Noctilux 50mm f 1.0 as a single lens

[Muizen]

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Noctilux 50mm f 1.0 as a single lens

I would like to read opinions of forum members on the following:

 

I am thinking about going on my M9 with just the Noctilux 50mm f 1.0.

I do not have a Noctilux yet and thus no experience.

I am ware that it is a heavy lens, which partly blocks the finder and that it has a very shallow DOF wide open, but for me the attraction is that it is a very fast lens.

 

If I use e.g. 2 lenses the total carrying weight will be the same.

How much of a problem the finder blocking is I don’t know?

Focusing seems to take rather long? Remedy: estimating distance on M9 and then focusing?

 

I mainly shoot landscapes, historic buildings (interior, exterior), museums, portraits and family, holiday happenings.

As you know in historic buildings and museums, there is low light and flash and tripods are often not allowed, hence the need for fast glass.

 

Landscape:

- perhaps 50mm is not wide enough?

- Could too much light be a problem at the maximum F16 and lowest iso?

Historic buildings, museums:

- Lens sometimes not wide enough?

- Getting close to interesting objects without zoom, not always possible? However given the high resolution of the M9 cropping is a solution?

- Minimum 1 meter focusing distance perhaps a problem?

Portraits:

- Is shallow DOF a problem when keeping sufficient distance if necessary followed in PP by cropping?

Family happenings

- Possible low light situations are no problem.

Thank you in advance for letting me have your experience!

[fjheimann]

Muizen,

When I got my Nocti it was for two weeks always on the camera and with me.

For your wishes are 50 mm too narrow, I think.

35 should do a good job, in the moment is the 35/1,2 Voigtl. my most used lens, indoors and outdoors,

Greets,

Franz

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[ianspector]

I acquired a 50mm f/1 shortly after I got my M9. For the next 9 months it did not leave the camera. I loved shooting just 50mm again. I have never founf the blocking the viewfinder a problem. You always have the rear LCD to check if you have gone very wrong if necessary. The low gearing of the focus is a key component of the noct experience. I believe that it was done to allow one to focus with greater precision. It is way much easier to focus with the noct than my 90mm Cron at f/2. It is like using a micrometer but I have never had a problem getting accurate focus on the noct at f/1. I shoot at f/1 whenever I can.

 

This lens taught me that sharpness and contrast are not that important. I learned that dropping an S curve on my images in photoshop always made them worse. I have learned to love the lower contrast organic velvety look.

 

Only you can answer if the 50mm is too long or short for your photography. I find that if it is the only lens available to you you find the framing that works. You don't just give up and say "I wish I had brought my 28mm with me".

 

All my Leica lenses stop down to f/16. If that is a problem get an ND filter.

 

I dislike the 1m minimum focus distance.

 

The lens is heavy. Nowadays I reserve the Noct for low light photography and for daytime walking around I take either the the 50mm f/2 Cron or the 35 f/2. These lenses paint in a swimilar way to the Noct but are so small and light. They are a joy to use and awesome value for money.

 

You may have to send your Noct and your M9 away to be properly calibrated so that they paly together nicely. I did not with mine and started creating magic with the first exposure.

 

The M9 with the f/2 is a totally different camera than with the f/1. Do not underestimate the difference in heft and bulk.

 

Ian

Edited November 18, 2010 by ianspector

[theno23]

Some people find the finder blockage more of a problem than others.

 

Personally it doesn't bother me that much, though I use a Voigtlander 1.1, rather than the Noctilux 1.0, so it probably blocks a bit less.

 

- Steve

[MarkP]

Hi Muizen,

 

welcome to the forum.

I'm also fairly new here since recently buying an M9.

 

I think you are asking 3 questions here:

1. I only want a single lens system, and should it be a 50mm?

2. do I need a fast lens?

3. if I do want a 50mm should it be an f1.0 Noctilux?

(You will find some very strong opinions here regarding 50mm Leica lenses)

 

1. As a single or main lens most people here would argue mainly between 35mm (my personal preference and main lens, with the Lux focussing to 0.7m) or 50mm (probably more popular as a main lens), and some for 28mm. Ian is absolutely right to say that only you can answer that question depending on your style of photography. However, from what you have written, I agree with Franz that if you only want ONE lens you should seriously consider a 35mm.

 

2. Regardless, it seems that you probably do need a faster lens, at least f1.4 which is obviously available for 35 & 50mm.

