Noctilux f/0.95 or Summilux 50 ASPH or both?

[jrp]

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It does, indeed, take time to get to know where the lens will work well, and where it will struggle.  This is a scene where your APO would do better, because city lights will provoke CA (which can be tamed) and coma (clearly visible on the right, which you will be stuck with, with the Noctilux, at wider apertures).

 

In this case, I might have used a longer lens (70 or perhaps even 90) and focused on the closer platform, as you may have done.  I might also have photographed earlier, because the background town is hard to read and so detracts from the image, rather than contributing to it.  The light reflections are pretty, as is the sky, but it is not clear what you are trying to get the viewer to look at.  The atmosphere of the picture is attractive, but not enough to bring off the shot (IMHO).

[Peter Kilmister]

I thought it was a cracking photo.

[jrp]

Three similar examples: 

 

1.  Noctilux 0.95, M240

 

I've cleaned up the CA, but the coma is unfixable.  The open aperture doesn't help the photo much, in this case.

 

 

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[jrp]

2. Noctilux 5.6, M240

 

The coma has gone, and the CA is absent.  The longer exposure smooths the surface of the water somewhat.

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[jrp]

3. APO Summicron 50mm 2.8, M240 (another day)

 

Lights are less star-like 

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[Jennifer]

Honestly, even given the imperfections of the Noctilux, which image do you prefer?

[Peter Branch]

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Three similar examples: 

 

1.  Noctilux 0.95, M240

 

I've cleaned up the CA, but the coma is unfixable.  The open aperture doesn't help the photo much, in this case.

 

This picture is strangely reminiscent of those taken on High Speed Ektachrome with the 50mm f/1.5 Summarit from 1954.

 

The difference being that the coma was still there at f 5.6!  

[jrp]

At this resolution, there is not much in it.  There is, however, no advantage to using 0.95, only disadvantages (aberrations, vignetting, and arguably depth of field).  The APO Summicron works as advertised, giving cleaner images (and is what I would use for landscapes at dusk or at night).  But if I only had the Noctilux with me, I wouldn't hesitate to use it, well closed down.

[jrp]

This picture is strangely reminiscent of those taken on High Speed Ektachrome with the 50mm f/1.5 Summarit from 1954.

That's just an accident of my post-processing, which was not consistent between the two days, I'm afraid. 

[Peter Kilmister]

^{I've been using my Lux rather than my Nocti because the Nocti is heavy. When faced with a decision over which to take I consider the light. However, I had problems photographing the interior of my local 11th century church because it is so dark. Next time I'll try the Nocti to give it affair chance.}

[jrp]

Is the use of tripods prohibited in your church?  The Summilux is the better lens at f1.4 and you won't get that much extra shutter speed at f0.95 because of the vignetting.  I still think that the Noctilux is better for obliterating backgrounds than for trying to make the most of limited light.

[hiepphotog]

The recently rumored Noctilux 50 APO might solve this problem . I just don't know if I'm willing to part with the possible price tag of 15k or more to get such a lens. I wonder with the recent introduction of Fresnel element and Fluorite element to reduce the size and weight on Canikon long telephoto, Leica might have something similar to have an APO Nocti at the same weight and size.

[freitz]

Rumors of a APO Nocti?? I haven't heard such things. 

[Mornnb]

It's big and heavy enough already without APO!

[hiepphotog]

Rumors of a APO Nocti?? I haven't heard such things. 

 

http://leicarumors.com/2015/06/29/additional-information-on-the-rumored-new-leica-noctilux-lenses.aspx/

 

"Leica Noctilux M 50mm f/0.95 lens update: improved image quality over the current Noctilux, Apochromatic lens, new coatings, updated lens design"

 

In fact, they are thinking of using carbon composite for lighter weight. Size might stay the same, but weight might be reduced a little bit. Then 20k is not to far-fetched for such.

[jrp]

The Summilux is already APO, just not marketed as such.  http://www.overgaard.dk/leica-50mm-APO-Summicron-M-ASPH-f-20.html

[Jeff S]

The Summilux is already APO, just not marketed as such.  http://www.overgaard.dk/leica-50mm-APO-Summicron-M-ASPH-f-20.html

David Farkas revealed this in a 2008 interview with Peter Karbe.  Since then, however, it has been noted and demonstrated that the 50 APO Summicron has better correction for chromatic aberrations, so the two different designations, given current technology, is justified from a technical standpoint.  In reality, both lenses are superb, no matter what they're called.

 

Jeff

[freitz]

http://leicarumors.com/2015/06/29/additional-information-on-the-rumored-new-leica-noctilux-lenses.aspx/

 

"Leica Noctilux M 50mm f/0.95 lens update: improved image quality over the current Noctilux, Apochromatic lens, new coatings, updated lens design"

 

In fact, they are thinking of using carbon composite for lighter weight. Size might stay the same, but weight might be reduced a little bit. Then 20k is not to far-fetched for such.

 

 

Great news. More importantly the 35 Noctilux would be nice!

[jto555]

Oh dear, it looks like I am going to have to get the balaclava and big stick out. Now to wait outside the bingo hall to get a 'loan'... 

 

 

 

   

 

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Hallo,

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[tobey bilek]

If you want 2,  go fast and slow just based on statistics.  

 

Practically do you want to carry the big old Noct ?    

 

I tried a Lux back in 2006 or 7 at a Leica demo.    I finally got one at twice the price.   I prefer to carry different focal lengths rather than multiples of one.. My partners in the bag a 50 Lux ASPH  and 50 Elmar last version which is an incredible lens.   I also prefer small lenses especially after having borrowed a Noct 20 years ago.