Edward77 Posted November 9, 2012 Share #1 Posted November 9, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) So I have just stumbled across a brand new Noctilux in stock. What should I do?? I am far from a pro but love the leica experience. I have a 35 lux and 50 summarit, i use both but more often the 35 in the evenings. I personally prefer the framing on the 50 when snapping people. Is it worth it?? Or is it just too big and am I getter off with the new ASPH 50? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 9, 2012 Posted November 9, 2012 Hi Edward77, Take a look here Found a new Nocti. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
kokoshawnuff Posted November 9, 2012 Share #2 Posted November 9, 2012 If you've not tried the Summilux you won't really know which is better, and we can't tell you. But if you can afford it, and you don't mind a 1m minimum focus its worth a try. If you don't wind up liking it for whatever reason you can always sell it for a small loss and consider that loss as a rental fee. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted November 9, 2012 Share #3 Posted November 9, 2012 Just imagine a subject that can not move for 5 sec so you can can focus it and you have the perfect subject for a lens with paper thin depth of field and cost of $10,000. Such a deal. If you like this only one plane of focus in a photo, photoshop will get it for far less money. Naturally a Noct will take photos in less light, but when the light is that low the quality is generally poor anyway so you get a poor photo with a $10,000 lens. Extrapolate this to your situation and you have your answer. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted November 9, 2012 Share #4 Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) To enjoy it you need : - For people, a subject that stands quiet : a sort of studio posture (or the skill, in certain situations, to shoot several frames in quick succession, to have at least one with the right focusing) - For paysage, a scenery in which the extremely narrow depth of focus can result in a great image, and the skill to frame it so that this particularity is fully exploited. So, a lens for special use, not forgetting that is basically stupid to spend for f 0,95/1 and not to use it : the superb Summilux 50 asph is A LOT cheaper, and, supposed money isn't an issue, allows you to divert a good amount on some other lens which adresses similar goals (a Cron 90 asph... a LN Summilux 75...). Of course, other considerations can enter : Nocti is a fine item to have, period... I don't have and won't buy it, surely, but I'd like to have one, no doubt... Edited November 9, 2012 by luigi bertolotti 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted November 9, 2012 Share #5 Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) Is it worth it?? For "snapping people" as an amateur? Imho, no not at all (unless you're exceptionally rich and don't know what to do with the money). This is a topic that has been beaten to death in many threads but ultimately only you can decide if it is worth it. Luckily one can usually sell on Leica lenses without big or any loss. If/when you do, please refrain from selling the Noctilux at the rather crazy prices it goes for secondhand. The 50 asph will give you virtually the same images for much less and allow you to shoot closer (thanks Alex for reminding me of that; I had forgotten this limitation in the 0.95). It is a wonderful lens, quite simply. Now enter all die-hard Noctilux addicts and ditto proponents. Paul, where are you? Edited November 9, 2012 by philipus Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bybrett Posted November 9, 2012 Share #6 Posted November 9, 2012 Noctliux addict here... I've got used to the weight, forgotten the cost, shoot wide open where possible, portraits with context at 1m, and use it as my sole wedding lens professionally. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
!Nomad64 Posted November 9, 2012 Share #7 Posted November 9, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) So I have just stumbled across a brand new Noctilux in stock. What should I do?? I am far from a pro but love the leica experience. I have a 35 lux and 50 summarit, i use both but more often the 35 in the evenings. I personally prefer the framing on the 50 when snapping people. Is it worth it?? Or is it just too big and am I getter off with the new ASPH 50? IMHO this is one of those specialist tools that split the world in two: those who can't do without it and those who'll never need it. Which end do you belong to? Cheers, Bruno Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianjones66 Posted November 9, 2012 Share #8 Posted November 9, 2012 Edward RG Lewis in London have a 2 month old Nocti in their window for £6250, boxed, mint condition. Was in there picking up my 35 Lux and noticed it when leaving. Have used the Noctilux and great lens that it is, was not for me. Brian Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfage Posted November 9, 2012 Share #9 Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) Should I spend ten thousand dollars? Someone tell me. Actually, you know what? Buy them both. We'll be impressed, then. Edited November 9, 2012 by sfage Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 9, 2012 Share #10 Posted November 9, 2012 You can have lots of fun setting up test shots, toys or kitchen items & I've not seen a decent cat shot with OOF whiskers in a while 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ib M Posted November 9, 2012 Share #11 Posted November 9, 2012 I use my Noctilux as a piece of special tool - the question is whether you have the money for such a tool. If it is an all-purpose lens you will bring over everything, I'd choose 50mm. Lux. Noctilux is great but big and heavy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted November 9, 2012 Share #12 Posted November 9, 2012 I saw this shot today. It looks kind of odd as though she's been cut out and stuck on to another photo. I'd also say go with the 50 Lux. I think the Noctilux f1 has more character than the 0.95. Pete 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercan Posted November 9, 2012 Share #13 Posted November 9, 