0.95 or 1.4 50mm, or both?

[ShotCapture]

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Do you have both, or have you tried both, the 50mm f/0.95 noctilux-m ASPH, & 50mm f/1.4 summilux-m ASPH? Would you purchase both, or only one and which one?

I have the M9 with no lenses yet. In a few days a 50mm 1.4 will arrive. I also have a pre-order on a 0.95, but wonder if that is foolish.

I do plan to have the 35mm 1.4 summilux-m, and either the 75mm f/2, or the 90mm f/2, (which would you choose, 75 or 90?).

I shoot informal portraits, general people shots, city views (informal archetecture). I enjoy low light no flash shooting, but also do bright light and some flash. I edit with LR3 and CS5. I use to shoot film with a Leica M with medium slow lenses. I switched to digital with the Canon 1Ds Mark II. Now I really want to get back to Leica M shooting. Thanks for any help.

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[johnport]

I use 0.95 only. Excellent in available light. Naturally.

[Eastgreenlander]

I had both but sold the 1.4 asph. I've regretted that and now I'm on a waiting list for a new 1.4 asph. I wonder how long I have to wait

[JWW]

I have both but with the .95 you don't need the 1.4 except for the smaller size and weight.

[doug_m]

I have both but with the .95 you don't need the 1.4 except for the smaller size and weight.

 

If you can afford it, buy both. The 50 lux ASPH focuses to 0.7 M whereas the Nocti only goes to 1M. This can be a big deal.

 

The lux is easier to focus and relatively tiny.

 

The 0.95 Noct is a dream lens however.

[jagsiva]

I have both and use the lux when I want to keep things simple and light. With the Nocti, I find that I need to use the 1.4x magnifier.

 

In terms of output, they are both fantastic. Clearly, the 0.95 out of the Nocti is magical. Something a lot of people don't talk about is the colour difference from the Nocti, I do find it somewhat more pleasing.

[DFV]

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I find the LUX 50 to be a great compromise between the speed of the Nocti and the edge-to-edge sharpness of the CRON. I would invest in a LUX 35 which is awesome for low light as well. Also, its wider focal will allow you to take picture one notch slower almost compensating for the extra f-stop of the Nocti over the Lux.

 

Also, do not forget that we are all different. It could turn out that 50mm is not your favorite focal... so having made such a large investment for a focal you might not particularly like, is not too smart.

[skinnfell]

If I ever could afford the 0.95, I would also get a lightweight 50 as well, for example the summicron or even the summarit because of the focus tab.

 

This is mainly because the weight/size/price of the .95 would be a hindrance to casual shooting, travel etc for my kind of work.

 

The way I see it, getting the 1.4 as well creates too much redundancy for too much money. There are plenty of other M lenses to sink money into...

[johnbuckley]

I have both, and use both, and am glad I have the option of carrying the lighter Summilux when space/weight is an issue. I have an upcoming trip where I would love to bring the Nocti, but I'm concerned about walking around all day with that weight.

 

As for whether you can use the Noctilux 0.95 as a full-service 50mm lens: the answer is yes, you can. If weight/size is never an issue, owning the new Noctilux renders the Summilux more of a luxury, less of a necessity.

[razerx]

I have the f/1 version and the Summilux asph. They are for different purposes and one cannot replace the other.

[jyrkialanen]

Hi. Another possibility would be getting a Nocti 1.0 with your Summilux asph. Of course the old Nocti is "only" 1.0, but the fingerprint of the lens is very unique and also very different than the one the lux asph produces. I have them both and I have been very pleased.

 

BR, Jyrki

[texasrancher]

I also use a Canon 1DsII, but opted for an M9 to replace my M8, rather than replace the older Canon with a 5Dii, partly because of the quality of the Leica lenses & partly because of the compactness of the assembled travel kit. I own and love the 50mm 'Lux asph - so sharp you fear cutting yourself. I have shot, but do not own the Noctilux 1.0 - fantastic rendering of limited depth of field, but a bear to nail focus & rather bulky. My own oversized limited depth of field beast is the 75mm 'Lux, which like the Noctilux can throw some dreamy bokeh and frustrate the user if the focus is not just right. If you are assembling a series of Leica lenses, why not use the 50mm 'Lux asph for a month or so and see if it accomplishes your goals? There are plenty of wide angles in the Leica stable to entice you to make some more space in your camera bag.

