Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/07/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 03:01 PM 7/22/03 -0700, Jack McLain wrote: >What's the scoop on the Voightlander 50 f1.5, 28 f1.9, and the 75 2.5? Are >these as good as advertized? >thanks Jack: I have the 50/1.5 Nokton, and I'm very happy with it. I consider it a specialty lens for available light. It is very good at medium apertures, too, but the 50/2 Summicron is just plain superb, with noticeably more "sparkle" and subtlety of gradation. The Nokton has an edgier, wirier look in the out-of-focus areas (bokeh) than the Summilux or Summicron. In particular, out of focus highlights can take on a very sharp edge, rather than fading away. This is its downfall for some Leicaphiles. The Nokton is a bit sharper overall than the Summilux wide-open. The Summilux has that classic smooth Leica look, the Nokton appears more modern. This is all very subtle--shooting technique and lighting make more of a difference. Some of the Voigtlander lenses have quality control variations, and can be slightly decentered. This can lead to one side of the picture being slightly less sharp than the other. So if you buy one, you should test it with slow film on a tripod, and return it if you find yours is decentered. Leica lenses usually do not have this issue. Here are some Nokton pictures, taken at last year's LHSA gathering in Portland. Many were taken under very dull, poor light. And no, the irony of shooting the LHSA with a Voigtlander lens was not lost on me, but I was decidedly not the only one doing it. http://www2.2alpha.com/~pklein/lhsa2002/13henning.htm http://www2.2alpha.com/~pklein/lhsa2002/14tuulikki.htm http://www2.2alpha.com/~pklein/lhsa2002/21leicarose.htm http://www2.2alpha.com/~pklein/lhsa2002/23-2pkleins.htm http://www2.2alpha.com/~pklein/lhsa2002/30ted.htm http://www2.2alpha.com/~pklein/lhsa2002/30teddetail.htm http://www2.2alpha.com/~pklein/lhsa2002/36rabiner.htm Hope this helps, - --Peter Klein Seattle - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html