Used Noctilux F1.0

[Uyen4570]

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Hi everyone. I would appreciate your help on this dilemma. Last week I purchased a used Nocti 1.0 from Adorama for $5400. It is an old one from 1978 (2914492) but is in good condition. They advertised that it was 6 bit encoded (it was not) and would come with a lens hood (it did not).

 

Now I see that there is a newer version (3940200) on Ebay that is in like new condition with the hood, caps, box, papers, case. The price is $6300.

 

Is it better to have a newer version? Is there any difference in optical performance or is it just a cosmetic difference? Is it better to have 6-bit encryption (I'm using an M9 so i can manually select the lens). Is it necessary to have the hood?

 

Thanks so much. I don't mind paying more for something that is better but just wanted to be sure - esp. with ebay.

 

Uyen

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[razerx]

That is a high price for a Noctilux if it is not coded and without the hood. I would return it to Adorama and look for another one. The one you saw on ebay seems like a good choice.

[luigi bertolotti]

Coding and hood are two pluses : if the seller said it had, and didn't deliver what promised, you have to complain and obtain something : but, if your Noctilux is really good in any other respect (check focus with care, for instance) I should be hesitant to give it back to find another... is not so common, and maybe should be better to have some money back on the basis of the 2 missing details... a hood can be found and also coding can be machined.

[razerx]

Does it take E58 or E60 filters? If it is the former then the hood is going to be hard to find and expensive if you do find one.

[luigi bertolotti]

Should be E58 : changed to E60 after 2919656

[menos I M6]

I would return it, as it obviously has been (accidentally) shipped wrong.

The price seems rather high, even, if it would have included coding and the box.

 

A later Noctilux f1 with telescopic hood retains (in theory) a higher value later on, as it is the last production f1 Noctilux before the introduction of the new 0.95 version.

 

In photographic terms, you will see no difference between the different f1 versions of the Noctilux.

 

If you know, that you will stick with the f1 Noctilux, as you like it's look and handling, I would recommend, to buy a nice user sample of the later bayonet version.

It is about 1.000 EUR less costly than the latest telescopic hood V4, but has indeed two advantages handling wise:

 

- it's hood is more sturdy, providing better protection over your shoulder or in a bag without lens caps

- it is in fact slightly less bulky, when leaving the hood off, if that should matter to you.

 

I bought a V4 Noctilux, as I was not sure, if I will keep it.

I love mine so much now though, that a V3 might have been a better deal for me, saving 1.000,- EUR in the process ;-)

 

Good luck, resolving your issue.

[glenerrolrd]

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Return it for sure! I have this exact lens and have used it since 1980 . It has a special character and since I used it extensively for available light K25 work ..it has meaning to me beyond any logic.

 

Getting it 6bit coded is no simple trick. These were all hand assembled and calibrated at the factory (shimmed ) . This is not simple exchange of the mount like many of the older M glass. My Noctilux made 4 trips to Solms and took almost a year in total to get it right (and I had Leica doing the testing in NJ so it wasn t me). Since it was old they insisted on a CLA which cost over $700.

 

DAG is a good alternative as he seems to have a lot of experience from the film days. This was the one lens that people matched to a body. Ask him.

 

The hood is impossible to find and is costs about $3-400 used.

 

You would be way better off buying a newer one thats really 6 bit coded for a $1000 more and count on spending another $100 for DAG to check it out. Ask DAG if he will inspect one for you and get a return agreement .

 

Its a very special lens and worth pursuing but you can do a lot better.

[Johnny_Johnson]

Hi folks,

 

Speaking of used Noctilux lenses - be careful, the crooks are on the prowl. There's an ad on the Atlanta Craig's List offering one for sell at about half price. I felt sure that it was a scam but, out of curiosity, I asked if we could meet so that I could examine the lens. Here is the reply:

 

"Hello,

Thanks for being interested in buying my Leica NOCTILUX-M 50 mm f/1 ASPH Lens,I will start my email by telling you that I'm currently out of country so pick up isn't an option .The lens is in a good condition and the price is US $2,500.00

The lens will be delivered to your home address from US.The transaction will be made only through eBay ,we will have full insurance from eBay.Right now I'm in the United Kingdom, just arrived here 3 days ago . Before i left I found a buyer and i had everything arranged.I payed for the shipping and sent it to him .But yesterday the buyer that i had asked me to wait another 4 weeks because his loan wasn't approved. I can't wait this long as i am in the UK for 3 days now and i really need the money, I am in the moving process , changing the work place and everything ...A major issue is that if you want to buy my lens you really need to have the money ready for it.