2012 If you are far from pro but have obssession for noctilux and if you have the money then go and buy it. It is not difficult to use but it is heavy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted November 10, 2012 Share #14 Posted November 10, 2012 (edited) It seems to be either love or hate with this lens, but I think, it seems, the balance tends to be more for deep love from those that own it. At least if you don't like it you can sell it and not lose any money, possibly gain some. I own it and it's the best lens I have ever owned from any system. Wide open it is like nothing else and stopped down it's jaw droppingly sharp and the colour, contrast across the whole range is, I believe, perfect. Colour and contrast, in particular is really very incredible. It has the fineness of the modern lenses but it doesn't have any of the "clinical" aspects associated. It has a nice amount of clasic rendering. It's really balanced beautifully. Works best when you get over the wonder of Wide Open, but that novelty may sit with you a while if you're into that kind of thing because it's a really pronounced. But you need to learn to use it when it suits the shot and not just leace it wide open all the time. Imo of corse. There are quite a few overly favoursome user reviews out ther on the net that describe the lens as razor sharp wide open. Just know that while it is very sharp wide open (which is a feat of engineering), I wouldn't personally describe it as razor sharp. Very sharp, yes. Much sharper than any other sub 1.4 lens I have ever owned or used. It's supposed weakness are it's size and finder blockage but these really don't bother me. i rarely even notice. I bought an M9 with the Noctilux and at first the finder blockage gave me a bit of a shock (it was the first time i'd used a rangefinder) but within a couple days of constant use I barely even noticed it. Now, if the lens is in the way I just quickly move the camera to the side to see what is there and then recompose. Your mind is very good in filling in the details in that regard. Personally I will never part with the lens and it's the one lens that I would be happy with having as a single lens kit. It's my standard lens for personal and professional work. Edited November 10, 2012 by Paul J 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted November 10, 2012 Share #15 Posted November 10, 2012 I saw this shot today. It looks kind of odd as though she's been cut out and stuck on to another photo. I'd also say go with the 50 Lux. I think the Noctilux f1 has more character than the 0.95.Pete But you don't have to shoot it 0.95. That's the point. The shots where it really suits it, is a whole other story. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted November 10, 2012 Share #16 Posted November 10, 2012 I think the Noctilux f1 has more character[/url] than the 0.95.Pete I agree. The OP can buy a lot for the equivalent of a 0.95 Noctilux, such as a 1.0 Noctilux and a few other lenses. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpalme Posted November 11, 2012 Share #17 Posted November 11, 2012 I say go for it if the money doesn't mean much to you. I bought one and loved it. If I didn't need the money it would be my first choice for a lens. As far as selling them for a small loss. Things have changed a little.. They now sell for $9600-9700 ish. Plus all the fees. If you ship insured you will lose almost $500 between Paypal, shipping and insurance. So you may lose $1500 all together from a new lens. Just saying.. That's not chump change. As far as the cut and pasted photo above .. I love those types of photos. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpalme Posted November 11, 2012 Share #18 Posted November 11, 2012 BTW I sold mine because of money. I bought it originally because I was offered it with no wait time while I waited for the Summilux ASPH. I didn't think I would lose much money since they were selling for much more at the time. I lost money but oh well. I really enjoyed it while I had it and hope to own it again someday. If the weight/cost bothers you in the slightest go for the 50 Summilux ASPH. If you click the link below.. third pic down is my favorite that I took with the Noctilux. Cheers. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosophos Posted November 11, 2012 Share #19 Posted November 11, 2012 "Just imagine a subject that can not move for 5 sec so you can can focus it..." ----- I would disagree with the above. Dynamic shots are possible, especially with some practice. These were all taken @ f/0.95: 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! - - - The Noctilux 0.95 is a remarkable lens with three important shortcomings: it's expensive, it's heavy, and the minimum focus distance is 1m. If you can overlook these things, it's worth giving it a try. I've owned it for just over a month, and I'm not sure I'll hold on to it, but I do recognize it as a special lens. Peter. P r o s o p h o s 10 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! - - - The Noctilux 0.95 is a remarkable lens with three important shortcomings: it's expensive, it's heavy, and the minimum focus distance is 1m. If you can overlook these things, it's worth giving it a try. I've owned it for just over a month, and I'm not sure I'll hold on to it, but I do recognize it as a special lens. Peter. P r o s o p h o s ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/191886-found-a-new-nocti/?do=findComment&comment=2163820'>More sharing options...
erl Posted November 11, 2012 Share #20 Posted November 11, 2012 I totally agree with Peter about using a Noct for dynamic situations. I do it regularly and have done so for at least 15 years. Yes, there are some losses, but that is true with all lenses. It is not unique to Nocti's. Training/practice is essentially, as with any lens, but more so. I don't notice the weight or bulk (I spent most of my working life toting a large Hasselblad kit), but I do appreciate the physically smaller lenses ergonomically. The Noct is merely a tool in your kit. If you don't need/want to do what it does, don't buy it. Use another 'brush'. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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