Pros and cons of the Noctilux 0.95 and 50mm Summilux 1.4

[IkarusJohn]

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Hi Ben,

 

I don't own a Noct. But I do own a 50 Lux. I won't share my efforts with you, as frankly they're not up to much, but I'm trying.

 

I do look at other photos on LFI and elsewhere taken by both the Noct and the Lux, and to me the out of focus areas look mushy. Conversely, the Lux images look sensational. All in the eye of the beholder, but I think you've made the right decision.

 

Cheers

John

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[menos I M6]

Thank you all for making me feel very welcome. It's a bit of a refreshing culture shock coming from the slanging matches in the other forums

 

If you are interested here is my website.

 

Wedding Photography Sydney Ben Newnam - Wedding Photographers Sydney North Shore

 

See if you think the Leica system will suit my style.

 

Always open to constructive critisism.

 

Cheers,

Ben

 

Ben, from what I see of your photographs on your site, you will surely love the Leica system!

My guess is,that your biggest issues will come up with framing wide angle lenses.

It takes a little time, to learn at which approximate distances your framing is where.

 

Manual focus will come natural pretty quickly and the portraiture sure will net great results.

(Here your biggest issues might come at first, to get used, to focus manually open apertures without your subject getting tired of your camera ;-) ).

 

If you work flash, make sure, to be firm with manual or auto flash settings and off camera work - this will save you some money, instead of springing for a set of ultra expensive Leica branded strobes - just use your old flash system with radio controllers or compatible cords.

 

Don't retire your Canon yet, if possible - there might be something, you want to keep it for - didn't see anything, the Leica M could not do in the shots on your site.

 

For the presented shots, a Noctilux is not mandatory - would be just a cherry on the pie - a very expensive one albeit.

[Xmas]

As has been quoted many times - the 50 Lux ASPH might very well be the best 50mm 1.4 lens, ever made for 35mm format.

interesting web 'fact' from Leicas PR dept?

I just got a 1950s Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-S.C 5cm 1:1.4 in LTM mount and I can tell you, the difference, when it comes to optical perfection is astonishing!

The optical glass catalogue has changed a little, over the 50 years, and the -S.C is a sonnar.

If you had instead tried the 2005 Nikkor 5cm rfdr lens on an adapter and said it was better during veiling flare that would have been useful.

 

Noel

[stunsworth]

Don't underestimate how difficult it is to focus an f1 or faster lens - especially close up.

 

Personally I'd go for the Summilux.

[k_g_wolf ✝]

No problem, Steve, with proper calibrated cameras and lenses if you

add a 1.25 or 1.4 magnifier to your ocular ...

 

 

 

best

[Xmas]

No problem, Steve, with proper calibrated cameras and lenses if you

add a 1.25 or 1.4 magnifier to your ocular ...

 

 

 

best

Hi Steve

 

... and dont forget to plaster cast & neck brace your subjects as well...

 

Noel

[Red Dot Fever]

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Ben, from what I see of your photographs on your site, you will surely love the Leica system!

My guess is,that your biggest issues will come up with framing wide angle lenses.

It takes a little time, to learn at which approximate distances your framing is where.

 

Manual focus will come natural pretty quickly and the portraiture sure will net great results.

(Here your biggest issues might come at first, to get used, to focus manually open apertures without your subject getting tired of your camera ;-) ).

 

If you work flash, make sure, to be firm with manual or auto flash settings and off camera work - this will save you some money, instead of springing for a set of ultra expensive Leica branded strobes - just use your old flash system with radio controllers or compatible cords.

 

Don't retire your Canon yet, if possible - there might be something, you want to keep it for - didn't see anything, the Leica M could not do in the shots on your site.

 

For the presented shots, a Noctilux is not mandatory - would be just a cherry on the pie - a very expensive one albeit.

 

 

Thanks for the tips Menos.

 

Like you said, won't be retiring the Nikon anytime soon especially for wedding work. I wouldn't go 100% Leica until I knew it inside out like I do my Nikon. Besides I do shoot a hell of a lot at 200mm at f2 and from what I have read any length past 90mm on a Leica is extremely hard to nail focus.

 

I do love the thought of the 75mm Cron though with a closer focusing than my Nikon 85mm 1.4. Not that the Nikon 85mm 1.4 is renowned for close focusing.

