Which Nokton

iMacfan · 12-30-2004

Hello all,

I'm extremely happy with my new R3a, as it's the first real interchangable lens RF that I have had (well, apart from a zorki 4k!). Today, I managed to catch a few snaps with it of a beautiful sunset, and while I'm sure the photos wont be so amazing, I really am now getting used to it.

So, what I now need is a good standard lens for it. All I have for the moment is a Voigtlander 21/4, and Jupiter 8,9 and 11s. For a main lens, I need something more modern which I can rely on wide open. I'm considering both the 40 and 50 Noktons, as well as the 50/2s from Leica and Zeiss, but these are much more expensive and a stop slower.

Which one would you recommend? I'm not too bothered about the difference in view, and I dont (yet) wear glasses. Will the Leica 'cron or Zeiss be that much better?

Thank you for all opinions,

David

rover · 12-30-2004

Wow, I would say that you have 4 right choices in that group. Which are you leaning towards? Do you need the speed? You have seen lots of images made with Summicrons before, I personally like the "glow," or what ever it is, which is why I choose it. The 50 Nokton is excellent too though and was a real strong second in my decision making. I like what I have seen so far from the 40 Nokton. It has a lot of the same character of the 50, perhaps with a little less smoothness in the bokeh? Reports and expectations are high regarding the ZM 50.

If your budget is a concern I would say go with one of the CV lenses and be confident that you are working with a great tool. If you have a liking for one of the others and can do it, go for it.

You can't make a bad choice amoung these 4.

peter_n · 12-30-2004

David you already have the lens you need. Unless it's a bad sample, your J-8 should be all you could wish for in a standard lens. Have you seen Remy's images with this lens? If not go to the gallery and look at RML's pictures.

If you absolutely have to have a different lens, I would highly recommend an M-Hexanon 50mm/f2 made by Konica. It's a tremendous lens and is/was on sale here in the last day or so and also over on photo.net.

jlw · 12-30-2004

Quote:

Originally posted by peter_n
David you already have the lens you need. Unless it's a bad sample, your J-8 should be all you could wish for in a standard lens.

I must have a bad sample, because my Jupiter-8 is absolutely awful until stopped down to about f/11.

Can anything be done about this? Might it have been DIY-repaired and reassembled incorrectly?

Huck Finn · 12-31-2004

David, you might try this website for comparison of the Zeiss 50 with the Leica & CV alternatives:

www.photoethnography.com/blog/

Since you already have a 50, I guess the question is: Are you happy with this focal length? Are you happy with the results?

If the answer to these is yes, then the CV 40 Nokton would round out your system by giving you a different focal length. I have both a 40 & 50 and use them for different things. Furthermore, the 40 is much more compact & focuses to a closer distance by about 8" than the CV 50 or the Jupiter. (The Zeiss & Leica 50s also focus to 27" - same as the CV 40.) I would only consider one of the three 50s if you are in love with this focal length but are disappointed with the Jupiter.

Just a note about your Jupiter 8 vs a more "modern" standard lens. The Jupiter 8 is a clone of the classic Zeiss Sonnar, while the Leica & Zeiss lenses are variations of a double Gauss design (specifically the planar type) which is actually an older lens design, although more recent versions have tweaked the older design. What is more modern about the Zeiss & Leica lenses is primarily the coatings & as a result they are more resistant to flare. A hood on the Jupiter reduces this as an issue. Criticisms I've read of the Russian lenses are primarily regarding quality control. If you have a good one, this is a great lens design with its own "look."

peter_n · 12-31-2004

Quote:

Originally posted by jlw
I must have a bad sample, because my Jupiter-8 is absolutely awful until stopped down to about f/11.

Can anything be done about this? Might it have been DIY-repaired and reassembled incorrectly?

It might have been. Oleg Khalyavin at OK photocameras may be able to give you advice if you describe the symptoms to him. (Oleg is very reputable.) The Russian lenses do vary considerably in quality and you may have a bad one.

iMacfan · 12-31-2004

Thanks for all the advice - I'm leaning towards the CV 40, as it is the fastest, cheapest and smallest. I'd agree that the J8 is an excellent lens, but it seems to me the one thing that it can't do is keep the crisp sharpness wide open that good modern lenses can, and what I'm looking for is sharpness in low light situations.

Any other opinions much appreciated.

David

Huck Finn · 12-31-2004

You're right, David, the softening of the image when shot wide open is one of the reasons why the Sonnar was valued as a portrait lens - a little kinder to people's faces than a razor sharp lens. But your needs are different. It may be worth waiting until more user reports come in on the 40/1.4 to see if it meets your expectations. Or buy it from one of the dealers with a "no questions asked" return policy. Shoot a roll of film as soon as you get it & see how you like it. It will be hard to beat the Leica Summicron or the Zeiss Planar (based on early reports) for sharpness wide open. You can find a recent version of the Leica Summicron on ebay in the $500 - $600 range, so that might be your alternative if the Nokton doesn't measure up.

rover · 12-31-2004

Don't forget Peter's suggestion of the Konica 50/2. It is on par with the Summicron and probably could be found for under $400.

Huck Finn · 12-31-2004

Excellent point, Rover. One sold on photo.net 2 weeks ago for $325! Killer lens.

peter_n · 12-31-2004

Here's the thread for the one on sale here - brand new at $375. Might still be on sale - got to the last but one post at the end of the thread:

FS: Konica M-Hexanon 50/2