kidigital Posted March 11, 2010 Share #1 Posted March 11, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) As a photographer, like in life, I frequently find myself swimming upstream. So, after some thoughtful deliberation, I sold off nearly my whole kit to acquire the one lens that I really wanted to use on my M9 ... the new Noctilux ASPH. My rationale? It's my favorite focal length and I love shooting fast with shallow depth of field. I also live in a part of the country that experiences quite a few gloomy and overcast days. After a very long wait, it arrived about a week ago. To say that I've been impressed, would be a huge understatement. It's expensive ... but, boy does it deliver. In short, all I can offer is my opinion as someone who has tried or used many of the lenses in the R and M line-up (Nikon, Canon and MF lenses too). Hopefully, it may help others who may consider the lens. If you are looking for sharp wide-open images, delicious bokeh and a combination of old Noct and 50/1.4 ASPH performance rolled up into one, the new Noct is not a status symbol but a remarkable tool to be considered if you have the opportunity to use one. Further, it's a stellar companion to the M9. After reading the recent article on the lens in this month's LFI, I'm also amazed at the optical and manufacturing skills realized by Leica to produce the lens. But, performance on paper doesn't always translate into the sort of images that make me giddy after I shoot them to hurry back to my computer so that I can look at them on the screen. Bottom line? I'm giddy. Bigger than a 35 cron? Yes. Smaller than carrying around a DMR and 180/2? Yes. It all depends on your perspective. So, for a long while I'll be both poorer and richer ... smiling as I carry my M9, Noct ASPH and ND filter around with me everywhere from morning long into the night. Here's a link to a running flickr stream of images where I'll be adding posting M9/Noct ASPH images: Leica M9 Noctilux f0.95 - a set on Flickr Good shooting! Kurt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 11, 2010 Posted March 11, 2010 Hi kidigital, Take a look here M9 and Noct ASPH. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
AlbertoDeRoma Posted March 11, 2010 Share #2 Posted March 11, 2010 So, for a long while I'll be both poorer and richer ... smiling as I carry my M9, Noct ASPH and ND filter around with me everywhere from morning long into the night. I love your reasoning about the purchase and your attitude (the pictures I saw were also very nice ). You clearly know what you wanted (including the drawbacks like the size), you got it and - most important - you are very happy with it. There's something very special about mastering one camera + one lens. Congratulations! Alberto Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenerrolrd Posted March 11, 2010 Share #3 Posted March 11, 2010 Kurt Great work! You really know how to get the best out of the M9/Noct combination. Roger Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsjxyz Posted March 11, 2010 Share #4 Posted March 11, 2010 Couldn't agree more M9/Noct is a perfect one lens kit. Shoot the wedding Onny's Wedding - a set on Flickr or Shoot the Jazz concert JavaJazz 2010 - a set on Flickr Jerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidigital Posted March 11, 2010 Author Share #5 Posted March 11, 2010 Thanks for the comments, Alberto. The truth, despite all of the debating we do about the strengths and weaknesses of certain lenses, is that Leica's lens line-up is scary good. When you combine that with the plethora of classic legacy lenses available, it is difficult to want to walk around with just one lens. As I've only had it for a week I certainly have a lot to learn about how best to utilize the lens in ways that I want to use it. Maybe the name of the lens should be Noctisex as the act of learning to use it is as enjoyable as the images themselves Roger, some of the comments I've seen from you over the past few months on the new Noct helped me make my decision to put my name into the queue. So, thanks for posting what you did when you did. Excellent images, Jerry! Thanks for adding the links. Kurt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenerrolrd Posted March 12, 2010 Share #6 Posted March 12, 2010 Kurt And the shame is that I haven t used the new Noctilux but once this year. Its so bright in Florida you never need more than the summilux. But I am going to Holy Week in Seville which should be the real test of the new Noctilux for me. Roger Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
innerimager Posted March 12, 2010 Share #7 Posted March 12, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Very happy for you Kurt! Can you please tell me something I've wanted to know for a long while? How can I go to a flicker page like yours and set it up so I can scroll through full sized images? I always seem to have to go back to page 1, select an image, and return to page 1, very user unfriendly and spoils the sense of looking at a gallery. I must be missing something. Thanks...Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sm23221 Posted March 12, 2010 Share #8 Posted March 12, 2010 Congrat's Kurt. Mine stays on my M9 most of the time. The weight is a secondary factor for me. No other lens that I have used can produce those kinds of images. You will never regret your purchase and it seems you made a very logical choice. Don't forget that it's one of the best rendering lenses available today (at about f/4) and seems even better than the Lux 1.4. Enjoy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_hog Posted March 12, 2010 Share #9 Posted March 12, 2010 Innerimager: There is a Slide show button top right on the page. Use that. You can pause etc. if you see anything interesting. Use F11 for full screen view. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theodor Heinrichsohn Posted March 12, 2010 Share #10 Posted March 12, 2010 Congrat's Kurt. Mine stays on my M9 most of the time. The weight is a secondary factor for me. No other lens that I have used can produce those kinds of images. You will never regret your purchase and it seems you made a very logical choice. Don't forget that it's one of the best rendering lenses available today (at about f/4) and seems even better than the Lux 1.4. Enjoy! Thanks for posting the images taken with the 0.95 Noctilux. Many years ago I purchased the 1.2 version and some years later the first version of the 1.0 I am now going to try my hand at the 0.95 on a forthcoming trip to Japan, where I hope to get some images of traditional Japanese tea houses after dark in Kyoto. Teddy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezc203 Posted March 12, 2010 Share #11 Posted March 12, 2010 Kurt - Love your set on Flickr. The M9 + 0.95-Nocti seems like a perfect match and you really put it to the text. Love the smooth smooth bokehs. Now... Where did I leave my other wallet with the $11k spare change in it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGeoJO Posted March 12, 2010 Share #12 Posted March 12, 2010 Hi Kurt, Awesome shots! I am sitting with a lowly f/1.0 version that I barely use since I am relying too much on the 'lux ASPH. I better use the Nocti more or actually sell it then, huh? Again, I enjoy your images. Joshua Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidigital Posted March 12, 2010 Author Share #13 Posted March 12, 2010 Roger, you expect to get sympathy from me because you live year-around in sunny Florida. It's amazing how much light this lens gathers especially with the 1/4000th limit of the M9. Even on some of the past few overcast days, I've chosen to use the ND filter. Please post some of your Noct shots of Seville when you return ... I'm sure they'll look fantastic. Peter, I hope the answer further down in the post answers your Flickr question. I know I'll probably enjoy the lens as much or more as you are enjoying your 21/1.4. Thanks for the good wishes, Michael. Very nice site you have with lovely images. Theodor, I've only had the lens for a week ... so my images with it are a work in progress and should improve as I understand the lens better. My ND filter is a constant companion. That being said, you will absolutely love the new Noct ... it certainly has a more precise or well-corrected feel than the previous version of the lens (I had and used the Noct f1.0 for about year with an M8). While some feel it has less character, I can't get enough of how it combines the best of the old Noct with the precision of the 50lux ASPH. Please post some images of the Japanese tea houses you capture with the lens and send me a link as I'd be very interested to see what you come up with. ecz203, thanks for the compliment. As I've mentioned above, the images are a for better or worse series of keepers and more mundane shots. I try to use my Flickr account as a running photo organization pool to see what is working for me and what isn't it. I have to remember not to sell any more Leica lenses ... it's way to expensive to repurchase them later. Kurt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidigital Posted March 12, 2010 Author Share #14 Posted March 12, 2010 Joshua, I have the perfect rationale for your getting in queue for the new Noct ... your trip next year to Venice. Wouldn't it be fantastic to use the lens for those early morning and late night gems you capture of Carnival mask shots? Just saying. Kurt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGeoJO Posted March 12, 2010 Share #15 Posted March 12, 2010 Joshua, I have the perfect rationale for your getting in queue for the new Noct ... your trip next year to Venice. Wouldn't it be fantastic to use the lens for those early morning and late night gems you capture of Carnival mask shots? Just saying. Kurt LOL, I like that idea and I do have 10 months to think about it . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad Posted March 12, 2010 Share #16 Posted March 12, 2010 Kurt, you're a bastard. And I say that in the most positive way possible. Because now I can not help but think of what body parts I am going to have to sell to some dark-alley organ peddlers in order to afford the .95 Noct. Blast! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Thompson Posted March 12, 2010 Share #17 Posted March 12, 2010 Very good - I'd love to get one but they just don't seem to be available. I've just got an F1 Nocti because my dealer doesn't have access to a new .95 ASPH! Never been involved in a hobby before where the limiting factor on kit is availability. It's quite weird but not unpleasant. It makes you feel 'privilaged' when you do get to actually buy something! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad Posted March 12, 2010 Share #18 Posted March 12, 2010 Very good - I'd love to get one but they just don't seem to be available. I've just got an F1 Nocti because my dealer doesn't have access to a new .95 ASPH! Never been involved in a hobby before where the limiting factor on kit is availability. It's quite weird but not unpleasant. It makes you feel 'privilaged' when you do get to actually buy something! It's very similar to women and obtaining their holy grail Hermes Birkin bags. Many are filled with joy and a feeling of accomplishment when they get to spend $9000 on a Birkin of their choice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdtaylor Posted March 13, 2010 Share #19 Posted March 13, 2010 In case anyone is interested, Service Photo in Baltimore, Maryland, USA has had a .95 sitting on the shelf for 6 months. They offered me $1,000 off ($9,000) when I bought my M9, and I know they stocked it before the price increase. Good guys, but marginal Leica dealers. I was in there this week and it was obvious they want to get this lens out of inventory. Feel free to tell them the person who bought one of the two M9's they have received recommended them. If only they had a 50/1.4 on the shelf... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdtaylor Posted March 13, 2010 Share #20 Posted March 13, 2010 I'll add, please someone buy it before the temptation is too great Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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