NikonGear'23

Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: Airy on August 14, 2018, 19:32:54

Title: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: Airy on August 14, 2018, 19:32:54
A thread for *comparing* those 58/something... awaiting the Z-mount version. I do not have the 58/1.4 G, so I'll start with those at hand, namely the Noct Nikkor (AIS) and the Voigtländer 58/1.4.

Here's one of my standard test shots. As you may know, pipe organs are one of my favourite subjects. Shooting them comes with special challenges, such as strong backlighting (not the case here) and shiny parts.

To compare with 50mm lenses using the same picture, see this other thread : http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,7706.msg125085.html#msg125085  (http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,7706.msg125085.html#msg125085)

First four pics, Noct at 1.2, 1.4, 2.0, 2.8. The result at 1.2 is decent, but 1.4 already brings an increase in contrast, and 2.0 a kick in sharpness. At 2.8, the result is worth the postcard.
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: Airy on August 14, 2018, 19:36:27
Now the Voigtländer 58/1.4 SL II, one of my pet lenses. Set at 1.4, 2.0, 2.8. At 1.4, the contrast is moderate.
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: Airy on August 14, 2018, 19:54:09
Now comparing a 100% crop of the central part. f/1.4, Noct, then Voigt. Noct is significantly better in terms of haze and bleeding (see bleeding on lamp ring structure at the top).
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: Airy on August 14, 2018, 19:55:31
Now at f/2.0. This time the Voigt looks better, having got rid of the haze. It seems a tad sharper, while the Noct may have been troubled by focus shift.
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: Airy on August 14, 2018, 20:00:47
And finally at f/2.8. The Noct retains a slightly higher contrast, but that may be due to the weather and resulting lighting conditions (overcast, but with fluctuations that morning).
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: Thomas G on August 14, 2018, 21:18:52
Thanks for the effort. Not owning one of them by now I'm still very well interestet in the outcomes of the comparision.
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: Airy on August 14, 2018, 22:59:14
That will not help :) At short range (say, 1m-1m50), the Voigt may well beat the Noct... none is definitely better ; only the price is indisputably, ahem, different.

I resisted three times - the first one was cheap (1300 €) but obviously defective ; the second was expensive (3000€) and when the price dropped to 2500, another buyer was faster ; the third one was even more expensive (3500) but I could not bargain it lower than 3000; finally I found one for 2200, an AIS in a good condition, and apparently a decent performer, no bad surprises.

When I did my first chart / brickwall tests at home against the Voigt, I was disappointed, but that was no catastrophe since reselling remained a possibility. In real life, it holds the comparison much better, especially the combination of high contrast and smooth bokeh at large apertures yields "punchy" images, very different from the 50/1.2 for instance.
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: chambeshi on August 15, 2018, 09:07:27
That will not help :) At short range (say, 1m-1m50), the Voigt may well beat the Noct... none is definitely better ; only the price is indisputably, ahem, different.

I resisted three times - the first one was cheap (1300 €) but obviously defective ; the second was expensive (3000€) and when the price dropped to 2500, another buyer was faster ; the third one was even more expensive (3500) but I could not bargain it lower than 3000; finally I found one for 2200, an AIS in a good condition, and apparently a decent performer, no bad surprises.

When I did my first chart / brickwall tests at home against the Voigt, I was disappointed, but that was no catastrophe since reselling remained a possibility. In real life, it holds the comparison much better, especially the combination of high contrast and smooth bokeh at large apertures yields "punchy" images, very different from the 50/1.2 for instance.
This is a Stimulating thread, Airy. Any chance of you comparing the 58 f1.4G - the Neo-Noct - on organs et al? perhaps hired or loaned?
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: Airy on August 15, 2018, 22:57:17
Last holiday - at dusk. f/1.2 and f/2.0 respectively, -2/3 EV, it was already very dark outside. Champagne : Jacquesson, cuvée 741. Crystal glass : Baccarat, from my grandpa.
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: Akira on August 16, 2018, 00:29:16
The Baccarat looks elegant and exquisite.   The subtle color of Champagne is well rendered.  It makes me regret deeply that I sold my Noct years ago...
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: Airy on August 16, 2018, 06:00:49
Fortunately you can still get the Champagne for an affordable price.
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: Akira on August 16, 2018, 08:11:21
Fortunately you can still get the Champagne for an affordable price.

That means there is still hope, maybe?
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: Macro_Cosmos on August 16, 2018, 14:17:03
The voigt Nokton is easily my favourite lens.
Wide open at f/1.4, it's soft but pleasing, the bokeh is bubbly and dreamy. It has a character.
The down side is rather excessive LoCA and as the OP illustrated, bleeding and haloing.

Close it down to f/2, it's really sharp.
I'd like it to focus closer, but c'mon, I'm asking too much at this point. Oh with a raynox it's actually pretty decent!

I just need to use it more. I have a lot of photos which haven't been uploaded.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4308/35292231234_eeeee06272_b.jpg)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4266/34710687533_c456190d09_b.jpg)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4278/35353218922_6dffc6869b_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: richardHaw on August 16, 2018, 14:54:11
i tested the 58/1.4 from Cosina and i ended up giving it back because i just cannot justify paying for it :o :o :o
that's because i already have plenty of lenses that does roughly the same thing with similar characteristics ::)

its not bad but just not for me.
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: golunvolo on August 16, 2018, 16:44:57
The 58 1.4G is one of my favorites lenses. This is from a visit to a museum today @1.4 on d700
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: Airy on August 16, 2018, 22:30:36
Nice to see the other Nocts.
Awaiting more A/B comparisons, here are a few more from the 58/1.2. First two at f/1.4; I particularly like the combination of very sharp and very soft. Last one at f/2.8, tack sharp already. All from today's commuting crop.
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: Airy on August 20, 2018, 22:08:57
The Noct as a walkaround lens. Fresh from today, f/5.6 and f/8 respectively
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: Frank Fremerey on August 20, 2018, 22:34:12
I came back from a week at a cloister with the monks. I only had the D850 and the Neo-Noct with me to discover it better. There will be a lot of shots in the thread that I will soon open.

I like this lens at any aperture, only 1.4 and 2.0 are a tad more magic.

After buying it used I had it serviced at NPS. Since then it works very well on all of my cameras
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: Airy on August 20, 2018, 23:10:53
too bad I got no possibility to test it here, side by side. Quite curious to see more of it.
Title: Re: Nox, nox, noctem, noctis, nocti, nocte
Post by: Frank Fremerey on August 21, 2018, 00:02:12
too bad I got no possibility to test it here, side by side. Quite curious to see more of it.

We should meet anyway...