40mm: Nokton vs Rokkor

[filmtwit]

Like to hear (and see) the pros and cons of these two 40mm lenses and why you'd choose one over the other.

Thanks,

[ItsReallyDarren]

I only have the 40 Rokkor which I've been using for only a week or two. The only thing I have to say is that I absolutely love it.

I originally got it to try something between 50 and 28, I wanted something fast and slightly wide. A 35 cron is a little too pricey and users tend to report very little difference between a 35 and 40.

Two weeks and a dozen rolls later I'm very much enjoying the Rokkor. Its true a 40mm is little tighter when using 35mm framelines but after shooting the lens to get a feel of it I generally know what the lens sees and what will show. I'll try to post an example, close up I lose the very edge of the frame, generally past 10ft its hard to tell the difference.

[Bingley]

I don't see how you could go wrong w/ either lens. I don't have the Nokton, but I've seen a lot of beautiful shots taken w/ it. The 40 Rokkor is, for me, the closest I'm going to get to a 35 summicron, so I'm w/ Darren on that point. It's a lovely lens. I don't do a lot of shallow dof shots, so not having 1.4 is not a big loss. I would guess that the MC version of the Nokton will be more contrasty than the Rokkor, although probably not by a lot. I don't have a clue how the SC version of the Nokton compares to the Rokkor. The Rokkor can render tones w/ great delicacy. I don't know how the Nokton compares in that regard.

[lic4]

For me, the Rokkor 40 is the best black and white lens I've used, including the various Summicrons (35 v3, v4, and 50). The contrast seems to be just right. Steve's B/W photo above is a good example.

[Frank Petronio]

A vote for the Rokkors over the VC, used both, the build and bokeh of the Rokkors are better.

[Krosya]

I used to have Rokkors - both versions. I have a CV 40 MC now. I like them both - for different reasons. Rokkors seem to have smoother bokeh. Nokton is faster and focues closer and it's bokeh gets better at f2, yet maybe not as nice as Rokkor. Focusing is somewhat smoother with Rokkor, yet I hear that Nokton gets better with use and it seems to be true - mine was a bit stiff when new and now its smoother. Which I like better? Not sure. I go through these stages where I like 40mm lens and than dont like it as much, so ... I'm nt sure if I will end up keeping CV40 in a long run. Part of it is - my 35mm and 50mm lenses are very good and 40mm just doesnt really replace either.
YMMV.

[Doug]

My 40 Nokton SC is from the second batch, that didn't suffer from the reported stiff focusing, and I got it used from another RFF member. Surprisingly compact for such a fast lens, and it performs very well... sometimes with a slight veiling flare that lowers contrast, when, say, shooting into the sun or a bright sky. It seems to be a couple mm longer focal length than the 40 M-Rokkor that came with my CLE in 1982. Assuming the 43mm Pentax-L is truly 43mm, I'd guess the Nokton would be maybe a true 42mm to the Rokkor's 40. The Pentax is glorious with good contrast and saturated colors due to low flare. But it has a bit more barrel distortion than the Nokton (haven't checked the Rokkor for that) and it's physically much longer than the other two. But I like them all, and use them only on the CLE due to its 40mm framelines.

[axiom]

Not answering you question.
But I once had the Rokkor and Rollei together, in the end I keep the Rollei.
I like the Rollei tonal, bokeh and in/out focus transition better. But when compared at @2.8, the Rokkor was a tiny teeny bit sharper at the edges.

[ferider]

I've shot and tested them side by side. Impossible to tell the difference between MC Nokton and Rokkor from f2 and up, except the Nokton being slightly longer. You can safely decide based on your speed vs. size needs only. The SC Nokton will give you a little more veiling flare in strong counter light.

Roland.

[Phantomas]

I've got a CV 40mm, single coated version and I absolutely love it. I don't have a Rokkor to compare, but I'd like to say that I find 40mm FL extremely handy and versatile. Sometimes I think it's even more universal than 35mm.

[filmtwit]

Thanks folks.

Anymore caparisons (photo wise?)

[ferider]

Here are my comparative tests:

http://ferider.smugmug.com/Technical.../2727734_MNe74

Roland.

[pagpow]

I have both but have not had a chance to shoot the Rokkor. Will post when I have a chance.

In addition to ferider's comparison, googling something like "cv 40 vs rokkor 40 rff" should surface an old thread with a discussion right on point. If I recall correctly, it is very similar to feroder's analysis/conclusion. My bad memory does not allow me to remember whether ferider hisself might have contributed/generated that old thread.

The vc was found sharper than the rokkor between f2 and f4. I bought the vc forst and then bought the rokkor because its rendering seemed better in many photos, particuarly flickr -- but we know those limitations.

+1 for the vc 40 being a different lens at f2 than 1.4, much more pleasing. I stick it on f2 and use it there whenever possible. F1.4 is simply a bonus when essential the way I use it.

So -- sharpness, drawing, bokeh, build quality, focusing feel -- let us know if you do a disciplined comparison across those dimensions.

[ItsReallyDarren]

Here's a comparison between using the 35mm and 50mm framelines. The inner edge of the frames were touching the outer sides of my shoe.

35mm



50mm

[ItsReallyDarren]

how about a shot from last week as well

looking at the larger sized version I'd say its a pretty sharp lens

[Juan Valdenebro]

I was about to buy a Rokkor: it's excellent too... Finally I went for the Nokton because of its speed and after seeing it's sharp at 1.4... Apart, by f/2 its bokeh is soft even in difficult conditions... And even wide open most of the times... But what I liked the most about it, was that being that fast, it's very small.

I was also about to buy a Rokkor 28 before I got my CV28, but when I read the white dots problem comes suddenly to clean lenses too, I forgot about it...

Cheers,

Juan