low325 wrote:
^ i like the compression from the 85G and I like the smoother transition from in focus to oof of the 58G. two different looks from two different tools. pick the best tool for the job...both great images elijah.
Shawn: really lovely fall colours. I'd really like to see it for myself one day.
You just don't get that type of scenery in Australia and now that I'm living in Singapore, I have no chance haha.
So, I've finally decided to sell the 58. Mind you, it's only because I'm seriously jonesing for the 200-500, and need to raise some $$. I'm certain I'll own this lens again, but for the moment, I'm fairly well stocked with alternative portrait glass…
This Thread convinced me to buy this great lens. It is so much better then the 50mm 1.4. I sold my 50mm 1.4 sigma end my macro 90mm 2.8 for this lens, I looked not back, i am so glad now.
For me it is a great combo with the 135mm 2.0DC and the 24mm 1.4. The 85mm comes only out when it is dark, then the 135mm is outdated. I hope nikon soon updated the 135mm.
The 58mm has also like the 135mm increadible great bokeh.
mysh wrote:
Has anyone used this Voigtlander Nokton SL-II 58 mm F/1.4? How does it compare to the nikon 58mm G?
I'm bringing back this very old comment (over a year ago - turned up on a search, but seemingly zero responses?) because I'm wondering the same thing... I've been checking out the Voigtlander and really liking it. Based on my limited shooting with it and looking at a LOT of images from both, it seems at least as sharp in the center wide open, it's bokeh is very nice in the foreground, and slightly busier than the Nikon's in the background. But I like the busier bokeh for the kinds of stuff I shoot.
I'm gonna rent a copy of the Nikon 58 late next week through Thanksgiving and see how they compare first hand. It seems like most contributors to this thread are mostly shooting people, either formal-ish portraits (wedding shooters and portrait pros) and the Nikon excels at that, both because of the smoother bokeh and incredible skin tones. But when I'm shooting portraits, it's usually candid friends and family shots and I like something at least 85mm for this most of the time because I don't want to be in someone's face if they're not consciously posing for me, and I almost never shoot people who are. So, for the mostly non-portrait way I'd use a 58, I'm guessing I'm either gonna like the Voigtlander as much or close enough to as much to save the thousand (or many hundred, used) extra I'd have to pony up for the Nikon... But time will tell. I'm definitely enjoying the 58mm focal length - I like the extra little bit of reach and compression relative to the 50's I've shot and never really loved. And for the kinds of static subjects I'm mostly shooting, I really enjoy manual focus.
In the meantime, here are just a few shots with the Voigtlander 58mm f1.4 taken with the DF, all shot at f1.4. I'd welcome any comments on how the lenses compare, either based on these, or if anyone actually HAS used both. I hope this isn't some sort of violation of thread etiquette. If it is, let me know and I'll take 'em down...
Thanks Chris. I'm really more interested in impressions of how this Voigtlander renders, and particularly as related to the Nikon 58 f1.4G. I'm gonna be deciding between the two over the next couple of weeks and this is the kind of thing I can obsess over and lose all objectivity if I'm not careful. So other sets of eyes will be helpful!
Ray S. wrote:
I'm bringing back this very old comment (over a year ago - turned up on a search, but seemingly zero responses?) because I'm wondering the same thing... I've been checking out the Voigtlander and really liking it. Based on my limited shooting with it and looking at a LOT of images from both, it seems at least as sharp in the center wide open, it's bokeh is very nice in the foreground, and slightly busier than the Nikon's in the background. But I like the busier bokeh for the kinds of stuff I shoot.
I'm gonna rent a copy of the Nikon 58 late next week through Thanksgiving and see how they compare first hand. It seems like most contributors to this thread are mostly shooting people, either formal-ish portraits (wedding shooters and portrait pros) and the Nikon excels at that, both because of the smoother bokeh and incredible skin tones. But when I'm shooting portraits, it's usually candid friends and family shots and I like something at least 85mm for this most of the time because I don't want to be in someone's face if they're not consciously posing for me, and I almost never shoot people who are. So, for the mostly non-portrait way I'd use a 58, I'm guessing I'm either gonna like the Voigtlander as much or close enough to as much to save the thousand (or many hundred, used) extra I'd have to pony up for the Nikon... But time will tell. I'm definitely enjoying the 58mm focal length - I like the extra little bit of reach and compression relative to the 50's I've shot and never really loved. And for the kinds of static subjects I'm mostly shooting, I really enjoy manual focus.
In the meantime, here are just a few shots with the Voigtlander 58mm f1.4 taken with the DF, all shot at f1.4. I'd welcome any comments on how the lenses compare, either based on these, or if anyone actually HAS used both. I hope this isn't some sort of violation of thread etiquette. If it is, let me know and I'll take 'em down...
Hard to pass judgement on the qualities of the lens. Your images are very nice with loads of contrast but that does affect the bokeh dramatically. Bokeh is busier like you said but all subjective. Static subjects, MF is fine, but for me I need autofocus.
Hardcore wrote:
Hard to pass judgement on the qualities of the lens. Your images are very nice with loads of contrast but that does affect the bokeh dramatically. Bokeh is busier like you said but all subjective. Static subjects, MF is fine, but for me I need autofocus.
Thanks. Yeah, I guess that might be what decides it when I shoot both of them back to back. If I really find AF a benefit, I'll likely go for the Nikon. If I did a lot of portrait shooting at this focal length, it would probably be a slam dunk, but I don't and I like manual focus a lot. I know I slightly prefer the Nikon's rendering, but it's really almost a matter of different flavors than better or worse. I suspect I'll be really happy with either...
low325 wrote:
^ i like the compression from the 85G and I like the smoother transition from in focus to oof of the 58G. two different looks from two different tools. pick the best tool for the job...both great images elijah.
This summarizes my feelings about the differences between these two lenses perfectly...
