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Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Desmolicious
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p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Hmm, overall the 50 1.2 looks more pleasing to my eye.

Feb 03, 2022 at 04:20 PM

demytty
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p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Looks like a...
Great lens for m43.
Good for thin-stack full-frame Leica/R5/Z9.
Okay for thicker stack Sony.
Marginal for GFX medium format.

With the new OM System Wow camera disclosed on Feb 24, and the Panasonic GH6 inbound as well, this might be an interesting lens add for the multi-body library.

Anybody selling this lens used, or wanting to sell their new lens, please DM me.

Feb 03, 2022 at 04:38 PM

lookert
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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

LarsHP wrote:
Thanks, Fred!

I am so happy I didn't preorder the Nokton f/1.0 (which required paying the full amount).
The reverse field curvature ruined the idea of getting that lens for me.

The central part of the image looks impressive, but the sides (and corners) are not worth it, having the f/1.2.

I still feel the same way, anybody that already owns the 50/1.2 wouldn't have many reasons to upgrade at all.
Still impressed how you managed to spot the reverse field curvature from the first few – less than ideal – test shots shared in the other forum.

Feb 03, 2022 at 04:51 PM

Bertrick
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

This has been a very helpful review with useful examples, well explained. I already have a well corrected 50mm, the CV 50 APO. So I am considering this lens for my something different lens. I am really struck by that boost in contrast and am thinking about what opportunities that might open, along with the extra stops of light gathering, for creative use.

Feb 03, 2022 at 04:57 PM

highdesertmesa
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

This lens looks like it could work for me, since I shoot either close to MFD or at infinity at f/5.6 and rarely in between. At closer distances, the 50 f/1 samples stand out noticeably as a superior rendering against the f/1.2, IMO (sharper high-contrast subject, more blurred background). Near MFD, the f/1.2 seems to have more defined small splotches of bokeh that I find less than attractive. I like that the green bokeh fringing on the f/1 appears to be no worse than it is with the f/1.2.

I would not adapt this to the GFX, though. The outer edges being more in focus at mid-distance would be even more exaggerated. I've seen that exact look on the GFX from using my CZ 45 f/2.8 Tessar, and it can be quite jarring if there are objects only a few feet behind the subject.

Feb 03, 2022 at 04:58 PM

genji
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p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

LarsHP wrote:
Thanks, Fred!

I am so happy I didn't preorder the Nokton f/1.0 (which required paying the full amount).
The reverse field curvature ruined the idea of getting that lens for me.

The central part of the image looks impressive, but the sides (and corners) are not worth it, having the f/1.2.

B&H is already listing the Nokton 50/1 as a Top Seller. Anyone who is aware of and can accept its obvious flaws need only wait for the attractively discounted copies that will, as was pointed out in the other thread, soon be turning up on the Buy and Sell board.

Feb 03, 2022 at 05:01 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Thanks for the illustrative review Fred.

I don’t like the direction that CV took here—too much mechanical vignetting, no SA and some FC at near and mid-distance is is where I wanted that lens to shine. But, the extremely high sharpness and correction centrally and infinite performance are a technical flex. CV offers a smoother rendering lens in the 50/1.2. Offering a slightly faster CV 50/1.2 isn’t enough of a difference for most, so a faster lens (that is still comparatively small) with its own distinct signature makes sense.

Feb 03, 2022 at 05:22 PM

freaklikeme
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p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Good stuff as always, Fred. Looking forward to the rest.

One small quibble on the corner crop comparison with the 50/1.2. I'd say it's debatable that the 1.2 resolves more that the 50/1 at any aperture, but it certainly has more evident transverse CA.

Feb 03, 2022 at 06:19 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.2 #9 · p.2 #9 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

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Distortion

The Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton is very well corrected for distortion. There is very slight pincushion which is easily corrected in post.
In Lightroom a mere "-2" corrects it.

Here is the before and after pincushion correction in LR:

Before

After

Amount of distortion correction

Feb 03, 2022 at 06:36 PM

Steve Spencer
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p.2 #10 · p.2 #10 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Thanks Fred for a really nice review. I like that they added the floating element and that seems to have paid off with much better close focus performance. I don't like much else. Personally, I would have liked to see them back off on the aperture, still add the floating element for good close performance, and focus on a very nice bokeh rather than just central sharpness. I guess that is why I have the Leica M 50 f/1.4 Asph

. I would be up for Voigtlander making a competitor, but I doubt they will given how many 50s they already have.

