Herr Barnack Posted September 21, 2014 Share #1 Posted September 21, 2014 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) I have the f/1.0 Noctilux #11822 (version 3 of the F/1.0) and am wondering for those who have both a #11822 and the #11602 Noctilux (50mm f/0.95 ASPH): Which lens do you prefer for use with the M240, and what are the reasons for your preference? Since I got my M240, I have toyed with the idea of upgrading from my 11822 Noctilux to the 11602 f/0.95 ASPH version. I like what the f/1 Noctilux does, but I can see the increased sharpness and contrast of the 0.95 - even when looking at images online, the 0.95 is clearly sharper at maximum aperture. The 0.95 may be more of a good thing. How much more remains unclear to me. The cost of upgrading from my current Noctilux (which is admittedly paid for) would be steep - probably an additional $5000 USD, assuming I could sell my current lens for $6000 (it is in 9+ condition for a used lens). I have always viewd the 50/1 Noctilux as the "middle way" Noctilux - a cut above the Voigtlander 50/1.1 and Hyperprime 50/0.95 lenses. I have thought of the 11822 Noctilux as a lens that offers perhaps 90ish% of the performance of the 50/0.95 ASPH, at half the price. That has been my assessment, whether it is accurate or not is open to discussion. Perhaps the best choice of all would be to keep my 11822 Noctilux and upgrade from my #11868 50 Summilux (black paint, last pre-ASPH version) the current Summilux 50mm ASPH. I suspect the cost of the upgrade would be about $2000 USD, assuming my lens would bring $2000 on the secondary market. This upgrade probably makes more sense, as my 50/1.4 is one of my two mainstay lenses and the 50/1 Noctilux is sort of a special purpose lens to me rather than a do it all 50mm. The pre-ASPH 50 Summilux is by no means a dog of a lens in terms of performance; this makes me wonder if an upgrade to the current ASPH version is truly necessary to begin with. Any thoughts or input from those who use either version of the Noctilux with the M240 will be greatly appreciated. It would be good to hear from those who can compare the 50mm Summilux pre-ASPH and the current production 50/1.4 ASPH. Thanks in advance for your input. Edited September 21, 2014 by Carlos Danger 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 21, 2014 Posted September 21, 2014 Hi Herr Barnack, Take a look here Which Noctilux for the M240?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Jager Posted September 21, 2014 Share #2 Posted September 21, 2014 I'm fortunate to own both the f1 and f0.95 Noctiluxes. They are both outstanding lenses, with more traits in common than not. Between them, I give a slight nod to the newer f0.95 version. Mostly because the floating lens element eliminates (for all practical purposes) the mild focus shift of its f1 predecessor, allowing it to be a better walkabout lens (where the light, or artistic preference, might prompt the need to use other apertures than wide open). The f0.95 version also displays modestly better overall image quality than its f1 brother, but that difference is more subtle than marked. Both versions give you that extra stop of speed (the slight bump from f1 to f0.95 is not meaningful). They both give you, should you choose, that razor thin depth of field. They both give you that significant, unique wide-open signature that makes them such sterling artist tools, albeit the f0.95 version is ever so slightly less in-your-face about it. They are both masterful, exquisite additions to a rangefinder kit. You raise your question in the context of pairing with an M-240. I don't think the camera really matters. The traits of both lenses will be apparent regardless of which Leica body you mate it with. That said, I can affirm that the Noctilux works exceptionally well with the M-240. In recent months, my f0.95 Noct has pretty much lived on my Monochrom while my M-240 has mostly been paired with the 50 APO. I find those pairings to provide wonderful artistic capability. Not that others don't. As good as both versions of the Noctilux are, both have quick shortcomings as an only, all-around 50. As owner of the f1 Noct, you already know about that. The Summilux 50 ASPH remains, in my view, the best all-around conventional prime 50 in the world (Because of its cost and lack of availability, I don't consider the 50 APO in that "conventional" mix). Alas, my copy of the 50 Lux ASPH, as wonderful as it is, has gotten very little use since the 50 APO arrived in the spring of last year. The 50 APO is to die for, but that's a different question altogether. Anyway, here's a quick image of the f0.95 Noctilux on the Monochrom, from a few weeks ago, where the unique qualities of the Noct came into play (the f1 version would have worked just as well, in this case). Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/234334-which-noctilux-for-the-m240/?do=findComment&comment=2675512'>More sharing options...