 

3. Regarding 50's. I recently acquired a 50 Lux, had a 50 Cron on loan for a while, and have a 50 f1.0 Noct (late 90's vintage) on indefinite loan from a friend. If I could only keep ONE of these 50mm lenses it would be the Lux. I think it is the best COMPROMISE for: cost, size & weight & balance on the camera, outstanding image quality, excellent low light capability shooting wide open (really less of an issue with digital cameras where simply doubling the ISO gives you the equivalent of one stop)

 

again: note the word COMPROMISE...there is no perfect lens (?)

 

The Noct is very heavy (weighs as much as the camera) and to some extent compromises the concept of the M as a small lightweight system. You will rarely need the extra stop for which you pay big money (or 2 to 3 alternative lenses ). Overall very few images will be shot at f1.0. For shallow DOF its benefit is exactly its limitation regarding requiring exquisite focussing accuracy (Ian has commented on this in detail). Lens barrel intrusion into the viewfinder is really only a minor annoyance to which one quickly adapts.

 

The soft contrast and gentle colour rendition of the f1.0 Noct (can't comment on the 0.95), is very special, and low light capability and the option for very narrow DOF is also very appealing.

 

However, I think the Noct it is a special purpose lens, and although I won't be wanting to give it back in a hurry there is no way I would want it as my main or only lens (I suspect this comment will stir up a hornet's nest:D) over a 50 Lux.

 

I wasn't going to give a straight out opinion when I started writing this but:

go buy a 35mm or 50mm f1.4 Lux if you only want one fast lens.

 

I hope this is of some help.

 

Regards,

Mark

[richam]

"historic buildings (interior, exterior)"

I've found the 21mm Elmarit or the 18mm Super-Elmarit very useful for this. The closer you can get to a building, the more clutter you can eliminate (cars, people, poles, signs, wires, etc.). Inside, the little Leica minipod allows long exposures with the lens even stopped down a bit for DOF. You can hold the base of the minipod against a wall or other firm object, set the self timer to 2 seconds, and continue to hold it until the exposure is finished. Any perceived distortion can usually be fixed with Photoshop, Lightroom, or your favorite software. If you're serious about buildings, this is the way to go.

[stunsworth]

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Personally if I were getting just a single 50mm lens I'd go for a Summilux or Summicron. The Noctilux is large and slow to focus. From memory it blocks out around 25-30% of the viewfinder. I enjoyed using mine, but I can't say I've really missed it since it was sold.

[lars_bergquist]

There was a rumour that the image of the Noctilux 1.0 deteriorated when you stopped the lens down. This was vehemently denied by the technical boffins, who published MTF charts purportedly showing that at mid-apertures, the Nocti perfomed as well as a Summicron.

 

But they could do that only because each time you stop the test lens down to obtain a new curve, you re-focus the lens for best resolution. In other words, the Nocti 1.0 suffers from strong focus shift. If the lens on the test bench had been kept at best focus at 1.0, stopping down would have dropped those MTF curves progressively, until at 5.6 or 8, depth of field would have increased enough to hide the shift.

 

So the rumour was true. You cannot in practical shooting change the focus to accommodate a focus shift you cannot see in the finder. It's the same with SLR lenses, by the way: You focus the lens wide open, and the iris closes only when the finder blacks out for the exposure.

 

This means that even disregarding the weight, the bulk and the price, I would never consider the Nocti 1.0 as my only 50mm lens. The best of all 50mm lenses, in practical terms, is and remains the current Noctilux ASPH which is simply stunning.

 

The old man from the Age of the 5cm Elmar

[coup de foudre]

lars,

 

i responded to the OP on another forum and said that i felt the Noctilux was completely wrong for what he wants to use it for, especially as an only lens.

 

that said, i also have to say that i disagree with you about the f/1 having focus shift and/or losing resolution stopped down. (trust me, i have the original 35 Lux Asph -- i know focus shift!)

 

when i first got it, it didn't leave my camera for several days as i got the hang of it. i shot it at all apertures between f/1 and f/8 (i never stop down further, unless by mistake). IMO, the lens was stunning at all stops, reminding me very much of the 50 Cron as it closed. i absolutely loved it!

 

the new Noctilux, IMO, is too perfect for my taste and it reminds me very much of the 50 Lux Asph. i know people adore that lens (50/1.4), say it is the best 50 out there, but it is too clinical for me and i find the bokeh quite harsh.

 

i prefer the f/1 over newer one and would not trade my old one for it even if somebody offered me the trade at no additional cost. different strokes...

 

that said, i still very much believe that both Noctis are best left for after dark.

[Nikkor AIS]

Iv never noticed focus shift on the Noctilux 50 1.0 and I stop it down form time to time. Im more than happy with the results.

I "could" show example's but having several recent post "deleted" by the moderators:rolleyes: for posting photo's in this section, I dont think I will bother.