[doug_m]

Do you have both, or have you tried both, the 50mm f/0.95 noctilux-m ASPH, & 50mm f/1.4 summilux-m ASPH? Would you purchase both, or only one and which one?

I have the M9 with no lenses yet. In a few days a 50mm 1.4 will arrive. I also have a pre-order on a 0.95, but wonder if that is foolish.

I do plan to have the 35mm 1.4 summilux-m, and either the 75mm f/2, or the 90mm f/2, (which would you choose, 75 or 90?).

I shoot informal portraits, general people shots, city views (informal archetecture). I enjoy low light no flash shooting, but also do bright light and some flash. I edit with LR3 and CS5. I use to shoot film with a Leica M with medium slow lenses. I switched to digital with the Canon 1Ds Mark II. Now I really want to get back to Leica M shooting. Thanks for any help.

 

PS. I would buy the 75 cron over the 90 cron. The 75 is fantastic and a great portrait lens. Plus because it focuses to 0.7 M it has a higher reproduction ration than the 90. The 75 is also fast to focus, has great rendering (like a painting) and is relatively small.

[neli]

I own both 50's, the 75 Cron and the 135 APO

Sold the 35 Lux, waiting for a 28 Lux.

 

One lens kit: Nocti

Two lens kit: 50 Lux and 135 APO / 75 Cron depending on assignment or intended pleasure.

 

Can't go wrong with these lenses. I just don't like 35 FOV.

 

Have fun deciding.

[ShotCapture]

Thanks to all who have answered!!! Good food for thought.

I had both but sold the 1.4 asph. I've regretted that and now I'm on a waiting list for a new 1.4 asph. I wonder how long I have to wait

Why are you buying another 1.4?

[Eastgreenlander]

Thanks to all who have answered!!! Good food for thought.

 

Why are you buying another 1.4?

 

The 1.4 is just a hole different experience shooting than 0.95. Light weight, small. I would probably still use 0.95 most but it is nice to switch to a smaller size lens. I have utterly regrettet selling it.

[W4Leica]

This is wealthy's forum. Many of you have both 0.95 and 1.4. To me, 0.95 is out of my reach plus dof is too shallow. I am also questioning the necessary of 0.95 in digital world. With M9, you can play high ISO for good result. A used 50mm summilux v2 is coming my way. It is all I need. If I have additional fund, I will use it for travel and shoot. BTW, KEH is having an E+ rated 50 summilux asph for sale. Price: around $3200. W

[Eastgreenlander]

This is wealthy's forum. Many of you have both 0.95 and 1.4. To me, 0.95 is out of my reach plus dof is too shallow. I am also questioning the necessary of 0.95 in digital world. With M9, you can play high ISO for good result. A used 50mm summilux v2 is coming my way. It is all I need. If I have additional fund, I will use it for travel and shoot. BTW, KEH is having an E+ rated 50 summilux asph for sale. Price: around $3200. W

 

Expensive, yes. Shallow DOF, yes. Necessaty, subjective. If you question the preformance of this lens you probably don't know it's capabilities. It's ability to isolate a subject after 8 meters with an amazing look. Good luck with your 50 lux v2.

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[doug_m]

Expensive, yes. Shallow DOF, yes. Necessaty, subjective. If you question the preformance of this lens you probably don't know it's capabilities. It's ability to isolate a subject after 8 meters with an amazing look. Good luck with your 50 lux v2.

 

Hi Per,

 

I'm a fan of the Nocti 0.95 as well but please tell us what you mean when you speak of "its ability to isolate a subject after 8 meters with an mazing look."

 

Thanks.

 

PS. I do think the Nocti may beat the 50 lux when stopped down to f4-f5.6. Maybe it has to do with all of that precious glass.

[lars_bergquist]

I do own the Summilux ASPH, and I have tried the Nocti 0.95. No way I would lug that unwieldy monster around. If you want big and clumsy gear, buy a Canon DSLR. A Leica M exists because it is small and agile and not scary.

 

If you must absolutely have the current Nocti, go buy a 50mm Summarit-M for when you would normally use a 50mm lens. But the Summilux is still the best all-round 50mm lens there is. Its image quality is stupendous. Wide open, its d.o.f. is shallow enough to count. To me, the only alternative to the Summilux is the 35mm Summilux ASPH (v.2) -- which I also own.

 

The old man from the Age of Practical Cats