Quick Comparison: SLR Magic 50 T0.95 vs Voigtlander 50 f/1.1 on the Leica M9

52 Comments

1. Great photos as usual, showing photography as an art more than a science. As a scientist myself, who uses low-light lenses for scientific imaging, it is curious to see the world from a different perspective, where the name, weight and cost of a lens imply quality and solid build, and the unfocused background (bokeh) is an important criterium.
   As a sceptic, I found a most amusing article Noktor 50mm f/0.95″ It is also interesting that the long established Japanese optical company GOYO that produces glass for others as well as their own f/0.95 lenses has a German office in Kreuznach, the home of another famous lens maker Schneider-Kreuznach, who also make f/0.95 industrial lenses. Small world !
   Many old company names are now simply brand names owned by marketing or investment groups. Germany now exports advanced machine tools to allow the automated manufacture of high quality products at low cost, and the name, appearance and cost are simply marketing parameters.

   • Unfortunately my link to the article Noktor 50mm f0.95 was mis-typed in my post.

2. hi steve, where can I find the leather camera strap that I see in your M9?
   thank’s

3. Why the SLR Magic 50mm lens have two different design? I see a SLR Magic 50mm lens on http://www.slrmagic.com, but the one you have are different. why?

   • All of this info is written in the review pages for this lens as well as responses. 🙂 The 50 F/0.95 is for Sony NEX and Micro 4/3. The twice as large T0.95 is for Leica M mount. Totally different lens 100%

4. Anybody has any idea why Ken Rockwell is so acid towards Noktor? I clicked on the link thinking I would see some kind of review about the Noktor 50mm /f0.95 but instead all he has is oblique innuendos… I guess he probably thinks he is being very sharp with his sarcasm, ’cause really his post fails to contribute anything at all. Here is the link: http://tinyurl.com/7ewsyrl

   • I would take his review with a grain of salt. He seems to be the only person in the world who reviews equipment and lenses he has never seen or tried before!

5. Great comparison, Steve. Looks like someone else who owns a Nokton 1.1 had the same opinion when comparing it to the new SLR Magic T.95.

   http://www.f8photography.com.hk/blog/2012/03/slr-magic-50mm-0-95-hyperprime-first-look/

6. How about a TV Nikkor 0.9? 🙂

7. Thanks for the post Steve, but it’s hard to draw sharpness conclusions when your test shots from the Nokton are clearly out of focus, especially obvious with the shot of the faucet.

   Another thing is that higher weight does not equal higher build quality. I for one feel the Nokton has extremely high build quality and in fact it’s better put together than my 28mm ASPH which has a slight wobble when focused to .7 meters. Anyways, a steel box would weigh more than a titanium one, but that doesn’t mean it’s stronger or better put together. Oh, and my Nokton (which to be honest I don’t like very much) has a butter smooth focus ring, so I think the copy you rented may have been abused.

   I am however convinced the SLR Magic Prototype is superior to the Nokton, but I’m not sure the massive size is worth the extra 1 1/3 stops of extra light.

   • If the shots from the Nokton are OOF, then that means the lens is off, which tells me QC is not the best. Then again, I had owned many Leica lenses that were off as well. But for this test I used a 1.4 magnifier as well and focused each lens spot on in the RF. As for the weight, ALL I WAS SAYING is the Nokton is not up to the build quality of the SLR Magic, and it is not. Period. I have both in my hand RIGHT now and I can tell you without a doubt that the SLR Magic is not only heavier, but focuses smoother and has an overall feeling of quality. It’s not just about the weight. I’d rather have LESS weight, don’t get me wrong. I’d love a .95 lens with the weight of the Nokton, but that will not happen, especially if you want quality.

     My conclusions after even MORE shooting with both – Nokton is a good buy for $1100 if you can get one that is calibrated correctly. Has busy bokeh at times, and renders flatter than the SLR Magic or Noctilux ASPH. Also, 3D effect is much more pronounced with the SLR Magic (Ill post more pics to this article soon) as well as it is an f/.92 compared to an f/1.1. Is that worth $3k? All depends on your needs/wants and bank acct!

     I just shot each lens as I have it here.

8. Hi Steve,

   First off, thanks for the work you’re doing with all these updates for the lens. I’m thinking of picking one of these up once they release, so the more information I can get before spending about 5K, the better.

   Along those lines, none of the pictures in your “Stopped Down” section seem to be linked to their full size files. It’s already pretty apparent the T0.95 is sharper, but I’d still like to be able to view the full image.

   Thanks again!

