p.1 #1 · Clash of Titans - Battle for the ultimate Nocturnal lens
So I recently got the Noctilux I *lent* to my dad back after almost three years. I thought I will do a quick testing of the two lenses whose designs concentrated on nothing but the usage at night. Therefore possessing the illusive term "NOCT" in their name: Nikon Noct-Nikkor 58mm F1.2 and Leica Noctilux F0.95 ASPH.
Moreover, Nikon recently introduced the 58mm F1.4G that suppose to pay a homage to the original Noct 58mm F1.2. Therefore, I also added that into this comparison.
For anyone's reference, this test was not perfectly controlled. I did use a tripod+using LV to make sure accurate focus.
I only include wide-open shots because after all, who want to step down their lenses when light isn't available.
The setup:
I haven't received my NF-E mount adapter. Thus I used my D700 for both Nikon. But again it's not meant to be a perfectly controlled testing. For the Noctilux, I used the Sony A7 with a Voigtlander LM-E adapter.
Nikon Noct:
First introduced back in 1977. It contains a precision ground (hand) aspherical element. It was designed to minimize sagittal comma at maximum aperture. Unfortunately, its complication of the aspherical element led to high price tag and ultimately led to its discontinuation in 1997. I really love the construction of the old lenses. The noct's bokeh is the reason I keep going back to this lens. Its unique characteristic is simply not found on any other lens.
Leica Noctilux F0.95:
Leica has always looked for the boundaries of optical design when planning their lenses. Noctilux is a lens designed to achieve great optical performance at very large apertures. The Noctilux F0.95 is simply a statement of what extreme optical design and manufacturing capability can achieve. Noctilux's bokeh at full aperture is almost dreamlike, while keeping the subject with good colors and contrast. I used dreamlike because it captures so much light in so little time that the light itself seems to be compressed; similar to what one experience in the dream.
Nikon 58mm F1.4G:
When Nikon announced the 58G, I was very disappointed that they didn't make it a F1.2. Nevertheless, Nikon has made sure that the 58G is not simply a lens with the same focal length but rather a re-designed lens that follows all the little details that made Noct-Nikkor a Noct. Nikon kept their focus on a lens that produce beautiful bokeh as well as the suppression of sagittal comma. From the pic, you can see that at full aperture, the 58G produces a very similar bokeh than the Noct. All in all, I think Nikon did a good job on producing a lens that intend to pay homage to their own legend and I think it's a good buy if one is looking for that Noct bokeh without the Noct pricing.
Jan 30, 2014 at 12:47 AM
Andre Labonte Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #2 · Clash of Titans - Battle for the ultimate Nocturnal lens
Nice test. Certainly seems sharp enough for its intended use ... so unless you do a lot of wide open close ups, it's a better option than the Otis ... but dang that Otis is sharp.
p.1 #4 · Clash of Titans - Battle for the ultimate Nocturnal lens
Andre Labonte wrote:
Nice test. Certainly seems sharp enough for its intended use ... so unless you do a lot of wide open close ups, it's a better option than the Otis ... but dang that Otis is sharp.
Does not seem appreciably sharper than the NOCT (I'm sure it is some). If it were going for $1000, it would be the Bomb. But it isn't.
PeaktoPeek wrote:
I'll take "Lenses I can never afford" for $400, Alex.
p.1 #5 · Clash of Titans - Battle for the ultimate Nocturnal lens
azenis wrote:
So I recently got the Noctilux I *lent* to my dad back after almost three years. I thought I will do a quick testing of the two lenses whose designs concentrated on nothing but the usage at night. Therefore possessing the illusive term "NOCT" in their name: Nikon Noct-Nikkor 58mm F1.2 and Leica Noctilux F0.95 ASPH.
Moreover, Nikon recently introduced the 58mm F1.4G that suppose to pay a homage to the original Noct 58mm F1.2. Therefore, I also added that into this comparison.
For anyone's reference, this test was not perfectly controlled. I did use a tripod+using LV to make sure accurate focus.
I only include wide-open shots because after all, who want to step down their lenses when light isn't available.
