Oldie but Goodie: Voigtlaender Prominent Nokton 50mm f1.5

[Toby]

This is an interesting old lens head made for the Prominent camera, where shutter and focusing mount was permanently attached to the camera and only the lens head was changed--very similar to the old Aires V camera. The fast normal lens for these two cameras were also similar, being 7 element double gauss designs--basically classic DG but with a cemented doublet as the first element. These two lenses perform very similarly, with the same kind of "nisen" bokeh. The Aires is 4.5cm, the Nokton 5cm. The only real difference is the the second lens element in the Nokton is air spaced and the Aires has a cemented doublet. In direct comparisons I've found that the Nokton has higher contrast, but other than that they are nearly identical in rendering. Here are a few first shots with the Nokton

[Akira]

Interesting images, as always, Toby!

So, you removed the rear group from the camera and rehoused the entire optics into a new barrel?

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

Well know nice lens and it shows!

[Frank Fremerey]

Also the demonstantion of unusual glass belongs to the Nikongear DNA. Wow. There are so many things that make this place unique: people, tobics, atmosphere...

7178 is very special because the lightblobs in the back are water falling on the one hand and up rising on the other. Superb use of the glass!

This is an interesting old lens head made for the Prominent camera, where shutter and focusing mount was permanently attached to the camera and only the lens head was changed--very similar to the old Aires V camera. The fast normal lens for these two cameras were also similar, being 7 element double gauss designs--basically classic DG but with a cemented doublet as the first element. These two lenses perform very similarly, with the same kind of "nisen" bokeh. The Aires is 4.5cm, the Nokton 5cm. The only real difference is the the second lens element in the Nokton is air spaced and the Aires has a cemented doublet. In direct comparisons I've found that the Nikton has higher contrast, but other than that they are nearly identical in rendering. Here are a few first shots with the Nokton

How did you mount the thing on which camera?

[Toby]

The lens head is similar to the UV Topcors--a rear element extending past a bayonet. My mounting solution was to use pvc electrician's tape to secure the barrel to a M42 extension ring, which is then screwed into a helicoid. PVC tape is a wonderful thing: it is stretchy and clings and secures surfaces together we'll, leaves no reside, is long lasting and allows secure mounting without modifying the lens. Also super cheap...

[Frank Fremerey]

Thank you, Toby!

[Akira]

Thank you for the disclosure.  Wonderfully improvised solution!