   • I put the crops in the images which are 1800 pixels wide so you can see 100% crops. Saves me on site speed and bandwidth. With that said, I just picked up an ND filter for the lens and will be shooting it at a festival next weekend and will include some full size samples wide open again and stopped down. Thanks!

     • Ah, when I first looked at this page the links to the 1800px images were not working for whatever reason. Now that the issue seems to have resolved itself, I’ve got no complaints.

       Thanks for the response though!

9. I also own the Nokton, for me it is a play lense, too big an heavy for daily use. 4k for à lens that will last 30 years is nothimg. 4k for à Lens I will use only à few times a year is à bit much. If I was to buy today, I would buy the SLR magic but I Will not change it as it will last…. À lifetime too.

10. Ok Mr Huff, I would like to ask for another crazy comparision, if you do not mind. 🙂
    SLR Magic 50 T 0.95 M- Mount vs SLR Magic Hyperprime 50 T 0.95 E-Mount (NEX)
    Gear: Sony NEX 7 with Novoflex and without.I hope your camera will arrive soon.
    You tested both lenses, but it seems that you was not that enthusiastic about the SLR Magic E-Mount. The difference to the M-Mount Model is roughly 3000€, is that justifiable? Is there a difference in build quality, use of glasses and last but not least quality of the images? What about DOP and difficulties of focus peeking mentioned in your test about the E-Mount Hyperprime regarding the M-Mount Model attached with Novoflex?
    Ok, at least this will not be a crazy comparision, but serious product testing. But I assume you are doing this all the time. 🙂
    Brgds
    David

11. Steve,

    So that we are all on the same page here… before you go out and compare this hyper prime lens to the all German engineering wunder lens -the Noctilux, let’s agree on the results before hand:

    The Noctilux is:
    1) Superior
    2) Sharper
    3) Groovier Bokeh
    4) More solid (did I mention it was German)
    5) Uber cool
    6) Better, faster and more expensive

    Ok, having agreed on the ground rules, you may proceed with your comparison.

    Signed,

    Ceo of Leica

    • Lol

12. Hi Stefano, Seems a few of us have better Noktons than the one tested but this does happen with lenses….

    I don’t think anyone would use the words “lightweight & Cheap” to describe the Nokton in isolation, these comments relate directly to the comparison with the SLR Magic so you’d expect it to be lighter and feel cheaper.

    Cheers

    Jason

    • EXACTLY – when side by side with the SLR Magic, the Nokton feels light and cheap-ish. Same as when I held it side by side with a Noctilux.

13. I actually like the Nokton better in some shots I do think the Leica .095 gives results that wow
    and I wish I had 11 k because it rules 1000 percent above all these

    • Simply not true that the Leica is 1000% better than the Hyperprime. In fact, in some ways the Hyperprime is better. The only area where it lacks to the Leica is with the barrel distortion. That’s it.

      • All I know is very time I see a shot that stops me in my tracks it’s always that darn noctilux
        .095 hopefully the Optimus prime lol will do the same

      • At the end of the day the lens does not matter, it is always the photographer and never the gear that creates images. Those expensive lenses will never get you great images by themselves.

14. I would have to take a grain of salt with this “comparison”. I live in Hong Kong, and have therefore a chance to check out the test sameple. It’s sooooo heavy (certainly heavier than beginners DSLR and coming to a close match with weight of D700) to the point I fear it will break the lens mount (which is not unheard of when heavy lens is mounted on a light body. Plus, the aperture ring feels way too stiff (I can’t change the aperture value single-handed – but the sample I tested was the one without the aperture detent for each stop). I won’t deny image quality-wise this lens is superb to that of the CV lens, but I just don’t think “inferior build quality” is correct description for the CV lens if the SLR Magic one is “superb” in the build department. This lens is as heavy as holding a AF-D 135mm f/2 DC – it’s way too heavy and may break the bayonet mount of your camera. I swear I won’t dare mounting it on the GXR A12 mount without my hand holding on to the lens every second.

    • The SLR Magic is just about the same weight as the Leica Noctilux ASPH. Don’t think it would break a lens mount unless the mount was very cheap, but hey, you never know. My aperture ring is silky smooth and have had no stuffiness at all but I do remember one of the lenses at the workshop has a stiffer feel, so that could be the one you tried out. As for build quality, the Nokton is not “light” but it has no where near the solidness of the SLR Magic or Leica. When held side by side, the Nokton feels light. A 50 Lux ASPH is probably heavier than the 1.1 Nokton as well. Also, this is not meant to be an every day lens, just like the Noctilux isn’t. Ive been using it as one for over a month though and just acquired a 6 stop ND filter so having fun in the sun 🙂

      • Also my Noctilux was very stiff when I first got it..so stiff I thought something was wrong with it. It has loosened up over time and is considered normal. I agree the image quality seems as good or better than the Leica but the weight is significantly more.

