opho.to Posted October 11, 2011 Share #1 Posted October 11, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, I've recently got an M9, and am really loving it. Really loving it. All my Nikon stuff is up for sale! Anyway, a friend who shoots film Ms is retiring, and is giving me first choice on his 50mm Summilux ASPH or Noctilux 0.95 (among other things). I'm so torn! I currently have a 50mm Summicron, and love the look and the size. The Noctilux obviously appeals, but then there's the size. And the cost! The Summilux is supposedly the 'perfect' 50mm, and I'd appreciate the shallower dof, but does it have the character of the Summicron (or Noctilux) look? To put into perspective, I am not rich. At all. Either of these lenses will mean I keep my car for another few years. If you think that a Noctilux is really worth doing that, please say. If you think a Summicron is great and the others are just snake oil, again, I'd like to hear your opinion. I know 10 people will now give me 12 dfferent opinions! Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 Hi opho.to, Take a look here I've been offered a Summilux and Noctilux!. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
mardag Posted October 11, 2011 Share #2 Posted October 11, 2011 Since you are really happy with the 50cron I think you should stick with it. Maybe your friend´s got some other focal that you could pair you 50 with. For example the 28 cron. While your friend have these lenses take the opportunity to try them out and then decide what YOU think. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeinzX Posted October 11, 2011 Share #3 Posted October 11, 2011 The Summilux is great, the Noctilux too, but very special and voluminous (once I had the old 1:1.0 version together wih a M 6). But if you are satisfied with the excellent Summicron - why change it ? If you do not really need the possibility of the 1,4 or 0,95 (reducing the depth of field - and with 0,95 there is nearly nothing depth of field) I would stick to the Summicron. Otherwise I would take the Summiliux with is excellent, realtively small and has one stop more than the Summicron. The Noctilux would not be my personal choice - if I had to take into account the price, the weight and what I get more on photographic possibilities with it compared to the Summilux. But of course all I write there is my very personal point of view. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
opho.to Posted October 11, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted October 11, 2011 Thanks, Mardag. My friend doesn't live close, and I'm actually worried about going to try them - because once I do, I'm worried they'll blow my Summicron out the water, and then I might do something silly. The distance allows me to keep any 'lens lust' in check! And I'm already considering his 28mm as well! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
opho.to Posted October 11, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted October 11, 2011 Thanks, HeinzX. I am satisfied with the Summicron, but I'd like to understand the depth of field difference between 1.4 and 2.0, especially at closer distances. Is there any site where I can compare the look of the 2 lenses directly? If it opens up new possibilities photographically, then I'd definitely be interested. If I spent my life stopping when I was satisfied, then I would have missed out on quite a few of life's adventures! I think the Noct might well be a step too far. I'm really not sure about the size, and the cost would probably make me overly precious about using it. Realistically I think it's Summicron or Summilux. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeinzX Posted October 11, 2011 Share #6 Posted October 11, 2011 Real pictures comparing the different field of depth with the different stops I do not know. But what is possible, is to load down the technical pdfs dealing with the lenses on the Leica home page and to compare the graphs of the different fields of depth. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted October 11, 2011 Share #7 Posted October 11, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'd keep the summicron 50 for everyday use and get the Noctilux for its ability to produce very distinctive images .... plus it's as good as the summilux at this lenses other available apertures. You can always sell on the Noctilux at minimal loss (if any) if it doesn't suit. I've also rather paradoxically found the Noctilux less troublesome with focusing accuracy than the summilux 1.4. Ok, it's big, but its a lens which once on the camera is difficult to take off...... so unusual are the images produced that you will be endlessly fascinated by what it will do next....... This is the difference between approx 1.8 (left) and 0.95 (right) on the Noctilux from a dull late afternoon last sunday..... I'm sure someone can dig out a 1.4/2 comparison 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/163930-ive-been-offered-a-summilux-and-noctilux/?do=findComment&comment=1815409'>More sharing options...
