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50 APO vs Noctilux


BigBabyEarl

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I have a 35FLE and the new 50 APO for my Monochrom. Obviously the 50 is magic on that camera. However, I keep looking at images shot on the Noctilux both 0.95 and f1. I know it's a heavier lens, but with a one or two lens system it's not a big deal with a small bag (I have the ona). My question is, would you sell the APO and get a noctilux or keep the APO and save up for the 0.95 or F1?

Thank you

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I dont think they have much in common except focal length and the Leica name. The APO is the best standard lens you can get. Period. I have it my self. It doesnt add anything to a picture. It is just so clear and fine in detail. I like the Noctilux as well, when it is used with finesse. This is far from,always, the case. It is a specialist lens, and it renders softly with lovely bokeh and I guess some people mistake this for photographic character - it is not. to me its an effect you can choose to apply like a filter. I might get the f1 next year, I like it too. But I would never have it as first or my only 50mm.

Edited by Numbers
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They both render differently and have their own unique signature. Why don't you try to borrow or rent a Noctilux and try it out and see if its something that you will consider shooting with?

 

 

Do you have any image or link that shows the differences/signature? I saw something on internet with Noc and Lux but to be honest I haven't seen any differences.

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I've got the following 50's: Summicron v4, APO, Nocti F/.95, Noct F/1 v4, summilux asph, Elmar 3.5, Zeiss Sonnar, and a Canon 1.8ltm. The only two I'd have a really hard time parting with, at this particular moment, is the Apo and F1. One is real and one is surreal. Two very different brushes. I'd keep the APO and add a Nocti F/1. Oh, and then add a 75mm Summilux:)

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Do you have any image or link that shows the differences/signature? I saw something on internet with Noc and Lux but to be honest I haven't seen any differences.

 

Blasphemy ! :)

There are different versions of the Noctilux, and they all render differently (and differently than the Summilux, although the 0.95 is similar at >= f/1.4).

 

Enjoy this [long] thread:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m-lenses/335514-noctilux-f1-still-magical.html

 

The f/1 is my favorite.

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I have a 35FLE and the new 50 APO for my Monochrom. Obviously the 50 is magic on that camera. However, I keep looking at images shot on the Noctilux both 0.95 and f1. I know it's a heavier lens, but with a one or two lens system it's not a big deal with a small bag (I have the ona). My question is, would you sell the APO and get a noctilux or keep the APO and save up for the 0.95 or F1?

 

Thank you

 

 

If you can, you should keep the APO50 and get both the 0.95 and f1 Noctiluxes

 

The APO50's character, from what I've seen so far, is the lack of any character. Just the image with no interpretations by the lens.

 

The 0.95 is a fantastic lens - great contrast, sharpness, focus throw is perfect to my taste, the oof area at 0.95 is simply luscious and is very helpful if you shoot much at low light.

 

The f1 is a surreal dream somebody else was dreaming, that I saw within a surreal dream of my own. Till about f2 it lends a very strong touch of it's personality to whatever light and scenes you feed it. At f1 it is absolutely insane, if you happen to like that strong character and of course the tones it lends to the files from my MM is really black&silver.

 

None of them compete with each other and all three will do very well on the MM.

 

While you're at it, you may also want to consider the rigid cron 50 and v2 cron 90 - they are both stunning on the MM!

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I have a 35FLE and the new 50 APO for my Monochrom. Obviously the 50 is magic on that camera. However, I keep looking at images shot on the Noctilux both 0.95 and f1. I know it's a heavier lens, but with a one or two lens system it's not a big deal with a small bag (I have the ona). My question is, would you sell the APO and get a noctilux or keep the APO and save up for the 0.95 or F1?

Thank you

 

Keep the APO and get the Noctilux 0.95, you won't regret it for sure. I have 3 50' Summilux asph, APO and Noctilux 0.95. I however, love the most the Noctilux thanks to its uniqueness :)

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I had the Nocti 0,95 - liked it but I also found it pretty heavy and not easy to really focus with such shallow DOF.

In the end I decided that the 50/1.4asph DOF is shallow enough for me.

These days I use the 50APO. I like the "clear" and brillant IQ and also the color I get from this lens.

I I had to choose I would rather have the 50APO, but of course it doesnt create the shallow DOF you get from the Noctilux.

 

For me the M is not only about IQ but also about compactness and portability. Thats why I now use very often Summicron lenses even if I also own Summiluxes. And I dont lust very much after Noctilux.

If I had unlimited funds I would maybe also own a Nocti 0,95. I am not interested in the f1.0 version - I had to much trouble with focus shift with this lens.

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I have a 35FLE and the new 50 APO for my Monochrom. Obviously the 50 is magic on that camera. However, I keep looking at images shot on the Noctilux both 0.95 and f1. I know it's a heavier lens, but with a one or two lens system it's not a big deal with a small bag (I have the ona). My question is, would you sell the APO and get a noctilux or keep the APO and save up for the 0.95 or F1?

Thank you

 

The two lenses are so entirely different, I do not see :rolleyes: how you can make this comparison (or choice). I would keep both!

 

In terms of usefulness, the APO 50 is well beyond the Noct. Unless, of course, you have a nice business like Thorsten making only exceptional images with the unique bolus of f/0.95 focus.

 

Let me answer your query in my own peculiar way... if I were in your quandary, I would sell the 35 FLE and have both the APO 50 and Noct 0.95. They are quite a pair. Another point is that you cannot get physically close with the Noct, between its focus limitation and hair-thin DOF.

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IMO no Need for a noctilux if you own the 50mm APO.

I owned both the 0.95 and the 1.0, but found these lenses too bulky and too heavy on my M, sold them and have the 50mmlux now. The only lens that I would like to replace the Summilux would be your APO!

 

John

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Thanks guys. Really helpful. I agree about never selling a Leica lens. I did in the past and was pretty bummed out when I wanted them back. The APO will stay. The f1 Noctilix makes sense because it is so different from the APO and 0.95. The focus shift concerns me. Does that only happen when closed down? If so not a problem. I would never shoot a noctilux beyond wide open.

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Does that only happen when closed down?

 

Yes.

 

I would never shoot a noctilux beyond wide open.

 

Be sure to buy at least a 3-stop ND filter then ;)

 

But you will shoot a Noctilux stopped down sometimes.

The focus shift is annoying but manageable, especially with EVF or Live View.

At infinity, just stop down to f/8 and you have a tack sharp landscape lens.

Edited by CheshireCat
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