Question for Noctilux Owners

[phovsho]

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I have a noctilux, which I love. Only really shoot it at 1.0, but it by itself is a sufficient reason for owning a Leica system. I also own the 50/2.0 which I rely on for everyday situations calling for a 50 focal length.

 

Having just bought an M8, I'm tosing up between 2 lens. 90 macro - I no longer have a macro capability, having sold all my medium format. Doubt I will use it for much oter than macro and the odd portrait. A bit long really for the rangefinder system and my style of shooting. In film my favourit lens is the 35/1.4 Asph, secondary lens being 28/2.0 Asph and 50/2.0.

 

The other lens I'm considering is the 50/1.4 Asph. Any thoughts on this lens, other than it being a mighty fine lens fgrom all accounts. My reservations, which have me tending towards the 90 macro are:

 

1. I already have two 50s

2. would dearly love macro capability

3, I'm not convinced about 50mm as a focal length given the 1.333 cropping implications and my preference for wider lens as a standard. I'm tending to think my 3 new work horses will be 28/2.0 Asph, WATE and 35/1.4 Asph

4. for low light at the 50 focal lenght (read 66) I would always reach for the Noctilux

 

Any thoughts?

 

Murray

[nscali]

Murray,

Go with your hunch.

If you didn't own a Noctilux or a 50f2, then the 501.4 is a no brainer.

The fact is you have 2 great 50mm lenses already.

The 50f2 is a great all purpose lens, and as you say, if you end up in low light, you would essentially know this ahead of time and then put the Noctilux on.

I have a Noctilux and find it very difficult to use after f1.4. Wide open is what it is good for. There are backfocus issues stopped down and are well documented on this forum.

Using the M8, I find all the 'fast' lenses (1, 1.4) very unforgiving in terms of focus errors,

particulalry as you stop down. Digital reveals a lot more than film.

In my opinion, as great as the 501.4 is purported to be, you just don't need it.

Best Regards,

Nicky

 

BTW, where do you get your gear from in NZ? Here in Sydney and Melbourne leica lenses are very hard to come by.

[phovsho]

Thanks for that. Many I bought in New York (Kurland Photo). I've only recently started buying Leica again recently, and buy them from Wellington Photographic Supplies. Do a google. If you write or call them make sure you speak with Sean. He is the guy I deal with, so suggest you mention my name. They secured me a M8 + Wate last week.

Best

M

[t0tor0]

would dearly love macro capability

 

how macro do u want to go?

 

if u are looking no bigger than 1:7, the 75mm may be something u can look into.

 

f/1.4 has a very narrow depth of field with nice bokeh and soft pleasant look.

 

f/2.0 is bright sharp and with characteristic of modern APO-ASPH lenses

 

Since u already have a noctilux, maybe u can consider the f/2.0 to be more diverified.

 

If u really like the noctilux look, f/1.4 can give u that in "semi-macro"

 

there are many discussion on these 2 lenses.

 

hope this helps.

[nscali]

Murray,

 

Just out of interest, why do you want to do macro work with a rangefinder?

I bought a decent Tamron 100mm macro lens (abou $600) and stuck it on a

Canon 5D body and I have to say the results were outstanding.

I just think focusing on a rangefinder, with a macro lens is not going to be easy.

Nicky

 

Thanks for the info regarding the store in Wellington. I think half of the world is trying to track down a WATE..

[phovsho]

Hi Nicky

 

That is a very good question! I don't have an DSLR is part of the answer. But you say, I could buy a lot of DSLR for the price of a Leica lens. I just don't want a DSLR. Find them too big to take anywhere. Like the leica for that. The 90 macro is perfect for travel, unlike the 75/1.4.

 

So, let's admit it. I don't have a good answer to your question.

 

Any comment on focusing the the 90 macro, with the magnifying finder. I'm expecting it is pretty good to focus.

 

Nicky, I'm not sure what is crrently available at WPS. However, they have done a good job sourcing stuff to me. They estimate 3 weeks for the 90 macro. Struggling to find the 50/1.4 though. Another reason to go with the 90mm?

 

Best

 

Murray

[nscali]

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Hi Murray,

Actually now that I think about it I haven't picked up my 5d for sometime now.

There is something addictive about the M8.

The 50 1.4 Aspherical are hard to come by in this part of the world and everywhere else.

You still have 2 excellent 50mm lenses. BTW, don't get hung up about wether the lenses are coded or not. All of mine (except the Noctilux) are the older ones and they all work fine.

Nicky

[phovsho]

Nicky

 

I unfortunately have sent away 4 lens for coding. A good thing, but I won't get them back before my european vacation! Stupid. I sent off the 21/2.8, 28/f2, and 35/1.4. Probably worth getting these lens coded. Did send the 50s or the 75/1.4.

 

I'm an amateur photgrapher by the way. Hence no DSLR etc.

 

Best

 

Murray

[digibob]

An aside for Nicky>> cameracamera, auckland (NZ + 09 3031879 ?) pretty sure they had a WATE in stock end of last week.

rf