Nokton 50mm f/1.2 review by Lenstip: “record-breaking resolution values in frame centre”
Voigtlander 50mm f/1.2 FE at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Lenstip tested the Nokton 50mm f/1.2 FE lens and concluded:
Pros:
- solid, moderately big casing made of metal,
- record-breaking resolution values in frame centre on stopping down,
- sensible image quality on the edge of the APS-C sensor,
- slight longitudinal chromatic aberration,
- negligible lateral chromatic aberration,
- excellent distortion correction.
Cons:
- weak image quality in the frame centre by f/1.2 and f/1.4,
- resolution on the edge of full frame sensor leaves a lot to be desired,
- huge vignetting on full frame,
- noticeable coma.
The final assessment of the tested lens depends a bit on your expectations. If you have been spoiled by performances of new, optically complex 1.4/50 lenses you might feel disappointed. A realist, however, will be able to notice far more positive features. The Nokton 1.2/50, with an excellent aperture fastness, is a small, shapely instrument that doesn’t differ much from old, double gauss 1.4/50 constructions. The reduction of physical dimensions are the main reason of weak image quality in the close area of the maximum relative aperture.However, if you are able to accept that, or even exploit it in a creative way, the Voigtlander might repay your efforts. From f/1.6 upwards the lens improves its performance and in the f/2.8-8.0 range its resolution values are simply record-breaking.