@@RumoHasIt The M3 has 50 mm frame lines. The 40 has 52mm filter size. The 50 has 43 and I use a 43-46 step up instead of a hood, thus I can use filters the same size as my other lenses. The 50 is a much more compact lens, especially without a hood that it doesn’t need and in silver it matches my M3 great. Hope that helps.
On your suggestion Matt I picked this lens up a week ago before a big international trip to use with my M10-R. Although I own the Voigtlander 35mm and 50m f2 APO's they're too big to travel with. This 50 has become a great addition to my 28mm f2 and 35mm f2 Ultron's along with my 90mm f2.8 APO. That's my Leica/Voigtlander combo travel and street kit moving forward. I use the Voigtlander 35mm and 50mm APO lenses for portrait shoots and use they primarily with my Nikon Zf adapted of course.
For 5 years I was swiching between 35 & 50mm summicrons. Mostly shooting with the 35mm. But! Then I bought the 40mm summicron and I have never taken it off the camera. It is perfect for black and white. For film and digital. Call KEH and give it a shot. 😉
Try the Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.4. And modify it for 35mm frame lines (easy hack with a needle file). You then just have to have a tiny bit of space to the frame line, and framing works like a charm. A bit soft at f/1.4, but from f/2 it just shines! My favorite lens for my M10 and SL2-S. 😍
Been using the Black Paint Brass/Nickel SC variant with BnW film for a while now. Love the results. I use the 50 cron v5 also which is of course super sharp and I use that for color, but this nokton gives me a unique look wide open and the build quality is unmatched parred with my M3.
I remember a moment I had when visiting NYC about ten years ago. I had adapted a Canon 40mm pancake lens to a Sony mirrorless full frame camera, and realized that when I saw something, and raised the EVF to my eye to take a picture of that thing, it felt like what was in the EVF was a direct match to what I saw with my eye. Contrast this with the feeling you get when you see something, raise your phone to take a picture of that thing, and feel vague disappointment that the image you're seeing on the phone screen feels very inadequate. Much wider lens, the subject appearing small and far away, etc. I've always loved 40mm for that reason, though - it feels like a 1:1 match to my eye on a full frame.
This lens lives on my M3! Was looking at it for a long time as a modern “upgrade” from my collapsible Summicron that still had some vintage character with modern sharpness. Seawood Photo actually had one with the focus tab and a square lens hood the one day I was in San Rafael. Great condition and killer price. Couldn’t pass it up and haven’t looked back since.
I have the version 1 of this lens and decided to keep it because it has less elements and uses a simpler formula. It’s pretty close to the pre aspherical Summilux in terms of rendering. The ergonomics are pretty bad though.
@0:53 I don't have any experience with the M-mount, but... I am in the 35mm camp. A 35mm f1.4 could be my "only" lens and I wouldn't have any issues. Having said that, I picked up the Canon 40mm f2.8 pancake and despite not being as fast or sharp as my 35mm 1.4, the small size really won me over and I find myself using it more often than my 35mm. Of course, with Leica M there are a lot of great options for compact, fast lenses in 35mm. So, I am not sure if there would be an advantage to 40mm.
That lens looks perfect on that body! And yes, you're missing out. You at least need to try something in the 40-45mm range. Over 60 years of using cameras, that range probably covers more than any other focal length I've used. My current cameras in that range are a 1953 Zeiss Icon Contessa folding 35mm camera, with a Tessar 45mm f/2.8 lens, my grandfather's Minolta Hi-Matic E with a Rokkor 40mm f/1.7 lens, and I just got the new 27mm (41mm full frame equivalent) f/3.5 pancake lens for my Fuji X-T5 (which is really too big a body for that little lens) and Deb had a wonderful little Yashika with a 42mm on it. My only exception is the 80mm on the Yashika Mat 124G. As someone else mentioned, this range is closer to what we actually see than 35mm or 50mm. One is too wide, the other too tight. 40-45mm is the Goldilocks Zone!
You ought to try the Minolta Rikkor version of the M 40mm/2. It’s a great lens at a great price. More classic signature than the new designs. Great colours.
I have a 50mm Summicron right now and have been thinking about moving up to the Summilux. I definitely need to check out this offering though. Thanks for the video, dude!
