[Leica] Niktolux Z 58mm f/0.95 S

[ken at iisaka.com (Ken Iisaka)]

Lack of elegance? Define elegance.

Certainly, it is not svelte, but it seems that Nikon's design goal was to
create the most optically corrected 0.95 "normal" lens, with a nod to its
venerable Noct-Nikkor 58mm 1:1.2.

Is Leica's Summilux-SL 50mm at 1065g at 124mmx88mm "elegant"? It was
criticized very much for its size, weight and focussing speed. Now there
are numerous 50/1.4 lenses on the market of the similar size that aims for
optical performance more than anything else.

The gain in one stop results in 1.41x in diameter thus over 2x in weight.
The new Nikkor actually sounds almost svelte in comparison.

If Nikon was indeed aiming for the best optical performance of lenses of
similar specifications, it looks like it has succeeded. Of course, it will
remain a niche product due to its cost and weight, but those who want such
a lens, there may not be anything better.

I mean, look at the MTF chart of Noctilux 0.95 vs Nikkor 0.95.

It's a halo product, to show off what Nikon has always been capable of, but
did not bring to the consumer market. If you see the type of optical
systems Nikon manufactures for microlithography in particular, this lens
isn't all that special for them.


On Mon, 14 Oct 2019 at 13:39, Mark Rabiner <mark at rabinergroup.com> wrote:

> A distinctive lack of elegance this new monster optic from Nikon.
> I think the Nikon people had their brains scrambled waiting all those
> decades for their lens mount to widen and what they would do if that ever
> happened.
> Which was to a fast lens which competed with Leitz and Canon for one and
> making some better wides or super wides  I would think be  another.
> When the time came their brains just imploded. ...needs to be re thunk and
> re implemented.
> By the way I like the way it?s the same mount on the new DX 1.5 cropped
> version of the D50 mirrorless cameras which is on the top of my list of my
> stocking stuffers for the red and green season... kit lens included.
> Adaptors for Nikon F and Leica M later.
>
>
>
> --
>
> Mark William Rabiner
> Photographer
>
> ?On 10/14/19, 9:41 AM, "LUG on behalf of John McMaster" <lug-bounces+mark=
> rabinergroup.com at leica-users.org on behalf of john at mcmaster.co.uk> 
> wrote:
>
>
> https://leicarumors.com/2019/10/10/leica-noctilux-m-50mm-f-0-95-asph-vs-the-new-nikon-z-noct-nikkor-58mm-f-0-95-lens.aspx/
>
>     One is 17 elements in 10 groups and the other 8 in 5!
>
>     john
>
>     -----Original Message-----
>     From: LUG [mailto:lug-bounces+john=mcmaster.co.uk at leica-users.org] 
> On
> Behalf Of Mark Rabiner
>     Sent: 11 October 2019 11:56
>     To: Leica Users Group
>     Subject: Re: [Leica] Niktolux Z 58mm f/0.95 S
>
>     And its four pound lens on a one pound camera body. Roughly speaking.
>     For eight grand. I'll be interested in how many people buy it and if
> its for all that any good.
>
>
>
>
>     --
>
>     Mark William Rabiner
>     Photographer
>
>     ?On 10/11/19, 4:08 AM, "LUG on behalf of John McMaster"
> <lug-bounces+mark=rabinergroup.com at leica-users.org on behalf of
> john at mcmaster.co.uk> wrote:
>
>         Over $16K/kg (f0.95 black from B&H)....  I find the 700g weight of
> it quite heavy on the M, even compared to 50/1 or 75/1.4...
>
>         john
>
>         -----Original Message-----
>         From: LUG [mailto:lug-bounces+john=mcmaster.co.uk at 
> leica-users.org]
> On Behalf Of Philippe via LUG
>         Sent: 11 October 2019 08:08
>         To: Leica Users Group
>         Cc: Philippe
>         Subject: Re: [Leica] Niktolux Z 58mm f/0.95 S
>
>         $4,000 a kilo? How does this compare with the Nocti?
>
>         Amities
>
>         Philippe
>
>
>
>         > Le 11 oct. 2019 ? 07:24, Frank Filippone via LUG <
> lug at leica-users.org> a ?crit :
>         >
>         > 2Kg or 4.4 pounds.
>         >
>         > Frank FilipponeRed735i at verizon.net
>         >
>         >
>         > -----Original Message-----
>         > From: Richard Man <richard at imagecraft.com>
>         > To: Leica Users Group <lug at leica-users.org>
>         > Sent: Thu, Oct 10, 2019 6:43 pm
>         > Subject: Re: [Leica] Niktolux Z 58mm f/0.95 S
>         >
>         > It's almost FOUR pounds ;-) about three times the weight.
>         >
>         > On Wed, Oct 9, 2019 at 10:02 PM Mark Rabiner <
> mark at rabinergroup.com> wrote:
>         >
>         >> I'm seeing the Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lens ready Halloween
> night for
>         >> 8 Grand American money for the full frame mirrorless Nikons.
>         >> It looks like a ground to air missile launcher I'd much prefer
> my Noctilux
>         >> 50 f1 slow as it is its way more compact and has swirly mearly
> bokeh wide
>         >> open or close to it.
>         >> They, the Nikon people just now also released a 1.5 cropped
> format (DX)
>         >> Mirrorless to compete with its competition who are selling
> these type of
>         >> things like hotcakes. Under a grand even with a cropped lens
> they made for
>         >> it.
>         >> It might also be nice to get an M adaptor for it and with my
> Marktilux -
>         >> Noctilux  I'd have a 75mm f1 and be there. Can't beat that!
>         >>
>         >>
>         >> --
>         >>
>         >> Mark William Rabiner
>         >> Photographer
>         >>
>
>
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>
>
>
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-- 
Ken Iisaka
first name at last name dot org or com