Peter H Posted October 11, 2011 Share #8 Posted October 11, 2011 One of the things I love about the Summilux is that its relatively small and light but a sensational lens at every aperture, so I can take it with me everywhere, all day, every day, and never tire of either carrying or using it, physically or aesthetically. But the Noctilux is a wonderful lens too of course, and unique. An easy choice if you have a good few thousands that have no better use. But as a general purpose lens its bulk means it's seriously compromised compared with the Summilux, and gets a lot less use now the novelty's worn off, and I feel better able to assess my choice of lens objectively. I love my Noctilux, it does extraordinary things that no other lens can do, but if I had to keep only one 50, it would be the Summilux ASPH. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted October 11, 2011 Share #9 Posted October 11, 2011 I'm with Peter on this, I also have and love the Summilux; but I am waiting for a Noctilux as I'm fascinated by it, and I don't expect to lose too much if I don't like it. If you want a different opinion, Danish photographer and write, Thorsten Overgaard prefers the Summicron 50 over the Summilux 50 (it seems), but is also a Noctilux fan. I think he has kept the Summicron and the Noctilux over the Summilux (I may be wrong), His write up of the Noctilux is here. Hope this helps. Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smb Posted October 11, 2011 Share #10 Posted October 11, 2011 The new 6-bit Summilux is highly desireable and may be one of the best lenses (ever). It is selling on auction sites for more than it is listed by Leica and there is a long waiting list (self included). If, on the other hand it is not the newest version, stay with the Summicron. Read Mr. Puts review. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicanet Posted October 11, 2011 Share #11 Posted October 11, 2011 One of the things I love about the Summilux is that its relatively small and light but a sensational lens at every aperture, so I can take it with me everywhere, all day, every day, and never tire of either carrying or using it, physically or aesthetically. But the Noctilux is a wonderful lens too of course, and unique. An easy choice if you have a good few thousands that have no better use. But as a general purpose lens its bulk means it's seriously compromised compared with the Summilux, and gets a lot less use now the novelty's worn off, and I feel better able to assess my choice of lens objectively. I love my Noctilux, it does extraordinary things that no other lens can do, but if I had to keep only one 50, it would be the Summilux ASPH. Fully agree with everything above, I have both the Noctilux 0,95 and the Summilux ASPH, and my monthly ratio of use is 1 day for the Nocti and 30 days for the 'Lux. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jager Posted October 11, 2011 Share #12 Posted October 11, 2011 I have three working 50's (current Cron, Lux ASPH, and the f1 Noctilux), and so I perfectly understand the rationale of acquiring nuance within a given focal length. I'm also of a mind to choose one lens and use it for a few weeks or months. From January to June, the Noct didn't come off my camera - a longish span even for me. The Noct is probably my favorite lens. Not my best - it's oft-discussed limitations preclude that. But my favorite. In your case, the 0.95 Noct brings a much better balanced palette of available imagery - think of it as a Lux ASPH on steroids - but with less of the distinctive wide-open signature that many of us Noct aficionados find so beguiling in the original f1 version. But no matter. The current Noct is the Summa Cum Laude of 35mm lenses. I'll have one some day. You will too. The 50 Lux ASPH is, simply, the best 50mm lens, by any marque, in the world. Among its other strengths, it splits the difference between the Cron and the Noct, giving you an extra stop and a clean, gorgeous one at that. You'll need one of those too. You might think the Cron, unchanged in forever, has little to offer compared to its extraordinary big brothers. You'd be wrong. The Cron is a magical lens. Alone amongst Leica's current catalog of lenses, it straddles two worlds: the new one where you get razor sharpness and exceptional resolution and little-to-no spherical aberration; and the old one where there's still enough aberrant behavior to sometimes make you catch your breath at what it does to an image. You're not thinking of that now. But you will, maybe, down the road. My first recommendation would be to not choose either of those 50's. Good as they are, they won't expand your repertoire as much as would a different focal length. A 35 Lux ASPH would give you a very different view of the world, even as it offers a dollop of extra speed for those occasions when you need it - and you will. A 28 Cron would give you a wide option, but without the speed increase. But here's what I would really recommend... don't do anything. Shoot with your Cron for six months. If you do that you'll learn some things that you won't if you quickly acquire a bag of lenses. Welcome to to the world of Leica! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted October 12, 2011 Share #13 Posted October 12, 2011 I know 10 people will now give me 12 dfferent opinions You knew you shouldn't have asked, didn't you? I'd go for the Summilux. But this is just because the Noctilux is the new f/0.95 and I am one of those who prefer the previous Mandler design. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overgaard Posted October 14, 2011 Share #14 Posted October 14, 2011 Uh, this is a dangerous discussion because we all want it all. And there are so many good excuses to get it. It seem to go with the Leica brand that we want the optimum and most exotic. So when I started out shooting with the 50/2 from 1964 it was coincidence that I had that. And as time has gone by, two years now, I just realized how interesting a lens it is and managed to know it as my own pocket. And thus is has become an exclusive trademark for me to use an old cheap lens in a world of exotic and expensive lenses. By the way, Photogrphica.dk had one similar two days ago in their window for just 3.995 dkr, somewhat 750$ But as pointed out above it is actually a good lens. It has the 3D feel, details and yet a softness that we now contribute to the Mandler era. The softness mainly is vieweabke when you pixelpeep and see how the light spreads in the otherwise very clear details. In an A4 print you won't be able to tell, and the overall contrast you can enhance to ASPH standard in Lightroom. So the Summicron has it's characteristics. And so does the Summilux ASPH which has an unique way of handling out of focus tones. Those grey tones are to die for, both when used in a film camera as well as a digital M9. But when we enter the Noctilux, it's easier to see how we also talk artistic expression. The aesthetic of each lens' unique take on light is what is interesting. The depth of field of an f-stop is given so it is how the lens handles the light that is interesting, and few but Peter Karbe and his team probably knows why certain glass produces different looks. But the Noctilux 0.95 alone is almost a gathering of different types of exotic glass in exotic shapes to create that look. The Summilux never made sense for my use, and there is no factual reason for why. The Noctilux I prefer the quality of the 0.95 but the workmans tool feel of the way the 1982-model is built. I think all in all that lenses has mostly to do with what you learn to use and feel familiar with. You sort of make a lens your voice. Be it the very popular 35mm ASPH or the (now) less popular and almost forgotten (and widely available) 28mm ASPH. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted October 14, 2011 Share #15 Posted October 14, 2011 The Nocti is a very unique lens, and the bokeh cannot be surpassed for its dreamy quality. I own the Summilux ASPH and love the lens. It is fast and sharp wide open. Some consider it too sharp, and keep a Summicron along with the Summilux for those times when clinical sharpness is not the goal, or not desired. It would be lovely to have one lens with the qualities of all three, but that is not possible. I suspect you will be happy with just the Summicron if you keep working with it. There will always be other opportunities to buy if you decide to wait. I personally prefer the Summilux ASPH but it is a matter of taste. The lens performs "off the hook." Images just seem to come to life with it. Nevertheless, I vote for waiting and enjoying the Summicron. I only have one 50mm lens because I like to keep things simple - and I don't have deep pockets :-) . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
photoart Posted October 14, 2011 Share #16 Posted October 14, 2011 Take the noctilux, it is worth every penny and it is a good financial investment with no risk. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted October 15, 2011 Share #17 Posted October 15, 2011 You may find this link helpful, although it doesn't feature the latest version of the Noctilux. On second thought, this link could further complicate your decision. You just may feel the need to have a battery of 50mm lenses. :-) I still vote for sticking with the Summicron for a few months. 50mm RF lenses Shot Wide Open using M9 Perhaps San Pedro can help? I shot this wide open (Summilux ASPH). Not a scientific shot since I did some of my usual PP. Cheers! 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/163930-ive-been-offered-a-summilux-and-noctilux/?do=findComment&comment=1817563'>More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.