 

I know the 75mm Cron is very close to the 50mm Lux in terms of focal length but I feel I could use them in totally different ways.

 

Cheers,

Ben

[newtoleica]

Selling my new 50 Lux in UK on the forum if anyone interested.

I agree its a lovely lens, but I just don't get on with 50mm lenses......

[Jager]

Wow, very lovely images on your website, Ben. So you're shooting today with the Nikkor 200/f2? That's a magical lens (if a bit of a beast). I love mine. That glass alone is reason enough to keep a Nikon system around.

 

What you're going to love about the M system is you get much of that same rare magic across their entire lens lineup - in a vastly more handy package. I'm looking forward to seeing what you create with it.

[Red Dot Fever]

Wow, very lovely images on your website, Ben. So you're shooting today with the Nikkor 200/f2? That's a magical lens (if a bit of a beast). I love mine. That glass alone is reason enough to keep a Nikon system around.

 

What you're going to love about the M system is you get much of that same rare magic across their entire lens lineup - in a vastly more handy package. I'm looking forward to seeing what you create with it.

 

 

Thanks Jeff. I appreciate your kind words.

 

Yes the Nikon 200 f2 is a beast. I was so close to selling it twice for that very reason but just couldn't bring myself to do it for it beautiful image quality. I had it up on Ebay and pulled the plug before the listing ended. Now I only use it at weddings when I know the church will be dark or if I really like the client and want to give them something a bit special

 

Looking forward to using the Leica system as I'm sure it will bring new life into my photography and make me see the world visually in a different way.

 

Cheers,

Ben

[menos I M6]

Ah Ben, you are shooting Nikon!

This would be another reason, to just keep part of the system (D3/ D700) for the wonderful sensor and full weather sealing.

 

I keep my D3 until it will fall apart or a way, better, smaller and simpler machine will be introduced (digital F with D3s sensor anyone ;-) )

 

The 200/2 indeed is another reason, but believe me, once, you got the Leica bug and have picked up some really fast Leica glass, the 200/2 will loose appeal (not because of image quality and THAT super fast tele 200/2 look), but because you get a lot of magic with a lot less packing weight and bulk.

 

For this very reason, my 300mm resides most of the time over the year in storage, while I shoot Leica M mainly. At some point, you just stop lugging things around.

 

I can very well imagine, that with your job as a wedding photographer, this point of getting fed up lugging might even come earlier.

[Red Dot Fever]

Ah Ben, you are shooting Nikon!

This would be another reason, to just keep part of the system (D3/ D700) for the wonderful sensor and full weather sealing.

 

I keep my D3 until it will fall apart or a way, better, smaller and simpler machine will be introduced (digital F with D3s sensor anyone ;-) )

 

The 200/2 indeed is another reason, but believe me, once, you got the Leica bug and have picked up some really fast Leica glass, the 200/2 will loose appeal (not because of image quality and THAT super fast tele 200/2 look), but because you get a lot of magic with a lot less packing weight and bulk.

 

For this very reason, my 300mm resides most of the time over the year in storage, while I shoot Leica M mainly. At some point, you just stop lugging things around.

 

I can very well imagine, that with your job as a wedding photographer, this point of getting fed up lugging might even come earlier.

 

Hi Menos,

 

Yes and now that I have just hit 40. The lighter weight couldn't come at a better time.

 

Cheers,

Ben

[fjheimann]

I think if you have the money to buy a noctilux you have the money to buy both. Try them out for a few months to a year and then sell the nocti after you realize you're barely using it.

 

So did I and will keep them both.

Franz

[fjheimann]

Thanks to everyone with their feedback and special thanks to Denoir for going to the trouble of showing the MTF comparison of the two lenses.

 

I have ordered the Summilux and now the long 6 month wait. They say 2-3 months but I sure there will be a spanner thrown in the works.

 

I figured I will get the lens first due to the long wait then buy the body when the lens arrives as I hear there is not too much trouble getting the camera. But who knows by the time I come around to purchasing the camera it will be as rare as hens teeth.

 

Thanks again.

 

Cheers,

Ben

 

Sorry,

Your question was of course a little bit naive.

These glasses do no grow on trees. Sometimes you must buy what you get.

