Voigtlander Nokton 58mm F/1.4 Review!

roentarre · 05-05-2008, 05:55 AM

Originally posted by Voe

James, I knew this lens has a great bokeh but the shots you made are simply amazing!
The colours are so rich and true in the same time. Great work!

Thanks, Voe. You shall have some similar shots from the artist studio place. Show case a little?

roentarre · 06-01-2008, 02:32 AM

roentarre · 06-01-2008, 02:32 AM

roentarre · 06-01-2008, 02:33 AM

roentarre · 06-01-2008, 02:34 AM

creampuff · 06-01-2008, 05:05 PM

James, these are great shots. I particularly like this one for the mood. Thumbs up.

Originally posted by roentarre

roentarre · 06-02-2008, 03:35 AM

Thanks, Dennis. The lighting was right on the spot. Voe was there and I think he should have something to show off too with voigtlander 125mm macro

I am getting more fun from this lens. At many occasions, it gives more snappy and popping feeling to the images comparing to pentax fa ltd...

Voe · 06-02-2008, 04:45 AM

Originally posted by roentarre

Thanks, Dennis. The lighting was right on the spot. Voe was there and I think he should have something to show off too with voigtlander 125mm macro

OK here there are some of the shots from the Voigtlander 125mm f/2.5 macro. No post processing of any kind. Please note that the weather by the time of shooting was dull and cloudy.

And this one is a 100% crop:

My opinion of the Voigtlander 125mm f/2.5 is that if there is a PERFECT macro lens in this or the next world, then this is it.

PERFECT in every single way.

**ChrisPlatt** · 06-02-2008, 06:04 AM

Is the build quality of the CV SLR lenses as good as their RF lenses?
I'd love to have the CV SLII 40/2 pancake in PKA mount...

Chris

thePiRaTE!! · 06-02-2008, 08:42 AM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

Is the build quality of the CV SLR lenses as good as their RF lenses?
I'd love to have the CV SLII 40/2 pancake in PKA mount...

Chris

While I don't have the RF versions to compare, I can say that the SLR versions are sturdy all metal affairs with a comforting weight to them. The Nokton as an SLII also takes upon itself a deluxe rubberized layer over the focus ring which adds a subtle, additional joy to its use. I think as an SLII series also, the 40/2 probably shares this trait, I'm quite certin you'd be pleased with the build.

thePiRaTE!! · 06-02-2008, 08:53 AM

Great shots Voe, Roentarre; though perhaps Voe those VL125 shots should be in the Voigtlander LBA thread rather than then the Nokton thread

Earlier, I had mentioned perhaps letting go of this lens in favor of the close-focus Zeiss 50/2 but a foul up at the Camera Store led to the wrong lens coming in, thus no 50/2 for me. I had been preparing myself for a fair fight by shooting the 58 Nokton almost exclusively in anticipation of the challenge, and guess what? I have rarely taken it off my camera since.

What I have learned is that the Nokton 58 has in fact two different personalities. From f1.4-2, it is a soft, bokeh master giving painting like quality to life. Even in-focus areas 'suffer' from a soft diffusion effect. From f2.8 onward, the lens is reference quality sharp with a pleasant yet different bokeh to its wide open appearance. I'd rather missed the magic of the wide open side until some shots by yourself Roentarre, and a few A1.2 shots by Piotr with dramatic bokeh, made me test out the 58 as I hadn't before.

The results have led me to appreciate the 58 in a whole new light. I will be keeping this lens regardless of anything the Zeiss 50/2 may show me.

Nokton 58 @ f1.4 (where it will almost exclusively stay for me)

TKH · 06-02-2008, 11:58 PM

Fantastic shot Kelly! Would like to see it blown up with an Epson large format printer in a nice frame on a wall.

Btw. Shame on me: I am so happy with my 58Nokton bokeh machine that I sold my FA43 1.9 yesterday (but I ordered a DA35 2.8 to be a good Pentaxian...

).

There is only one question I have for the Nokton. IMHO the focus ring could perhaps work a little more easier. Did you mention any changings while using the lense for a while? Will it "break in" a little?

Best,
Rainer

roentarre · 06-03-2008, 12:16 AM

Originally posted by thePiRaTE!!

Earlier, I had mentioned perhaps letting go of this lens in favor of the close-focus Zeiss 50/2 but a foul up at the Camera Store led to the wrong lens coming in, thus no 50/2 for me. I had been preparing myself for a fair fight by shooting the 58 Nokton almost exclusively in anticipation of the challenge, and guess what? I have rarely taken it off my camera since.

What I have learned is that the Nokton 58 has in fact two different personalities. From f1.4-2, it is a soft, bokeh master giving painting like quality to life. Even in-focus areas 'suffer' from a soft diffusion effect. From f2.8 onward, the lens is reference quality sharp with a pleasant yet different bokeh to its wide open appearance. I'd rather missed the magic of the wide open side until some shots by yourself Roentarre, and a few A1.2 shots by Piotr with dramatic bokeh, made me test out the 58 as I hadn't before.