CheshireCat Posted September 22, 2014 Share #3 Posted September 22, 2014 I have always viewd the 50/1 Noctilux as the "middle way" Noctilux Blasphemy ! Choose your Noctilux based on rendering style. The three Noctilux designs are very different beasts with very different characters. The f/1 is my favorite, because it surprises me every time. It is very difficult to predict how it will capture the essential part of reality and project it into dreams and far memories... of a few seconds ago. The f/0.95 is a great lens, but it seldom breaks the reality wall, which makes it much more predictable. It is also much heavier. The choice is extremely subjective. My recommendation is: Do not sell the f/1 until you are very familiar with the f/0.95, as the f/0.95 is not an improved Noctilux. It is a different Noctilux. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdg1371 Posted September 30, 2014 Share #4 Posted September 30, 2014 I followed the path you suggested-- I kept my f1.0 v4, and picked up a 50mm Summilux ASPH. I tried the alternatives as well, the Hyperprime, Sonnetar, and Nokton --- none are close. The f0.95 is just a shade too large for my liking. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted September 30, 2014 Share #5 Posted September 30, 2014 Technical arguments will never answer the basic question of the OP. The picture posted above by Jeff further demonstrates that the techy aspect means nothing! His pic, IMO, is beautiful, but owes nothing to the lens. The charm of that image is entirely due to the subject, the photographer, the post processing, and whatever else. I doubt much is due to the lens, certainly not the difference between the alternative Noctilux's. All Noctilux's are 'brushes' in your paintbox. They spread light on your canvas like nothing else. Understand that and you are beginning to know how to use it creatively. Forget which camera 'wears' it! 8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Lord Posted October 1, 2014 Share #6 Posted October 1, 2014 Yes this boils down to being a Which Nocti? thread, camera immaterial. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted October 1, 2014 Share #7 Posted October 1, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Since acquiring APO50's I seldom use my Noctiluxs anymore. I like the f1.0 rendering on the MM best (versus M9), but must admit have not tried it on M240. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted October 1, 2014 Share #8 Posted October 1, 2014 Comparing the Apo 50 to the Noctilux (forget which camera wears it), you are not taking the same picture! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted October 1, 2014 Share #9 Posted October 1, 2014 Tis true. I am carrying what feels like a kilo less in weight. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted October 1, 2014 Share #10 Posted October 1, 2014 Carrying the Noctilux is cheaper than attending a gym! Seriously, in many cases the Noctilux does not not weigh too much to be of benefit. Next week I am travel O.S. for about three weeks. Mostly I will be walking all day carrying camera gear. I would not dream of leaving the Noct at home. On a daily basis, I will carry it 30-50% of the time. Same for other lenses. Simply put, it is a tool that performs a specific task, that no other lens can. True for all lenses. That is why they are in the bag. I totally get that others don't want to use the Noct. Their choice, and all is well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Universalb50 Posted October 4, 2014 Share #11 Posted October 4, 2014 At the risk of seeming to "steal" this thread!...has anyone ever used a Nikon Noct on an M(240)? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted October 4, 2014 Share #12 Posted October 4, 2014 Carrying the Noctilux is cheaper than attending a gym! Not really. You can get a WHOLE LOT OF GYM for $10,995.00 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted October 5, 2014 Share #13 Posted October 5, 2014 Not really.You can get a WHOLE LOT OF GYM for $10,995.00 I was referring to the energy expenditure. BTW, I didn't/wouldn't pay that price either. Wouldn't dare mention how cheap mine was. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted October 5, 2014 Share #14 Posted October 5, 2014 ...dare... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted October 5, 2014 Share #15 Posted October 5, 2014 $1200. True! Clarification: that was US dollars. Still a bargain. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted October 6, 2014 Share #16 Posted October 6, 2014 So I won't tell you then, (actually I'm going to) that mine was 'loaned' to me in 2010 by friend and despite my trying to give it back to him every four months or so ever since he has categorically refused to take it back Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted October 6, 2014 Share #17 Posted October 6, 2014 Ah, yes, but I am free to sell mine for money (not likely!), whereas you are 'stuck' with 'yours'! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted October 6, 2014 Share #18 Posted October 6, 2014 ...whereas you are 'stuck' with 'yours'! Yea, I'm suffering. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenton C Posted October 14, 2014 Share #19 Posted October 14, 2014 No, it's the rest of us who are suffering! But having just read an ebay thread, I won't look there for a serious bargain. Else there will be more suffering in all likelihood. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted October 21, 2014 Author Share #20 Posted October 21, 2014 ...Simply put, it is a tool that performs a specific task, that no other lens can. True for all lenses. That is why they are in the bag... What Erl said. ...All Noctilux's are 'brushes' in your paintbox. They spread light on your canvas like nothing else. Understand that and you are beginning to know how to use it creatively. Forget which camera 'wears' it! Again, what Erl said. These two posts hit the nail on the head with regard to the Noctiluxes. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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