Voigtländer Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL II

[John Geerts]

Thank you, Frank and Airy.

Well, there is a story behind it. First of all Background (bokeh) is a subjective thing, but that's clear. Secondly, this is the main square in Tilburg (Heuvel), it used to be a park, green, with bushes and was completely redecorated, removing most of the green elements, and creating a stone facade including a fountain.   That 'new' look I wanted to emphasize by having the background-terrace in the blur and preferably multiplied.  Wide open the Nokton could deliver what I wanted. Of course the background is different at F/2.8, F/4.0 or F/8.0 but then  the desired effect was gone.   

A comparison with the Nikkor 58mm F/1.4 G is more than welcome, but I don't have that lens.  

[Airy]

Yes, in this particular case the blur is effective, and that's also why I particularly like the pic. But that's no general-purpose blur. Similar situation with the 50/1.4 SC for instance.

[Airy]

Funny guy, this 58/1.4 from Voigtländer. At f/1.4, it is impossible to get anything sharp at minimum focussing distance. On the other hand, the lens has clearly been designed for longer distances. Here's an example (with a 100% crop). There is some haze, but also lots of detail. You could count the bolts on the Tour Eiffel with it.

[Fons Baerken]

it is a very sharp lens

[Airy]

Well yes, except at f/1.4-f/2 close to MFD. I think the short MFD has been offered as a compensation for the longer FL (58 instead of 50) but without any CRC-style precautions. So I won't blame Voigtländer for offering direct 1:4 ratio. Tamron, with its new 45/1.8, completed the exercise by offering very consistent performance across the field, f stops, and focussing distances (and, similar to the Voigt, nearly zero distortion, which is very welcome). In the MF domain, only the latest Zeiss 50/2 seems comparable - Otus is in another price class anyway.

[Fons Baerken]

i have a weakness for this wideopen behaviour

[Airy]

Honey

[Fons Baerken]

microcontrast recalls zeiss

[John Geerts]

Indeed,  and a very good performance with the Close up lens 4T

[Airy]

Thanks for the tip, I'll get one.
The Voigtländer 40/2 has a much better close-up performance, which is further improved (at a given magnification ratio) by its dedicated close-up lens. The interest of the latter is not so much to get closer, but to improve short range performance.
Here with the 58/1.4, we may expect a similar benefit, i.e. 1:4 magnification (that also can be reached without close-up lens) but reasonable sharpness (which is not possible without close-up lens).

[John Geerts]

True about the CV 40/2 but I prefer the 45/2.8P over the 40/2.  Both are good performers with the 4T, but the excellent colours and bokeh  of the 45P are more important to me.

[Fons Baerken]

Amerongen castle the garden @f8

the bright light of a sunny day quite a challenge for Photoshop, did better with Photoninja

[Airy]

And that's what the 50/1.4 AIS delivers. Same angle of voew but different framing, owing to the fact that 1) FLs are different, and 2° I cannot fly. Whaddya think?

[John Geerts]

Well, looks like more detail and contrast in the Nokton.

[tommiejeep]

Interesting thread guys.  As much as I enjoy my 58 1.4G, a local dealers is stopping stocking Voigtlanders and had the last 58 1.4 at a very good price.  I was a bit concerned about any sample variation and the fact that it could not be replaced/serviced.   Same dealer has the 50 1.1 but same reservations.  Anyone used the 50 1.1?
I have been very pleased with my Voigtlanders on the Sony a7II.  The older LMT mounts and the 15 f4.5 VM.
Cheers,
Tom