The results have led me to appreciate the 58 in a whole new light. I will be keeping this lens regardless of anything the Zeiss 50/2 may show me.

Nokton 58 @ f1.4 (where it will almost exclusively stay for me)

You summarised this lens very well. With pixel peeping, the difference is little comparing Nokton to a vast variety of 50s

However, the lenses do have the quality difference that could not be measured with certain designated variables.

You are definitely spot on with the soft diffusion effect between f1.4 and 2. It is not due to malfocusing or unsharp image quality. It just looks soft and dreamy to a degree. Rather unique.

I really enjoy this lens atm and it sort of competes with Fa 31 ltd as a walk around.

I enjoy the low contrast feel from Nokon where I get the flexibility to increase the contrast if I want to.

Your photograph explains it all!

lbam · 06-03-2008, 01:27 AM

Just a quick question, Does the Nokton have the body controlled aperture "A" setting in the Pentax mount version?

thePiRaTE!! · 06-03-2008, 02:39 AM

Originally posted by TKH

...There is only one question I have for the Nokton. IMHO the focus ring could perhaps work a little more easier. Did you mention any changings while using the lense for a while? Will it "break in" a little?

Best,
Rainer

Thank-you for the kind words Rainer. I can't say that I felt the 58 was anything but perfect for my taste regarding manual focus. I haven't found any change since using it. FWIW, its not nearly as firm as the SL180. Thats a tight one!

Originally posted by roentarre

...You are definitely spot on with the soft diffusion effect between f1.4 and 2. It is not due to malfocusing or unsharp image quality. It just looks soft and dreamy to a degree. Rather unique.

I really enjoy this lens atm and it sort of competes with Fa 31 ltd as a walk around...

No matter what comes along, the good old 31 always finds a way to remain important eh? Dang, I've tried to shake it loose and it always ends up in the bag. The 58 has its own special mojo though. I am definately all about the Nokton right now.

Can you suggest any stand-outs that have similar traits as the 58 wide open? I'm rather excited to eventually get the T*25 back. Between its odd twirly bokeh and close focus I'm looking forward to seeing how it complements the 58 in this 'life as a painting' style.

Originally posted by lbam

Just a quick question, Does the Nokton have the body controlled aperture "A" setting in the Pentax mount version?

Yes.

06-02-2008, 04:45 AM	#53
Voe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 719	Originally posted by roentarre Thanks, Dennis. The lighting was right on the spot. Voe was there and I think he should have something to show off too with voigtlander 125mm macro OK here there are some of the shots from the Voigtlander 125mm f/2.5 macro. No post processing of any kind. Please note that the weather by the time of shooting was dull and cloudy. And this one is a 100% crop: My opinion of the Voigtlander 125mm f/2.5 is that if there is a PERFECT macro lens in this or the next world, then this is it. PERFECT in every single way. Last edited by Voe; 06-02-2008 at 04:50 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Voigtlander Nokton 58mm F1.4 SL II (US)	kuau	Sold Items	3	08-09-2010 07:46 PM
Lens review : Photo Voigtlander Nokton 58mm	hcc	Site Suggestions and Help	3	04-30-2010 05:20 PM
For Sale - Sold: Voigtlander Nokton SL 58mm f/1.4	Wheatfield	Sold Items	6	07-20-2009 06:19 AM
Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 images	dave9t5	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	05-19-2009 09:09 AM
Volna-9 vs. Voigtlander Nokton 58mm	Voe	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	9	08-20-2008 05:26 AM

05-05-2008, 05:55 AM	#46
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Originally posted by Voe James, I knew this lens has a great bokeh but the shots you made are simply amazing! The colours are so rich and true in the same time. Great work! Thanks, Voe. You shall have some similar shots from the artist studio place. Show case a little?

06-01-2008, 02:32 AM	#47
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783

06-01-2008, 02:32 AM	#48
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783

06-01-2008, 02:33 AM	#49
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783

06-01-2008, 02:34 AM	#50
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783

06-01-2008, 05:05 PM	#51
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	James, these are great shots. I particularly like this one for the mood. Thumbs up. Originally posted by roentarre

06-02-2008, 03:35 AM	#52
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Thanks, Dennis. The lighting was right on the spot. Voe was there and I think he should have something to show off too with voigtlander 125mm macro I am getting more fun from this lens. At many occasions, it gives more snappy and popping feeling to the images comparing to pentax fa ltd...

06-02-2008, 06:04 AM	#54
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,696	Is the build quality of the CV SLR lenses as good as their RF lenses? I'd love to have the CV SLII 40/2 pancake in PKA mount... Chris

06-02-2008, 08:42 AM	#55
thePiRaTE!! Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Calgary, AB Photos: Gallery Posts: 942	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt Is the build quality of the CV SLR lenses as good as their RF lenses? I'd love to have the CV SLII 40/2 pancake in PKA mount... Chris While I don't have the RF versions to compare, I can say that the SLR versions are sturdy all metal affairs with a comforting weight to them. The Nokton as an SLII also takes upon itself a deluxe rubberized layer over the focus ring which adds a subtle, additional joy to its use. I think as an SLII series also, the 40/2 probably shares this trait, I'm quite certin you'd be pleased with the build.

