[yef]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

After reading a lot of topics in different websites on 3 of these lenses i still can come to a conclusion, please also make a short comment if possible on why you choose a specific lens (the lens would be used on M6,M9 and M240)

 

 

 

1 - Voigtlander nokton 50mm f/1.5

 

2- Zeiss Sonnar 

 

3- Voigtlander nokton 50mm f/1.1

 

 

 

 

thank you very much 

 

[pico]

Please consider the Canon 50mm F/0.95.

[Sam]

I had the Nocton 50mm f/1.5. While it was a very decent lens for the money, I really disliked the focusing ring. So much that I sold the lens for that reason. Build quality was excellent.

[TomB_tx]

I have both the old LTM Nokton 1.5 and the newer M mount versions. The old was styled like the original Summilux 50, and I prefer it to the new version, although the build quality of the new is excellent. The 1.1 is too big and heavy to interest me. The 1.5 Noktons are very good performers on my M9 and film M cameras, and the LTM is a perfect match to my M5.

I haven't used the Sonnar, but its small size is a plus on an RF camera, and the Sonnar optical performance is pleasing.

[menos I M6]

Although I am a fan of some really fast (read: big and heavy) lenses I do consider the 50/1.1 Nokton too large and cumbersome as an everyday lens on a Leica M.

It is a great lens for the money as a secondary 50mm when also having a 50/2.8 Elmar or 50/2.5 or 50/2.4 Summarit or any other more compact lens.

 

The Sonnar, although having modern coatings really shows all characteristics of the classic Sonnar design - be sure you like this.

Be aware that all Zeiss (Cosina) lenses do have a 1/3 stop aperture ring.

This is the one only reason why I don't have any Zeiss (Cosina) lenses although I do like the character of some.

 

If I would have to choose one of these three as a solid everyday lens, I would pick the Nokton f1.5 (you can get the older model second hand for a song and that would be my pick - a second hand sample of the older version for something like 350 - 450 USD).

 

If I would look for a vintage lens (read: lower contrast, different rendering, not mandatory to pair with other modern looking lenses in a kit, …), the options are endless.

[yef]

thanks to everyone that commented on this until now. I have a summicron that i love, but in many cases i feel like i would like to get more , something fast. Of course the f/1.1 sounds the most dreamy out of these 3 version, but the only thing that stops me from buying it is the minimum of 1m distance. From the looks i love the Zeiss (but everyone is against it because of the shift). 

Not sure still what to get, after reading and reviewing a lot of posts and articles on these subjects, it's really hard to choose. 

[Hannes Lummes]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Nokton 1.1 has a lot of focus shift too. I had it. Liked it....but it was too big for me. Now I have Sonnar for those moments I need a character lens, and for that use it is more pleasing than Nokton which has severe bokeh problems until at least f/2, where as Sonnar is already perfect at that aperture. But it also has long minimum focus, the biggest bummer in the lens for me. Dealing with the focus shift is a couple of days work, only has to be done once and then you know how to deal with it. Easy to learn with M240 live view. Not easy to learn with M6, which I had those days.

[asiafish]

Why not get yourself a Jupiter 3?  Its a Russian knock-off of the Sonnar, and a good one is every bit as good as the Zeiss.  There are people out there who can calibrate it or sell you one thats already been set up.

I bought mine from Brian Sweeney as well as a genuine Zeiss.  The Jupiter is a coated lens from 1963 and the real Sonnar is an uncoated lens from 1937.  Performance is VERY similar, with the Zeiss having a bit more glow, and the Jupiter a bit sharper and with slightly more saturated color.  Both are fantastic.

[yef]

Voigtlander nokton 50mm f/1.5 has a big + cos it's has the min focusing of 0.7 and sometimes it's critical. I really make mind on it. The summilux is too expensive for me, and i have these 3 lens to choose from (I want a new lens). 

[sdk]

With an EVF on an M240 the 50mm/1.5 C-Sonnar ZM's focus shift becomes manageable. It's a very nice lens, and quite compact. I've not used the others.

The real masterpiece is the 35mm/1.4 Distagon ZM though. It's become one of my favorite lenses, and is especially useful for casual night photography in the city in this dark season.

5 Star Travel Service, Columbus Ave., Boston, MA 2015 by Steven Keirstead, on Flickr

[Chronomania]

I have owned them all -and the sonnar too- and kept the nokton 1.5. It is one of ly favorite lens, almost as good as the summilux for a fraction of the price. A very modern lens but not harsh or too contrasty. Highly recommended [emoji1]

[pico]

thanks to everyone that commented on this until now. I have a summicron that i love, but in many cases i feel like i would like to get more , something fast. Of course the f/1.1 sounds the most dreamy out of these 3 version [...]

