50mm Summilux vs Noctilux {merged}

[Guest tanks]

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Now that I have had the M 240 on order (and fully paid), I am in the market for a 50mm lens. The current cameras are M7, and M8.

 

I figure 50mm will round up the kit (35mm, and 90mm APO f/2).

 

I am torn between the 50mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/0.95. Any insights beyond one stop, and cost differences will be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Walt Calahan]

all comes down to whether you really will use the extra f/stop

 

it's a very costly doubling of light, along with the Noctilux unique look and feel at f/0.95

 

I have two Summilux lenses (35 and 75) but scratch my head the last time I used them at f/1.4

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Tanks,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

If you are happy with the 35mm lens & 90mm lens you already have what makes you think you need anything more than a body cap for the 1 camera without a lens you will now have?

 

A 35mm lens & a 90mm lens together have long been seen as one of the best combinations of expanded diversity with a minimum of equipment. Together they overlap a lot of what you would buy a 50mm lens for. Making that 50mm lens an unused weight in your camera bag when it overlaps with the 35 mm lens or the 90mm lens.

 

You might try using your preview lever with the lenses you have now to see if you would really use the coverage of a 50mm lens, where it is not overlapped by a 35mm lens or a 90mm lens, enough to justify carrying around another piece of glass.

 

Also: Your M8's smaller sensor pretty much makes your 35mm lens into a 46.5mm lens as far as coverage is concerened just like it pretty much makes your 90mm lens into a 120mm lens.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[erl]

Tanks, I have a Noctilux 50/1.0 and a Summicron 50/2.0.

 

I have hankered after the Summilux FLE 50/1.4 for some time but the reality is it offers nothing substantial over what I already have. Your situation is different.

 

In you position I would jump for the Summilux FLE 50/1.4 on technical grounds. It is much lighter than the Noctilux, considerably cheaper, faster to focus, and much smaller. One stop slower is not an issue these days. The only real virtue of the Noctilux not matched by any other lens is its unique 'drawing' ability, which is why I keep it. Actually, I am talking about the f1.0 Noct. The new f0.95 is sharper and has less character than the f1.0. The Summilux still wins IMO.

 

Michael, I am puzzled at you comment that the 50mm 'overlaps' the 35mm and 90mm. Mine certainly did not last time I looked!

[Jeff S]

Welcome. This has been discussed often; here is one of many threads. A search will bring up lots more (enter terms like '50 noctilux versus summilux').

 

See if you can try them through a dealer first, or you can rent at places like lensrentals.

 

You have 2 Summicrons now, so if they serve you well, my guess is that you won't need any more than the Summilux. I have one and it's a superb lens in virtually every respect, and one of my favorites over many years. But the 50 Summicron and Summarit are also fully capable for most uses as well; depends on your own needs and preferences, and only a trial run will answer your questions.

 

Focal lengths are of course as personal as lens choice. I get use of a 28, 35 and 50. Different strokes.

 

Jeff

[JWW]

The Noctilux ASPH is a versatile lens since you can have the unique wide open look and sharp images stopped down if desired, sort of having the Nocti and Summilux with-in one lens. If I need to use a 50mm, I grab the Noctilux ASPH the majority of the time, and reserve the 50mm Summilux ASPH if a lighter or smaller lens is needed, such as for travel.

[erl]

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The Noctilux ASPH is a versatile lens since you can have the unique wide open look and sharp images stopped down if desired, sort of having the Nocti and Summilux with-in one lens. If I need to use a 50mm, I grab the Noctilux ASPH the majority of the time, and reserve the 50mm Summilux ASPH if a lighter or smaller lens is needed, such as for travel.

 

That's interesting JWW. When I travel, My Noct f1.0 gets more use than my Cron f2.0. Horses for courses.

[pgk]

Any insights beyond one stop, and cost differences will be appreciated.

Weight, size, bulk, handling. If you have to ask then go for the 'lux. Ultra fast lenses like the Nocti are for use because of their aperture (I know this from experience as I've owned the f/1 version and Canon 50 & 85 1.2s).

[FrozenInTime]

It's a tradition to buy a Noctilux, glue it to a camera for a year ; then tire of the weight and shots missed due to narrow depth of focus ; let it sit of the shelf for a further year before finally selling it for a Summilux.

 

But finally rarely is finally ....

Once infected, several years later the disease re-emerges and the cycle repeats - they call it Noctilust.

 

Ultimately you can only be at peace with a Noctilux if you also have at least one other regular 50mm - then it's easy to pick the right lens for the job.

[Paul J]

If were to choose, I would take the Noctilux. Wide open or stopped down it is, for me, the most incredible and most rewarding lens I have ever owned. I don't really notice size and finder blockage anymore.

[luigi bertolotti]

If were to choose, I would take the Noctilux. .....

