p.1 #1 · Disassembly - Voigtlander 50mm F1.2 Nokton Leica M mount lens
@yukosteel has just posted a detailed teardown of the Voigtlander 50mm f/1.2 Nokton lens designed for Leica M mount.
I've personally encountered a lot of variation in rangefinder calibration with this lens. I've tested multiple copies, and many of them had a tendency to front-focus significantly, causing images to be soft when focusing using the RF wide open. Unfortunately, there were no easy ways to adjust the focus, like shims behind the mount. So, finding a good copy was often a matter of luck.
This article demonstrates how simple it can be to calibrate this lens. By removing the front plate and a few screws, you can access the calibration shims. I wish I had known it was that straightforward!
One notable excerpt from the article's conclusion is as follows:
"Like with 40mm F1.2 model, this Voigtlander 50mm F1.2 Nokton lens has more complex mechanics due to larger amount of glass. Optical and focusing frames are built like a tank and large amount of brass used where it's increasing frame durability. Cosina made extremely smooth and precise focusing mechanics and every part looks thick and heavy duty, I personally think that these lenses are able to be used for centuries if properly served and greased. New mechanics design requires alternative ways of assembly path, so now these lenses need to be opened from the front. Though it is still possible perform minor maintenance steps without a risk of misaligning optical structure, because each optical element remains inside of well calibrate optical module frame, and position of each optical piece remains exactly same after assembly."
p.1 #4 · Disassembly - Voigtlander 50mm F1.2 Nokton Leica M mount lens
Fred Miranda wrote:
@yukosteel@ has just posted a detailed teardown of the Voigtlander 50mm f/1.2 Nokton lens designed for Leica M mount.
I've personally encountered a lot of variation in rangefinder calibration with this lens. I've tested multiple copies, and many of them had a tendency to front-focus significantly, causing images to be soft when focusing using the RF wide open. Unfortunately, there were no easy ways to adjust the focus, like shims behind the mount. So, finding a good copy was often a matter of luck.
This article demonstrates how simple it can be to calibrate this lens. By removing the front plate and a few screws, you can access the calibration shims. I wish I had known it was that straightforward!
One notable excerpt from the article's conclusion is as follows:
"Like with 40mm F1.2 model, this Voigtlander 50mm F1.2 Nokton lens has more complex mechanics due to larger amount of glass. Optical and focusing frames are built like a tank and large amount of brass used where it's increasing frame durability. Cosina made extremely smooth and precise focusing mechanics and every part looks thick and heavy duty, I personally think that these lenses are able to be used for centuries if properly served and greased. New mechanics design requires alternative ways of assembly path, so now these lenses need to be opened from the front. Though it is still possible perform minor maintenance steps without a risk of misaligning optical structure, because each optical element remains inside of well calibrate optical module frame, and position of each optical piece remains exactly same after assembly."
I wonder if the MFD of this lens could be reduced like some of the other recent experiments have allowed – even more curious about that for the 50 f/1.0.
p.1 #5 · Disassembly - Voigtlander 50mm F1.2 Nokton Leica M mount lens
ftllens wrote:
Wait, all of the chrome rings can be removed pretty easily then. So you can remove them and powdercoat them black!
I am also thinking of doing that for my 40mm 1.4 and 35mm 1.2 III.
p.1 #6 · Disassembly - Voigtlander 50mm F1.2 Nokton Leica M mount lens
ftllens wrote:
Wait, all of the chrome rings can be removed pretty easily then. So you can remove them and powdercoat them black!
If you really dislike the chrome ring, it's easy to remove it following the steps in the teardown, strip it and black anodize it. It might not match the lens barrel exactly, but this kind of modification is often affordable. S.K. Grimes is a place that can help with this, and it won't cost you too much.
p.1 #7 · Disassembly - Voigtlander 50mm F1.2 Nokton Leica M mount lens
Fred Miranda wrote:
If you really dislike the chrome ring, it's easy to remove it following the steps in the teardown, strip it and black anodize it. It might not match the lens barrel exactly, but this kind of modification is often affordable. S.K. Grimes is a place that can help with this, and it won't cost you too much.
If someone knows of a place in Germany/the EU that is doing such things please call out
p.1 #8 · Disassembly - Voigtlander 50mm F1.2 Nokton Leica M mount lens
Fred Miranda wrote:
If you really dislike the chrome ring, it's easy to remove it following the steps in the teardown, strip it and black anodize it. It might not match the lens barrel exactly, but this kind of modification is often affordable. S.K. Grimes is a place that can help with this, and it won't cost you too much.
The front chrome ring is quite heavy and made of solid brass inside. It additionally serves as a durable shield from accidental bumps to the front lens edges, and it's much stronger than aluminum. Yeah, it's interesting idea to turn front rings color to black.
Note, some lenses like CV 35mm F1.4 II or CV 35mm F2 have front nameplate glued instead of having thread on outer edge like in this CV 50 1.2, and removing glued front nameplate is much more difficult.
p.1 #10 · Disassembly - Voigtlander 50mm F1.2 Nokton Leica M mount lens
yukosteel wrote:
The front chrome ring is quite heavy and made of solid brass inside. It additionally serves as a durable shield from accidental bumps to the front lens edges, and it's much stronger than aluminum. Yeah, it's interesting idea to turn front rings color to black.
Note, some lenses like CV 35mm F1.4 II or CV 35mm F2 have front nameplate glued instead of having thread on outer edge like in this CV 50 1.2, and removing glued front nameplate is much more difficult.
Is the chrome ring on the CV 35/1.4 Nokton II also made of brass? That sounds like a great lens for this! I think black anodizing can work on brass too, but it might be trickier because of its composition.
p.1 #11 · Disassembly - Voigtlander 50mm F1.2 Nokton Leica M mount lens
Fred Miranda wrote:
Is the chrome ring on the CV 35/1.4 Nokton II also made of brass? That sounds like a great lens for this! I think black anodizing can work on brass too, but it might be trickier because of its composition.
Yes, front chrome ring on all CV/Zeiss lenses I had chance to own or disassemble are made of solid brass, which is easy to notice by feeling their extra weight once detached. The one on CV 50 1.2 is remarkably heavy due its large radius and width. These chrome rings are typically expose yellow brassing over time, which can be found on pictures of used lenses listings.
p.1 #12 · Disassembly - Voigtlander 50mm F1.2 Nokton Leica M mount lens
yukosteel wrote:
Yes, front chrome ring on all CV/Zeiss lenses I had chance to own or disassemble are made of solid brass, which is easy to notice by feeling their extra weight once detached. The one on CV 50 1.2 is remarkably heavy due its large radius and width. These chrome rings are typically expose yellow brassing over time, which can be found on pictures of used lenses listings.
I just asked S.K. Grimes the price to black anodized that chrome ring in many Voigtlander lenses.
p.1 #14 · Disassembly - Voigtlander 50mm F1.2 Nokton Leica M mount lens
RustyBug wrote:
Any update on "de-chrome"-ing the Voigts?
I didn't pursue it because the Voigt lenses I wanted to try had their front plate glued on instead of being screwed, making it difficult to remove without causing damage.