I haven't received my NF-E mount adapter. Thus I used my D700 for both Nikon. But again it's not meant to be a perfectly controlled testing. For the Noctilux, I used the Sony A7 with a Voigtlander LM-E adapter.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7321/12216423154_a24a80aee1_o.jpg
First introduced back in 1977. It contains a precision ground (hand) aspherical element. It was designed to minimize sagittal comma at maximum aperture. Unfortunately, its complication of the aspherical element led to high price tag and ultimately led to its discontinuation in 1997. I really love the construction of the old lenses. The noct's bokeh is the reason I keep going back to this lens. Its unique characteristic is simply not found on any other lens.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/12216017415_8255aedc76_o.jpg
Leica has always looked for the boundaries of optical design when planning their lenses. Noctilux is a lens designed to achieve great optical performance at very large apertures. The Noctilux F0.95 is simply a statement of what extreme optical design and manufacturing capability can achieve. Noctilux's bokeh at full aperture is almost dreamlike, while keeping the subject with good colors and contrast. I used dreamlike because it captures so much light in so little time that the light itself seems to be compressed; similar to what one experience in the dream.
When Nikon announced the 58G, I was very disappointed that they didn't make it a F1.2. Nevertheless, Nikon has made sure that the 58G is not simply a lens with the same focal length but rather a re-designed lens that follows all the little details that made Noct-Nikkor a Noct. Nikon kept their focus on a lens that produce beautiful bokeh as well as the suppression of sagittal comma. From the pic, you can see that at full aperture, the 58G produces a very similar bokeh than the Noct. All in all, I think Nikon did a good job on producing a lens that intend to pay homage to their own legend and I think it's a good buy if one is looking for that Noct bokeh without the Noct pricing. ...Show more →
This is an amazing test. There's a lot of history here. Nikon has made great lenses for so many years and the original 58 is such a good testament to their skill. I think this test just shows what a bargain the new 58 1.4G really is. Thanks so much for posting. PS this might be the first shot I've ever seen by the the Leica!
p.1 #8 · Clash of Titans - Battle for the ultimate Nocturnal lens
Yeah. The sharpness of otus is simply incredible. But its image rendition could use a bit more character.
Andre Labonte wrote:
Nice test. Certainly seems sharp enough for its intended use ... so unless you do a lot of wide open close ups, it's a better option than the Otis ... but dang that Otis is sharp.
p.1 #9 · Clash of Titans - Battle for the ultimate Nocturnal lens
I think the 58g is very good successor to the noct. It's not a replacement per se. But a very close contender.
At nearly half price, I think unless one wants the absolute best. Else, the new 58g offers 90% of what noct has to offer.
ohsnaphappy wrote:
This is an amazing test. There's a lot of history here. Nikon has made great lenses for so many years and the original 58 is such a good testament to their skill. I think this test just shows what a bargain the new 58 1.4G really is. Thanks so much for posting. PS this might be the first shot I've ever seen by the the Leica!
Jan 30, 2014 at 04:40 PM
Andre Labonte Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #10 · Clash of Titans - Battle for the ultimate Nocturnal lens
So here's a question, what about the Otis vs. the noct? At nearly the same price, it seems to me the Otis wins ... and the Otis is still in production.
As follow up, what from the Otis are you seeing deficient in its "character"?
azenis wrote:
I think the 58g is very good successor to the noct. It's not a replacement per se. But a very close contender.
At nearly half price, I think unless one wants the absolute best. Else, the new 58g offers 90% of what noct has to offer.
p.1 #11 · Clash of Titans - Battle for the ultimate Nocturnal lens
azenis wrote:
All wide open.
Would love to see the three all shot at f/1.4. Would be interesting to see what sort of bokeh they develop at that aperture, as well as improved centtral sharpness, particularly the NOCT.
Andre Labonte wrote:
So here's a question, what about the Otis vs. the noct? At nearly the same price, it seems to me the Otis wins ... and the Otis is still in production.
Not quite the same price; the Otus is about 25% higher than the average NOCT. Otus is loaded with APO glass and considerable correction. All things considered, a far better deal. The 58/1.4 still seems pricey for what you get, and will seem more so when Sigma kicks it in the rear element.
p.1 #12 · Clash of Titans - Battle for the ultimate Nocturnal lens
Andre Labonte wrote:
So here's a question, what about the Otis vs. the noct? At nearly the same price, it seems to me the Otis wins ... and the Otis is still in production.
