I am looking at a 50mm for my M4-2. Anybody here have an opinion of the Nokton by Voightlander? Thanks, John

-- John H Osterholm (barjo4@attbi.com), May 03, 2002

Answers

For a quick write-up of the 50mm Summilux vs Nokton, see the topic in the Leica FAQ I maintain at: nemeng.com/ leica/013b.shtml

-- Andrew Nemeth (azn@nemeng.com), May 04, 2002.

John you can consider the 50 1.5 Nokton from Voigtlaender go to http://cameraquest.com/inventor.htm to know more about. Have a nice day

-- pierre cantin (cantinp@videotron.ca), May 04, 2002.

Cameraquest has info on this stuff, but remember, he is also a salesman for the equipment. I considered this lens when it firsat came out, and I am sure the optics are fine on it. I found it to be bulky, and I didn't like the short throw on the focus. If I remember correctly, the minimum focus is not that close either. You sure can't beat a 50mm Summicron for a Leica m.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), May 04, 2002.

I had the Nokton for a while and it is a very sharp and high contrast lens even wide open. The color is on the cool side but will vignette wide open at close range. You can pick one up for about $350 used these days and it is quite a bargain if you like the look. It looks nothing like any Leica lens out there.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), May 04, 2002.

Hi John,

the Nokton is a wonderful lens for available light. Therefore forget all you have heard about "vignetting problems". Nobody will see the darker edges in your 1.5 pics. When stopped down, the lens is excellent. I use a Nokton and I use the current Summicron 50/2. Okay, the Sumicron is a little bit better (more contrast) - even wide open but you won't be disappointed by the Nokton's quality in general. IMO it is better to get a sharp photo with a very good lens at 1/60s and f1.5 than a blurred photo (because of your shaking hands) with an excellent lens at 1/30 s and f2. If you use f1.5 very often - go for the Nokton. It is worth its price - even new. There are two things I don't like: The Nokton's minimum focus of 0,9 m (3 feet)and its inclination to flare. Just use a hood and be careful with backlit situations. All in all I recommend the Nokton highly.

Frank

-- Frank Thoma (Thoma2811@aol.com), May 05, 2002.

I've posted an MTF review of lenses, that I got from one of our French posters, on my web site. It has all of the Leica/Voigtlander(Cosina)/Konica 50s.

Click here for the review

FWIW, you can't beat the Summilux with removable hood IMHO. If I could only keep one lens, this would be it. Pay $800 for it now, used, and if you don't like it, sell if for $800.

Buy the new Nokton, for about $350, new, and, if you don't like it, sell it for $200, used.

-- Tom Bryant (boffin@gis.net), May 05, 2002.