Hey Matt! Great video! I have both the 50 and 35mm and absolutely love these lenses. Quick question for you or anyone else here. You mentioned the profile corrections in Lightroom and I have not been able to find them. I'm shooting on an M6 as well so I have to manually apply the lens correction, but cannot find Voigtlander. Is there a way to easily apply or import them for this lens?
Had it. Used it. Returned it. Not even close to 50 Lux Asph. in my own experience. You touched on the critical points being a bit soft wide open, close distance performance and swirly bokeh… I personally try using the Lux wide open as much as possible, and that is why I decided to keep it as part of my kit. If I could choose one, I’d go for the 50mm Lux Asph. Black chrome version with indented focus ring, love that design and usability features
43 mm lux? Since when does Leica make a43 mm lux for an M camera. BTW the 50 lux aspherical is soft wide open. Terrible edge sharpness and has massive light falloff- vignettes flares and stopped down has smudgy halation on direct light. For a 50, the cron is a better and smaller choice
@@ofeykalakar1 😅 Sorry about the focal length , must have been a typo error on my side, meant 50mm. I partially agree with some parts of your comment. I think the edge sharpness is not great, wide open I find it magical, that’s where it shines and love that flare capability as well. I think the design is fully aligned with the expected use, which is for sure different goal than the Cron
Great video about a great lens! Thank you for that short and on point review. I had this lens with that same 7Artisans focus tab and i really liked it a lot. I only sold it to fund an M10
Thanks for beinging up this lens. Size and look are very close to the Zeiss ZM Sonnar 50/1.5, which was also made bei Cosina. I used it for a long time but switched to a summicron because of the focus shift. It made me crazy on using film with it. Did you noticed any focus shift on this nokton?
Sometime buy or borrow a Minolta CLE with a 40mm Summicron and /or 28mm tiny Elmarit. What a great combo and form factor! Perfect EDC. Your gear vids are the best, and other content all awesome. Cheers.
You'd probably quite enjoy the SMC Pentax-L 43mm f/1.9 Special, the only Pentax lens that got ported to L Mount. Check it out and do us a review of it please :D
The older version was beautiful and unique, the new one is no different from hundreds of lenses. Nothing special. I'm very glad that I have the old version, soon they will probably be expensive and hard to find.
Same here! I own the silver/brass version 1. Beautifully made. Minor criticisms are (1) the tiny numbers on the aperture ring are sometimes barely legible on the shiny chrome surface; and (2) the finder blockage when using the included rather wide lens hood. I have replaced it with a 49mm short tube-shaped one, resulting in practically no finder blockage at all. I find the lens does occasionally flare when direct sunlight hits the front element, so using a lens hood is beneficial. Otherwise no complaints. The scalloped focus ring is ergonomic: easy to locate and silky smooth.
I have been thinking about buying a Leica film camera for the last year. One of the questions (besides the investment) has been glass (and what kit to sell to finance said investment). Also, I am unsure what body I should be looking at. I have a couple of Voigtlander lenses and am fond of the 27mm f/2.8 Ultron on my Fuji X-E4. It makes lovely images. I would use a Nokton if I had one. Thanks for the video.
i am shooting with the voigtländer 40mm 1.4 Nokton, i was always jumping from 35mm to 50mm..when i shoot portraits / people i sometimes was too close and then i did not like the faces.....now with 40mm i have everthing i want.... greets BM
I have a lot of Leica lenses and I have some Voigtlander, the Voigtlander are high quality and a screaming deal. The Voigtlander probably can be credited with the continuing popularity of the M series as Leica lens prices have gone stratospheric.
Terrific review. I much prefer a real world review as compared to a bunch of charts and resolution graphs. Who shoots those things in their daily photography?! And you’ve spent some time with the lens, in different situations, adding to the usefulness of your review. Well done!
