Voigtlander Nokton 58mm F/1.4 Review!

augustmoon · 01-17-2009, 12:19 PM

55 is what I use successfully, I thought that the next FL choice up from 55 was 65 anyway...

I believe the general rule of thumb for the shake reduction is either the correct FL or next closest below..

Brian

Rush2112 · 01-17-2009, 10:11 PM

Ok, thanks. Thats what I was doing too.

Carl

Rush2112 · 01-19-2009, 01:26 PM

These aren't bad first samples to share. Still working with the lens overall to find its full potential. It isn't a Sony/Minolta 135mm STF but then again, nothing is (hehe). Compared to my 50mm Sony 1.4, I am really impressed. The build quality alone can charm you into choosing this lens over other worthy classmates.

So far my little conclusion (of many) is that if you want a dreamy look or an ultra sharp image from corner to corner (at f8) this lens will do it a bit better than other lenses in its class. The lack of soft corners and any distortion at f8 makes this lens really stand out to me. A worthy lens for a kit imo. More samples to follow.

Space

mer · 01-19-2009, 01:40 PM

rush when choosing focal length for shake reduction ( when the focal length is not exactly the same ) it's always best to underestimate than overestimate

Rush2112 · 01-19-2009, 01:55 PM

yes that is what I was doing, I was just curious what others were doing is all

Thank you

J.Scott · 01-19-2009, 06:03 PM

I brought the Nokton to Cuba with me but only pulled it out of the camera bag once or twice. I'm just too protective of it, I guess. I think it worked well in both circumstances. I'm just not real pleased at the way the K10D makes a habit of exaggerating anything coloured bright red. I had to tone down the red flower a lot as it looked hideous. (It's not the lens, it's the camera sensor.)

Here's a couple shots; hand-held, of course.

1)
* Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/60 second = 0.01667 second
* Lens F-Number/F-Stop = 45/10 = F4.5
* Exposure Program = aperture priority (3)
* ISO Speed Ratings = 800

2)
* Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/180 second = 0.00556 second
* Lens F-Number/F-Stop = 14/10 = F1.4
* Exposure Program = aperture priority (3)
* ISO Speed Ratings = 200

lbam · 01-19-2009, 08:45 PM

Nice flower shot Mr Scott.

I posted this pic in the SLR film discussion section, but thought I'd put it here also as it is was taken with the Nokton, on a P3 film camera with Expired Ilford SFX200... F1.4 probably.

Rush2112 · 01-19-2009, 09:05 PM

Not a bad lens for landscape either in my opinion, sharpness in major abundance and the color is really nice as well. Here is a shot from today.

Rush2112 · 01-19-2009, 10:57 PM

Use of the very large apertures gives a wonderfully dreamy images (as I have seen so many of on this thread already), thought I'd contribute one I took today as well.

Carl

Damn Brit · 01-19-2009, 11:09 PM

Originally posted by J.Scott

I'm just not real pleased at the way the K10D makes a habit of exaggerating anything coloured bright red. I had to tone down the red flower a lot as it looked hideous. (It's not the lens, it's the camera sensor.)

I noticed that as well Jeff, I just try and turn it into an advantage.

J.Scott · 01-20-2009, 03:07 AM

Originally posted by lbam

Nice flower shot Mr Scott.

I posted this pic in the SLR film discussion section, but thought I'd put it here also as it is was taken with the Nokton, on a P3 film camera with Expired Ilford SFX200... F1.4 probably.

Thanks!

I like this pic. Gives me a real sense of being there. Has a nostalgic feel to it.

J.Scott · 01-20-2009, 03:10 AM

Originally posted by Damn Brit

I noticed that as well Jeff, I just try and turn it into an advantage.

I guess I haven't learned that trick. Does the sensor on the K20D do this as well? I know my *ist DS doesn't handle red well either.

Sila · 01-20-2009, 03:25 AM

Where can i buy a Nokton...? Ebay...?

rover · 01-20-2009, 04:17 AM

Originally posted by Sila

Where can i buy a Nokton...? Ebay...?

Most Voigtlander dealers I suspect, such as cameraquest.com. I am not sure who in the Europe to suggest.

thePiRaTE!! · 01-20-2009, 09:54 AM

Originally posted by Rush2112

Use of the very large apertures gives a wonderfully dreamy images (as I have seen so many of on this thread already), thought I'd contribute one I took today as well.

Carl

Nice one, moving into that area where the Nokton lends a painterly quality. I've found that around its plane of perfect focus, the Nokton adds a cushion of soft diffusion. The Nokton is still surprisingly sharp even at 1.4 though, just in a paper thin plane. Depending on if there is something in the subject that can pick up that razor of clarity to show that it exists is another story, but luckily it often doesn't matter if it shows, the creamy results speak for themselves.

Fwiw, I've found the Zeiss 85/1.4 shows the same capabilties and is very much a big brother to the Nokton. Much patience is required with these lenses if hitting that plane is essential.

