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 p.29 #18 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review | |
profus wrote:
Question: As I can see there are 3 very fast Voigt lenses - the new f/1.0, then f/1.2 that is also shown here in many tests, but also a bit older f/1.1 that nobody even mentioned here?
What about that one? How does it compare to other two? Any experiences?
The out-of-focus background, in images shot with the f/1.1, can be, well, not normally pleasing my eyes. I reckon that “harsh” or “busy” would apply? I have never used the f/1.1 Nokton, but I searched for reviews and sample images, while considering buying one, shortly before the f/1.0 was announced. (A highly-reputable evil-bay dealer, not far from me, had a really nice sample available.) Just based upon my pre-caffeinated memory, Ming Thein’s blog went into considerable detail on this one, with sample images, and Kai Wong, probably when he was still working for the you-tube channel based in Hong Kong, reviewed the f/1.1, and his video presentation included sample images with this “bokeh.”
Images posted here, in this forum, also played a part, in my consideration, but with so many 50mm Nokton lenses, searching can be tedious, and my inter-webbing time is short, this morning.
Notably, the Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, my first M lens, acquired at the same time as my first Leica M camera, is my gold standard for background blur characteristics. (A one-time modest financial windfall enabled me to “start at the top*,” but even so, it was a pre-owned Summilux, bought with the new M10.) I only considered the f/1.2 and f/1.1 Noktons as a means of getting more light into my cameras, in low-light situations. Their background blur was not a priority. Thankfully, when the f/1.0 Nokton was announced, I waited for it to be available, with no regrets; a full stop more light than the Summilux, less length and weight than the f/0.95 Noctilux, and better-for-me background blur than the other 50mm Noktons. (Of course, the Nokton f/1.0 will not displace my Summilux, as favorite 50mm.)
I also really like the external physical appearance of the f/1.0 Nokton. There is some amount of homage to the first Leica Noctilux, and none of the beverage-can appearance as we see with the f/0.95 Noctilux. The length is rather modest. I do not mind the diameter, as it serves as nice gripping surface. My right hand is becoming more than a bit gimpy, so, a lens, with some amount of diameter and heft, is my primary way of gripping the camera/lens combo. A tiny, compact lens is only useful when I want to conceal the camera, or, work out of a tiny, compact bag or pouch, which, for me, is a niche use case.
*Starting at “the top,” with the Summilux-M 50mm ASPH was/is a form of partial inoculation against Gear Acquisition Syndrome. I may buy other 50mm M-mount lenses, for special purposes, but nothing, yet, seems “better” than my Summilux, as an all-‘round, walking-about, hand-held, people-photography lens.
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