Author Topic: Voigtlander CV 40mm f/1.4 Nokton ***** (Read 22278 times)

Jman · « **on:** August 12, 2009, 05:21:51 PM »

Got my CV 40mm f/1.4 Nokton today. This is such a tiny lens! I knew it was small, but it looks even smaller in person, even with the M adapter attached. The lens does have a nice heft to it, though. This is my first time using a rangefinder lens of any kind, so I didn't know how I'd feel about the focus tab, but I love it! So easy to operate with the left hand under the camera. Beautiful little lens. The lens is pretty good optically, though it has some quirks. Bokeh is a bit harsh (or full of character, depending on your POV), but only at f/1.4-f/1.7. It's worst at f/1.4, softens quite a bit at f/1.7 and by f/2, the bokeh is actually quite pleasing. The lens is acceptably sharp at f/1.4, and very sharp by f/2 over the middle 85% of the frame. The very edges take until about f/5.6 to get completely sharp, but it's pretty good over most of the frame. I really like the color. It's got a relatively low contrast curve, which is good for high DR situations, and it's got a nice rolloff.

Some shots of the lens on my E-P1:

And some test shots.
This was wide open...nice and sharp, and you can see a bit of the harsher bokeh here at f/1.4:

This is also at f/1.4, but the bokeh looks decent here...more of a test shot:

And a 100% crop...not bad for f/1.4:

And against a busier background at f/2...I like the rendering here. The shoe is very sharp.

darkspark · « **Reply #1 on:** August 12, 2009, 06:04:42 PM »

Thanks for the review and pics, Jordan!... I really want that lens!! (either that or the CV 35mm/f1.4)... I really have to save up, not much money to spend at the moment since I'm going to need the adapter too $:-\$

where did you order yours from? (both the lens and adapter)... any comments on the transaction? fast shipping? any hassles? etc.

Jman · « **Reply #2 on:** August 12, 2009, 07:06:37 PM »

Got the lens from Adorama. Got my adapter from Cameraquest. No problems with either. Got the adapter in 2 business days and the lens in 3.

Oh...another shot from today...this was at f/5.6:

AngryCorgi · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2009, 06:42:01 AM »

I love the look of the nokton on the pen. Thanks for posting 100%s too, it looks quite good for 100% wide-open.

Can you post a 100% crop of the shoe?

Jman · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2009, 03:41:48 PM »

Sure....100% crop:

ace22202 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2009, 04:49:57 PM »

Sweet lens! This is certainly on my wish list. I may have to wait to see what the Pano 20/1.7 is like first, though.

hibiya · « **Reply #6 on:** August 14, 2009, 12:53:49 AM »

This looks so amazing.. thanks for the posts =)
i'm still trying to decide between this lens or the 50mm 1.5.. You guys make them both look so good!

Do you know any differences between the single coat and multi-coated versions? Adorama only has one listed, but over at photo village there are two different versions. Any suggestions?

Jman · « **Reply #7 on:** August 14, 2009, 01:31:51 AM »

The single coated version is lower contrast and more prone to flare, but might be exactly what people are looking for with black and white film. It basically was designed to give the look of more classic lenses on film. Mine is the MC.

From what I've seen of the 40/1.4 and 50/1.5, the 50/1.5 has nicer bokeh, especially wide open, but it's significantly larger, so choose your poison.

AngryCorgi · « **Reply #8 on:** August 14, 2009, 08:21:44 AM »

That shoe looks very good for f/2. Thanks for posting it!

voyager · « **Reply #9 on:** August 14, 2009, 11:08:31 PM »

Those are beautiful photos!

Jman · « **Reply #10 on:** August 15, 2009, 04:13:51 AM »

Thanks! Here are some more from the Nokton:

You can see the funky large aperture bokeh in these next two shots. Sometimes it can be distracting...but, at least to me, I like the character in these two shots. These are both at f/1.7, I believe. By f/2, the bright line rings are gone in the bokeh.

