M9 + Noctilux 1:0.95 / 50 mm

[johnbuckley]

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Question: any instances where I'd miss the 50 Lux ASPH if I traded it in for a Nocti?

 

The new Nocti and M9 certainly are heavy together, but the arm gets used to them. The biggest thing is, well, since it's big; you tend to lose some of the anonymity of being an M shooter because the combination makes it seem more like a big DSLR than Ms usually do. So you might miss your not really calling attention to yourself.

 

I do have to say this, in my shooting with the Noctilux so far, it is every bit as sharp stopped down as the Summilux. And having had the Nocti f/1, it has glorious bokeh without either the softness or difficulty in focusing. It really is like a bigger, heavier, Summilux, with a glorious bokeh when wide open.

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[efftee]

Only when you read a thread about how great the Summilux ASPH is

 

It is great.

[efftee]

Yes. If you want to go light and small the 50 lux ASPH is better. Also, the 50 lux ASPH focuses down to 0.7m and this can be a big deal in certain situations.

 

What is the min focusing distance of the 0.95 Nocti?

 

The Nocti 0.95 is fantastic- and its a dream lens. However, I would strongly advise against getting rid of the 50 lux ASPH. In other words, try to afford both if you really crave the Nocti 0.95. If after having them both you find you don't use the 50 lux ASPH then sell the lux. But if you trade in the lux there is a high probability you will regret it.

 

Yeah, I guess that's a sensible way to go. Just that, since I'm merely an accidental hobbyist, it would be quite silly to own two 50mms if one could get the job done well enough for both.

[efftee]

The new Nocti and M9 certainly are heavy together, but the arm gets used to them. The biggest thing is, well, since it's big; you tend to lose some of the anonymity of being an M shooter because the combination makes it seem more like a big DSLR than Ms usually do. So you might miss your not really calling attention to yourself.

 

I do have to say this, in my shooting with the Noctilux so far, it is every bit as sharp stopped down as the Summilux. And having had the Nocti f/1, it has glorious bokeh without either the softness or difficulty in focusing. It really is like a bigger, heavier, Summilux, with a glorious bokeh when wide open.

 

Yes, bulk and discretion are important though not as much as image quality. It's good to know the f0.95 is able to produce what the 50 Lux could and more! Thanks for your comments.

[doug_m]

What is the min focusing distance of the 0.95 Nocti?

 

1 meter

[efftee]

1 meter

 

The min focusing distance is one thing that I do not like about Leica. Never mind macro, I'm no techie but is it so difficult to focus down to 1 feet?

[giordano]

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The min focusing distance is one thing that I do not like about Leica. Never mind macro, I'm no techie but is it so difficult to focus down to 1 feet?

 

Given the design of the M lens mount, rangefinder coupling, and range/viewfinder, it's not difficult. It's impossible without using specialised accessories. Even the 90mm Macro Elmar lens with its special extension tube cum range/viewfinder prisms cannot focus as close as 1 ft.

[Overgaard]

All the Noctilux lenses are 1 meter as closest focus if that is any comfort. It's a damn shame it's not 0,7 meter as the trend with Leica lenses seem to be.

[kidigital]

I'll add that if your favorite focal length is 50mm, it is very difficult to ever want to take the lens off of the camera. In addition, should you live in a northern climate (like I do in the upper Midwest) with lots of gray skies in the spring and fall and dark, long winters, I think of the Noct ASPH as a "light zoom". Meaning that with an ND filter in my pocket, it is the only lens that I need to carry with me no matter the season from daybreak to night.

 

And, since I'm also fond of posting Noct images just like the others, here are a few.

 

Kurt

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[k_g_wolf ✝]

Exellent shots, Kurt, thx for posting them.

 

They are really wonderful examples of what can be done with

a splendid lens in the hands of a gifted phtotographer.

 

 

Best

GEORG

[Wiggi]

The ones on my site are without any electronic correction as the camera didn't know it was a 50/0.95. I asked Leica about the fringing (visible at f/0.95), and was told that "the fringing only appears in over-exposed areas (such as highlights shooting against the light), and there is no treatment on fringing in the lens type selection."

 

I might be wrong, but I understand all I have heard so far (which might not be everything) so that the lens coding on the Noctilux 0.95 doesn't do any corrections, only inform the EXIF file which lens was used.

 

That is very interesting.

 

Little vignetting at f/0.95 does not really matter to me. Maybe you have vignetting using strong ND-Filters too.

 

I am glad to hear, the Noctilux does not have Problems with pink corners.

 

When the Noctilux 50/0.95 is available in Germany I will test it with elctronic correction and when the electronic correction is shut off. At the latest I will do it on the Leica Day in Wetzlar this year.

 

Thank you all for posting the great pictures. The Noctilux 50/0.95 is my dream lens for the M9.

