[Leica] Nokton 2

[Erwin Puts <imxputs@knoware.nl>]

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At f/2 the image becomes more contrasty and especially the edge 
definition improves in the field.
But it is not up to the quality you expect from a topclass f/2 
design. In itself the image quality is very good. Very fine detail is 
now detectable with slightly soft edge definition. At f/2.8 the 
contrast again improves and now extremely fine detail can be 
recorded. At f/4 we find an excellent quality over the whole picture 
area. Extremely fine detail is now rendered with good clarity. A very 
critical look will reveal that the overall contrast  and micro 
contrast are lower than the contemporary Leica designs and some 
veiling glare also reduces the recording ability of the finest 
details. There is a focus shift, reducing the contrast on axis. 
Tangentially the aberrations grow quite a bit in the field.
 From an aperture of f/5.6 quality drops, especially in the field 
where detail gets a bit fuzzy.
Close-up performance is not as good as at infinity, Th whole image is 
a bit softer now and you need to stop down to 2,8 or 4 to get optimum 
imagery at this distance.
The Nokton is quite sensitive to flare and here you need some caution.

Conclusion.
This is a difficult lens to evaluate and it shows the classical 
dilemma of any tester. Figures and MTF graphs are not enough. 
Star-ratings wil not show the subtle differences and a cursory report 
will fail to draw attention to tye character.
The basic optical design of this lens is outstanding and it will 
certainly be studied by several optical departments over the world.
Mechanically and from an engineering standpoint it gives mixed 
feelings.The decentring is an indication of mounting tolerances and 
the economics of manufacturing. You get what you pay for.
The image quality in most practical situations is impressive. Flare 
is quite pronounced in backlightning and when recording specular 
highlights or small light points.
The Summilux-M as comparison has at full aperture higher contrast on 
axis but its performance in the outer zones is not as good and  the 
recording ability of very fine detail over the picture area is also 
not as good. But its engineering is superb and its flare reduction is 
also better. So which lens is best?
My list would be. Number 1 is the Summilux-R new, the number 2 with a 
fair gap is the Nokton and the number 3 is the Summilux-M, which is 
better engineered but optically not as good.
Do you really see these optical differences? Thats the 10.000 dollar question,
Whatever the vanishing breed of  people dedicated to resolution 
numbers may declare, most picture taking situations can be covered 
with 10 to 20 lp/mm for exhibition quality and in this area the 
Nokton performs admirably well. It does not have the clarity of fine 
detail of the better Leica lenses, nor the clean edge definition of 
larger subject outlines. In fact it is a bit dull in the shadows and 
fine detail has a coarser image and a fuzzier edge. But face to face 
with the Summilux-M the Nokton wins on points, not by knock out.


Erwin

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<fontfamily><param>Times</param>At f/2 the image becomes more contrasty
and especially the edge definition improves in the field. 

But it is not up to the quality you expect from a topclass f/2 design.
In itself the image quality is very good. Very fine detail is now
detectable with slightly soft edge definition. At f/2.8 the contrast
again improves and now extremely fine detail can be recorded. At f/4 we
find an excellent quality over the whole picture area. Extremely fine
detail is now rendered with good clarity. A very critical look will
reveal that the overall contrast  and micro contrast are lower than the
contemporary Leica designs and some veiling glare also reduces the
recording ability of the finest details. There is a focus shift,
reducing the contrast on axis. Tangentially the aberrations grow quite
a bit in the field. 

From an aperture of f/5.6 quality drops, especially in the field where
detail gets a bit fuzzy.

Close-up performance is not as good as at infinity, Th whole image is a
bit softer now and you need to stop down to 2,8 or 4 to get optimum
imagery at this distance.

The Nokton is quite sensitive to flare and here you need some caution.


Conclusion.

This is a difficult lens to evaluate and it shows the classical dilemma
of any tester. Figures and MTF graphs are not enough. Star-ratings wil
not show the subtle differences and a cursory report will fail to draw
attention to tye character. 

The basic optical design of this lens is outstanding and it will
certainly be studied by several optical departments over the world. 

Mechanically and from an engineering standpoint it gives mixed
feelings.The decentring is an indication of mounting tolerances and the
economics of manufacturing. You get what you pay for.

The image quality in most practical situations is impressive. Flare is
quite pronounced in backlightning and when recording specular
highlights or small light points. 

The Summilux-M as comparison has at full aperture higher contrast on
axis but its performance in the outer zones is not as good and  the
recording ability of very fine detail over the picture area is also not
as good. But its engineering is superb and its flare reduction is also
better. So which lens is best?

My list would be. Number 1 is the Summilux-R new, the number 2 with a
fair gap is the Nokton and the number 3 is the Summilux-M, which is
better engineered but optically not as good. 

Do you really see these optical differences? Thats the 10.000 dollar
question,

Whatever the vanishing breed of  people dedicated to resolution numbers
may declare, most picture taking situations can be covered with 10 to
20 lp/mm for exhibition quality and in this area the Nokton performs
admirably well. It does not have the clarity of fine detail of the
better Leica lenses, nor the clean edge definition of larger subject
outlines. In fact it is a bit dull in the shadows and fine detail has a
coarser image and a fuzzier edge. But face to face with the Summilux-M
the Nokton wins on points, not by knock out.



Erwin    
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