Csacwp Posted January 28, 2018 Share #1 Â Posted January 28, 2018 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) How does the f/1 Noctilux perform stopped down to 1.4 and 2.0? Was the lens ever produced in Germany or only in Canada, and what should I look for when buying a copy of the 4th version? Edited January 28, 2018 by Csacwp Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 28, 2018 Posted January 28, 2018 Hi Csacwp, Take a look here Noctilux f1. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
tsleica Posted January 28, 2018 Share #2 Â Posted January 28, 2018 (edited) If you like its look..its a great great lens.. Better performance is subjective of course..but it sharpens up a bit at f1.4 & f2..and many folks buy it just for the way it renders a stop or 2 down.. My fave lens in a lot of ways.. Edited January 28, 2018 by tsleica Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Csacwp Posted January 28, 2018 Author Share #3 Â Posted January 28, 2018 Personally I like my 75 lux best at f2.8 and f4 for portraiture. Hoping the noctilux f1 renders similarly at those apertures. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colint544 Posted January 29, 2018 Share #4 Â Posted January 29, 2018 I used to have that lens, and it was extremely sharp when stopped down a little. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie Posted January 29, 2018 Share #5  Posted January 29, 2018 (edited) If you like the rendering, which I do, then it is fine at f/2, and still gives the same look, but it is not as sharp as the Summicron at f/2 which is, of course much cheaper. Also, the Noctilux is much bigger!  As for buying, just the same as any other lens; make sure the lenses are clean and scratch free and it hasn't been knocked about. As usual these days, a 6-bit coded one would be preferable, but mine isn't and it is okay on my M9 and MM.  Susie Edited January 29, 2018 by Susie Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted January 29, 2018 Share #6 Â Posted January 29, 2018 How does the f/1 Noctilux perform stopped down to 1.4 and 2.0? Was the lens ever produced in Germany or only in Canada, and what should I look for when buying a copy of the 4th version? Â Center sharpness comparable to pre-ASPH Summilux in my experience, but still retains Noctilux character (vignetting et al.) in edges and corners - these really kind of go away beyond f/5.6 only. AFAIK, there are only Canadian ones, but I'm not an expert in lens history. Look for what you would look for in any lens: glass, focus smoothness, aperture clicks, cosmetics, etc. - and make sure the built-in hood works as expected. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Lord Posted January 29, 2018 Share #7 Â Posted January 29, 2018 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) I have had 2. First a integral hood one, that needed adjustment as it was never sharp and focussed wrongly. Hated the integral hood. Unnecessary bulk and ugly. Â The one I have now is older version with separate hood. The hood I never use, and the lens focuses perfectly and is really sharp even at f1. Couldn't be happier and it is permanently fixed to either my M9 or M3. Â All are Canadian, I am pretty sure Edited January 29, 2018 by Adrian Lord Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted January 29, 2018 Share #8  Posted January 29, 2018 I have had 2. First a integral hood one, that needed adjustment as it was never sharp and focussed wrongly. Hated the integral hood. Unnecessary bulk and ugly.  The one I have now is older version with separate hood. The hood I never use, and the lens focuses perfectly and is really sharp even at f1. Couldn't be happier and it is permanently fixed to either my M9 or M3.  All are Canadian, I am pretty sure  My main gripe with the v4's sliding hood is that it provides effectively no protection for the front element against bumps. Only solutions if you are risk averse are an E60 filter and/or a 60mm "thin" scew-in hood. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runkel Posted January 29, 2018 Share #9  Posted January 29, 2018 Personally I like my 75 lux best at f2.8 and f4 for portraiture. Hoping the noctilux f1 renders similarly at those apertures. Note that the Noctilux exhibits significant focus shift when stopped down (plane of sharp focus recedes), and these apertures are some where the shift would be most noticeable before depth of field begins to mask the effect starting around f/5.6.  I would not expect to be able to achieve reliable focus at f/2.8 or f/4 (and certainly not reliable focus on a subject's eyes) using the optical rangefinder at portrait distances. This difficulty is eliminated when using the EVF, of course. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
g2van Posted January 30, 2018 Share #10  Posted January 30, 2018 I have the Noct v3 (60mm filter thread and separate bayonet hood). I keep the Noct to shoot mainly at f1 because of its unique rendering - not too modern clinical sharp and yet not "Thambar" glow. There are times I do shoot at f1.4 or at smaller apertures (rare). I find that at f1.4 and f2, it is not as modern sharp as the latest 50 Lux or even the 50 cron v5 (at f2). There is also more CA with the Noct.  But really, buy the Noct if you like it at f1. If you want sharp and modern perfect, just get the 50Lux, save your wallet and your back. I sold my 50Lux because I wanted to keep the unique Noct rendering. For a modern looking sharp 50mm, I can get something much smaller and lighter than the 50Lux - I got the 50/2.8 (new version) - it's tiny (collapsible) and sharp. I think it pairs well with it's older big brother, the Noct.  