This is at f/4, I think...not quite sure:

And I think this was at f/2 or f/2.8:

mid_gen · « **Reply #11 on:** August 16, 2009, 11:55:58 PM »

Very nice...I think my sensible head is going to make me wait for the Panasonic 20 1.7 though and see what that's like

Jman · « **Reply #12 on:** August 17, 2009, 04:08:52 AM »

I will probably end up with the 20/1.7 as well, but they are very different lenses. One is a wide normal, the other is a short telephoto.

mid_gen · « **Reply #13 on:** August 17, 2009, 05:48:36 AM »

I'm not really too bothered about the focal length as long as it's less than 50mm......I just want something with some narrow DoF and a big enough aperture for the AF to function properly

Of course AF performance isn't an issue on the Nokton, but a big aperture will make the screen clearer.

hibiya · « **Reply #14 on:** August 19, 2009, 10:03:12 PM »

Once again, great shots Jman. I see what you mean by the bokeh being a little jagged in some instances, but I think it is very workable =)

Just curious, what do you think of your adapter? I've seen a few cheaper options around, but I'm nervous putting such a nice lens onto an e-p1 without a good mount. The one's they are selling at cameraquest look pretty good to me, but they're about twice the price as some of the other ones =(

Tony · « **Reply #15 on:** August 24, 2009, 05:10:17 PM »

I love the photos. I just got my EP-1 today. I am going to take it for a test run tomorrow. I can't wait.

Tony

Jman · « **Reply #16 on:** August 24, 2009, 06:43:14 PM »

Quote from: hibiya on August 19, 2009, 10:03:12 PM

Once again, great shots Jman. I see what you mean by the bokeh being a little jagged in some instances, but I think it is very workable =)

Just curious, what do you think of your adapter? I've seen a few cheaper options around, but I'm nervous putting such a nice lens onto an e-p1 without a good mount. The one's they are selling at cameraquest look pretty good to me, but they're about twice the price as some of the other ones =(

The adapter is fine. I have the Voigtlander adapter (the one sold by CameraQuest), so I paid the extra premium, and it's well built and works very well. Having not used the cheaper ones, I'm not sure, but I can tell you they use a more simplistic version of the mount (there are spring clips and such in the Voigtlander adapter that are not present on the cheap ones.)

Anyway, here are 3 more from the Nokton from today:

AngryCorgi · « **Reply #17 on:** August 25, 2009, 06:27:21 AM »

Nice shots. The sky looks as though it had been painted and the framing is perfect.

Jman · « **Reply #18 on:** August 25, 2009, 03:57:22 PM »

Wide open... Technically, this is harsh bokeh, but I absolutely LOVE it on this shot. Wonderful character and depth...and what great color! I wouldn't trade this shot for one taken with my Sigma 50 f/1.4 (which has incredible bokeh...as good if not a bit better than my old 85L)

hibiya · « **Reply #19 on:** August 26, 2009, 10:18:41 PM »

Wow- simply amazing! My favorite shot so far.

Sorry for the late reply Jman, but thanks again for the advice. I think I will spring for the more more expensive mount from cameraquest, I have a feeling I"ll be using both the camera and lens for a while =)

Jman · « **Reply #20 on:** August 27, 2009, 06:26:33 PM »

Thanks!

Here's another from today:

cosinaphile · « **Reply #21 on:** September 04, 2009, 09:39:52 AM »

these photos are so strong ,i have the 50 1.5 and find the bokeh good , but what you achieved in the color shot of 2 flowers with the 40 1.4 above, in the unfocused backround is astounding

chronoguy · « **Reply #22 on:** September 04, 2009, 10:09:29 AM »

How is this for Bokeh, the CV is nice.

darkspark · « **Reply #23 on:** September 05, 2009, 08:26:41 AM »

Quote from: chronoguy on September 04, 2009, 10:09:29 AM

How is this for Bokeh, the CV is nice...

That's a nice shot. What f-stop did you shoot it at?

chronoguy · « **Reply #24 on:** September 08, 2009, 02:08:35 PM »

Quote from: darkspark on September 05, 2009, 08:26:41 AM

That's a nice shot. What f-stop did you shoot it at?

Wide open. F/1.4. Here is another shot I took today. I am loving this lens despite the lousy focus range. I took a pict of my friend's new camera.

Author Topic: Voigtlander CV 40mm f/1.4 Nokton ***** (Read 22278 times)

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