Geolux Posted May 20, 2015 Share #1 Posted May 20, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello: The new M-246 Monochrome has caught my eye. I own a very early Noctilux f/1.0 with original box and hood. It is in pristine condition and has been barely used. Any thoughts on the wisdom of selling the Noctilux and buying the Monochrome? I know the traditional wisdom is to avoid selling lenses as they generally hold value better than camera bodies. But, for a black and white enthusiast, the new monochrome is really tempting. Thanks for any thoughts. Geolux Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 20, 2015 Posted May 20, 2015 Hi Geolux, Take a look here M-246 Monochrome -vs- sale of lens. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
otto.f Posted May 20, 2015 Share #2 Posted May 20, 2015 'Has been rarely used'... in how many years? So is it Your lens then? maybe you saved long enough to indulge in a 246 and is this your moment. That's for you to decide. At the end of this year another M initiative is launched by Leica. I will not buy anything until then Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colint544 Posted May 20, 2015 Share #3 Posted May 20, 2015 Hi, i had had a version 1 Noctilux (with hood and caps, but no box), and I traded it, in September 2012, for the first M Monochrom. The lens had quadrupled in price over what I paid for it. There was no other way I could afford the camera. I replaced the Noctilux with a 50mm Summilux ASPH (I can't be without a 50). I've shot that camera almost daily, and have a stack of pictures I can't put a price on. I've not missed the Noctilux. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.liam Posted May 20, 2015 Share #4 Posted May 20, 2015 Hi, i had had a version 1 Noctilux (with hood and caps, but no box), and I traded it, in September 2012, for the first M Monochrom. The lens had quadrupled in price over what I paid for it. . ƒ/1.2? Ouch. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted May 20, 2015 Share #5 Posted May 20, 2015 "Never sell a Leica lens as you will only regret it later, and it will cost more to buy again when you realise you should never have sold it". In most situations this is a reasonable comment. When you say it's been barely used are you stating that with respect to it's resale value because it's pristine, or do you mean that you really don't use, don't like how it renders or it's ergonomics or whatever, and so you really wouldn't miss it? If it's hardly been used for years then selling it would be reasonable and so you would get far more out of a Monochrom, but I must say that as a 'B&W enthusiast' older lenses such as my v3 1.0/50 Noctilux is just spectacular on my Monochrom, as it would be on a soon-to-be-yours 246. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geolux Posted May 21, 2015 Author Share #6 Posted May 21, 2015 Thanks for the comments. They are appreciated. I am the one and only owner of this Noctilux lens. When I say "pristine", I am using it in a sense meaning that by any standard - cosmetic, optical, operational, etc, it looks like it just left the factory. Over the last year, I have sold perhaps a dozen or so lenses, and I still have at least 14 left. Do I miss the lenses I sold? Sure, but the fact is that I never used them. I do use the 14 lenses I kept. After more than 55 years of photography, ( which means that I am no youngster ) I am very familiar with the effects that can be obtained with the Noctilux f/1.0. Unfortunately, I just do not appreciate the effects obtainable with the Noctilux. I guess I answered my own question. While the Noctilux is a great lens that gives results that cannot be produced by other lenses, I am left with a non-negotiable fact: It is a lens that I just don't use. While the Noctilux may well continue to appreciate in value, I think we can all agree that being the richest person in the cemetery is no great prize either. Best wishes Geolux Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted May 21, 2015 Share #7 Posted May 21, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks for the comments. They are appreciated. I am the one and only owner of this Noctilux lens. When I say "pristine", I am using it in a sense meaning that by any standard - cosmetic, optical, operational, etc, it looks like it just left the factory. Over the last year, I have sold perhaps a dozen or so lenses, and I still have at least 14 left. Do I miss the lenses I sold? Sure, but the fact is that I never used them. I do use the 14 lenses I kept. After more than 55 years of photography, ( which means that I am no youngster ) I am very familiar with the effects that can be obtained with the Noctilux f/1.0. Unfortunately, I just do not appreciate the effects obtainable with the Noctilux. I guess I answered my own question. While the Noctilux is a great lens that gives results that cannot be produced by other lenses, I am left with a non-negotiable fact: It is a lens that I just don't use. While the Noctilux may well continue to appreciate in value, I think we can all agree that being the richest person in the cemetery is no great prize either. Best wishes Geolux Yes you did just answer your own question. Easy. Sell the Noctilux and get something that will get used and give you great pleasure and you have more than enough lenses to use it with. Enjoy the M246. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted May 21, 2015 Share #8 Posted May 21, 2015 ...being the richest person in the cemetery is no great prize either. True. Being the person in the cemetery with the largest M camera and lens collection is another matter entirely, even though my wife still refuses to listen to reason with regard to that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted May 21, 2015 Share #9 Posted May 21, 2015 I have the Noctilux, albeit the f/0.95, and was seriously debating whether to sell it not. However, since picking up my new M246 yesterday and briefly paired it with the Noctilux I've decided to keep the lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colint544 Posted May 21, 2015 Share #10 Posted May 21, 2015 ƒ/1.2? Ouch. I should have been more specific - version 1 of the F1 Noctilux, not the highly-prized F1.2 original. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted May 21, 2015 Share #11 Posted May 21, 2015 I should have been more specific - version 1 of the F1 Noctilux, not the highly-prized F1.2 original. You were specific. You specifically mentioned it was the 1.0 Noctilux in the OP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinnfell Posted May 21, 2015 Share #12 Posted May 21, 2015 "Unfortunately, I just do not appreciate the effects obtainable with the Noctilux." There's your answer. If you don't appreciate the bokeh-look (I am totally with you here) then the only reason to shoot at ultra wide aperture is because of low light. But with the new Monchrom going to ISO 100000000000 or so without noise, then I suppose there are very few situations where a common summicron would not suffice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
semi-ambivalent Posted May 21, 2015 Share #13 Posted May 21, 2015 True. Being the person in the cemetery with the largest M camera and lens collection is another matter entirely, even though my wife still refuses to listen to reason with regard to that. Perhaps she thinks your collection will be in the box with you, in which case she might have a point. s-a Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geolux Posted May 21, 2015 Author Share #14 Posted May 21, 2015 HI: The jaunt into humor was not expected, but it is refreshing. One way or another, I am going to buy the Monochrome M246. I was certain that I would use it more than the Noctilux. My wife is a highly competent artist in several different disciplines. She makes extensive use of the camera in her 'smartphone', but she has never used a Leica. She also has one ability that I can only wish I had: She can compose a shot in an instant. But last night, surprise of surprises ... I discovered that she likes the "Noctilux effect". She just told me that she wants to learn how to use the Leica. It looks like the problem is solved. Thanks for all the advice, and the humor. Geolux Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted May 21, 2015 Share #15 Posted May 21, 2015 Perhaps she thinks your collection will be in the box with you, in which case she might have a point. s-a I quote Larry "the liquidator" Garfield: "He who dies with the most wins". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted May 22, 2015 Share #16 Posted May 22, 2015 I have the Noctilux, albeit the f/0.95, and was seriously debating whether to sell it not. However, since picking up my new M246 yesterday and briefly paired it with the Noctilux I've decided to keep the lens. This is with all respect but sorry the 0.95 cannot be in any way brought in in a discussion about trading a 1.0 against a 246 because it is a much more interesting lens with much more character than its predecessor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted May 22, 2015 Share #17 Posted May 22, 2015 HI: The jaunt into humor was not expected, but it is refreshing. One way or another, I am going to buy the Monochrome M246. I was certain that I would use it more than the Noctilux. My wife is a highly competent artist in several different disciplines. She makes extensive use of the camera in her 'smartphone', but she has never used a Leica. She also has one ability that I can only wish I had: She can compose a shot in an instant. But last night, surprise of surprises ... I discovered that she likes the "Noctilux effect". She just told me that she wants to learn how to use the Leica. It looks like the problem is solved. Thanks for all the advice, and the humor. Geolux I don't know what's in your collection of 14 lenses but I wonder if your wife has seen the Summilux 75 effect thus far Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enboe Posted May 23, 2015 Share #18 Posted May 23, 2015 Different priorities, different answers: If you are concerned about cost of your hobby, as realized through depreciation, then keeping the Noctilux makes sense. If you are concerned with having tools to spark creativity, then perhaps the M246 makes sense. The Noctilux is a niche tool, wonderful in that niche, but not a lens for every day and every purpose, at least for most people. The Monochrom, v1 or v2, is also a niche tool, but arguably a larger niche. An experiment to try. You did not mention what you currently use with your Noct. If it is a film M, pick up ten rolls of a good, fast B&W emulsion, Tri-X, HP-5, or equivalent. If it is a Leica digital M type, put the camera in B&W mode. Go shoot for a week or two with nothing but B&W. See how you like the results. Experiment #2: put the Noctilux on your current M body and shoot with it for a week or two. Force yourself to use it at least 50% of the time wide open. See how much you like the effect versus wish you had something else on the body. And lastly, there are always the opportunities of rentals, both as a test drive, and as a way of gaining access to the gear you don't currently possess. Off to the park to shoot the M-P 240 in B&W mode today. I set the camera for DNG + Fine JPG, B&W mode. This lets me have B&W photos with a companion DNG that can be processed B&W or color after the fact. It also captures B&W video. Eric Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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