Voigtlander Lente de Foco Manual Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL-II para Nikon AIS

Comments about Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL-II Manual Focus Lens for Nikon AIS:

As a professional photographer of 46 years, I became an avid collector of Nikkor lens.
The Nokton 58mm lens performs similar to my 52 year old Nikkor-S 58mm F/1.4. In side by side, tripod mounted images taken with the Nikon D90,
the results differed by one factor.The image brightness was 1/3 stop brigther with the Nokton (probably due to coatings and being a new lens). The optical performance was identical at F/1.4 and F/5.6.
I am pleased in that I can now use the Nokton lens for field work rather than my collector's sample of the Nikkor.

Comments about Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL-II Manual Focus Lens for Nikon AIS:

This is a nice portrait and street photography lens with excellent build quality, though not quite as good as the Zeiss lenses made in the same factory. The lens is sharp and I, for one, have not had the 2/3+ exposure problems that some have reported with this lens.

One negative is that when you attach the lens hood, your cap won't fit.

Comments about Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL-II Manual Focus Lens for Nikon AIS:

I have owned the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 in ai and AF-D flavors, and wasn't very impressed with them wide open.

The Nokton 58mm is much sharper at f/1.4 and f/2 then either Nikkor. It is quite usable wide open, while the Nikkors were just too soft.

Wide open this lens does lack some contrast, but has a magical dreamy look. It still has quite a bit more contrast then the Nikkors.

Stopped down between f/4 and f/5.6, it is extremely sharp. Color is very nice.

As for corner sharpness wide open, I find it quite good with the DX sensor, if the focus is right on, and the subject matter in the corners are in the depth of field.

In reality, most of the time the softness in the corners is from the subject being out of the narrow depth of field at f/1.4, and not the lens itself.

The exposure problem must be fixed, as exposures are perfect on the D2X and D90 bodies.

The focus ring is silky smooth, and better then my manual Nikkors, which are very good.

All in all, this lens has a lot to offer. Very unique dreamy quality at f/1.4 and f/2, yet sharper then your average f/1.4. At f/4 to f/11, it is as good as it gets.

I will be keeping this gem.

Comments about Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL-II Manual Focus Lens for Nikon AIS:

Slightly but noticeably longer than a 50mm, a terrific lens for portraits on a full-frame camera. As with most 1.4's, it's a touch hazy wide-open but still fairly sharp, and with minimal vignetting. At 2.0 it's crisp. Very similar overall to the performance of the Zeiss 50 1.4. Some purple fringing is noticeable on the edges of blown highlights. Not perfect but overall very strong performer, would recommend if the slightly longer focal length is appealing.

Comments about Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL-II Manual Focus Lens for Nikon AIS:

This is an excellent lens with superb build quality and wonderful color rendition. Manual focus with this lens is very easy due to the well damped focus ring and long focus throw. Highly recommended.

Comments about Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL-II Manual Focus Lens for Nikon AIS:

I am using the lens indoors, in available light situations with out a flash and in most lighting situations the captures are very good to excellent. The lens is light, handles well and images are very sharp even in low light. The only thing I regret is that it isn't auto, besides that I'm very happy. Stan

Comments about Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL-II Manual Focus Lens for Nikon AIS:

This is an absolutely remarquable lens with no equivalent in sharpness in the nikon line of 50mm lenses. The bokeh is stunning even if it is a little harsh sometimes. The color rendition is exceptional with sun and polarizing filter, with a warm cast perfect for landscape.
I use this lens with Nikon D700 body for a perfect combination for night scenes. You must try this combination!
I also own Carl Zeiss lenses ZF and the built in chip of the Voigtlander Nokton is definitely a plus as I do not have to program my body to recognize the Focal length of the lens.

