I think what Makten and I were referring to, is the ill-effect field curvature and mechanical vignetting cause when shooting wide open with fast lenses. This effect is noticeable when corners appear sharper than the rest of the out of focus rendering area.
Depending on the focus length and/or optical design, this can be even amplified (induced) when using a lens designed for a thinner sensor on a thicker sensor stack.
I would bet this will happen with the new CV 50/1.5 II when used on the Sony as it does with its previous version. It's usually more noticeably when the transition zone is part of the background rendering. (mid, long distance to subject)
Fred Miranda wrote:
I think what Makten and I were referring to, is the ill-effect field curvature and mechanical vignetting cause when shooting wide open with fast lenses. This effect is noticeable when corners appear sharper than the rest of the out of focus rendering area.
Yes, nearly every lens has that to some degree. It isn't visible when you shoot a flat object in focus though, which is what I was talking about.
For the original poster, there isn't really a way to determine which you are seeing just looking at the oof region of somebody else's pictures.
Honestly, these samples images look very good. Nice rendering, well controlled CA and punchy colors. Can't say much about resolution from the resized samples.
Samples don't raise any immediate concerns, but also don't tell much. Bokeh in the first and second images looks like it will have a bit of character, but not crazy. Probably in line with most recent Voigtlander releases, though I think I see some swirliness and signs of noticeable cats eyes at mid frame through to the corners. It wouldn't be surprising given the size of the lens. Curious how strong vignetting will be...
If it has minimal mid zone dip at f/2.8 it might replace my 50 Lux ASPH. The tighter portrait has the eyes positioned where the Lux ASPH becomes a mess at f/2.8 from my experiences. It's also telling that the slightly OOF wall behind her doesn't show any weirdness so close to the plane of focus. Could be promising...
I like this combination of properties here. It's sharp enough, without feeling like a clinical, scalpel-like sharpness. And I wouldn't say the bokeh is creamy exactly, and in some of the foliage in the first photo it's approaching nervousness (in the leaves on the left and right side of the path) without fully getting there, but overall I think it's what I'd call "painterly." These qualities really remind me of the Color-Ultron, Schneider SL-Xenon 50mm f/1.8 or even the Zeiss Ultron 50mm f/1.8. I'm excited to get a deeper look at this one, as with these properties I could see this becoming my go-to lens.
I always enjoy the carefully chosen CV sample images, very artistic, very different from what so many photographers want to see in test images. As expected, this one just makes life's 50mm choices even harder.
Each image has something to show, be it focus fade, vignette, colour tone roll-off with several strong hues, skin tones you just don't see in mainstream lenses, shadow/highlight detail, focal plane definition, variations in skin tones between hands, arms and face at different light levels, CA. Great control of pale blue #3.
They prefer contextual, lightly scarified bokeh (looks a little like the 25/35 Milvuses). They never blow highlights gratuitously but show you up to the edge. Great focus fade at f5.6 and the f2.8 image shows the model's makeup integrated very well, unlike many others these days. In fact a lot of differentiation from the others, and never insipid colour. An aficionado's lens, this one.
Juha Kannisto wrote:
Looks like they also added the Japan release date: 10/22. Looking forward to mine It comes out 1 day before A7c.
I can’t wait to see some of your photos with this lens on your A7c!!!
I’ve been lurking this thread since its creation and am keeping a close eye on it as I owned the VM Nokton 50/1.5 Mk 1 back in 2013/2014 with my A7. It was one of those lenses I regretted letting go, but I’m excited to see how the next iteration performs on Sony’s recent sensors. The last time I was in Japan was last year visiting the in-laws taking as many photos as I could with the M10 and 50/1.5 Sonnar ZM. I no longer have that particular camera and lens, but I still miss the Sonnar’s rendering, and I hope this new Nokton will rekindle the enjoyment I had from both the Nokton Mk 1 and C-Sonnar.
I sold a majority of my digital gear last year to buy a M10M and some more film equipment. I’m looking forward to seeing sample shots of this lens on Monochrom sensors.
Alpha_Geist wrote:
I can’t wait to see some of your photos with this lens on your A7c!!!
I’ve been lurking this thread since its creation and am keeping a close eye on it as I owned the VM Nokton 50/1.5 Mk 1 back in 2013/2014 with my A7. It was one of those lenses I regretted letting go, but I’m excited to see how the next iteration performs on Sony’s recent sensors. The last time I was in Japan was last year visiting the in-laws taking as many photos as I could with the M10 and 50/1.5 Sonnar ZM. I no longer have that particular camera and lens, but I still miss the Sonnar’s rendering, and I hope this new Nokton will rekindle the enjoyment I had from both the Nokton Mk 1 and C-Sonnar.
I sold a majority of my digital gear last year to buy a M10M and some more film equipment. I’m looking forward to seeing sample shots of this lens on Monochrom sensors. ...Show more →
Thanks! I'll share some samples as soon as I have the lens and the camera. I also had the original Nokton since launch in 2013 until 2019 or so. I enjoyed it on my Nex-6 and later on A7r, A7II, A9. I think it worked reasonably well on Sony sensors and I'm hoping the new one will do the same. The one thing I never really liked with the original was the focusing ring and now that part is entirely different with the new version as well. I have a bit of a collection of other CV 50mm glass already and this new one is going to be the lightest of them all as 50/3.5 Heliar, 50/2.5 Color-Skopar and 50/2 Heliar classic are all >200g. The native Sony E-mount 50/1.2 and 50/2 are about twice the weight. In addition to Sony cameras this new one should also work pretty well on my Sigma fp. fp has more color shading with wide angle RF glass (removable in post but annoying and requires extra work) but it's usually not noticeable with 50mm and longer glass.
The general rule was that 50mm M lenses should be OK on Sony cameras, so we'll see. I'm more forgiving of such a lens as this one, which might be a great short distance and portrait lens. Only a silver medal on the weight front though, as the diminutive 50/3.5 Heliar scales at 187g naked, and 209g with rear cap, hood and hood cap. Thanks for your input, much appreciated as always.
In Japan the black and silver versions are about 88000 yen at launch (including 10% tax) in the best shops like Map Camera, Fujiya Camera etc. The Panda version is about 106000 yen. I suppose other markets will have quite similar pricing.
These prices are basically same as 40/1.2 SE version for E-mount so that might be a useful reference as well.
You are right about 50/3.5, I had the wrong impression that it was 209g as per official spec but it's actually 187g on Cosina's site. Anyway, the new one is close 2nd.
philip_pj wrote:
Any info or guesses re street price on release?
The general rule was that 50mm M lenses should be OK on Sony cameras, so we'll see. I'm more forgiving of such a lens as this one, which might be a great short distance and portrait lens. Only a silver medal on the weight front though, as the diminutive 50/3.5 Heliar scales at 187g naked, and 209g with rear cap, hood and hood cap. Thanks for your input, much appreciated as always.
I saw their web page lists 100000 / 115000 so 88000 sounds quite reasonable, if carried over to other markets. I'll see what the local distributor says this week. I'm getting much more interested in these CV/M lenses as here in Australia they are easier to resell if need be. And if they start out at reasonable cost, the 'holding fee' is not so much in the washup. thanks again.