[jagsiva]

One thing that I noticed in this combo that has not been mentioned is the colour/contrast advantage of the Nocti 0.95. I was quite suprised after shooting similar scenes with the Nocti and the 90 APO on how much better the colour was out of camera on the Nocti.

[batmobile]

Yes, bulk and discretion are important though not as much as image quality. It's good to know the f0.95 is able to produce what the 50 Lux could and more! Thanks for your comments.

 

I'd say getting an interesting image is more important than perfect image quality myself and so I would think it important for a prospective 0.95 Noct owner to think about what the size and weight of the lens means in terms of their techniques and carrying patterns. There is a huge difference in handling and feel between, say, as 24 elmar and 24 lux asph and although I do not own the 0.95, the specs suggest it is another step up from the 24 lux in terms of bulk. You invariably carry and use a lens like this very differently because of the impositions of size..

[efftee]

I'd say getting an interesting image is more important than perfect image quality myself and so I would think it important for a prospective 0.95 Noct owner to think about what the size and weight of the lens means in terms of their techniques and carrying patterns. There is a huge difference in handling and feel between, say, as 24 elmar and 24 lux asph and although I do not own the 0.95, the specs suggest it is another step up from the 24 lux in terms of bulk. You invariably carry and use a lens like this very differently because of the impositions of size..

 

Thing is, if an interesting moment presents itself in low light, I'd think the bulk of the f0.95 would be a minor inconvenience and certainly a better alternative, to preserve discretion, than say, a flash...

[batmobile]

Thing is, if an interesting moment presents itself in low light, I'd think the bulk of the f0.95 would be a minor inconvenience and certainly a better alternative, to preserve discretion, than say, a flash...

 

Sure, but its the other 99+% of the time that the much larger and heavier lens will hold you back. It wont fit under your coat on the camera when it is raining, its slower to handle, heavier etc. I think this is why most people choose a more generalist tool for generalist use, but its personal of course. One can often predict to a certain extent when you are gong to encounter very low light situations and sometimes the benefit of being prepared for more normal situations is greater than the loss of not having that special bit of kit for those rare few occasions. This is why I dont walk around with my 24 lux all day outside. I pop my small 28 Biogon on instead, but as with everything its personal.

[ldhrads]

I agree that the Noctilux is a heavy beast. However, compared to other camera/lens combos it's not that bad. I had it on my M9 almost constantly for a recent trip. I found that carrying it across the shoulder ( I don't wear the camera around the neck) It really wasn't bad at all. Albeit, when I swapped out for my 35 cron the difference was remarkable, I still am very happy to carry the M9/Noctilux majority of the time these days. Oh and it does actually fit under the coat the way I carry it. Rides just above my hip very well.

[efftee]

Sure, but its the other 99+% of the time that the much larger and heavier lens will hold you back. It wont fit under your coat on the camera when it is raining, its slower to handle, heavier etc. I think this is why most people choose a more generalist tool for generalist use, but its personal of course. One can often predict to a certain extent when you are gong to encounter very low light situations and sometimes the benefit of being prepared for more normal situations is greater than the loss of not having that special bit of kit for those rare few occasions. This is why I dont walk around with my 24 lux all day outside. I pop my small 28 Biogon on instead, but as with everything its personal.

 

I half agree with you, that's the whole appeal of a rangefinder in the first place. Yet there are times when I wished I had one more stop on my Lux. I usually go out with only the lens on the camera and if the f0.95 can replace the 50 Lux and then some, I'd give it some serious considering.

[doug_m]

I half agree with you, that's the whole appeal of a rangefinder in the first place. Yet there are times when I wished I had one more stop on my Lux. I usually go out with only the lens on the camera and if the f0.95 can replace the 50 Lux and then some, I'd give it some serious considering.

 

If you buy the Nocti ASPH still keep the lux ASPH. You will likely regret it otherwise.

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[efftee]

If you buy the Nocti ASPH still keep the lux ASPH. You will likely regret it otherwise.

 

Yes, I have been advised not to dump the 50 Lux ASPH until I have had enough chances with the f0.95 to be sure the 50 Lux is truly surplus to requirements. Thanks.

[tom0511]

I have a question for those who know both the 50/0.95 and the 50/1.4asph.

I have used the 50/1.4asph for years and its a great lens.

However my sample (and I think it is typical for that lens) draws with slightly strong red tint. I dont remember where but there are lists which Leica lenses draw warmer and which draw colder etc. and it seems to indicate the same.

Sometimes I even feel that the 50/1.4asph "pops" a bit too much regarding certain colors and saturation.

Now how would the Noctilux 0.95 compare in this regard? To me it looks like the images I see would tend to show a slightly more gentle rendering. Would you say this is the case?