Voigtländer Septon 50/2 on Nikon DSLR

[MEPER]

I was on full manuel mode. Think it is the only way I could get D5200 to work with lenses/adapters with no contacts. So I used the histogram to check exposure. Sometimes it is quite nice to be in 100% control like in the old days. Z50 came yesterday. In the documentation for FTZ adapter they write that non-AI lenses are not compatible and they may destroy contacts. I can't see the reason for that as the difference between AI and non-AI lenses in general is not what is inside the adapter which could damage the contacts. Then they mention some very old lenses by name which is incompatible. But a non-AI 50/2 works as good as AI'ed version of same lens as I see it without having tried it out other than non-AI lenses mounts nicely. The body will not see any difference between the two. I have noticed a small black switch on the F-side of the adapter which is placed just outside the mount and can see if I mount a more modern lens like AFD 85/1.4 this switch will be activated. But no difference between older non-AI/AI. I assume that stop down exposure method is used for both types of old lenses like I do now with Septon on D5200 via an adapter.

I find it difficult to use live view. The sunlight can cause that it is difficult to see what it going on and I can hold camera more steady using optical finder. So look forward to use Z50.

[Arri]

The Septon is a gem, I call three of it my own and use it with the F4 and D700.
It is excellent for B&W use and I like the Bokeh of it.
BTW: all Voigtländer lenses for the Bessamatic sytem are good usable lenses, very interesting is the Zoomar 36-82 f/2.8
I love the lens destorsions of it

[John Geerts]

The Septon 50/2 is not bad.  The Color Ultron 50/1.8 is much much better.

[Arri]

This is an analouge cyanotype print copy of a digital image I made with the Septon lens. Self coated Fabriano water colour paper.

[John Geerts]

very interesting is the Zoomar 36-82 f/2.8
I love the lens destorsions of it

Nice colours too?

[Arri]

Nice colours too?

For analouge film the colours nice, in digital use it has colour shifts. I use it in B&W only

[John Geerts]

On the Zf and posted in the Daily November 2025

[John Geerts]

The Septon works great on the Nikon Zf.  Here two interior shots. Despite it's 90cm minimum focus distance..  (the last picture is obviously cropped)

[MEPER]

The Septon is a nice lens. I have not tried it yet on my Z50.
It can make some nice "portraits" of Rembrandt paintings?

[John Geerts]

Yes.  It's a very sharp lens. Little distortion and LoCa.  Weaknesses are flare and vignetting

[John Geerts]

Flare and Vignetting 'in action' 

[MEPER]

It is a sharp lens. I just put it on my Z50 with DKL to F adapter + F-Z adapter.
I took a test image at closest focus distance stopped down a bit.
Picture attached + 100% crop.
I will try it one day for real images. It also has a pleasant bokeh. It has 52mm filter adapter so I have plenty of shades that will prevent flare :-)

I have wondered why the Summicron for Leica R (50/2) are sold at rather high prices like 300 Euros.
Can it do something the Voigtländer Septon or Ultron can't do?    ......or even the Nikkor-H 50/2?

[John Geerts]

The Nikkor AI 50mm f/2 is the best one.

[Birna Rørslett]

The Nikkor AI 50mm f/2 is the best one.

Except its bokeh. Sexangular  point lights are ugly.

[John Geerts]

Except its bokeh. Sexangular  point lights are ugly.

That's true. Most 50/2 lenses are not perfect in the bokeh-department