Nokton 50 1.1

[amritsg]

Hey fellow RFers,

Just wanted to get some opinions bout the nokton 50 1.1?
Any problems youve had?
Delights it gives you?
And whatever else about it, which is important to know about it?
Thanks!

 

[aomoon]

This is my 2cents comment as I have only shot 2 nite sessions with it.
I love it and is my choice of lens for night, wide open at f/1.1. At 10% of a Leica Noctilux, the best in her class.

So far, I have not master zone focus and depend on the viewfinder for precision focus (which sometimes can be tough
in dark conditions). The bokeh may be "harsh" for some, though but I'm happy with it

Here's a writeup by Egor that talks about focus shift (but i don't worry about it in real world shooting as above mention challenge)
http://www.ultrasomething.com/photography/2010/08/ruminations-on-a-50mm-f1-1-nokton/

 

[ray_stinger]

Big, heavy and obtrusive...mounting it on a rangefinder makes me feel like I'm using a SLR...
But one cannot fault its IQ and light gathering capability in view of its price point. If you can live with the bulk, its probably a good lens in anyone's bag...

 

[sweat100]

I will not hesitate to use f1.1 when I need it. It is sharp enough at f1.1 for most purposes. You might encounter viewfinder blockage, but it should not be too big an issue. As mentioned, the weight at 428g is heavier than majority of the RF lenses. However if you compare to Noctilux f1.0 (630g) and Canon f0.95 (605g), it is actually lighter. If you compare to summilux 50mm f1.4(200g+ to 300g+ depending on the versions) then it much heavier. It depends with class of lens you would like to make reference to.

Some of the photos taken during Thaipusam festival in Singapore.

 

[DoveVadar]

I find the OOF similar to that of a f1.4 Lux... Maybe im wrong..
but certainly a good lens for that price

I have tried it awhile back. Its really not heavy and wouldnt break your neck like the Noctilux.

 

[bene123]

I use it. its not bad. but I find that it is too 'big' for "tradtional street work" in comparison to the 35 1.2 it lacks a little character but generally the way highlights are render is very VC.

The size gets on your nerves if you shoot one hand with strap around wrist. for more than 2 hrs ie me....

Ah the question is how does the Zm 1.5 fair against the 1.1 =)

 

[Royale With Cheese]

I've tried this lens.

Nice to have but not for everyday shooting imho. Bear in mind I'm a F5.6-F22 person, rarely shoot wide open.

As pointed out by dovevader, its honestly not heavy. Layman terms, the Nokton weights like an 1/4 full beer can, the Noctilux weights like a full pint glass.

I find the lens sharp wide open, bokeh redetion is rough, not as smooth as the Canon 50mm F1.2/Hexanon 50mm F1.2/Noct


But still, its really a bang for the buck.

Here is some pics shot wide open:









Got a set on this lens on Flickr here.

 

[benny]

I think the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.1 is a great lens. The results you get are sharp and crispy and the subject can look quite 3D when shot wide open with careful composition. For the price, it's a real steal, whether you weight it on it's own merits or compare it against other fast 50mm lens, RF or otherwise. The weight and size isn't a real concern and if it is, you can remove the hood for a smaller volumetric presence. On some viewfinders, the protrusion into the viewfinder is not very obvious at all.

Cheers,

 

[NazgulKing]

Is focus shift a big issue? Some sites say yes, but in actual practice? Admittedly I started using the Zeiss ZM C-Sonnar where focus shift was claimed to be an issue, but thus far on film, it seems to be within tolerances.

 

[sweat100]

Is focus shift a big issue? Some sites say yes, but in actual practice? Admittedly I started using the Zeiss ZM C-Sonnar where focus shift was claimed to be an issue, but thus far on film, it seems to be within tolerances.

From my experiences with it, focus shift isn't too big an issue. In fact I did not notice it in my photos. It was only after reading and I went to inspect my negatives under the loupe to verify. Not too big a concern imo, perhaps focusing accurately at f1.1 is more of an issue! Haha...

 

[Royale With Cheese]

I think the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.1 is a great lens. The results you get are sharp and crispy and the subject can look quite 3D when shot wide open with careful composition. For the price, it's a real steal, whether you weight it on it's own merits or compare it against other fast 50mm lens, RF or otherwise. The weight and size isn't a real concern and if it is, you can remove the hood for a smaller volumetric presence. On some viewfinders, the protrusion into the viewfinder is not very obvious at all.

Cheers,

I agree. But no chrome, so no love! heehee.........

 

[benny]

I agree. But no chrome, so no love! heehee.........

Buy one. I make it chrome for you. Ha Ha Ha!!!!

Cheers,

 

[aomoon]

i have been shooting with the 50mm f/1.1 everyday for a week and this is my most 3D photo shooting wide open
Michelle is either walking forward or backward

Focus shift in real life photos so far is non-issue for me as the problem is to focus FAST for that moment.