As follow up, what from the Otis are you seeing deficient in its "character"?
i think about this sometimes, while the otus screams pure performance in terms of sharpness...the images it renders are i guess you can say has a sterile characteristic to it. the bokeh itself is very smooth but the overall rendering is very "digital" to me, if that makes sense. not saying its bad. but for my tastes i just cant warm up to it all. the NOCT and the 58G dont have those qualities and yet i find them more pleasing, with a nudge to the 58G being slightly better overall let alone its also "stopped down" to 1.4 as opposed to 1.2.
p.1 #13 · Clash of Titans - Battle for the ultimate Nocturnal lens
Some of these responses are pretty funny. Everyone bows to the Noct, as it should be. But very few people will give the 58G any kudos at all. You're bowing to the Noct on reputation alone. No one here will stand for a negative evaluation of this legend. But the 58G is basically identical. In some ways better. And it's half the price. And yet it's criticized. I laugh at anyone who praises the Noct and scoffs at the 58G. You have two lenses that are almost identical, two shots that are almost identical, but one is a loser and one is a winner? If you think that way you're silly.
p.1 #14 · Clash of Titans - Battle for the ultimate Nocturnal lens
ohsnaphappy wrote:
Some of these responses are pretty funny. Everyone bows to the Noct, as it should be. But very few people will give the 58G any kudos at all. You're bowing to the Noct on reputation alone. No one here will stand for a negative evaluation of this legend. But the 58G is basically identical. In some ways better. And it's half the price. And yet it's criticized. I laugh at anyone who praises the Noct and scoffs at the 58G. You have two lenses that are almost identical, two shots that are almost identical, but one is a loser and one is a winner? If you think that way you're silly. ...Show more →
x2
p.1 #15 · Clash of Titans - Battle for the ultimate Nocturnal lens
ohsnaphappy wrote:
Everyone bows to the Noct, as it should be. But very few people will give the 58G any kudos at all....No one here will stand for a negative evaluation of this legend. But the 58G is basically identical. In some ways better. And it's half the price. And yet it's criticized. I laugh at anyone who praises the Noct and scoffs at the 58G. You have two lenses that are almost identical, two shots that are almost identical, but one is a loser and one is a winner? If you think that way you're silly.
Don't think that it's a matter of winner or loser here or anyone is 'silly' for questioning the conventional wisdom. These four aforementioned optics inhabit a rarified realm of very specialized tools that function best in a limited context. None are worth bothering with beyond f/4 (some might argue f/2.8). The NOCT is a well-known quantity and for its time, had few peers. Nikon has clearly improved upon it: even better coma control, reduced CA wide open, less field curvature, and all the while preserving a wonderful bokeh. Perhaps the crowd's expectations were heightened by the long 17 year wait for a replacement and they yearned for some undefinable 'extra'. Whether better central sharpness, no field curvature or the extra 1/2 stop, it's hard to say. It is also a tribute to how good the latest 50/1.4 & 1.8 are that people aren't all worked up about this lens. And thus they justifiably wonder, is it really worth the four-fold price differential compared to the 50/1.4?
If your aesthetic is discerning in that way, you know what you want/need. For the rest, it isn't so obvious.
p.1 #17 · Clash of Titans - Battle for the ultimate Nocturnal lens
This is an amazing test. Could someone point out for me in these results what we are actually looking at? My eyes do not discern much difference in the blur circles. Also, where do you see a flatter field with less curvature?
p.1 #18 · Clash of Titans - Battle for the ultimate Nocturnal lens
I wonder how well the uber corrected Otus would do against all this glass for night photography. It would likely blow all of these out of the water for astrophotography; one of the strengths of the Noct-Nikkor. Neat seeing so much fast glass in a thread but wouldve liked cooler pictures
p.1 #19 · Clash of Titans - Battle for the ultimate Nocturnal lens
funwithlight wrote:
I wonder how well the uber corrected Otus would do against all this glass for night photography. It would likely blow all of these out of the water for astrophotography; one of the strengths of the Noct-Nikkor. Neat seeing so much fast glass in a thread but wouldve liked cooler pictures
Agreed! I would love to see some dreamy portraits!!!
Jan 31, 2014 at 01:27 PM
Andre Labonte Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #20 · Clash of Titans - Battle for the ultimate Nocturnal lens
low325 wrote:
i think about this sometimes, while the otus screams pure performance in terms of sharpness...the images it renders are i guess you can say has a sterile characteristic to it. the bokeh itself is very smooth but the overall rendering is very "digital" to me, if that makes sense. not saying its bad. but for my tastes i just cant warm up to it all. the NOCT and the 58G dont have those qualities and yet i find them more pleasing, with a nudge to the 58G being slightly better overall let alone its also "stopped down" to 1.4 as opposed to 1.2.
For the Noctilux, I used the Sony A7 with a Voigtlander LM-E adapter.