01-19-2009, 01:26 PM	#408
Rush2112 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: RSM, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 505	First Samples These aren't bad first samples to share. Still working with the lens overall to find its full potential. It isn't a Sony/Minolta 135mm STF but then again, nothing is (hehe). Compared to my 50mm Sony 1.4, I am really impressed. The build quality alone can charm you into choosing this lens over other worthy classmates. So far my little conclusion (of many) is that if you want a dreamy look or an ultra sharp image from corner to corner (at f8) this lens will do it a bit better than other lenses in its class. The lack of soft corners and any distortion at f8 makes this lens really stand out to me. A worthy lens for a kit imo. More samples to follow. Space Space

01-19-2009, 09:05 PM	#413
Rush2112 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: RSM, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 505	Winter Sunset Not a bad lens for landscape either in my opinion, sharpness in major abundance and the color is really nice as well. Here is a shot from today.

01-19-2009, 10:57 PM	#414
Rush2112 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: RSM, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 505	A bit Dreamy Use of the very large apertures gives a wonderfully dreamy images (as I have seen so many of on this thread already), thought I'd contribute one I took today as well. Carl

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01-17-2009, 12:19 PM	#406
augustmoon Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto, San Diego, Seattle Posts: 455	55 is what I use successfully, I thought that the next FL choice up from 55 was 65 anyway... I believe the general rule of thumb for the shake reduction is either the correct FL or next closest below.. Brian

01-17-2009, 10:11 PM	#407
Rush2112 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: RSM, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 505	Ok, thanks. Thats what I was doing too. Carl

01-19-2009, 01:40 PM	#409
mer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Greece Posts: 237 Original Poster	rush when choosing focal length for shake reduction ( when the focal length is not exactly the same ) it's always best to underestimate than overestimate

01-19-2009, 01:55 PM	#410
Rush2112 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: RSM, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 505	yes that is what I was doing, I was just curious what others were doing is all Thank you

01-19-2009, 06:03 PM	#411
J.Scott Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,675	I brought the Nokton to Cuba with me but only pulled it out of the camera bag once or twice. I'm just too protective of it, I guess. I think it worked well in both circumstances. I'm just not real pleased at the way the K10D makes a habit of exaggerating anything coloured bright red. I had to tone down the red flower a lot as it looked hideous. (It's not the lens, it's the camera sensor.) Here's a couple shots; hand-held, of course. 1) * Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/60 second = 0.01667 second * Lens F-Number/F-Stop = 45/10 = F4.5 * Exposure Program = aperture priority (3) * ISO Speed Ratings = 800 2) * Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/180 second = 0.00556 second * Lens F-Number/F-Stop = 14/10 = F1.4 * Exposure Program = aperture priority (3) * ISO Speed Ratings = 200

01-19-2009, 08:45 PM	#412
lbam Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 442	Nice flower shot Mr Scott. I posted this pic in the SLR film discussion section, but thought I'd put it here also as it is was taken with the Nokton, on a P3 film camera with Expired Ilford SFX200... F1.4 probably.

01-19-2009, 11:09 PM	#415
Damn Brit Guest	Originally posted by J.Scott I'm just not real pleased at the way the K10D makes a habit of exaggerating anything coloured bright red. I had to tone down the red flower a lot as it looked hideous. (It's not the lens, it's the camera sensor.) I noticed that as well Jeff, I just try and turn it into an advantage.

01-20-2009, 03:07 AM	#416
J.Scott Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,675	Originally posted by lbam Nice flower shot Mr Scott. I posted this pic in the SLR film discussion section, but thought I'd put it here also as it is was taken with the Nokton, on a P3 film camera with Expired Ilford SFX200... F1.4 probably. Thanks! I like this pic. Gives me a real sense of being there. Has a nostalgic feel to it.

01-20-2009, 03:10 AM	#417
J.Scott Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,675	Originally posted by Damn Brit I noticed that as well Jeff, I just try and turn it into an advantage. I guess I haven't learned that trick. Does the sensor on the K20D do this as well? I know my *ist DS doesn't handle red well either.

01-20-2009, 03:25 AM	#418
Sila Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denmark Photos: Gallery Posts: 97	Where can i buy a Nokton...? Ebay...?

01-20-2009, 04:17 AM	#419
rover Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 149	Originally posted by Sila Where can i buy a Nokton...? Ebay...? Most Voigtlander dealers I suspect, such as cameraquest.com. I am not sure who in the Europe to suggest.

01-20-2009, 09:54 AM	#420
thePiRaTE!! Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Calgary, AB Photos: Gallery Posts: 942	Originally posted by Rush2112 Use of the very large apertures gives a wonderfully dreamy images (as I have seen so many of on this thread already), thought I'd contribute one I took today as well. Carl Nice one, moving into that area where the Nokton lends a painterly quality. I've found that around its plane of perfect focus, the Nokton adds a cushion of soft diffusion. The Nokton is still surprisingly sharp even at 1.4 though, just in a paper thin plane. Depending on if there is something in the subject that can pick up that razor of clarity to show that it exists is another story, but luckily it often doesn't matter if it shows, the creamy results speak for themselves. Fwiw, I've found the Zeiss 85/1.4 shows the same capabilties and is very much a big brother to the Nokton. Much patience is required with these lenses if hitting that plane is essential.