    • There is no way to compare size and weight of a f/0.92 lens to a f/1.1 lens. The f/0.92 lens is larger and heavier than the Nocti also because the Nocti is a f/0.95 lens and should be smaller and lighter. I am an owner too of the Noktor 50mm 0.95 lens as well as the Voigtlander 50mm 1.1 and they are similar in weight. Guess image quality does come at a cost in weight. I think the omowner handgrip will come in handy with the Hyperprime and Nocti. I doubt the mount will break that easily though. I did have a chance to try the lens at their shop in Hong kong. They said the lens is handmade and hand built so there will be variation in stiffness. I have a 35mm summilux asph that is very stiff. my 35mm pre-asph summilux is even stiffer than the asph! The Voigtlander 50mm 1.1 is quite loose and dry. Hit and miss I guess

15. Interesting test! As always I’m indebted to Steve for his great tests and insightful comments.
    Let me see, there’s a link for SLR Magic ad link on the right hand side of this page. Oddly it reveals nothing about the enigmatic SLR Magic company, but instead lots of information about a company called Noktor and their ‘Ultra Fast Lenses.’ Actually just one product, the Noktor Hyperprime F0.95 which will enable the user to ‘Capture stunning images in extreme low light.’ Hmmmm.
    How bizarre that SLR Magic have retained a link to an earlier incarnation of their company!
    Anyhow, eager to join the F0.95 club and NOW! and at an affordable price, for ¥89,000, I ordered up an SLR Magic – branded Sony e-mount F0.95 lens, a rebranded CCTV lens if I’m not mistaken from Amazon Japan (marketed through Gizmo Camera. After using it for a couple of weeks, on the ‘you gets what you pays for basis, it aint’ half bad. Clearly SLR Magic (or Noktor) still have a bunch of these still available.
    I’ve had some misses, and it clearly is no match for either recent SLR Magic $4,000 version or the $11,000 Leitz. Nevertheless, it is available NOW and at a realistic price. Furthermore, the shots where I nailed the focus, albeit with overly glowing highlights and less than creamy bokeh, have distinct, though perhaps slightly squelchy ‘pop’ relative to the out of focus regions.
    Well, heck, even if I could afford the Leitz, there are waiting lists and other issues and the SLR Magic (maybe) won’t be available until September?
    So how about a quick and dirty shootout between the currently available SLR Magic mk. 1 and the currently unavailable mk. 2? Or even compare all three with the Voigtlander thrown in as the F1.1 option?
    By the way in Japanese, bokeh has a variety meanings. Including senile, vague, forgetful.
    On my days off, the weather has been crap, but when I’ve got more shots that I can feel happy with as opposed to just lens testing shots, I’ll post some.
    Cheers.

    • I already reviewed that f/0.95 lens on Micro 4/3 and NEX mount. That is a TOTALLY different lens, less than 1/2 the size, different design, etc. It was created from a CCTV lens, this new lens is a new ground up design. Those f/0.95’s are not very sharp and the bokeh is a bit sloppy. Not in the same league at all. The reviews can be seen in the “mirrorless central” section.

      • Hi Steve,

        Hi Steve,

        I don’t have time to post any better shots, so these will have to do.
        All shots taken at F0.95 to F1.4 with my SLR Magic Hyperprime mounted on a Sony NEX-7 and are straight J.PEGs, no diddling about. THe subway shot and bar interior shots taken in stealth mode using the back screen folded out with me looking down and surreptitiously snapping. I concur with your comments that an awful lot of the shots taken with this lens come out unacceptably soft and the relatively sharp keepers will suffer in comparison with either the handmade SLR F0.95, or the Leitz Noctilux.

        http://www.flickr.com/photos/73546394@N00/sets/72157629115415598/
        In my earlier mail, I was making several points.

