25mm primes: Panasonic Summilux or Nokton Voigtlander...

arad85

arad85

Messages
9,438
Name
Andy
Edit My Images
Yes
So I know there's an extra stop and a bit of light and manual focus for the Nokton, but having spent 10 days on holiday with only using MF lenses, I'm OK with that. Heart says go with the Nokton (bokeh, build quality, more interactive when taking photos, did I mention bokeh), head says go with the Summilux (cheaper, AF, pretty darned sharp even wide open)

Anyone tried them both out?

Anyone with any alternatives (already have a couple of Olympus primes - 50mm f1.8, 28mm f2.8)?
 
I haven't used them both but just wanted to say that although the f0.95 helps with shutter speed and ISO the difference in DoF control over f1.4 is really pretty negligible most if not actually all of the time. Bokeh quality is a different thing and is subjective.

One big plus for the Voigtlander is that it will focus quite close and therefore can be used as a sort of pseudo macro lens. It really is a quality product and puts the likes of Canon EF lenses to shame.
 
Thanks Alan. Both good points....
 
Not tried the Voigtlander, but I love the Leica 25mm, easily as good as my previous and ore expensive canon L lenses.
 
Thanks Julian... I'm leaning towards the Leica as there are times I think I'd benefit from the autofocus over the short focasl length of the Voigtlander. I've also seen reviews that show the Voight is not too sharp wide open and taking pics of close subjects. Do you see this Alan?

Any other opinions people?
 
I find that the Voigtlander is sharp enough even at f0.95. It's certainly perfectly useable at f0.95 and I've not seen any evidence of a drop in performance at close distance. In fact, as I've said many times here the close focus ability of this lens is one of its strong points. Negatives are that there's some blooming at the widest apertures and some CA but is there a f0.95 that doesn't suffer from a little of both of these? Many f1.4 and slower suffer to some extent too.

Before I got it I read this review at LL.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/voigtlander_f095_25mm_micro_43_nocton.shtml

v the 25mm f1.4 they give a "slight edge" to the Voigtlander. Doubtless other reviews will give the nod to the Panny (We know it's not really a Leica don't we? There's nothing wrong with being a Panny though.) so I suppose the choice comes down to AF v MF and f0.95 v f1.4. Choices.... choices...

I bought the Voigtlander because...

- I dislike FBW no marking lenses.
- I wanted the widest aperture available to both allow the use of faster shutter speeds and / or lower ISO's and to give as much DoF control as possible at 25mm.
- I wanted a general purpose lens that I could also use as a pseudo macro lens for flower shots and the like.

However, going for the AF 25mm f1.4 is a perfectly valid choice too.

PS. If you do go for the Voigtlander and you intend to shoot at anything between f0.95 and f2.8 in good light (and why wouldn't you?) you'll need to invest in an ND or two. I bought two, ND2 and 4, and sometimes have to use them both to keep the shutter speed below 1/4000 sec.
 
Last edited:
Hi Alan,

I'm going by the photos of the flower and lens cap at this review: http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2011/...95-25mm-micro-43-lens-review-by-david-babsky/

and the photos from this post: http://www.mu-43.com/f38/keep-nokton-25mm-sell-get-new-25mm-f1-4-a-15309/index5.html#post146008 although I'm not sure the guy knows how to manually focus - the first shot at least shows the focus point midway through the guys head (look at the hair on top of his head).

The wide open shots are not sharp enough for a pixel peeper like me. In fact, this discussion may throw some light on why we have differing views on the Sigma 12-24.

Also, these resolution charts seem to confirm it too (as do the ones at photozone.de):

http://www.lenstip.com/276.4-Lens_review-Voigtlander_Nokton_25_mm_f_0.95_Image_resolution.html

and

http://www.lenstip.com/314.4-Lens_r...MILUX_25_mm_f_1.4_ASPH._Image_resolution.html

which shows the Nokton having very low resolution at 0.95 and lower resolution than the Panny (yes, I know it's not a Leica) through to f2.8. Also, corner sharpness (which may well be immaterial at such wide apertures) is better on the Panny. The Panny doesn't seem to do as well on bokeh though above f2.0.

As you say - decisions, decisions. Perhaps I should save the money and just get on and use the 28mm f2.8 I have.

Also, good point on the ND filters - I was running out of shutter speed on the Zuiko 50 f1.8 last week and that's nearly a whole stop slower than even the Panny....
 
I've not tried the competition myself, but I do have the Leica 25mm and it's my favourite lens by a mile on this format. Lovely and contrasty, and I also found the AF to be fast enough for most situations.

Is there not a rumoured Olympus 25mm lens coming out soon as well to think about?
 
But that would mean waiting.... :eek:
 
I remember your comments on the Siggy 12-24mm and I remain as baffled as ever :lol:

I wont have time to shoot any test shots today and in some ways it's pointless as these two are such different lenses. Any differences in actual sharpness are IMVHO not worth worrying about one way or the other as they're (one way or the other) within spitting distance of each other. It's the spec., the function/use, overall ability and bokeh of each you should be thinking about IMVHO. Of course, the Voigtlander costs a lot more and that could be a factor.

If you'd like a couple of test RAW's to review just let me know and send me an email address you'd like them sending to but it'll probably be tomorrow before I can do them as I'm just off ount now.
 
Last edited:
Thanks Alan, I'd love a couple of RAWs to play with - preferrably wide open one close, the other subject distant if you have them. Will PM you my mail address now.

Don't get me wrong - I have a 12" x 18" print on the wall here I took with the 12-24 - it just isn't as sharp/contrasty/colour balanced as well as the 17-40L. When I look at them side by side - even small - the 17-40 pics are better. The 17-40 pics don't go to 12mm though....
 
Well, contrast and colours can be set how you want them in post capture processing and as for sharpness... the Siggy is so much sharper than the Canon between 12 and 17mm it's embarrasses for the Canon. Plus of course it has much less distortion and vignetting.

Anyway, back on point... I'll do some Voigtlander test shots tomorrow.
 
12-16.9mm is why I still have the 12-24 ;)

I'll look forward to the images - thanks.
 
Big thanks to Alan for the photos. Very, very useful.

Given the fact Panny are doing a £50 cashback on the lens, the auto focus and the fact the 1.4 is pretty sharp at 1.4, I've just pulled the trigger on a Panasonic lens.

Now waiting for the G5 to come out - I'm pretty sure I'll have one - when the prices start falling a little that is...
 
You are welcome.

Any excuse to shoot some pictures is welcome :D

I got three keepers which I didn't expect as they were really just test shots...

_1080439c.jpg


_1080372.jpg


Also keeping the one that shows my MX5 :)
 
Last edited:
Haha... The £50 cashback finally swung it (although as you know, I was edging that way anyway).
 
I have trouble loving FBW but if you can live with that then the AF lenses make a good choice, perhaps the obvious choice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top