I have 50mm in 0.95, 1,4, 2,0 ,2.5 and 2.8 coll.

All the latest.

One after the other, for any reason. Will not sell one,

Franz

[fjheimann]

Wow, very lovely images on your website, Ben. So you're shooting today with the Nikkor 200/f2? That's a magical lens (if a bit of a beast). I love mine. That glass alone is reason enough to keep a Nikon system around.

 

What you're going to love about the M system is you get much of that same rare magic across their entire lens lineup - in a vastly more handy package. I'm looking forward to seeing what you create with it.

 

For me it is the 1.8/200 Canon and the 1.2/85 to stay with Canon.

Leica extends my possibilities yet a lot,

Franz

[stephan_w]

well, the discussion has gone a bit of topic (Nikon 200/2), but what I understood so far is that you look for the very special look the Noctilux renders. If so, the Summilux cannot replace it. The summilux is simply the best 50 mm lens of all means, but the Nocti is special (the Sigma 50/1.4 for Nikon isn't bad either).

 

BUT I sold my 0,95 as I used it only at 1,2 to avoid purple fringing, and I didn't want to lurk around in the dark with a 12000 euro combo in low light situations. And finally 1,2 is not that far from 1,4, where i found the Summilux to be better.

 

I kept my 1.0 Noctilux instead, which sometimes still disapoint me at distances closer 2 m. it is definitively not a "head-shot"-lens.

 

Another variant for "special looks" is to search for other "special lenses" from Leica, as the Summicron 90s, the Summilux 75 etc. if you have good eyes to fokus manually, you may look for a Summilux 80 and transform it for Nikon. It renders lovely, almost like a 105/135 DC.

[Red Dot Fever]

Sorry,

Your question was of course a little bit naive.

These glasses do no grow on trees. Sometimes you must buy what you get.

I have 50mm in 0.95, 1,4, 2,0 ,2.5 and 2.8 coll.

All the latest.

One after the other, for any reason. Will not sell one,

Franz

 

Franz Franz Franz

 

Was it nescessary to state my question was naive? Did it make you feel bigger more sophisticated than me with that belittling tone? Did it achieve anything constructive?

 

All you have told me is that these lenses do not grow on trees and how many 50mm lenses you own. So, you earn more money and have more lenses than me. Good for you. I hope you know how to use them. I'd love to see your images. Aquiring lenses is one thing but knowing how to create an image with impact is another.

 

Yes it is hard to find one in stock But I will have one within six months which is fine.

 

At the moment I can not afford the Noctilux but can the Summilux. If I were to wait to save for the Noctilux it would be over a year before I could even use a Leica system.

 

Others on this forum have offered constructive advise which I appreciate and have taken on board and I feel at this early period in my Leica aquisition syndrome stage (or LAS) the Summilux will suit me better.

 

Anyway thanks for the advise, but if that is all you have to offer then I will take it with a grain of salt.

 

Cheers,

Ben

[Red Dot Fever]

Hi Ben,

 

I don't own a Noct. But I do own a 50 Lux. I won't share my efforts with you, as frankly they're not up to much, but I'm trying.

 

I do look at other photos on LFI and elsewhere taken by both the Noct and the Lux, and to me the out of focus areas look mushy. Conversely, the Lux images look sensational. All in the eye of the beholder, but I think you've made the right decision.

 

Cheers

John

 

Hi John,

 

After much searching on the web I do get that impression myself also. Maybe we need to see a Noctilux image on a large monitor to get the real impact or even see it in a large print.

 

Cheers,

Ben

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[fjheimann]

Ben,

Sorry for missanderstanding.

All I wanted to say was, that there is no choice in the moment.

I looked for a long time to get the glass, do not think I am richer, I am just older with 60 and hadd the time to look in different countries.

I simply bought it knowing, that I can sell it for nearly the same price.

The most used 50 is the summi, the nocti is to heavy for everyday.

If you order a nocti now you will wait for years, so I took your question simply theory and called it naiv. Did not want to bother you,

Franz

[pgk]

I feel at this early period in my Leica aquisition syndrome stage (or LAS) the Summilux will suit me better.

And I doubt that it will be one that you will ever regret. At times you may feel that you have a need for more speed (don't we all), but optically and ergonomically the 50 'lux asph represents a pinnacle.