I'm comfused by the versions of the Nokton 50mm f1.5. I recently bought a mint condition Nokton 50mm f1.5 Aspherical in LTM M39 mount. Its physically a different looking lens to this version. But straight off i took it out (adapted to digital) and found it to be softand low contrast Up to f5.6. I couldn't believe how poor the results were so did some more testing and put it up against a number of ohter brand 50mm lenses i have (Fuji and 40yr old Pentax 50mm f1.4) and they out resolve the Nokton 50mm f1.5 Asp to a large margin. Possibly the weakest lens optically ive even used. I sent it back but just wonder what was wrong with it. It was an ebay purchase from Japan and in absolutely beautiful condition so dont think it was an issue with the lens elements but also its a version of the Nokton 50mm f1.5 that seems hard to find when i google. It was LTM and i was intending to use it on my Leica IIIf but obscured the viewfinder too much anyway
Waiting for the Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO review! Curious to hear your thoughts. Its smaller than the 35mm version and I cant find any real differences compared to Leica glass... #hatersincoming
HOW DARE YOU GET FUN WITH A LENS THAT ISN'T A LEICA ON A LEICA U GOOD LOOKING FUN AMAZING AND TALENTED SON OF A WONDERFUL MOTHER, I'm disgusted, have a nice day.
Love how concise this vid was in just 5 mins my man! Quick, short, and sweet.
Thanks for the heads up on the focus tab Matt... love the lens other than having that missing!
Bought this for my M3 for the size, look (silver), and performance. Had the Voigtlander 40 1.2 and greatly prefer this.
Nice! Was thinking about the same thing for my M3
Lol i literally just sold my Voigtlander 40 1.2 and now thinking of buying this
I also have the 40 and wondering if I should upgrade. Any reason you specifically prefer the 50mm?
@@RumoHasIt The M3 has 50 mm frame lines. The 40 has 52mm filter size. The 50 has 43 and I use a 43-46 step up instead of a hood, thus I can use filters the same size as my other lenses. The 50 is a much more compact lens, especially without a hood that it doesn’t need and in silver it matches my M3 great. Hope that helps.
On your suggestion Matt I picked this lens up a week ago before a big international trip to use with my M10-R. Although I own the Voigtlander 35mm and 50m f2 APO's they're too big to travel with. This 50 has become a great addition to my 28mm f2 and 35mm f2 Ultron's along with my 90mm f2.8 APO. That's my Leica/Voigtlander combo travel and street kit moving forward.
I use the Voigtlander 35mm and 50mm APO lenses for portrait shoots and use they primarily with my Nikon Zf adapted of course.
For 5 years I was swiching between 35 & 50mm summicrons. Mostly shooting with the 35mm. But! Then I bought the 40mm summicron and I have never taken it off the camera. It is perfect for black and white. For film and digital. Call KEH and give it a shot. 😉
My father has a Leica III and he got a Voigtländer 15mm F4,5 and it’s really handy to focus. Even on F4,5 there is like a 2m focus range. ^^
Another shout out regarding the focus tab from 7 Artisans: many thanks for the pro-tip!
Try the Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.4. And modify it for 35mm frame lines (easy hack with a needle file). You then just have to have a tiny bit of space to the frame line, and framing works like a charm. A bit soft at f/1.4, but from f/2 it just shines! My favorite lens for my M10 and SL2-S. 😍
I mean the Minolta 40mm f2 is pretty stellar, cheap, tiny, and light. And you can get some lovely rainbow flares
Been using the Black Paint Brass/Nickel SC variant with BnW film for a while now. Love the results. I use the 50 cron v5 also which is of course super sharp and I use that for color, but this nokton gives me a unique look wide open and the build quality is unmatched parred with my M3.
I remember a moment I had when visiting NYC about ten years ago. I had adapted a Canon 40mm pancake lens to a Sony mirrorless full frame camera, and realized that when I saw something, and raised the EVF to my eye to take a picture of that thing, it felt like what was in the EVF was a direct match to what I saw with my eye. Contrast this with the feeling you get when you see something, raise your phone to take a picture of that thing, and feel vague disappointment that the image you're seeing on the phone screen feels very inadequate. Much wider lens, the subject appearing small and far away, etc. I've always loved 40mm for that reason, though - it feels like a 1:1 match to my eye on a full frame.
This lens lives on my M3! Was looking at it for a long time as a modern “upgrade” from my collapsible Summicron that still had some vintage character with modern sharpness. Seawood Photo actually had one with the focus tab and a square lens hood the one day I was in San Rafael. Great condition and killer price. Couldn’t pass it up and haven’t looked back since.