06-02-2008, 08:53 AM	#56
thePiRaTE!! Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Calgary, AB Photos: Gallery Posts: 942	Great shots Voe, Roentarre; though perhaps Voe those VL125 shots should be in the Voigtlander LBA thread rather than then the Nokton thread Earlier, I had mentioned perhaps letting go of this lens in favor of the close-focus Zeiss 50/2 but a foul up at the Camera Store led to the wrong lens coming in, thus no 50/2 for me. I had been preparing myself for a fair fight by shooting the 58 Nokton almost exclusively in anticipation of the challenge, and guess what? I have rarely taken it off my camera since. What I have learned is that the Nokton 58 has in fact two different personalities. From f1.4-2, it is a soft, bokeh master giving painting like quality to life. Even in-focus areas 'suffer' from a soft diffusion effect. From f2.8 onward, the lens is reference quality sharp with a pleasant yet different bokeh to its wide open appearance. I'd rather missed the magic of the wide open side until some shots by yourself Roentarre, and a few A1.2 shots by Piotr with dramatic bokeh, made me test out the 58 as I hadn't before. The results have led me to appreciate the 58 in a whole new light. I will be keeping this lens regardless of anything the Zeiss 50/2 may show me. Nokton 58 @ f1.4 (where it will almost exclusively stay for me)

06-02-2008, 11:58 PM	#57
TKH Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 371	Fantastic shot Kelly! Would like to see it blown up with an Epson large format printer in a nice frame on a wall. Btw. Shame on me: I am so happy with my 58Nokton bokeh machine that I sold my FA43 1.9 yesterday (but I ordered a DA35 2.8 to be a good Pentaxian... ). There is only one question I have for the Nokton. IMHO the focus ring could perhaps work a little more easier. Did you mention any changings while using the lense for a while? Will it "break in" a little? Best, Rainer

06-03-2008, 12:16 AM	#58
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Originally posted by thePiRaTE!! Earlier, I had mentioned perhaps letting go of this lens in favor of the close-focus Zeiss 50/2 but a foul up at the Camera Store led to the wrong lens coming in, thus no 50/2 for me. I had been preparing myself for a fair fight by shooting the 58 Nokton almost exclusively in anticipation of the challenge, and guess what? I have rarely taken it off my camera since. What I have learned is that the Nokton 58 has in fact two different personalities. From f1.4-2, it is a soft, bokeh master giving painting like quality to life. Even in-focus areas 'suffer' from a soft diffusion effect. From f2.8 onward, the lens is reference quality sharp with a pleasant yet different bokeh to its wide open appearance. I'd rather missed the magic of the wide open side until some shots by yourself Roentarre, and a few A1.2 shots by Piotr with dramatic bokeh, made me test out the 58 as I hadn't before. The results have led me to appreciate the 58 in a whole new light. I will be keeping this lens regardless of anything the Zeiss 50/2 may show me. Nokton 58 @ f1.4 (where it will almost exclusively stay for me) You summarised this lens very well. With pixel peeping, the difference is little comparing Nokton to a vast variety of 50s However, the lenses do have the quality difference that could not be measured with certain designated variables. You are definitely spot on with the soft diffusion effect between f1.4 and 2. It is not due to malfocusing or unsharp image quality. It just looks soft and dreamy to a degree. Rather unique. I really enjoy this lens atm and it sort of competes with Fa 31 ltd as a walk around. I enjoy the low contrast feel from Nokon where I get the flexibility to increase the contrast if I want to. Your photograph explains it all!

06-03-2008, 01:27 AM	#59
lbam Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 442	Just a quick question, Does the Nokton have the body controlled aperture "A" setting in the Pentax mount version?

06-03-2008, 02:39 AM	#60
thePiRaTE!! Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Calgary, AB Photos: Gallery Posts: 942	Originally posted by TKH ...There is only one question I have for the Nokton. IMHO the focus ring could perhaps work a little more easier. Did you mention any changings while using the lense for a while? Will it "break in" a little? Best, Rainer Thank-you for the kind words Rainer. I can't say that I felt the 58 was anything but perfect for my taste regarding manual focus. I haven't found any change since using it. FWIW, its not nearly as firm as the SL180. Thats a tight one! Originally posted by roentarre ...You are definitely spot on with the soft diffusion effect between f1.4 and 2. It is not due to malfocusing or unsharp image quality. It just looks soft and dreamy to a degree. Rather unique. I really enjoy this lens atm and it sort of competes with Fa 31 ltd as a walk around... No matter what comes along, the good old 31 always finds a way to remain important eh? Dang, I've tried to shake it loose and it always ends up in the bag. The 58 has its own special mojo though. I am definately all about the Nokton right now. Can you suggest any stand-outs that have similar traits as the 58 wide open? I'm rather excited to eventually get the T*25 back. Between its odd twirly bokeh and close focus I'm looking forward to seeing how it complements the 58 in this 'life as a painting' style. Originally posted by lbam Just a quick question, Does the Nokton have the body controlled aperture "A" setting in the Pentax mount version? Yes.