 

I agree : mainly in consideration of your current lens' set, that as others have said, covers lot of "50mm situations" : if you anyway want a 50, better it is highly specialized to distinguish from the 35/90 set; personally, I never go out, say, with my two Summicrons 35 & 50... but of course should the 50 be a Nocti, it could find a proper role.

This of course doesn't factor into the HUGE price gap... which is up to you to weight...

[thighslapper]

I have a 50/0.95, 50/1.4, 50/2.8 and MATE.

 

The 50/0.95 is the most used lens by far ....... it is easier to focus than the 1.4 and actually more reliable wide open as a result .... I have had 3 1.4's (don't ask why ... it's a long story) and ALL have needed to go back to Solms for adjustment.

 

The collapsible 50/2.8 is a great little lens for travelling light and takes great photos. The Noctilux look at 0.95 is very distinctive but needs to be used selectively.

 

It all depends on how much you want to spend ..... the noctilux cost is a hefty premium for the additional flexibility and unusual IQ wide open.....

[Jager]

Welcome to the forum, tanks.

 

I think a 50mm would perfectly round out your kit. And I usually recommend that folks have at least one fast lens, so your choice between the Noctilux and Summilux makes perfect sense.

 

Between them - I own both - my quick summary would be:

 

The Summilux is the best all-around prime 50 in the world. Fast, diminutive, quick handling. Exceptional image quality. If I could only own one lens, this would be the one.

 

The f0.95 Noctilux. A magic lens. It's neither as difficult to focus (wide open) as many would have you believe, nor is its advantage limited to the extra stop over the Lux. There is a clarity (for lack of a better word) to this lens which nothing else I've ever used exhibits. (My guess is that the new APO 50 likewise has this "clarity"). The Noct is also extremely versatile, being usable across its entire aperture range. To the extent that a lens signature adds uniqueness and distinction to a photographer's tool kit, the Noct stands alone. It will get you images nothing else will. It's disadvantages? Size and weight (compared to other Leica lenses; not so much when compared to DSLR glass) and a bit slower handling.

 

You can hardly go wrong between the two lenses. But given that you already have a 35 Cron - something that already affords you most of the rangefinder mainstream - I'd be inclined towards the Noctilux.

[AB007]

+1

 

I usually use a 1.4x magnifier when I shoot the Nocti on M9.

 

I love both the Lux and the Nocti.

[philipus]

I am torn between the 50mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/0.95. Any insights beyond one stop, and cost differences will be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

I am wondering why you wouldn't instead be choosing between the 50 APO and the Noctilux.

 

In my opinion, though, if I could only own one lens it'd be the 50 Asph.

[01af]

... if I could only own one lens it'd be the 50 Asph.

Yeah, me too. Any of them.

[Guest MarcRF]

I wouldnt want a noctilux. if I'd get it as a present i'd sell it in a second. tested it in solms and it is way too big, bulky and the focus throw (although necessary for 0.95) is way too long for my taste.

 

the 1.4/50 asph is to be preferred as a standard lens, due to a more handy size&weight, faster focusing and a more common filter size (for Monochrom & film users).

 

you usually buy the noctilux for the unique look it gives wide open. its a specialty lens. if you want to lug the weight around and want to use a vario ND filter to use it open all day long, go ahead. I definitely wouldnt.

 

and to be honest: with a clean 6400 ISO shot I wouldnt hesitate and get a 2.5 summarit for the size and weight, or a pre-apo summicron. the performance is leica but the greatly reduced bulk and weight adds to the usability imo

 

if it has to be expensive then consider the new 2.0 apo asph for a second

[IkarusJohn]

I have both as well.

 

Everything above is true. The Noct is expensive, heavy, hopelessly thin depth of field at 0.95, and if you don't use it all the time at 0.95, why have it? All very sensible. But, it is the last lens I'd sell.

 

My Noct almost never comes off my camera. You see, it also does everything the Summilux does, and that little bit more. I really only use my Summilux when size or conditions (possibility of damage) are an issue.

 

A Noct (or Summilux) would compliment you Summicrons nicely.

 

Cheers

John

[01af]

I wouldn't want a Noctilux. If I'd get it as a present I'd sell it in a second. Tested it in Solms, and it is way too big and bulky, and the focus throw (although necessary for f/0.95) is way too long for my taste.

This is exactly what I thought after having tested a Noctilux for one day and a half, two years ago, also in Solms/Wetzlar—probably the very same sample you tested.

 

Yet I do own a Noctilux-M 50 Asph today, and I don't plan selling it anytime soon

 

Still I wouldn't want to use it as my only all-purpose 50 mm lens. You can use it that way if you want to, but it's not really recommendable. Every Noctilux owner (be it 50/0.95 Asph or 50/1) should also have another, smaller 50 mm lens. It doesn't matter which one ... could be Elmar, Summarit, or Summicron. Or a Zeiss. Or maybe even an Apo-Summicron Asph

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[hillavoider]

Noctilux is huge and heavy, too much for every day use, but i wouldn't say no to one if it was given to me though