After a Year My Dealer has called with Noctilux

[DLS]

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A year after placing myself in the que, my dealer called late Friday to tell me that I was next up on the list and a new Noctilux had just arrived. I had long since given up any hope that the lens was actually being manufactured any longer. So here is my dilemma: Leica has a scheduled announcement on the 10th - I am leaving for long planned trip to China in early June - if I am to get up to speed with this lens, I've got to get it now and start using it. And in the meantime, I've been reading lots of very promising things about (and seeing lots of very wonderful photos from) the 35 Summilux FLE (and I shoot mostly - 80% - with 35mm Summicron). My dealer says the waiting list for that lens is at 8-10 months... Yikes... what do I do? I'm tempted to pass on the Nocti but have regretted every time I've passed on Leica glass because it's so damn hard to get a hold of. I realize this is a stupid question, but I'd like to hear your comments if you will indulge me: is it worth it?

[Sp12]

I love Leica glass, but there is one lens I just can't recommend anymore: the 35 Lux.

 

The Voigtlander 35 1.2 is just better. Faster, sharper from wide open in the center frame, sharper at landscape apertures, almost as sharp in the corners at intermediate apertures, only ~1200$, available.

 

I say go for the Noctilux if you want it. It's a great lens facing competition only from the SLR magic 50/.92. IMO 50mm is a "meh" FL and I'd much rather have the Voigtlander 35/1.2 and the Hexanon 60 1.2.

[johnbuckley]

If I were in the same situation as you, and knowing what I know now, I wouldn't hesitate to get the Nocti.

 

Here's my reasoning: most rumors are not predicting the M10 this week. It sounds like the announcements wouldn't be for items you could lay your hands on soon anyway. The 35mm Summilux with floating element is a glorious lens, but I had to wait more than year to get one. The Noctilux really is an amazing lens. I traded multiple lenses in order to afford it. And I don't regret that at all.

 

I once was told that you regret the things you didn't buy when you could, more than buying things you shouldn't . There is a healthy market for used Noctis. Grab this one, and when you come back from China, if you want it, sell it!

 

I hope this helps solve your dilemma!

[philipus]

Yikes... what do I do?

 

I would get the Noctilux, learn how to use it and bring it and your 35 Summicron on the trip. Sign up for the 35 FLE when you pick up the Noctilux. Then if you don't want the Noctilux you can easily sell it. Or if you like it, sell the Summicron and put the money to the FLE.

 

There definitely was a reason you put yourself on the list for the 0.95.

[Paul J]

I own and love the Noctilux so maybe I'm not the person to ask. Personally speaking, I would take the Noctilux. I own the 35 FLE also.

[thighslapper]

The dilemma is .... you really have to use this lens for an extended period to find out if it is for you or not......

 

I turned down 2 in 6 months ...... and bought the 3rd I was offered ...... I am not really a fan of 50mm as a focal length and hardly used my 50/2 and 50/1.4 .... so this was more a case of lens lust and curiosity than a sane decision.

 

but........ the 50/0.95 is now a permanent fixture on my M9-P and I would never part with it. I have a second body I use with the 'cheap' lenses.

 

On a recent trip to Rome 70% of my photos were Noctilux shots.

 

You will either love it or hate it...... and buying one is the only way to find out!

[Steve Ash]

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If you do not get it you will regret sooner or later. I would recommend to find out yourself whether this lens is made for you.

 

There is no financial risk in case you want to sell it later on.

 

Regards,

Steve

[DLS]

And very helpful. I suspect when they open tomorrow, the dealer will receive my "YES!" call.

 

Another question to those of you who have this lens: do you use ND filter for shooting in daylight? And if so, which one are you using?

[glenerrolrd]

I would take the Noctilux for sure . You know the trade offs ..cost ,weight,how much will I use it ..but the IQ and aesthetic of the Noctilux is unique . This is a lens worth working with to create images that have a unique and beautiful look . Thats why you get it not because it 0.95 verse the summilux at 1.4 .

 

Rome is a great spot for using a Noctilux ..the evening activity on the many Plaza s is quite interesting . 15 minutes after the sun sets you will be saying I love this lens .

 

Its not a lens I enjoy carrying around all day but for a few hours at dawn and dusk its pretty special .

 

IMO the 35 1.4 asph FLE is a superb Leica M lens and as good as it gets for all around street and travel shooting with an M body . But the 35/2 sum micron is excellent as well. Get on the list for the 35/1.4 asph FLE .

[michali]

And very helpful. I suspect when they open tomorrow, the dealer will receive my "YES!" call.

 

Another question to those of you who have this lens: do you use ND filter for shooting in daylight? And if so, which one are you using?

 

I'm using a Heliopan ND1.2 on my Noctilux 0.95, it covers me for most daylight conditions. I've also purchased a Heliopan Vario ND that comes in 62mm thread, I haven't managed to use that one yet as I'm waiting to receive a 60mm to 62mm step-up ring that I've ordered.