This purchase protection guarantees that the lens is exactly as I described; basically, once delivered, you'll have 10 working days to inspect it at your home and if you decide not to keep it you will get refunded in no time and they will charge me with the return costs.If the lens meets your expectations and you want to keep it you will have to tell them to release me the payment details so I can get paid.If you are interested in this purchase please reply me with your full name and shipping address .After I pass this details to them you will receive an invoice and further instructions as how will you be able to get possession of the lens.

P.S : If you need more details,or pics just ask.

Let me know your thoughts,

Thanks,

Robert Wiebel

Robert & Steven, Inc.

Structural Engineer

Department Of Construction Consulting"

 

A quick Google search revealed that someone using the same name and letter format is listing used lawn care equipment in other Craig's Lists around the country. I wonder how many people bite on scams like this.

 

Later,

Johnny

[Nikkor AIS]

There is an expression I learned when shooting surfing body/board, in Maui and that is "never leave waves to find waves".

 

There is much to be said to ride the waves your on and make the most of every moment.

 

So I say, keep the lens. Sure you paid a little more than some think it's worth. And they did kind of mis represent it . But you got it right? And it works right? Your good to go. Im not sure what all this coding business is but it wont stop you getting photo's will it?

As far as the hood Im sure something can be found or made to sort you out with that. And i dont think you would be out of line to ask the store where you bought it from to compensate you for there misrepresentation and omission of a hood.

 

And even without the hood the Noct is surprising resistant to flare. Beside the built in hood is really next thing to useless. It barely exstends at all.

 

As far as E-bay. I wouldnt go there, if I had a gun to to my head,. Especaily for a lens as expenisve as Noctilux. Your just asking for trouble. And in my life experience. Go looking for trouble , and it comes a calling.

There was story on rangefinder forum where a guy bought a Noct on E-bay, for a nice price and received nothing in the box filled with some magnets and springs:rolleyes: for his trouble. What a night mare. Im not sure but I dont think he ever did get his money back. And I dont think he post on RFF anymore . I wouldnt be surprised if the whole incident soured him to the point he quite taking photo's. Very sad.

And even if he did Im sure he would say the whole ecperience was terrible waste of time energy and money . Life is short.

 

 

Celebrate what you got and make some pictures.

Congratulation on your new lens. Lets see some photo's.

 

 

Gregory

[a.noctilux]

Hello,

I agree with Gregory.

" If you don't have trouble with it, keep it".

 

Keep the one you have now and use it as you will use it in future.

 

I use mine with M9 and it's not coded.

I rely on a no name short hood. It's about 1cm long and screw in front for protection.

The original hood 12519 is very "finder-intrusive" and so big that I don't use it for years.

 

Noctilux F1 is free from flare even wide open so a hood is not necessary.

 

When I use this lens and input the lens correction in the M9, I miss somehow the caracter of the lens (vignetting and so on).

 

Arnaud

[eleskin]

I bought mine for $4700 USD on EBay almost 2 years ago from another professional photographer. It was a later version made just before the M8 came out, probably late 1990's. Mint condition. It needed an adjustment which was covered by Leica since the lens was under a previous repair warranty. The seller was very professional in how he handled everything and Leica matched the lens perfectly to my M8 (it went to Solms and I supplied my m8's serial number). I do not know if you can get the deal I had. When I bought my Noctilux, lens prices were lower. The M9 changed all of that and used prices are way up. There is nothing wrong with your Noctilux and the price in today's market seems similar to what I see everywhere. You could return it and find the same lens cheaper or try to find the version I have for the same price you paid at Adorama. If it works fine, why bother sending it back. You do have a case with coding and lens hood. Try asking them if they will supply a hood and get it coded for you. For 5k, that is the least they can do. You can get an adapter and mount a rubber hood as well. I myself would not care if I used a rubber hood etc, that is not Leica. I buy lenses for shooting, not cosmetics.

[peter_n]

I'd agree with those who say keep the lens and get Adorama to get it coded by Leica if you want that. OTOH it was interesting to read Arnaud's post above that coding removes the lenses' character in the digi M. You really don't need a lens hood but a short 3rd party one from eBay is good for protection.