 

As far as the Noct being "the one" and only lens. It could work if your willing to stitch Images together to get the feild of view necessary to get everything in the frame.( if your in to that sort of thing) However, personally I really feel the classic three lens outfit makes more sense than asking one lens to do it all. Im loving the (12 ASPH mm, 28mm ASPH 1.9, 50 1.0 ) or the (15mm ASP 4.5 35 1.4 Pre ASPH and the 50 1.0) combination.

 

 

Gregory

[Jeffry Abt]

The Noctilux is seldom off my M9...it works just fine stopped down. As a frequent Nikon D3 user, the size of the Noctilux never has been an issue with me. I'm sure you will enjoy the lens if you should decide to buy one.

[swamiji]

I have used the Nocti as my only lens on several trips. One was a month to India. I recommend it. As far as field of view, it's the same as choosing any lens as your only lens. A step or two back or forward corrects that. All of the arguments fore and against using any lens as your single lens apply. I have not seen any focus shift on my Nocti. As far as it's focus quirkiness, if you spend time with the lens, you get used to it, and it becomes a advantage.

 

I find the shallow depth of field useful, in crowd shots, subject isolation. When Traveling I left it at infinity and f1, to capture drive by shots. An example would be on a moving train, I could capture villages, while moving, through the really smokey windows. The shots are surreal, and fairly clear. That does not even begin to talk about night shots. while moving. The lens is incredible, you just have to spend enough time to understand it.

[a.noctilux]

Sometimes, I use my Noctilux 1 as only lens for a while.

Some other times I use my Summilux (35 or 50) as only lens for a while.

Other times I use Telyt (280 to 560 !) lens on Visoflex III.

 

 

I have to admit that they are "NOT" ideal lens.

 

Try to use it for a while and judge the result by yourself if it can be the "one and only". Why then buy an M that you can swap lens.

 

Arnaud

[kidigital]

I never seem to understand the "too heavy" argument. There must be an inordinate number of Leica shooters with spindly arms flailing about like noodles as they struggle to raise their cameras to their eyes.

[!Nomad64]

Dear Muizen,

 

maybe it's just me, but for the things you intend to do you may want at least two lenses. A wide one for the landscapes and interiors, especially if you'll move in tight spaces, and a narrower one, more general purpose oriented. If it were for me I'd go for a 24/2.8 and the ASPH 'lux 50/1.4.

1.4 is already a good aperture and with the M9 you can go up with ISO better than an M8. The combined weight of the two would be slightly more than the weight of the Nocti alone, but you'd handle better the camera. And you'd probably have some cash left to spare. Just my 2c.

 

Cheers,

Bruno

[Xmas]

Hi

 

The CV f/1.1 or Leica f/0.95 are more modern and will perform better, wide open or stopped down. They have less vignetting as well.

 

A M9 and a Noct will be heavy in the hand if you use several lighter lenses they don't seem as heavy when they are in gbag. Some people are annoyed by camera balance.

 

CV 28mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2.5 and 50mm f/2.5 (all in LTM with adapters) with a monopod and brass neck may allow better photos. Or the Leica equivalents if the name ring improves your photos.

 

Noel

[dpattinson]

If you only want to carry one lens, and you want it to be fast - then I would consider the 35lux or 50lux.

[fotografr]

For landscape work, I would suggest going with the 35 Summilux asph instead of the Noctilux. The only reason to carry a Noctilux as your only lens is if you never go out before dark. That and prestige. If you prefer the 50mm focal length, the 50/1.4 asph is a beautiful lens with a very nice fingerprint wide open. It is considerably smaller, lighter and less expensive than the Noctilux and focuses much closer.

 

For portrait work, if you use the Noctilux wide open, the shallow DOF can definitely be a problem.

 

For family events, the 50/1.4 ashp would be much easier to focus quickly so as not to miss the shot. The one-stop loss of speed will rarely make the difference between ending up with a sharp image or a blurred one.

 

That said, nothing else produces images that look quite like the Noctilux. It is a unique lens.

Edited November 19, 2010 by fotografr

[jacarape]

First I'd like to ask why even consider a single lens?

 

But trying to keep things simple here, if it's your only lens, I imagine it would work better then an M9 without a lens. In the meantime get a 24 or a 28, an old 50, an oldish 90 and have fun.

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[LVSBB6]

I just picked up a new M9 and mint condition F1.0 nocti and couldn't be happier. I have no trouble getting it to focus even without the magnifier.

 

Question for those who is also shooting with this combo: at 1.0 and infiniti focus at far distance, does the image appear soft? I'm not sure of this is just character of the lens at F1.0, or because my lens and body aren't aligned properly.

Edited January 27, 2012 by LVSBB6