generic 50mm f/1.1

[jaeger]

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I can't find VM 50mm f/1.1 old post.  Which 50mm f/1.1 has better IQ/sharpness center, VM or 7arts?  I kinda reckon VM 50mm f/1.2 is sharper but it's over budget.

 

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[ktmrider2]

Have no experience with 7Arts but recently I had a chance to review images taken with my 50f1.1.  All were shot at f1.1 on an MP240 but I was not using live view.  They were all soft.  It may have been me or perhaps the lens as I bought it used and really have not used it much.  I just ordered a 50f1.2 from B&H.  It will be going with me on a six month round the world trip.  The 50f1.1 will be calibrated when I get back.  If the 50f1.2 does not work out, I have the latest 50 Summicron.

Of course, I will be shooting it for a few days before packing it.  I leave in one week.

You might want to check out Rangefinder Forum as there is a LOT of info on those lenses you are interested in over there.

Edited September 5, 2019 by ktmrider2
Added info

[jakontil]

I used to 7arts at widest open f1.1 shots were soft 

closed down a little then it is more contrast

the bokeh were harsh at f1.1 but getting much smoother frm f1.4 like 2 different lenses 

[jakontil]

Shot widest open

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[jaeger]

10 hours ago, ktmrider2 said:

Have no experience with 7Arts but recently I had a chance to review images taken with my 50f1.1.  All were shot at f1.1 on an MP240 but I was not using live view.  They were all soft.  It may have been me or perhaps the lens as I bought it used and really have not used it much.  I just ordered a 50f1.2 from B&H.  It will be going with me on a six month round the world trip.  The 50f1.1 will be calibrated when I get back.  If the 50f1.2 does not work out, I have the latest 50 Summicron.

Of course, I will be shooting it for a few days before packing it.  I leave in one week.

You might want to check out Rangefinder Forum as there is a LOT of info on those lenses you are interested in over there.

which brand are your 50 f/1.1 and 50 f/1.2

[ktmrider2]

 Both the lenses are Voigtlander.  You can get the 50f1.1 Nokton for $600 new and the 50f1.2 Nokton for $1050 from B&H or Cameraquest.  Vinny the Lens who has a video feed on Youtube has gone so far as saying the new 50f1.2 is the best 50 on earth.  Hyperbole perhaps but it is getting great reviews.  Check out the reviews of the lens on this forum. Leicaman (I think) has a link to the review he did for LHSA and was so impressed he bought the test sample.  If you google 50f1.2 Nokton, his review published in the LHSA magazine comes up.  

I bought my 50f1.1 used and really it sat in a cabinet for six months.  I went to a Comecon event to test it wide open with the rangefinder on my MP240.  When I finally uploaded the images (all shot at f1.1 they were all soft.  I suspect the lens needs to be calibrated which will have to wait till I return from my travels).

My 50f1.2  arrives tomorrow and I will be testing it over the next few days as I leave in less then a week for a six month trip around the world.  If I don't like the lens, it goes back to B&H and I will be taking my 50 Summicron as I know it works.  By the way, I was talking to Steve Gandy of Camerquest and he says the 50f1.2 is so good and so different in rendering from the 50f1.1 he recommended owning both.  Now he sells Voigtlander but I respect his opinion.

Edited September 5, 2019 by ktmrider2

[01maciel]

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I am a wide-open-fan-boy and haven't reget the purchase of the CV 50/1.1.  I shot all photos in the thread «Rails»  with this lens. Not perfect, but I love it. 

[LucisPictor]

The 7artisans 1.1/50 is not soft wide open. (Of course, it is sharper when stopped down, but it is not really soft at f/1.1.)

It needs to be fine-tuned and focussed correctly.

 

Check this (German): https://retrocamera.blog/2017/07/27/7artisans-bitte-wie/

[PCPix]

I owned both at the same time - in answer to the OP (jaeger): the VM f/1.1 is definitely sharper than the 7Artisans f/1.1 wide open and I’d say it leads the 7A at all apertures... but... the 7A’s circular aperture blades give far nicer backgrounds than the VM stop-sign bokeh in the slightly stopped down range (f/1.2 - 4). That said, they are very soft (err - I mean ‘characterful’!) wide open

Build quality is great with both, they both sharpen up well and the ‘owner calibration’ is a nice touch on the 7A. 

The newer VM f/1.2 might actually be the best bet however - even if more pricey. 

I eventually gave up on chasing the ultra-wide aperture 50s and got a tatty Summicron off eBay for the same cost - never looked back 😉

[ktmrider2]

Well, I have just spent a couple days shooting the 50f1.2 Nokton on my MP240 using the optical finder only.  It does not appear soft in any of the enlargements and seems to be right on with the optical finder.  It is about the size of most f1.4  50's.  It is definitely going around the world with me in a few days.  I will leave the 50 Summicron and 50f1.1 Nokton at home.  

If it is within your budget, I highly recommend it.  Anyone want to buy a 50f1.1 for for $450 with hood and filter?

[jaeger]

On 9/6/2019 at 10:42 AM, LucisPictor said:

The 7artisans 1.1/50 is not soft wide open. (Of course, it is sharper when stopped down, but it is not really soft at f/1.1.)

It needs to be fine-tuned and focussed correctly.

 

Check this (German): https://retrocamera.blog/2017/07/27/7artisans-bitte-wie/

that image in the website can't justify sharpness.  as far as I know arts7 is softer than voigtlander. 

[Ko.Fe.]

On 9/4/2019 at 7:41 PM, jaeger said:

I can't find VM 50mm f/1.1 old post.  Which 50mm f/1.1 has better IQ/sharpness center, VM or 7arts?  I kinda reckon VM 50mm f/1.2 is sharper but it's over budget.

 

Start from this page and older. <50 it is trashed. https://www.flickr.com/groups/nokton50f11/pool/page50

You will find 1.1 shots. 

 

You are not going to lose more than 100$ with 7a on re-sale. Just buy it. Get used one, you'll lose just on PayPal fee.  It is cheap lens without aperture clicks (just like many FSU lenses), but with optional focus tab.

Then I was looking for my awesome 50 I had two at the same time. Sold them both, but no regrets. It is still less than renting.

[jaeger]

I tested the VM 50mm f/1.1 this morning.  It has huge focus shift.  It's accurate at 1m, 3m and 5m when wide open both thru the VF and the picture.  However, it is 4 inches back focus when 1 meter away at f/2.  Forget it, I didn't tried 3m and 5m.

Edited September 14, 2019 by jaeger

[J.Nordvik]

The Voigtländer Nokton 1,1/50 is surprisingly sharp at infinity f/5,6. Better than my Zeiss ZM Planar 2,0/50.

It is too heavy though, so I do not use it.

Never had any problem with focus.