frank

Kai:

Which is the better buy? Hmm, it depends on your style of photography.

Optically the Hexanon is clearly the better lens overall - no doubt.

But: For available light photography there is no alternative to the

Nokton (except the M-Summilux with its ridiculous high price).Okay,

okay, the mechanical quality of the Nokton is not as good, but it is

far better than many SLR lenses professionals use every day... So, why

worry? BTW optical performance of the Nokton at f.1.5 is excellent, you

can use this f-stop without hesitation; naturally quality improves at

stopping down to f. 2. At this f-stop pic quality is indistinguishable

from the Hexanon for your eyes. When I shoot indoors (very often with

Kodak Farbwelt 800 or Kodak T400CN - what a wonderful progress in film

technology!!!) in most cases there is enough light for f.2, but

sometimes f.1.5 is needed to get a shutter speed that is short enough.

That's the moment the Nokton shines :-) If these moments happen very

often I would go for the Nokton (if I had to decide for one lens). And

don't forget: You don't see in your pics every little plus that can be

proven in a test lab, especially at normal image sizes up to 8x10 inch.

I fully agree with Alexander Grekhov. I use the Summicron 50 and the

Nokton 50 and I love both of them. Although I have not blow up images

up to 16x20 inch yet I guess the Summicron is the better lens for that

purpose. BUT: If f2 is not enough, go for the Nokton - you won't be

dissappointed. When I have shown 8x10 inch prints made at f.2 with both

lenses to a friend of mine, he had to examine the prints very carefully

to detect any differences. What is noticeable is the difference in

bokeh. Rendition of the out of focus parts of the Leica pics are a bit

harsher.

BTW as an journalist I had the opportunity to test Konica's Hexanon 50

mm. It is a fine lens, better built than the Summicron and much better

built than the Nokton. Unfortunately the Konica and the Nokton are much

more flare prone (according to my practical experience and according to

lab tests) than the Leica Summicron.

I would buy the summicron as an allrounder and a Voigtlander Nokton 50/

1.5 mm for low light shooting. That's the way I do and I am very happy

with that combination :-) Quality at f. 1.5 is really great - no

compromises.

<p>

Frank