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Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Fred Miranda
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p.8 #1 · p.8 #1 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

One last sample from tonight with the Voigtlander 50/1 Nokton wide open. Tomorrow I will compare the three F1 lenses for rendering and CA.

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander Nokton-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/1.2 1/30s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

Feb 07, 2022 at 10:27 PM

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

BTW, I usually post my personal commentary when comparing infinity resolution crops but I think that in this case, the images speak for themselves, clearly showing that the new Voigtlander 50/1 Nokton outperforms both Leica Noctilux lenses in terms of resolution and contrast, especially off-axis.

This morning I did a comparison between these three F1 lenses, showing how they differ in rendering, flare and sharpness at various distancse. I will post it shortly.

Feb 08, 2022 at 12:34 PM

rscheffler
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p.8 #3 · p.8 #3 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Looking forward to it!

From your infinity crops, it looks to me like the VM at mid-field becomes somewhat nervous between f/2.8-f/5.6 and then calms down again at f/8. The NX 0.95 is worse at mid-field from wide open and pulls even by f/2.8. IMO it outperforms the VM from f/4. But, considering that these lenses will typically be used at or near wide open, it appears Cosina's approach to mid-field behavior would be the more logical one.

From your use of the VM so far, do you feel that mid-field performance at nearer distances is consistent with what we see at infinity and would be adequate, in respect to sharpness and nervousness in the plane of focus between wide open and ~f/2.0? I ask because it would be typical to place the subject in the rule of thirds zones when doing environmental portrait, etc.

Feb 08, 2022 at 12:57 PM

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p.8 #4 · p.8 #4 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

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Rendering comparison to Leica Noctilux 50/0.95 ASPH. and Leica Noctilux 50/1

The below rendering comparisons were done with the help of the Visoflex 020 EVF to make sure focus was precise and consistent. Both Voigtlander 50/1 Nokton and Leica Noctilux 50/0.95 lenses are equipped with a floating group while the Noctilux 50/1 is an older design without FLE and aspherical elements.

The Voigtlander's field of view is noticeably wider than both Leica lenses. I'd say the former is actually wider than 50mm (~ 48mm), while the Leica lenses are similar and narrower than 50mm (~52mm). So, expect a bit more blur for the Leica lenses around the center area since they were compared at same distance for each scene.

These tests not only compare rendering but also sharpness, contrast and flare resistance at distances from 1m until 8 meters. All using the Lightroom Standard profile and minimal post-processing. (CA and Vignetting not corrected)

Because F1 lenses have pronounced field curvature, I also included crops showing how the off-axis out of focus behaves for these lenses.

Scene 1:

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander Nokton-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/1.0 1/500s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:0.95/50 ASPH. lens 50mm f/1.0 1/500s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:1/50 lens lens 16mm f/4.0 1/500s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

Feb 08, 2022 at 01:14 PM

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p.8 #5 · p.8 #5 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Scene 2:

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander Nokton-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:0.95/50 ASPH. lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

Feb 08, 2022 at 01:16 PM

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p.8 #6 · p.8 #6 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Scene 3:

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander Nokton-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:0.95/50 ASPH. lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

Feb 08, 2022 at 01:17 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.8 #7 · p.8 #7 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Scene 4:

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander Nokton-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:0.95/50 ASPH. lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

Feb 08, 2022 at 01:20 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.8 #8 · p.8 #8 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Scene 5:

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander Nokton-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:0.95/50 ASPH. lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

Feb 08, 2022 at 01:21 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.8 #9 · p.8 #9 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Scene 6:

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander Nokton-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/1.0 1/500s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:0.95/50 ASPH. lens 50mm f/1.0 1/500s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/1.0 1/500s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

Feb 08, 2022 at 01:22 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.8 #10 · p.8 #10 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Scene 7:

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander Nokton-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.7 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:0.95/50 ASPH. lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.7 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.7 EV

Feb 08, 2022 at 01:24 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.8 #11 · p.8 #11 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Scene 8:

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander Nokton-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -1.0 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:0.95/50 ASPH. lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -1.0 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -1.0 EV

Feb 08, 2022 at 01:25 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.8 #12 · p.8 #12 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Scene 9:

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander Nokton-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.7 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:0.95/50 ASPH. lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.7 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.7 EV

Feb 08, 2022 at 01:26 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.8 #13 · p.8 #13 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Scene 10:

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander Nokton-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/1.0 1/1500s 100 ISO -1.0 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:0.95/50 ASPH. lens 50mm f/1.0 1/1500s 100 ISO -1.0 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/1.2 1/1500s 100 ISO -1.0 EV

Feb 08, 2022 at 01:27 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.8 #14 · p.8 #14 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Scene 11:

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander Nokton-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/1.0 1/1500s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:0.95/50 ASPH. lens 50mm f/1.0 1/1500s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/1.0 1/1500s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

Feb 08, 2022 at 01:30 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.8 #15 · p.8 #15 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Scene 12:

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander Nokton-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/4.0 1/2000s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/4.0 1/2000s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:0.95/50 ASPH. lens 50mm f/4.0 1/3000s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

Feb 08, 2022 at 01:32 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.8 #16 · p.8 #16 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Scene 13:

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander Nokton-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:0.95/50 ASPH. lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

LEICA M10-R Noctilux-M 1:1/50 lens 50mm f/4.0 1/4000s 100 ISO -0.3 EV

Feb 08, 2022 at 01:34 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.8 #17 · p.8 #17 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Great comps Fred. To me, the CV 50/1 trounces the 50/.95 at its own game—ultra fast high contrast modern look. The CV does so with smaller size, smothering rendering for bokeh (esp. the corners), cheaper price, greater LoCal control, and higher resolution and preferable flare (to me).

To me, I already know the character of that 50/1, and it’s draws like a vintage lens in a flawed but gorgeous way. The CV 50/1 is a remarkably attractive option. I would chose one of those two easily.

Leica really must despise CV (and testers like you lol). Their own current premium price glass is getting killed here, price and size aside

Feb 08, 2022 at 01:43 PM

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p.8 #18 · p.8 #18 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

nehemiahphoto wrote:
Great comps Fred. To me, the CV 50/1 trounces the 50/.95 at its own game—ultra fast high contrast modern look. The CV does so with smaller size, smothering rendering for bokeh (esp. the corners), cheaper price, greater LoCal control, and higher resolution and preferable flare (to me).

To me, I already know the character of that 50/1, and it’s draws like a vintage lens in a flawed but gorgeous way. The CV 50/1 is a remarkably attractive option. I would chose one of those two easily.

Leica really must despise CV (and testers like you lol). Their own current premium price glass...Show more →

Great summary. I'm still analyzing the images but agree that the Voigtlander 50/1 Nokton has higher contrast and resolution compared to the "modern" Leica 50/0.95. At close distance (~1m) which is the MFD for the Leica, the Voigtlander did better at center and way better off-axis (Scene 10). That was surprising to me as this Leica lens is known for great performance up close due to FLE. Well, it looks like it found its match now.

Overall, the Voigtlander outperforms both Leica lenses in terms of flare resistance (both veiling and ghosting), contrast and resolution at any distance. I see slightly higher purple fringing in high contrast areas for the Voigtlander though.

All three F1 lenses have issues with high optical vignetting and outwards field curvature. Therefore, when a subject is focused at mid/long distance, the out of focus background towards the corners, will look sharper than the OOF center. This ill-effect can be distracting and is more pronounced for the Leica Noctilux 50/1, followed by the Leica 50/0.95 and it's slightly better for the Voigtlander 50/1, which is surprising to me since it's one of my main negatives for this lens. So, although the Voigtlander 50/1 Nokton has uneven rendering at certain distances, it's no worse than more expensive lenses sharing the same maximum aperture.
I guess, designing 50mm F1 lenses is not a walk in the park after all!

Feb 08, 2022 at 02:07 PM

NJPhotographer
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p.8 #19 · p.8 #19 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Those examples are pretty convincing in favor of the 50/1.0 Nokton. The Noctilux-M 1:0.95/50 has a small victory in somehow achieving the most background blur in the middle of Scene 13.

Feb 08, 2022 at 02:36 PM

jankap
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p.8 #20 · p.8 #20 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton Review

Very good test series, Fred!

Feb 08, 2022 at 02:39 PM

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