I have the version 1 of this lens and decided to keep it because it has less elements and uses a simpler formula. It’s pretty close to the pre aspherical Summilux in terms of rendering. The ergonomics are pretty bad though.
I’ve had the version 1 of this lens since 2014. It still surprises me how good it is on film and digital Leicas. I’ve also adapted it to my Nikon Z
@0:53 I don't have any experience with the M-mount, but... I am in the 35mm camp. A 35mm f1.4 could be my "only" lens and I wouldn't have any issues. Having said that, I picked up the Canon 40mm f2.8 pancake and despite not being as fast or sharp as my 35mm 1.4, the small size really won me over and I find myself using it more often than my 35mm. Of course, with Leica M there are a lot of great options for compact, fast lenses in 35mm. So, I am not sure if there would be an advantage to 40mm.
Nice video! I recommend you to try Nokton SC 40mm, I love it.
Great vid as always, Big fan of the 40mm rocking the GRiiix and the Voigtlander 40mm on the F3, perfect focal length for my every day carry!
That lens looks perfect on that body!
And yes, you're missing out. You at least need to try something in the 40-45mm range. Over 60 years of using cameras, that range probably covers more than any other focal length I've used. My current cameras in that range are a 1953 Zeiss Icon Contessa folding 35mm camera, with a Tessar 45mm f/2.8 lens, my grandfather's Minolta Hi-Matic E with a Rokkor 40mm f/1.7 lens, and I just got the new 27mm (41mm full frame equivalent) f/3.5 pancake lens for my Fuji X-T5 (which is really too big a body for that little lens) and Deb had a wonderful little Yashika with a 42mm on it. My only exception is the 80mm on the Yashika Mat 124G. As someone else mentioned, this range is closer to what we actually see than 35mm or 50mm. One is too wide, the other too tight. 40-45mm is the Goldilocks Zone!
You ought to try the Minolta Rikkor version of the M 40mm/2. It’s a great lens at a great price. More classic signature than the new designs. Great colours.
I have a 50mm Summicron right now and have been thinking about moving up to the Summilux. I definitely need to check out this offering though. Thanks for the video, dude!
Hands down my favorite 50mm lens!
I love this lens, it’s my favorite to use with my M6, ordering the tab right now, that was the only con for me.
Hey Matt! Great video! I have both the 50 and 35mm and absolutely love these lenses. Quick question for you or anyone else here. You mentioned the profile corrections in Lightroom and I have not been able to find them. I'm shooting on an M6 as well so I have to manually apply the lens correction, but cannot find Voigtlander. Is there a way to easily apply or import them for this lens?
I'm new and just learning. What Leica camera is the lens on in the video? Thanks... sorry for the beginner question.
Had it. Used it. Returned it. Not even close to 50 Lux Asph. in my own experience. You touched on the critical points being a bit soft wide open, close distance performance and swirly bokeh… I personally try using the Lux wide open as much as possible, and that is why I decided to keep it as part of my kit. If I could choose one, I’d go for the 50mm Lux Asph. Black chrome version with indented focus ring, love that design and usability features
43 mm lux? Since when does Leica make a43 mm lux for an M camera. BTW the 50 lux aspherical is soft wide open. Terrible edge sharpness and has massive light falloff- vignettes flares and stopped down has smudgy halation on direct light. For a 50, the cron is a better and smaller choice
@@ofeykalakar1 😅 Sorry about the focal length , must have been a typo error on my side, meant 50mm. I partially agree with some parts of your comment. I think the edge sharpness is not great, wide open I find it magical, that’s where it shines and love that flare capability as well. I think the design is fully aligned with the expected use, which is for sure different goal than the Cron
Great video about a great lens! Thank you for that short and on point review. I had this lens with that same 7Artisans focus tab and i really liked it a lot. I only sold it to fund an M10
Thanks for beinging up this lens. Size and look are very close to the Zeiss ZM Sonnar 50/1.5, which was also made bei Cosina. I used it for a long time but switched to a summicron because of the focus shift. It made me crazy on using film with it. Did you noticed any focus shift on this nokton?
