Noctilux: Why do you love it, or why not?

[seemeng]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I have a f1.0 and have been tempted by a 0.95 at an attractive price level.

 

Need some help with the decision process. At times, pictures are posted after they are PP-ed and sharpened hence I can't tell what is the actual result of the lense. Often I see unusually sharp pictures from a f1.0 which i am certain that some PP sharpening had taken place.

 

All the pictures posted with the 0.95 have the modern sharp characteristic ala the summilux and a slightly watered down Bokeh of the f1.0. The colours seem to have a different saturation compared to the quasi soft pastelish of the f1.0. Would some chaps be kind enough to post some unprocessed pictures with their 0.95 for me to take a proper look? The old lense looks magical but am somewhat itchy to check out the 0.95. Thank you in advance.

 

I did the unthinkable two weeks. Using the Noct wide open for a catwalk shoot when I stumbled upon at the mall

 

 

 

 

Best wishes.

 

SM

Edited May 18, 2010 by seemeng

[Nikkor AIS]

 

 

 

 

All taken on with 50 1.0 Noctilux with B+W ND filter on Leica M7 and XP2 film.

As you can see Im still learning how to load film and "suffered" a couple double exposer's on my last roll. The Noctilux is very special lens that can fix the shadows of the imagination.

 

 

Gregory

[yanidel]

E Puts and others give the Noct a full stop as apparently the HEX is a true f/1.4

 

Best,

 

Bill

Maybe in terms of light transmission, yet the physical aperture is a real F1.2 and you'll get the dof corresponding to 1.2, which is what matters in my case as low light is not my main concern.

[kidigital]

Hi SM,

 

If you are really happy with the way that the old Noctilux draws, then you may want to consider trying out the new version before making any purchase decisions. The new Noctilux does draw differently than the old Noctilux. The old Noctilux has a combination of unpredictability and aberration that make it fun to shoot with ... and the resulting images can be magic. I had and used the f1 Noctilux on an M8 several years ago.

 

I decided to get another Noctilux this past winter and acquired the new version after seeing some images posted with the lens. While this newer version of the Noctilux has less aberration than the old lens, it has a look that is more consistent with the way that Leica's latest M lenses draw an image. So, in the end, the bokeh is indeed a touch more 'watered down' but shooting with the lens offers more predictability and sharpness when shooting wide open. I therefore feel like I have more control over what the resulting image is going to look like after it is shot.

 

It's also worth noting that the M9 and the f0.95 Noctilux are a great match. The M9 provides images that can take a lot of post-processing manipulation. Because of the sharper and more neutral images provided by the new Noctilux, you can add clarity, contrast, saturation, sharpening, etc. in a wide variety of combinations to suit your tastes.

 

Here's an image with the new Noctilux that has just C1 default sharpening applied. It also was white-balanced off a little bit of gray I found in the room.

 

Kurt

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!

[tom0511]

I had the Noctilux 1.0 for some time. While I liked the rendering a lot I didnt like the focus shift issue.

The in-focus-keeper-rate was just much lower than my 50/1.4asph.

Thats why I sold the lens.

Specially with the M9 and a 50/1.4 you can create pretty shallow DOF as well (even though I would admit not totally same effect as the Nocti)

I still find the Nocti a tempting lens, but I want to rely on a lens and not have trial and error.

Thats why I do not want a 50/1.0 again.

The new Nocti 0.95 might be the solution, but sorry - this is just too expensive.

And here is my theses: The 50/1.4asph can do 95% of what the Nocti 0,95 can do.

Anyways - fascinating lens and great images posted here.

[Nikkor AIS]

 

 

 

 

All shots taken with Noctilux 50 1.0 @ 1.0 on lecia M7 XP2 film

 

No focus shift on my copy of the 50 1.0 Noctilux on the lecia M3/M6/M7 . In fact I must say that I glad to say that i get almost perfect focus in 99% of my shots. When I do miss it's my fault. I guess Im lucky.

 

 

Gregory

[yanidel]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

. In fact I must say that I glad to say that i get almost perfect focus in 99% of my shots. When I do miss it's my fault. I guess Im lucky.

By looking at the pictures you have posted, I guess you shoot mainly stills. The difficulty in focusing the super fast lenses wide open is IMO when confronted to action.

Unless one is the Terminator, there is no way that a 99% hit rate is feasible on moving subjects.

[Jamie Roberts]

By looking at the pictures you have posted, I guess you shoot mainly stills. The difficulty in focusing the super fast lenses wide open is IMO when confronted to action.