What does 'dreamy' mean?

[jto555]

What does 'dreamy' mean?

Can I sleep on it before I answer?

[yef]

What does 'dreamy' mean?

Dreamy in terms of having a 1.1 lens . love shooting with open aperture. 

[menos I M6]

If you have already a Summicron and love it than the answer is very easy:

 

First: you MUST forget about getting a new second 50mm lens IMMEDIATELY.

 

Reason: the choice of truly remarkable vintage lenses from the past century of lens production that can be used on a Leica M is one of the true reasons that make the modern Leica M such an outstanding system camera.

 

You absolutely should search for the image threads here on the forum which deal with vintage lenses - look through each page of those threads and take notes on lenses you might like the look of.

Make a short list of those lenses and see how they compare in availability, potential issues when buying, size, prices, …

 

Here is a must read thread:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/186858-the-view-through-older-glass/

 

Here is a short list of vintage lenses that provide an ENTIRELY different character for very affordable prices to your Summicron:

 

- 5cm f1.4 Nikkor LTM

- 5cm f1.5 Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar LTM (very hard to find a nice genuine copy now, best buy from a known person)

- 50/1.5 Jupiter - copy of the CZJ lens, when adjusted and worked over, a great very affordable lens

- 5cm f1.5 Canon LTM - a Sonnar lens, often has issues with separation and hazed optics - need to find a nice copy

- 50/1.2 Canon LTM - people love or hate the out of focus behavior (very "busy") - completely different to the Summicron for sure

- 50/1.5 Summarit - a Leica lens famous for it's "built like a tank" mechanical quality and it's bordering psychedelic out of focus rendering wide open

 

Maybe a faster 50mm is not the only choice to get something more "dreamy" - look for vintage lenses in the 73 - 105mm range like:

- 7.3cm f1.9 Hektor - it only gets more "dreamy" than this with a Thambar but the Hektor is still within the budget you outlined by your original lens choice

- 8.5cm f2 Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar - a hard to find lens and good genuine copies get more and more expensive

- 85/2 Jupiter - a fantastic alternative to the original, if properly calibrated

- 8.5cm f2 Nikon LTM - probably the best bargain for a classic portrait lens

- 85/1.8 Canon LTM (latest all black version) - one of the greatest lenses in it's range - the last fireworks, Canon started before leaving the rangefinder market altogether

- 100/2 Canon LTM (the slightly older sister lens to the 85mm, the 85mm was derived from this 100mm super fast lens with very similar optical and almost identical mechanical construction)

 

All of the above lenses sell for well under 1000 USD, many of them even under 500 USD in really great condition.

 

Here again - you don't want a "new lens" when you want fast and "dreamy".

Don't buy any new lens before having given those vintage lens threads an honest close look.

 

… and of course, there is only the one and only "Dreamlens" the Canon 50/0.95 rangefinder lens, here converted to Leica M mount:

 

The Bund at f0.95 | portrait - muscle by teknopunk.com, on Flickr

 

 

[rramesh]

Voigtlander 35 Nokton f/1.2 II. It's big and bad!

[yef]

thank you very much for your comments, but i'm still stuck . 

 

cons:

 

zeiss - 0.9 and a focus shift (but i guess its something manageable).

 

nokton 1.5 - doesn't like the bokeh as much as the other lenses

 

nokton 1.1 - 1 meter min focus distance and very heavy

 

pros:

 

zeiss - the perfect size, best bokeh

 

nokton 1.5 - 0.7 min focus distance

 

nokton 1.1 - also lovely bokeh, perfect aperture

 

 

would love to hear if anyone have anything to add. I'm still choosing the best option.

I have at the moment a summicron and it's just brilliant besides the fact that a lot of times i need faster aperture.  

[lct]

Beware that some ZM 50/1.5 lenses are calibrated for f/2.8 and others for f/1.5. Better check before ordering. 

[pico]

Canon 50mm F/0.95 converted to M

 

 

 

Note: I went through three M conversions before finding one that worked to my satisfaction, but had one on a Canon 7S that was always good.

 

EDIT: this image did not fare well through an iPhone FTP download and resample!

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[jaques]

the nokton v2 LTM lens is an absolute bargain

 

- and a very good performer.

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!