onasj Posted March 17, 2018 Share #1 Posted March 17, 2018 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) I received mine today at the Leica Boston store. They received one, and I was fortunate to be first on their list (I got in line before it was even officially announced, which resulted in some quizzical looks from the gentlemen running the store). I've been working very late nights this week, including tonight (have to pay for these $13,000 lenses!), but some quick first impressions are: - It's almost shockingly heavy. Noticeably heavier than the 50 noct. And somewhat larger (mostly longer) as well. - Of course the craftsmanship is world class. The twist-out lens hood, like the 50 APO, is a joy to use. In contrast, I find the fidgety 50 noct telescoping hood to be less reliable and less fun to use. - The outer (white) box contains an inner (silver) box which contains FOUR smaller cases/boxes: 1) the usual leather lens cylindrical pouch; 2) a leather pouch for the tripod shoe (!); 3) a regular plastic pinch-to-use lens cap; 4) the second inner box (black), secured with the ribbon envelope-style clasp, containing the 75 noct and a lovely black metal cap that covers the entire outside rim of the lens. The lens is bagged and in a black satin-covered contoured foam clamshell affixed inside the second inner black box. - The RF calibration was very good when used with my M10. - Wide open, I was surprised to see evidence of a bit of camera shake shooting at 1/90 or even faster when fully zoomed into a photo. I don't usually see camera shake when I shoot the 90 APO on the M10 at 1/90. Perhaps part of the reason for more apparent shake with the 75 noct is... - Wide open, this lens is astoundingly sharp. Even though the MTF curves suggest it is not sharper than the 50 APO, the images convey the sense of being even sharper than the 50 APO perhaps due to the longer focal length, smaller MFD, and magnification factor. Remarkably, the sharpness does not fade as you approach the edges of the image (the drop off in sharpness away from the center is very apparent with the 50 noct, by comparison). - Wide open, the lens is astounding contrasty. In this regard, it reminds me very much of the 50 APO, except at f/1.25. - Wide open, the lens has far less CA than the 50 noct, but not as low CA as the 50 APO. Still, for a f/1.25 lens to show such control over CA looks almost... disorienting to me, not unlike the first time I shot Zeiss Otus wide open. - The bokeh and the fall off between in-focus and out-of-focus regions of the image is simply lovely. The bokeh is less prone to be colored by CA, and is smoother-looking overall in my opinion, than that of the 50 noct. And I think the 50 noct offers very nice bokeh indeed. - There was some curious debate about this issue in a another thread, but I can confirm that in a few real-life portraits and test shots so far, it's clear that even "in use", the depth of focus is often indeed thinner than that of the 50 noct. (In other breaking news, numbers are still the best way to determine which of two official depth of focus ranges is larger...) - My hit rate shooting the 75 noct wide open with the RF on the M10 (maybe 50% sharp focus, 70% ok focus or better) was not as bad as I thought it would be off the bat. I found the focusing accuracy to be no worse than, and possibly better than, the 50 noct despite the thinner depth of focus at the MFD, perhaps because it's just substantially sharper to begin with, especially away from the center, so a bit of focusing inaccuracy can still lead to a reasonably sharp capture, at least by the standards of the 50 noct. - My hit rate shooting the 75 wide open with live view was very high, in part because the lens is so sharp and contrasty that the focus peaking is very apparent. In contrast, the 50 noct shot wide open away from the center can be soft enough that focus peaking doesn't light up much. - The 75 noct does not swallow nearly as much light wide open as the 50 noct wide open. Which again, math will tell you (50@ f/0.95 vs. 75@ f/1.25), but what this means to me is that I am keeping both the 50 noct and the 75 noct, because they have different niches. When light is an extreme premium, or there is a need to shoot at a low ISO, the 50 noct will likely be more useful than the 75. The 50 noct is also noticeably "dreamier" in its rendering than the 75 noct. I'm sure people will debate the usual "Leica glow" vs optical imperfection vs atmospheric vs clinical rendering... but it's safe to say the two nocts draw the same subject quite differently. I hope some find these comments useful. I think those about to receive theirs will enjoy this optical masterpiece very much. As they should for $13,000. Edited March 17, 2018 by onasj 14 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 17, 2018 Posted March 17, 2018 Hi onasj, Take a look here 75 1.25 M Noctilux has landed in the US. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bencychin Posted March 17, 2018 Share #2 Posted March 17, 2018 I need to rethink about my retirement! But then, i am uncertain if i have the need being a hobbyist, and whether i have the eyes for drawing good images from such a top rate lens. These i must think hard. Locally it is S$19,000 question! If i travel and purchase overseas, i am still looking at $15,000! Hmm...my want vesus my need indeed. Congratulations to all who have the 75/1.25. Looking forward to enjoy your works. Kind regards, Benedict Singapore 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaemono Posted March 17, 2018 Share #3 Posted March 17, 2018 I need to rethink about my retirement! But then, i am uncertain if i have the need being a hobbyist, and whether i have the eyes for drawing good images from such a top rate lens. These i must think hard. Locally it is S$19,000 question! If i travel and purchase overseas, i am still looking at $15,000! Hmm...my want vesus my need indeed. Congratulations to all who have the 75/1.25. Looking forward to enjoy your works. Kind regards, Benedict Singapore Benedict, I’m on my way to compare it to the 75 Summicron-M. The weather is very poor here so I have to find a place indoors. I’ll still try to do as many side by side, over/under comparisons as I can this weekend. Don’t sweat over it. It’s a specialist’s lens and the difference in rendering may not be worth paying so much money for many. @onas, congratulations. I’m glad Leica is doing the right thing and shipping the few lenses they have to customers around the world at the same time. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bencychin Posted March 17, 2018 Share #4 Posted March 17, 2018 Benedict, I’m on my way to compare it to the 75 Summicron-M. The weather is very poor here so I have to find a place indoors. I’ll still try to do as many side by side, over/under comparisons as I can this weekend. Don’t sweat over it. It’s a specialist’s lens and the difference in rendering may not be worth paying so much money for many. @onas, congratulations. I’m glad Leica is doing the right thing and shipping the few lenses they have to customers around the world at the same time. Really appreciate your sharing of how you may see this specialist's tool and that it may not be essential for many. I will certainly want to learn from owners how the lens can draw out images that is superior in a certain setting. I fully agree it must make sense to the owner for the substantial price. Let me congratulate onas and you for owning the lens and allowing others to appreciate your creations. My warmest regards to both of you in the midst of the cold weather in your country. I am having sunshine and balmy weather of 26C. Cheers Benedict Singapore 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
onasj Posted March 17, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted March 17, 2018 Thank you for your kind words, Benedict— you are a refreshing gentleman in today’s age of internet forum as combat sport 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted March 17, 2018 Share #6 Posted March 17, 2018 Looking forward to some of your shots taken with this hunk of a jewel. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaemono Posted March 17, 2018 Share #7 Posted March 17, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) I’m done with the comparisons for today but I don’t have time right now to go through all of them. First impressions, needless to say f/1.25 isn’t always suitable but in some situations f/1.25 is desirable to isolate the subject and blur out everything else. Stay tuned. I’ll post a couple likely in another thread here before I go through all of them later. The big surprise after looking at just a couple of them is how sharp this lens is wide open and at f/2.8 compared to the 75 Summicron-M. On the SL2 with likely 40+ MPx it will be a stunner. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
onasj Posted March 17, 2018 Author Share #8 Posted March 17, 2018 (edited) Seven test photos, all taken hand-held in indoor light, wide open with the 75 noct, plus one test photo taken of the same subject with the 50 noct, wide open, same conditions. I find the corner-to-corner acuity at f/1.25 to be truly amazing. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/oiqb6xj8338zuo4/AABdSn2uHBANQ-E9Z3DZszcpa?dl=0 Edited March 17, 2018 by onasj Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbuckley Posted March 17, 2018 Share #9 Posted March 17, 2018 I too received the happy phone call, from the D.C. Leica Store. My first impression, having used it only with the SL, is that it doesn't feel too heavy in the hand because I am used to carrying the 24-90 or SL 50 Summilux, both of which are heavy. The focal plane is very thin, and after years of using the 50 Nocti, I'll have to get used to the different focal length. But it makes a positive impression immediately. 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! 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/282793-75-125-m-noctilux-has-landed-in-the-us/?do=findComment&comment=3482467'>More sharing options...
Chaemono Posted March 17, 2018 Share #10 Posted March 17, 2018 (edited) What the heck, I'll post them in this thread. This is first pair to compare the 75 Summicron-M with the 75 Noctilux. They are all test shots and I have tons of them. The 75 Summicron-M is a fantastic lens but let's call this pair "when f/2.0 is not enough." Just kidding. I intentionally choice a scene here where one might think that more blur in the out-of-focus areas and more subject separation are needed But the interesting thing to me, besides how sharp the Noctilux picture looks (focus might not be spot on with the Summicron in this one), is how well the Noctilux seems to control the highlights and how nicely it is able to capture the differences between dark and bright areas wide open (see the face in the upper left hand corner, for example). In LR I made the exact same adjustments to both pictures except Exposure +0.65 for the Noctilux vs. +0.45 for the Summicron. In theory, the Noctilux should have captured more light, same ISO but f/1.25 vs. f/2.0 on the Summicron at half the shutter speed. LR adjustments to both are AWB by the camera, Exposure +0.65 and +0.45 for the 75 Noctilux and the 75 Summicron-M, respectively, Highlights -20, Shadows +100, Blacks -30, Clarity +10, Sharpening +50, NR +30, Vignetting +25. Less compressed JPEGs here: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-PcSTJ7/ 75 Summicron-M 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! ISO 800 f/2.0 @1/250 sec. 75 Noctilux-M ISO 800 f/1.25 @1/500 sec. Edited March 17, 2018 by Chaemono 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ISO 800 f/2.0 @1/250 sec. 75 Noctilux-M ISO 800 f/1.25 @1/500 sec. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/282793-75-125-m-noctilux-has-landed-in-the-us/?do=findComment&comment=3482468'>More sharing options...