Unless one is the Terminator, there is no way that a 99% hit rate is feasible on moving subjects.

 

With careful pre-focussing though, with practice you can get to maybe 50 - 60% hits between f1 and f2. I definitely see a shift from f2 to f4

 

Having said that, I wouldn't be shooting a hockey game (sorry, on the brain) with my Noctilux Dancing works ok, though.

Edited May 19, 2010 by Jamie Roberts

[seemeng]

Hi Kurt,

 

Thanks for the feedback. The drive behind the decision mirrors your feedback. The modern look & feel still bugs me a tad but that has to be balanced between more control over the final image. The other thing I noticed is the saturation levels with the old lense is really pastelish whilst the new lense is fairly neutral. I would love to physically sample the lense but unfortunately it is easier to find hens teeth in the shops that a readily available Noct 0.95 to sample. I am taking the leap of faith and mine should be coming in about a month's time.

 

Thanks again for posting the pictures. Would you have anymore straight from the camera unprocessed?

 

Best wishes.

 

SM

[yanidel]

With careful pre-focussing though, with practice you can get to maybe 50 - 60% hits between f1 and f2. I definitely see a shift from f2 to f4

 

Having said that, I wouldn't be shooting a hockey game (sorry, on the brain) with my Noctilux Dancing works ok, though.

I agree, I get a similar hit rate at F1.2. It depends a lot too on whether the action is sideways or in your direction. Probably what makes dancing a bit easier to shoot than hockey

[ohnri]

Maybe in terms of light transmission, yet the physical aperture is a real F1.2 and you'll get the dof corresponding to 1.2, which is what matters in my case as low light is not my main concern.

 

Nice!

 

I am tempted to get one but since I shoot a great deal with my Noct f/1.0 I don't think the duplication of capabilities would be worthwhile despite the unique advantages of the Hex.

 

Besides, have to think of whether to upgrade my 35 lux, which I love. SInce I often shoot wide open in the 2-4 meter range I might do it.

 

Best,

 

Bill

[kidigital]

SM,

 

Here are a few more ... again, just with white balancing whenever possible. The two shots with the ice fisherman are with an ND filter attached. With a lot of overcast, gray days in the midwestern US, the filter is with me at all times and allows me to shoot with the lens during the day to make effective use of the subjective isolation the thin dof field allows.

 

Kurt

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!

[yanidel]

Nice!

 

I am tempted to get one but since I shoot a great deal with my Noct f/1.0 I don't think the duplication of capabilities would be worthwhile despite the unique advantages of the Hex.

 

Besides, have to think of whether to upgrade my 35 lux, which I love. SInce I often shoot wide open in the 2-4 meter range I might do it.

 

Best,

 

Bill

If you are not bothered by the size of the Nocti, then the Hexanon is indeed probably not a wise duplication. Especially if you can get the new 35 Lux instead Go fot it !

[Nikkor AIS]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes it's true with the Noct Im mostly shooting stills. And yet last week I ventured downtown and did some street shooting and was pleasantly surprised at the number in focus. My boost to the getting most in focus is mostly a comment to the focus shift question. However that must happen when you stop down which is something that I I rarely do with this lens. However when have the results where excellent. I initially never thought that one could shoot action with the Noct but I will try in my Martial Arts class next week and we shall see.

 

 

Gregory

Edited May 20, 2010 by Nikkor AIS

[faraz]

I would like to add another reason to love the noct It seems to take incredible photos of guns

 

I have never been able to take such amazing pictures of my other hobby before (I just tried it on a whim and I think it came out pretty neat):

 

[Ecar]

Pretty impressive arsenal you have here...

How do prices compare to Leica lenses?

[faraz]

Pretty impressive arsenal you have here...

How do prices compare to Leica lenses?

 

I never thought I would say this but come to think of it, prices for these guns definitely compare favorably even with the relatively expensive optics on each of the gun

[Baptiste]

Lovely pictures in there... Noct, a nice dream

[seemeng]

Thanks Kurt

 

 

SM,

 

Here are a few more ... again, just with white balancing whenever possible. The two shots with the ice fisherman are with an ND filter attached. With a lot of overcast, gray days in the midwestern US, the filter is with me at all times and allows me to shoot with the lens during the day to make effective use of the subjective isolation the thin dof field allows.

 

Kurt

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[seemeng]

Simply beautiful Faraz

 

 

I would like to add another reason to love the noct It seems to take incredible photos of guns

 

I have never been able to take such amazing pictures of my other hobby before (I just tried it on a whim and I think it came out pretty neat):