Noctilux Focus f1 vs f0.95

[aintchu9]

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I've thoroughly enjoyed reading the forum over the past few years and thought I would finally ask a question or two. Not being much of a photographer period I decided to bite the bullet in 2009 and had a new M8.2 Safari delivered to me from Robert White Camera. I also purchased a mint, 6 bit coded & near the last production run, Noctilux f1 off the local Craigslist from one of your regular posters.

 

The reason for the purchase was that with the birth of my first child I figured it would be a good hobby to start on my 45th b'day... or as my older cousin quipped at the time, "Welcome to the youth of old age!" (I know....."It's not the camera that makes a good photo" and I expect to hear "Idiot bought a kit he's clueless about".....guilty of that too)

 

Although the new Safari came with a 28mm chrome Elmarit, the f1 is the only lens I have used give or take literally a handful from the 28. At any rate, I love it but my wife hates trying to focus the Noctilux (she presses the release button about 1 in every 150 shots) and wants me to sell all for something like the 35mm Sony everyone here seems to enjoy discussing, bickering & comparing "horses for courses", etc..... Well, sorry but I've been bitten by M/Nocti and that's not gonna happen and I'm not buying her a point and shoot either as she has her iPhone for that.

 

I have a Chrome M 240 being delivered to me tomorrow from Solms and I'm considering getting the f0.95 only to appease her (I can live with either the f1 or the f0.95 knowing they render different) so I don't have to sell everything. I've just gotta keep a one and don't have access to a f0.95 to test.

 

Question 1: For those of you that have used both, is the f.95 really easier to focus? (I understand the throw is shorter)

 

Question 2: If my wife will find it easier, should I list my f1 and Elmarit 28mm together or separate as I need to sell both to fund the f0.95? I'd like to get enough for both to purchase a new or slightly used f0.95. Best place to post? Ebay, Craigslist, here.....?

 

BTW, I LOVE the forum and difference of opinion at times but not the ego's of some of the heavy posters bickering with one another.

 

Now that I've got that off my chest have at me instead of each other for awhile gents......."fresh meat" for all while you wait for your M.

 

Cute little smiley faces and all - Cheers!

Chris

 

 

ps- Here's one of my first pics (not worth posting but proves I have it - not sure how to download the large DNG) and pics of the lens.

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[IkarusJohn]

Can't answer either, Chris; but I love the goat!

 

Cheers

John

[garysamson]

I would kindly suggest that you buy your wife a decent point and shoot camera that she can easily record family events with. If you are really not using the 28mm convert this into another lens or accessory that will enhance your photography experience. Good luck.

[IWC Doppel]

I'd suggest a 50 Elmar-M f2.8, this can be bought quite cheaply is superb and very, very easy to focus. It's my favourite action lens. If you want a 35 somethng like the mkIV seems to be very similar.

 

You have a classic Mandler lens with the f1, I have an earlier example and it is more tricky than others to focus as I'm sure you know.

 

What's the problem with your wife using the 28 ?

[IWC Doppel]

PS your kidding about needing your wife's preference for what and how you sell right

[Bill W]

Chris,

Nice goat That strangely looks like my OLD Nocitlux. Is the f0.95 Noctilux easier to focus? I would say yes it is. I look at it as the Noctilux built with digital in mind but that is not a scientific evaluation. Would your wife be able to focus it any better, I would probably say no. Buy her an X2. Buy the newer Noctilux for you since that seems to be the lens you really like.

[Saad]

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Dear Chris,

 

I have both Noctiluxes, and yes the 0.95 is much easier and therefore quicker to focus due to it's higher contrast. With the f1 and the M 240 you are never really sure that your focus is optimum. This does not mean that the 0.95 with the M 240 is really easy to focus, but it is much easier than the f1, and when you nail the focus, you know that you have nailed it.

 

Of course, the f1 is really not a lens that one would sell, unless you are really desperate.

 

Saad

[tmldds]

If she does not like the f/1, she will not like the f/0.95 because of the size, weight and focusing challenge. I had the chance to try the f/0.95 at Houston Camera Exchange and it is a little bit easier to achieve focus. However, for $4,000 difference, if I were you, I would keep the f/1, I love mine, and use the rest of the funds to buy a 50 Lux asph for the size and more modern rendering.

[aintchu9]

@Bill,

 

You do know "Your" Noctilux when you see it don't you. I've tried to take good care of it but I certainly haven't taken as good a picture as you. Interestingly enough, in attempting to find the right avenue to post a higher resolution image of the original I actually revisited that unique swirly bokeh under magnification and I am now questioning my sanity. I guess that's what happens when you start acquiring glass from Leica. Too many choices. Oh well, I'll probably never master the f1, or it's sibling if I go that route, but one thing is for sure - I'll have a fun time trying.

 

@ All the rest,

 

I appreciate the insight. Thanks for the suggestions/comments and keep them coming.

 

(...)

 

Someone, please let me know if this link works and includes the data.

 

[FTI]

Exciting times ahead for you :-)

 

Honestly I strongly doubt you will appease your wife with going down this route. So if that's really your only motivation, I think you should check with her first.

 

I'm not sure what other cameras you may have lying around, but you're going to be wanting to take tons of photos of your little one soon. I second the comment made above buying a different camera... not necessarily P&S but something small, quick to operate, and easy enough for your wife to use as well.

 

Good luck!

[CheshireCat]

With the rangefinder, the f/0.95 is way easier to "focus" if you stop down, as it does not suffer from the same tremendous focus shift of its old brother. But I'll assume you shoot the lens wide open (of course).

 

With the EVF, the 0.95 is easier to focus thanks to superior contrast. But the EVF is a pain to use for me, as I can't stand the M firmware.

Otherwise, the 0.95 will feel stiffer (at least in the beginning), and sharper (but not because you nailed focus any better).

You may also want to check RF calibration with your f/1.

 

N.B. Do not sell the f/1. Ever. You have been warned.

[earleygallery]

Dear Chris,

 

I have both Noctiluxes, and yes the 0.95 is much easier and therefore quicker to focus due to it's higher contrast. With the f1 and the M 240 you are never really sure that your focus is optimum. This does not mean that the 0.95 with the M 240 is really easy to focus, but it is much easier than the f1, and when you nail the focus, you know that you have nailed it.

 

Of course, the f1 is really not a lens that one would sell, unless you are really desperate.

 

Saad

 

How can contrast make the lens easier to focus? The rangefinder is independent of whatever lens you stick on the camera. I can understand the point about the actual focus throw, but not contrast?

[marknorton]

I think the point is that both Noctiluxes (I have both too) are easier to focus on the M240; the OVF has been improved in as yet largely unexplained ways. Then, there is Live View, which, if you can bear to use it, provides the best and most reliable way to focus for such a shallow DoF lens.

 

With the f1 lens, you can see the effect of focus shift as you stop down.

[marknorton]

How can contrast make the lens easier to focus? The rangefinder is independent of whatever lens you stick on the camera. I can understand the point about the actual focus throw, but not contrast?

 

True if you are using the OVF, less so if you are using Live View.

[earleygallery]

I have both Noctiluxes, and yes the 0.95 is much easier and therefore quicker to focus due to it's higher contrast.

 

Sorry I took the above as it read, not in relation to using it just on the new M.

 

Obviously other focusing methods on the new M can make any lens easier to focus.

[jaapv]

If you just keep your beloved Noctilux the price differential will allow you to get her the XVario with plenty of money to spare for a few baubles/shoes.

[wattsy]

"OVF". Jesus wept!