.

[pico]

A year after placing myself in the que, my dealer called late Friday to tell me that I was next up on the list and a new Noctilux had just arrived. I had long since given up any hope that the lens was actually being manufactured any longer. So here is my dilemma: Leica has a scheduled announcement on the 10th [...]

 

Live in the present.

.

[Mark Pope]

I have a .9 ND for my Nokton f1.1

 

I think the advice about taking the 35mm Summicron and buying the Noctilux is sound. Enjoy it!

[earleygallery]

The answer - the true answer - is simple. You don't NEED the lens. If you did need it you wouldn't have to ask the question.

 

Whether or not you WANT the lens is down to you. Maybe you'll like playing with it and will find real use for it in time. If not, you can sell it on and probably won't lose much money.

[luigi bertolotti]

I respect James' opinion, but I also think that is uneven that anybody NEEDS a Noctilux : my rough evaluation is that 97% of the times you "liked to have" a Noctilux, you could take the pic with a Summilux (or a Nokton 1,1 - and Summilux+Nokton is a much cheaper combo).

 

BUT : you have ordered it, you waited lot of time, you (I suppose) can afford the expense comfortably... and is a lens that, I think, can give some kind of unique flavor to images taken with a 50 : go to the shop, take it, start to use it a lot.

[Guest snowboarder]

So what's the deal with the 35 Lux FLE?

Some really seem to hate it, some think it's the best thing ever?

I thought about it, but I'm seeing so many bad opinions.

I really like the rendering of my Crons - 28 and 35 but also my 50 Lux.

I'm not sure what to expect and it's hard to get too...

[Prosophos]

So what's the deal with the 35 Lux FLE?

Some really seem to hate it, some think it's the best thing ever?

I thought about it, but I'm seeing so many bad opinions.

I really like the rendering of my Crons - 28 and 35 but also my 50 Lux.

I'm not sure what to expect and it's hard to get too...

 

The 35 Lux FLE is my favourite 35mm lens. Favourite Leica lens period (and I've used them all, including the 0.95 Noctilux)...

 

More to the point of this thread, I'd be more tempted to get that darn "SLR magic" Noctilux-challenger for its 0.7 cm close focusing ability alone... the Noctilux (both f/1 and f/0.95) minimum focus distance of 1.0 m was frustrating (for me)...

 

Peter.

P r o s o p h o s

[Sp12]

So what's the deal with the 35 Lux FLE?

Some really seem to hate it, some think it's the best thing ever?

I thought about it, but I'm seeing so many bad opinions.

I really like the rendering of my Crons - 28 and 35 but also my 50 Lux.

I'm not sure what to expect and it's hard to get too...

 

It's a very good lens. Modern sharpness with great correction. Background bokeh isn't quite as good as some other 35s. Focuses to .7, relatively cheap for a Lux, and not crazily unavailable.

 

On the other hand, as mentioned before, I much prefer the Voigtlander 35 1.2. Price, aperture, performance, close focus to .5. Only big issue is size IMO.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

If you can afford it I can't think of a downside to getting a Noctilux. Even if you hate it passionately, you can resell it at full price almost immediately.

 

"if" there's a M10 announced this week, how long do you think it will actually be until you can get one?

 

Gordon

[Messsucherkamera]

How good of a relationship have you established with your dealer? If you are tight with him, here's what I'd do: Tomorrow is May 7. Ask him to hold the Noctilux for three days, till May 10 so you can see what Leica's announcement will be.

 

Guarantee him that once you see what Leica releases on May 10, you will buy either the Noctilux or whatever tasty new toy Leica drops on the market.

 

Either way, come May 10 he is going to have a very nice day in terms of sales. This would have to be a win/win for both of you - I can't see a down side for your dealer. No doubt he has a long list of people who have $11,000 burning a hole in their pockets and a case of the shingles due to a rabid case of Nocti-lust.

 

If he says he can't do that, I'd take the Noctilux and feel fortunate to own a copy of the world's greatest 50mm lens. There is no down side to that, IMHO.

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[earleygallery]

I respect James' opinion, but I also think that is uneven that anybody NEEDS a Noctilux : my rough evaluation is that 97% of the times you "liked to have" a Noctilux, you could take the pic with a Summilux (or a Nokton 1,1 - and Summilux+Nokton is a much cheaper combo)..

 

Luigi, I expected someone to say "but who needs a Leica".

 

If the OP had a burning desire to shoot very low light scenes, or specifically wanted the ultra short DOF of the Noctilux then that would qualify his need IMHO. To ask if he should/shouldn't buy a lens he's waited a year for says to me that he has no such need and it's more a case of GAS (which I'm sure we can all admit to suffering at times!).