        First of all, I’m perfectly aware that the lens still being advertised on SLR Magic’s ad is their older rebranded CCTV lens. NOt the one you are currently enthusing about. I’m going to hazard a guess that they still have a bunch of the smaller rebranded lenses left for sale and the reason why they are advertised on the Nocton site is because SLR Magic have moved on and would prefer to no longer have their name associated with these lenses. Be that as it may, the lens still being sold by Gizmo Camera through Amazon Japan comes with a lens cap engraved with the legend ‘SLR Magic HyperPrime.’
        At the price point they go for, I consider the lens to be worth the money and I think the results that can be obtained justify my opinion. SLR Magic have no reason to be ashamed of these lenses. Also, I’m no longer taking pictures professionally, and fortunately, I don’t have to worry about pro standards of sharpness and reliability. This means I can explore the qualities of lenses that are not technically the sharpest, but fulfill my creative intentions. Also, after losing my darkroom and quitting film cameras, until I recently acquired my Sony NEX-7, I was restricted to pretty much zero to infinity in focus digicams.
        I’ve been taking pictures since the early 70s and in my time, I’ve done it all including in my fine art course college days, making double or quadruple pinhole 360 degree cameras and also shooting with more conventional cameras, Nikon, Leica, Hassleblad, Rolleiflex shooting with Agfapan 100 developed in Rodinal printed on Portriga Rapid toned in selenium, the whole pre-digital photo experience from arguably artsy – fartsy to bread and butter work. In addition, as I pointed out, entry to the exclusive SLR Magic or Leitz Noctilux 0.95 club, for reasons of price / availability is kind of hard for most folks, so the earlier Noktor or Voigtlander are in my opinion, a viable option.
        on a finaI note, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for all the great stuff you have been putting out. Your site is tremendously informative and I found the pics you took with the Sony e-mount version of the SLR Magic Hyperprime along with your informative comments to be most helpful in my making the decision to buy this lens which as I pointed out is affordable and more to the point, still currently available. After ordering online, mine arrived the following day!
        Furthermore, I’m impressed by ALL the lenses that SLR Magic are putting out. They each have features and price points that to me are appealing for various reasons and your reviews and comments on their products are always very helpful. Also, I can appreciate that they are an evolving company that are trying hard to put out a great range of products including their latest fine F0.95. I’m looking forward to seeing them grow and I hope they continue to put out more good stuff.
        However, my describing the company as ‘enigmatic is I think, a fair comment on a company initially known for ‘toy lenses’ and other wonderful oddities, but are currently putting out a lens that probably equals or even in some measures, surpasses an $11,000 Leitz lens. For a company that for I think good reasons, does not always explicitly inform the public about their origins and strategies, ‘Enigmatic’ is not intended to be a criticism. I judge them solely on, for this photographer, the attractive qualities of their unique and creative products.

        Cheers to both you and the folks at SLR Magic!

        Andy Martin

        • SLR Magic still sells the NEX and M4/3 f/0.95 lenses but today they are branded “SLR Magic”. Believe it or not, SLR Magic still does not have a web site, which is odd. BUT I am told they are working on one now. They are not dropping the NEX and M4/3 lenses, so they will still be selling those lenses.

          Here is my review of the NEX mount version

          http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2011/08/19/testing-the-noktor-50-f0-95-for-sony-e-mount-with-the-new-nex-c3/

          Decent lens, well made, well built – busy bokeh and some softness though, and it is not a full frame lens like the LM T0.95. It’s also 1/4 the cost.

        • Andy, Thanks for sharing the photos taken with the NEX-7 and SLR Magic HyperPrime 50mm F0.95. Really impressive shots! The original HyperPrime is quite understated. Many who actually has it are quite happy with the results. We have both the original F0.95 and new T0.95 lenses for people to try out in Hong Kong and at the end many mFT and E-mount users choose to buy the original F0.95 as it is more suitable in size and weight for the type of photography they do.

          • Hi,

            Thanks for the information Steve and Andrew.
            I’m going to be using the original F.0 lens a lot and I’ll be uploading more pics soon.
            Please keep offering these great lower cost fast lenses at affordable prices.

            Ps,

            Any chance of a Toy Lens currently only available for Micro four thirds in the Sony e-mount?

            Cheers,

            Andy

        • Andy Martin, Could you send us a quick email to support@slrmagic.com and ask for me? I have something to ask you as you already own the SLR Magic HyperPrime 50mm F0.95 lens.

16. Pleh, I know its no match for the SLR magic you have, but your Nokton is a washed out softy next to mine. Glad I wont the voigtlander lottery as its pretty common for blah 1.1s to happen, my best guess is element misalignment.

    • I read your comment and looked back through the comparisons, I have to agree, I would say mine is way better than the one Steve’s used also. The comparison result would remain exactly the same but it would show the Nokton in a better light….

