My Nokton F1.1 Experience

[DickieT]

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Wow, thanks for all the feedback guys. I am new to the M-system, prior to this I have shot with Canon for years, and then Sony. In the Canon system, as far as 50mm lenses are concerned, there is a clear progression: the 50mm f/1.2L is better than the 50/1.4, which in turn is better than the 50/1.8. It was very simple - the faster lens gave you the opportunity to use larger apertures, whilst equalling or exceeding the slower lens in sharpness when stopped down. 

 

So when I bought into the M system, I was going to buy a Noctilux as my first 50mm lens. I even managed to find a secondhand one (f/1, not f/0.95) which was going for not too much money. But everyone I spoke to counselled against it, and I was confused. The Noctilux is lighter than the Canon 50/1.2L, so I did not understand why they were criticizing it for being heavy. Also, surely the Noctilux would equal or better the performance of the Summilux when stopped down to f/1.4?

 

Well, the first time I mounted a Noctilux on my camera, I understood the criticism. The Nocti made it front heavy. Also, I simply could not nail focus with this thing, even at f/1.4 (remember I am new to rangefinders!). And I found review after review on the web showing that the Summilux is superior at f/1.4 than the Noctilux. 

 

I still have an irrational lust for fast lenses, so maybe there is a Noctilux in my future. Maybe I just need to get it out of my system! 

 

 

Keith - like you, I once was a Canon shooter and during my first rangefinder weeks/months I did not understand the weight criticism. Leica's were simply so much ligher than all this (D)SLR stuff! But as you get used to the lighter gear, the Nocti remains heavier. True, but that never kept me from wanting and/or owning one. I would encourage you to practise more with the rangefinder or EVF and get that focus right. I love my f/1.0 (first version) for several reasons - as you say 'get it out of your system' and explore !

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[eujin]

Interesting discussion. I think the price of Noctili greatly skews our perception and expectations of these lenses. I own the current Summilux 1.4 ASPH and it's my favorite lens. I've previously owned the Nokton 1.1 as well. Like everyone else, I was hoping the Nokton's shortcomings would fall within an acceptable window for me to live with it. Unfortunately, I really disliked how it handled and worse, the OOF rendering was just not to my taste.

 

Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to borrow a 0.95 for an extended amount of time and shot with it daily for about 10 days. My conclusion: I love this lens. Yes, it's heavy (on a rangefinder). Yes, it's not quite as sharp as the Summilux at 1.4. But it's also capable of producing really special images. And having previously been a Canon shooter who loved the 50 1.2L, I'm ok with heavier lenses. I would buy a used 0.95 over a  new M10 is basically what I've concluded.