The 50mm f1.5 Nokton LTM ASPH

Thomas Bertilsson

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Jan 21, 2003
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15,708
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Switzerland
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I've got one of those. Draws a really nice picture. Great for portraits, and I've even used it for some landscape work. Sweet lens!
 

mnemosyne

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Jan 19, 2011
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759
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Europe
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Multi Format
Indeed fine optics but not so good ergonomics in my very personal opinion. I have small hands, but the aperture ring on this lens moves so lightly by the slightest touch and is so close to the rather stiff focus ring that more than once I unintentionally changed aperture while focusing ... Because I am shooting with an meterless M this usually went unnoticed. This was the main reason I sold the lens (I also didn't like the finder blockage). YMMV, of course.
 

TheToadMen

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Sep 18, 2012
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3,570
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Netherlands, EU
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sangetsu

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Apr 28, 2009
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214
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東京
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4x5 Format
A top-notch lens, and a better performer than my 50mm Summicron or Summilux. I bought the example I use because much of the black paint had worn off, leaving the brass exposed. It was a good match for my brassy, black-paint M4.

Because of the ugly appearance of the lens, and the dirt cheap price, I didn't expect it would perform very well. I was quite wrong, it is an incredible lens.
 

daleeman

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Jul 17, 2008
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1,150
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Homosassa, Florida
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Multi Format
I originally purchased this lens when my wife joined the church and the minister let me take photos if they were not distracting. So I shoot 800 ASA color film with this lens at f2.8 at 1/60. These were beautiful That lens has served very well on all my Leicas. It is a bit ruff to use on the IIIF. It is so big it covers loads of the viewfinder.

This has been one of the fastest lenses I have ever had. I had a Nikor 50mm f1.4 for a Nikon F I had. It survived a fire, a dunk from a canoe and a fall out of a moving jeap. I doubt the Voigtlander is that touch, but it produces great images.
 
OP
OP

Nikanon

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Jul 11, 2009
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433
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Chugwater, Wyoming
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35mm RF
I was a little disappointed when I first received it from Ken Hansen and it was larger than my Rigid 50 summicron, but lighter. I actually LOVED the aperture ring though, nice smooth audible clicks. I shoot it on an M3 or M4, so I don't have the meter as well to check me if I change it, but I've never had the problem with even "spontaneously fast" focusing. The contrast in the out of focus areas and their rendering just floored me.
 

Thomas Bertilsson

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Joined
Jan 21, 2003
Messages
15,708
Location
Switzerland
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Multi Format
I really enjoy how it is neutral about the out of focus areas. For a close-up, such as the one attached, I prefer shooting at f/5.6 or f/8, but here the lens did really well at f/2. Still nothing massively distracting about the background.
I enjoy this lens a lot, and often it's the only lens I bring when I'm out photographing.

(Print on Ilford MGIV, Ethol LPD. Film is Acros in Xtol)
 

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