    • i have a nokton myself and have to say that i seriously doubt the lens tested here is a good representation of what the lens can do.

      i would also not call it ‘lightweight’ or use ‘cheap(er) build’ to describe it.

      i actually thought it was a big, heavy lens already; if that slr magic is even bigger and heavier, it kind of defeats one of the the purposes of carrying a rangefinder instead of an slr setup!

      at the price point i see NO competition to the voigtlander whatsoever; considering the price, the voigtlander is about a 1000 times better value for money than a noctilux, and 3-400 times better value for money than the slr magic.

      i have not tested the slr magic myself, so my comments are based purely on the lens i own and the noctilux i tried.

      • I agree…

        “i actually thought it was a big, heavy lens already; if that slr magic is even bigger and heavier, it kind of defeats one of the the purposes of carrying a rangefinder instead of an slr setup!”

        Nokton 1.1: 428g lengh/57,2mm (without hood) diameter/69,6mm
        Hyperprime T0.95: 975g lengh/95mm (hood retracted) diameter/73mm

        • I couldn’t agree more, and when you add the body+battery to the Hyperprime you end up with a combined weight approaching 3 1/2 pounds. Ouch!

17. Thanks for the comparison work. I have the Voigtlander 1.1 and the Noct .95 and prefer the results I get with the Noct. I bought the Voigt to leave in the car should I find myself out and wanting this type of lens and my Noct is at home (I often have the Summicron 28 on my M9). I don’t use the Voigt often but when I do it’s better to have a lens then nothing at all. And at 1/10 the cost of the Noct and 1/4 the cost of the SLR lens, the Voigt is a pretty good deal.

    I wonder if the final shipping version of the SLR lens will be as good as your hand-made model or if manufacturing economies will introduce any decrease in the performance. Time will tell.

18. Well, I have the Nokton at the moment, I don’t think many would knock it for the money so it does have an roll to fill….But clearly when compared to the SLR Magic LM T0.95 it starts to look very, very ordinary. SLR Magic hands down winner here…..

19. …nice…thanks

20. WOW!….This review just makes you want to sell a few things so that you can own the SLR Magic HyperPrime….If you own a Leica…(after looking at these photos), which lens would you want in front of that incredible filterless sensor???????
    I am really surprised at the difference in the quality of the bokeh here between the two lenses…(I am more familiar with the Voigtlander 0.95 for MFT…which I believe has much creamier bokeh than this Voigtlander). When I first looked at the images of the tree…I thought because the bokeh on the SLR Magic was so smooth it just made the point of focus “look” sharper than the Voigtlander…but WOW…no so. Well the SLR magic is very expensive (not for a hand-built lens, though)….but it looks like it is worth the money here!!!!!
    Interesting test and VERY informative!

    • ” which lens would you want in front of that incredible filterless sensor???????”

      Well, a compact one :-), like a Sonnar 1.5 or a Summilux 1.4…
      The Slr Magic looks awfully nice, but it is a huge lens, and I don’t think a huge lens fits a compact and discreet camera like the M9… It can be handy for low light photography, but as far as standard lenses are concerned I finally sol my Nokton -which I liked very much- because I always ended up taking the Sonnar instead…

21. But on the other hand I prefer busy bokeh 🙂

22. Great comparison. When will you compare the SLR Magic to the Leica Noctilux?

23. I had the Nokton and was not a big fan. Too soft for me… bu

24. Great comparison and clear advantage for the Hyperprime. Reminds me of the Noctilux vs Nocton comparisons of the past. D!RK

    • Steve, thank you very much for this very interesting review. I just wanted to come back on one point, which is the price of the SLR. http://www.ukdigital.co.uk/slr-magic-50mm-f095-hyperprime-lens-mft.html On this WEB site they price it at GBP799 which more or less USD1,214. So much much cheaper than the price you mention in your review… So at that price it is a no brainer…

      • That is NOT the same lens. What you are seeing is the Hyperprime for Micro 4/3 or Sony NEX which is not so good at all, totally 100% different lens and not a full frame or M mount lens. THat lens is worth $400 IMO. The T 0.95 Hyperprime is worth every cent, for Leica M mount. The problem is that SLR Magic did an awful job of marketing and maming these lenses. These two models are easily confused due to the name but are nowhere near the same in build, size, quality or feel.

        • OK Steve! Thanks for clarifying! Indeed I called SLR Magic and they gave me a quote at USD3,375. Unfortunately due to the very low production and the high demand for this lens, the waiting time is about 6 months… 🙁

1 Trackback / Pingback

1. M9 Ersatzkamera - SONY NEX-3 - Seite 29 - Leica User Forum

Comments are closed.