No focus shift with this lens, as it has aspherical elements (more than one). The non aspherical lenses do focus shift.
I owned he version 1 of this lens for a very long time. Enjoyed it but the size was too much and it was too soft wide open.
Sometime buy or borrow a Minolta CLE with a 40mm Summicron and /or 28mm tiny Elmarit. What a great combo and form factor! Perfect EDC. Your gear vids are the best, and other content all awesome. Cheers.
You'd probably quite enjoy the SMC Pentax-L 43mm f/1.9 Special, the only Pentax lens that got ported to L Mount. Check it out and do us a review of it please :D
The older version was beautiful and unique, the new one is no different from hundreds of lenses. Nothing special. I'm very glad that I have the old version, soon they will probably be expensive and hard to find.
Same here! I own the silver/brass version 1. Beautifully made. Minor criticisms are (1) the tiny numbers on the aperture ring are sometimes barely legible on the shiny chrome surface; and (2) the finder blockage when using the included rather wide lens hood. I have replaced it with a 49mm short tube-shaped one, resulting in practically no finder blockage at all. I find the lens does occasionally flare when direct sunlight hits the front element, so using a lens hood is beneficial. Otherwise no complaints. The scalloped focus ring is ergonomic: easy to locate and silky smooth.
I have been thinking about buying a Leica film camera for the last year. One of the questions (besides the investment) has been glass (and what kit to sell to finance said investment). Also, I am unsure what body I should be looking at.
I have a couple of Voigtlander lenses and am fond of the 27mm f/2.8 Ultron on my Fuji X-E4. It makes lovely images. I would use a Nokton if I had one.
Thanks for the video.
i am shooting with the voigtländer 40mm 1.4 Nokton, i was always jumping from 35mm to 50mm..when i shoot portraits / people i sometimes was too close and then i did not like the faces.....now with 40mm i have everthing i want.... greets BM
That's a nice alternative to the zeiss sonnar 50 f1.5.
Would be great to see how the two of them compare :)
I have a lot of Leica lenses and I have some Voigtlander, the Voigtlander are high quality and a screaming deal. The Voigtlander probably can be credited with the continuing popularity of the M series as Leica lens prices have gone stratospheric.
Terrific review. I much prefer a real world review as compared to a bunch of charts and resolution graphs. Who shoots those things in their daily photography?! And you’ve spent some time with the lens, in different situations, adding to the usefulness of your review. Well done!
I’d be interested how it compares to the zeiss 50mm f1.5 sonnar
40mm voigtlander shooter here both nokton classic VM and 40mm 1.2 nokton E mount. 40 is the tits
The 40 on the Contax G2 is amazing!
45
i justtt bought this yesterday and can't wait to try it out in field!
Perfect timing...was planning to buy this lens this week!
I'm comfused by the versions of the Nokton 50mm f1.5. I recently bought a mint condition Nokton 50mm f1.5 Aspherical in LTM M39 mount. Its physically a different looking lens to this version. But straight off i took it out (adapted to digital) and found it to be softand low contrast Up to f5.6. I couldn't believe how poor the results were so did some more testing and put it up against a number of ohter brand 50mm lenses i have (Fuji and 40yr old Pentax 50mm f1.4) and they out resolve the Nokton 50mm f1.5 Asp to a large margin. Possibly the weakest lens optically ive even used. I sent it back but just wonder what was wrong with it. It was an ebay purchase from Japan and in absolutely beautiful condition so dont think it was an issue with the lens elements but also its a version of the Nokton 50mm f1.5 that seems hard to find when i google. It was LTM and i was intending to use it on my Leica IIIf but obscured the viewfinder too much anyway
Waiting for the Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO review! Curious to hear your thoughts.
Its smaller than the 35mm version and I cant find any real differences compared to Leica glass... #hatersincoming
What up people Scotland here we need a worldwide exhibition of our work family of man maybe not that 😂
HOW DARE YOU GET FUN WITH A LENS THAT ISN'T A LEICA ON A LEICA U GOOD LOOKING FUN AMAZING AND TALENTED SON OF A WONDERFUL MOTHER, I'm disgusted, have a nice day.
I had to laugh. I was a little shocked that a Leica shooter was shooting something other than Leica glass! ;)