Feb 03, 2022 at 06:37 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.2 #11 · p.2 #11 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Steve Spencer wrote:
Thanks Fred for a really nice review. I like that they added the floating element and that seems to have paid off with much better close focus performance. I don't like much else. Personally, I would have liked to see them back off on the aperture, still add the floating element for good close performance, and focus on a very nice bokeh rather than just central sharpness. I guess that is why I have the Leica M 50 f/1.4 Asph

. I would be up for Voigtlander making a competitor, but I doubt they will given how many 50s...Show more →

It’s funny how good the 50 Lux is, especially given it’s age. It’s like the RX1 Sonnar—they’ve aged well cause they were ahead of their times.

Feb 03, 2022 at 06:42 PM

Geoff CB
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p.2 #12 · p.2 #12 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Looks like a fantastic lens for actual low light shooting, may shine with it's sharpness and lack of CA. Definitely much better options for a clean 50mm in daylight shooting situations though.

Feb 03, 2022 at 06:44 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.2 #13 · p.2 #13 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

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Vignetting

The Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton has high vignetting wide open which is greatly mitigated at around f/4 and best at f/8-11.

Here is a comparison between Infinity Distance (Inf) vs MFD (0.9m):

PS: This comparison is showing the real vignetting of the lens. There is no profile attached to it and any RAW cooking is removed using DNG cleaner.

f/1: LEFT (INF) | RIGHT (MFD)

f/1.4: LEFT (INF) | RIGHT (MFD)

f/2: LEFT (INF) | RIGHT (MFD)

f/2.8: LEFT (INF) | RIGHT (MFD)

f/4: LEFT (INF) | RIGHT (MFD)

f/5.6: LEFT (INF) | RIGHT (MFD)

f/8: LEFT (INF) | RIGHT (MFD)

Feb 03, 2022 at 07:07 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.2 #14 · p.2 #14 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Time to clean my sensor.

Feb 03, 2022 at 07:08 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.2 #15 · p.2 #15 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

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Flare Resistance

Somewhat mix results as the Voigtlander 50mm /1 Nokton is prone to ghosting flare whenever the light is just outside the frame. It's still able to hold contrast so veiling is not as much of an issue. This is somewhat mitigated by using the supplied lens hood or your hand to block the light source.

However, the CV 50/1 did well when the sun was in the frame with no ghosting or veiling. (see last sample below)

My advise is to use the hood when shooting against the light.

There is some weird reflection when the light source is coming from the sides. The hood is a must in these situations

It did very well in regards to flare coming from the sun in the frame!

Feb 03, 2022 at 07:34 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.2 #16 · p.2 #16 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Fred Miranda wrote:
Yes, I have both lenses. I will test them out. The difference in size/weight between M10-R + CV 50/1.2 vs A7R4 + GM 50/1.2 is comical tough.
David vs Goliath but this time it won't end up well for David.

I am curious to see this. It both is (specs, price range, XA/Extreme Aspherical elements) and isn't (AF, size, 14 elements for the GM versus 9 for the GM) quite fair. I haven't shot the GM 50...seems very well corrected for resolution and rendering. This 50/1 is more of a specialist tool with distinct strengths and weaknesses.

Feb 03, 2022 at 09:44 PM

genji
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p.2 #17 · p.2 #17 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

nehemiahphoto wrote:
This 50/1 is more of a specialist tool with distinct strengths and weaknesses.

As in two strengths (f/1 and central sharpness wide open) and too many weaknesses to list.

Feb 03, 2022 at 11:31 PM

rscheffler
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p.2 #18 · p.2 #18 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Fred Miranda wrote:
Time to clean my sensor.

That’s easy, just shoot everything at f/1.0

On a different note, would it be possible to examine the full 50/1.0 infinity test image shot at f/5.6? To my eyes, its midfield weakness becomes more nervous as it’s stopped down.

Feb 04, 2022 at 02:11 AM

LarsHP
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p.2 #19 · p.2 #19 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

I think the Ringfoto (Voigtländer distributor in Germany) representative said in the video that the Nokton f/1.0 has a "generous image circle". The vignetting test wide open shows practically black corners... and even at f/4, the extreme corners gets abruptly dark. I would rather say that the image circle is borderline for 24×36mm format.

Feb 04, 2022 at 05:40 AM

trebuh
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p.2 #20 · p.2 #20 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Thank you very much Fred !

Do you have an equivalent topic with the voigtlander 50 f1.2 vs 50 f1.5 II ?

Feb 04, 2022 at 05:46 AM

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