Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/09/05

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Subject: [Leica] Cosina/Voigtlaender Nokton 50mm f1.5
From: jbm at jbm.org (Jeff Moore)
Date: Tue Sep 5 12:02:04 2006
References: <44FCA255.5060305@adrenaline.com> <C1221BD3.14C64%bd@bdcolenphoto.com>

2006-09-04-18:07:15 B. D. Colen:
> No, the Nokton is not a Summicron, but then neither is the pre-asph
> Summilux, but any stretch of the imagination

Well, yeah, but...  I had a Nokton for awhile.  Even if you set aside
its bulk relative to the Leica offerings (except of course for the
Noctilux), there's its visual fingerprint wideish-open -- I just didn't
like it.  Seemed really harsh, blocky, and somehow lacking subtlety --
even though it was probably objectively [ha!  I make little joke!]
"sharper" (whatever that means) than the pre-ASPH Summilux I'd bought it
in an attempt not to have to pay for.

I sent the Nokton on down the stream to its next owner, and scraped up
the pennies for the then-current pre-ASPH Summilux, which I loved.  A
little softish wide open (especially away from the center), though never
really annoyingly so, and just a lovely smooth presentation.  Mmmm.

> In fact, what is a Summicron 50 but a Summicron 50.

Indeed.  But I just happened to be looking at B&H lens prices the other
day, and noticed the current price for a 50mm Summicron-M.  What the
HELL.  About $1500?  For a Summicron?  I thought it was crazy when they
hit $1000.

Replies: Reply from bd at bdcolenphoto.com (B. D. Colen) ([Leica] Cosina/Voigtlaender Nokton 50mm f1.5)
In reply to: Message from scott at adrenaline.com (Scott McLoughlin) ([Leica] Cosina/Voigtlaender Nokton 50mm f1.5)
Message from bd at bdcolenphoto.com (B. D. Colen) ([Leica] Cosina/Voigtlaender Nokton 50mm f1.5)