johnbuckley Posted March 17, 2018 Share #11 Posted March 17, 2018 I had to go drop off some glasses to be repaired, and tried determining what kind of beast this is. 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! 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/282793-75-125-m-noctilux-has-landed-in-the-us/?do=findComment&comment=3482469'>More sharing options...
johnbuckley Posted March 17, 2018 Share #12 Posted March 17, 2018 The resolution of this LUF doesn't do justice to how precise the focal plane focusing is with the SL and the 75 Nocti. In this image, I was focusing on the eyelashes. 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! 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/282793-75-125-m-noctilux-has-landed-in-the-us/?do=findComment&comment=3482470'>More sharing options...
johnbuckley Posted March 17, 2018 Share #13 Posted March 17, 2018 As I've posted earlier, I traded in a 50 Noctilux 0/95 and M75 APO Summircon to get near enough to the purchase price to be able to buy this lens. First impressions are that this is as described by Leica and Jono and others -- a specialty tool, but one I will make good use of in the years to come. 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! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/282793-75-125-m-noctilux-has-landed-in-the-us/?do=findComment&comment=3482472'>More sharing options...
Chaemono Posted March 17, 2018 Share #14 Posted March 17, 2018 Let's squeeze a little goat in here before the comparisons continue just for overall rendering. It was freezing today. Again, impressed with how well the 75 Noctilux captures the tones wide open. Less compressed JPEGs here: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-PcSTJ7/ 75 Noctilux-M 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! ISO 200 f/1.25 @1/2000 sec. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ISO 200 f/1.25 @1/2000 sec. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/282793-75-125-m-noctilux-has-landed-in-the-us/?do=findComment&comment=3482481'>More sharing options...
Chaemono Posted March 17, 2018 Share #15 Posted March 17, 2018 Let's do two where it may not matter much to many. Less compressed JPEGs here: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-PcSTJ7/ 75 Summicron-M 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! ISO 640 f/2.0 @1/250 sec. 75 Noctilux-M ISO 640 f/1.25 @1/500 sec. 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ISO 640 f/2.0 @1/250 sec. 75 Noctilux-M ISO 640 f/1.25 @1/500 sec. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/282793-75-125-m-noctilux-has-landed-in-the-us/?do=findComment&comment=3482492'>More sharing options...
james.liam Posted March 17, 2018 Share #16 Posted March 17, 2018 I’m curious, is the DOF of 75 @ f/1.25 the same as 50 @ f/0.95? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
onasj Posted March 17, 2018 Author Share #17 Posted March 17, 2018 I’m curious, is the DOF of 75 @ f/1.25 the same as 50 @ f/0.95? No, at each lenses’s minimum focusing distance, the 75 noct has a DOF of 8 mm, while the 50 noct has a DOF of 20 mm. Of course the numbers vary if you are shooting not at MFD but to scale the object to the same size, vary based on distance to the subject, etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.liam Posted March 17, 2018 Share #18 Posted March 17, 2018 No, at each lenses’s minimum focusing distance, the 75 noct has a DOF of 8 mm, while the 50 noct has a DOF of 20 mm. Of course the numbers vary if you are shooting not at MFD but to scale the object to the same size, vary based on distance to the subject, etc. 8mm? Hmmm. The realm of EVF focusing. The SL sounds like the best platform at the moment. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
onasj Posted March 17, 2018 Author Share #19 Posted March 17, 2018 (edited) 8mm? Hmmm. The realm of EVF focusing. The SL sounds like the best platform at the moment. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk One might think... but I'm pleasantly surprised how practical it is to focus on the M10. I'm using a 1.25x magnifier and a -0.5 diopter eyepiece, so I have some bionic eye assistance, but my vision isn't particular good. My daughter nails focus with the 75 noct just about every time, even in conditions I find too dark to focus. To be young again... Edited March 17, 2018 by onasj Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
onasj Posted March 17, 2018 Author Share #20 Posted March 17, 2018 Tip: the Breakthrough Photography 67 mm ND filters fit the 75 noct and still allow the retractable hood to be extended. (Breakthrough makes the best ND filters in the business in my opinion... too bad they don't make a 60 mm for the 50 noct!). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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