Btw I prefer the Noct v3 because I don't like the built in hood of the V5 (makes it look bulkier) and also the V5 is heavier. You mentioned you are looking at the V4 - it depends on which one you count as V1. For the Noctilux name, then V1 is the 50/f1.2. But if you only count Noctilux as f1, then your V1 is the 58mm threaded 50/1.  If you haven't gone there, here's a good link about the history and versions of the Noct: http://www.overgaard.dk/leica-50mm-Noctilux-M-ASPH-f-095.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeamosau Posted January 30, 2018 Share #11  Posted January 30, 2018 I recently got the v3 with the clip on lens hood. I much prefer this version over v4, as I like to use it indoors/at night without the hood since it’s much smaller that way, and because the v3 is lighter.  I got this lens because I wanted one with character. I have a modern 35mm in the latest summilux FLE and was looking to pair it with something older and unique. For me, you get it for the rendering of f1.0, otherwise buy the smaller and cheaper summilux or summicrons which are excellent.  That being said, I’m impressed with how sharp f1 can be on the Noctilux and at f1.4 and 2 it sharpens up even more. It takes a lot of practice though which I find a fun challenge. I was able to test this lens on my M before purchasing at the Leica Shop in Vienna, they had 6 of them in stock, and found this one was calibrated perfectly.  The colors are amazing from this lens, so rich and warm. So far, after about 6 weeks of ownership, I love it.  Hope this helps, Mike  www.photobasecamp.com 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted January 30, 2018 Share #12 Â Posted January 30, 2018 If not said before, the excellent flare resistant of Noctilux 1.0 which give subtle hues in shadow not polluted by flare. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve McGarrett Posted January 30, 2018 Share #13 Â Posted January 30, 2018 A good sample of f/1 Nocti should be rather sharp even at f/1, at least in the very center (MTFs confirm, contrast over 50% at 40 lp/mm, a great figure at f/1...). Dreamy, many residual aberrations there, but good resolving power on-axis. If you nail focus, of course... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackDoc Posted January 30, 2018 Share #14  Posted January 30, 2018 (edited) just an axample Nocti 50 f1.0 V3 at f1.0 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  EDIT: Exif data shows wrong lens, my Nocti is NOT coded.. Edited January 30, 2018 by BlackDoc 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  EDIT: Exif data shows wrong lens, my Nocti is NOT coded.. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/281284-noctilux-f1/?do=findComment&comment=3451124'>More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted January 30, 2018 Share #15  Posted January 30, 2018 (edited) A good sample of f/1 Nocti should be rather sharp even at f/1, at least in the very center (MTFs confirm, contrast over 50% at 40 lp/mm, a great figure at f/1...). Dreamy, many residual aberrations there, but good resolving power on-axis. If you nail focus, of course...  That has been my experience with my f/1 Noctilux. I think that sometimes people confuse shallow DOF with unsharpness - there is a difference.  As for focusing, you must focus carefully but it is not that big of a difficulty to nail focus with this lens, at least in my experience. The f/1 Noctilux will render individual hairs quite sharply in a portrait if the photographer focuses properly.  Regarding the lens hood - I purchased a 60 to 62mm step up ring and a B+W metal lens hood #950 made for 50mm lenses to use with my Noctilux https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/11143-REG/B_W_65069676_62mm_Screw_In_Metal_Lens.html . This addition is worth its weight in gold; it gives me an actual functional lens hood that is deep enough to protect the front element from both flare producing light and front element damage. I highly recommend this as a solution to the lens hood issue. Edited January 30, 2018 by Herr Barnack Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MT0227 Posted January 30, 2018 Share #16 Â Posted January 30, 2018 50 f/1 V4 @ f/1 (exif camera estimate of 1.2 is not correct) Â Ready for Some Football? by Marc Tauber, on Flickr 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsleica Posted January 30, 2018 Share #17 Â Posted January 30, 2018 The Noct f1.0 is a fantastic video lens too..definitely the best I have.. Buy it to get away from the sharpie lenses.. Buy it for another palette..another rendering.. I got mine for dirt cheap back in the day.. Cant beat it.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeamosau Posted February 2, 2018 Share #18  Posted February 2, 2018 So I guess the question back to the original poster... Are you going to buy one? Have we successfully convinced you? I’m always interested to know the outcome after these forum posts, and if my hastily written reply ended up costing someone thousands of dollars like so many posts and articles have done to me!  Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Csacwp Posted February 2, 2018 Author Share #19  Posted February 2, 2018 I’m still weighing my options, but I’ve found all the advice here to be very helpful. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miessli Posted February 2, 2018 Share #20 Â Posted February 2, 2018 I love my Noct, beautiful rendering but the weight is really heavy.....uffff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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