Comments about Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL-II Manual Focus Lens for Nikon AIS:

After trying various Nikkor lenses zooms and fixed focal lens, I was searching for highest quality lens in the 50mm range, affordable and similar to Zeiss ZF series. I found the Voitlander brand which turns out to be a real winner. Details of texture seems 3D and color reproduction is exceptional. Zeiss ZF 50mm f2.0 would rival but at three times the price! Solid built that gives confidence of quality

Comments about Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL-II Manual Focus Lens for Nikon AIS:

Cosina added CPU contacts to this classic Voigtlander lens so that the camera could meter, confirm focus and control aperture, and it worked. Some bloggers have reported that the Nokton 58mm over exposes, but I have not had that problem with my copy on a Nikon D90.
The build quality and performance of this light, compact and inexpensive lens puts pricey and bulky Nikon pro lenses to shame. There is next to no distortion, vignetting is only an issue when shooting wide open and CAs are well controlled.
Resolution:
f/1.4 Good center, but extremely soft corners - I don't use it.
f/2 Better on both counts - suitable for arty portraiture. Bokeh is creamiest f/2-4.
f/2.8-5.6 Off the charts center sharpness with only slightly softer corners. At f/5.6 you could not ask for a better lens for conventional portraits.
f/8-11 Sharpness starts to taper off due to refraction, but still very good for landscapes and architecture in cases where extreme depth of field is not needed.
The only things that I don't like about this lens is that the close focusing distance is around two feet, so it is not suitable for macro work, and a hood is extra.
Cosina has also come out with a tiny 40mm manual lens with CPU contacts and a removable outer element for macro photography, which will be my next purchase.
With adapter rings, these lenses would make good mates for the micro 4/3rds system cameras from Panasonic and Olympus.

Comments about Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL-II Manual Focus Lens for Nikon AIS:

I bought this lens in early 2008 for my D200 and love it. It's of extremely solid steel construction. The focus ring is smooth and nicely damped. The first lot of this lens was apparently out by 2/3 of a stop but the chip was corrected by the time I bought mine. Mine has no issue there. Slightly warm colours, which I like. It may be a bit soft on the edges wide open but the centre is great & at 2.2 and up it is extremely sharp. Great for portraits but be careful on focusing. You can get really close up on large flowers and will be amazed by the sharp detail and smooth blurring of the oof part. Manual focus is not for everyone but I find it challenging and it has made me much more aware of proper focus skills. I'm also not nearly so lazy when setting up a shot with this lens. A focusing screen (I have the Katz eye version) really helps to focus properly esp. if you shoot relatively wide open. The screen is very easy to install yourself.

Comments about Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL-II Manual Focus Lens for Nikon AIS:

I've been using this lens on my D200 at ISO 400 (I "develop" raw files using NX2). I am using this lens as I did an 85/f1.4 lens that I used to have for film cameras -- a versatile focal length!

The lens is showing very smooth bokeh, so selective focus techniques work well. There is ample sharpness. I am enjoying shooting architecture (maybe because there is no active plant life -- it's wintertime). But in a botanical conservatory, flower close-ups were successful.

The lens is lightweight compared with 25 and 35 ZF Distagons I use.

No shortcomings.

I've never used older Nikkors, so I have to remind myself to set the aperture ring to 16 and use the main dial to change apertures.

The metadata accurately shows 58 mm and the usual information, as with Nikkors.

And the exposure and flash metering seem to be accurate.

Comments about Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL-II Manual Focus Lens for Nikon AIS:

This is an excellent portrait lens! Construction is superb for manual focus and since it's chipped you don't need D200 or higher to for in-camera metering. It's only a bit soft wide open but so are most fast lenses. from f/2 it's excellent and the picture is very 3D.

Comments about Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL-II Manual Focus Lens for Nikon AIS:

I am extremely pleased with the lens.Very good color and contrast. Beautiful bokeh. Great for portraits and indoor shot.

Comments about Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL-II Manual Focus Lens for Nikon AIS:

Great clarity and color, beautiful bokeh. Nice for portraits.