Leica 75mm F1.25 Noctilux-M ASPH Lens Review

[jerrybay]

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I’m thinking of opening a second one and then pretending to have a conversation about the out-of-focus areas of this lens.

It would be interesting to hear what you have to say

Edited March 30, 2018 by jerrybay

[Chaemono]

I’m done. Well, the most obvious thing to say is that my copy of the 75 Noctilux renders the out-of-focus areas smoothly as silk. None of that busy bokeh with bright outlines around the contrast edges that draw the viewer’s attention. You must have gotten a bad copy. I would take it back. I have tons of pictures. Will post them here later.

Edited March 30, 2018 by Chaemono

[Chaemono]

Let's start. Many test shots to follow comparing the CL + 50 Noctilux with the M10 + 75 Noctilux. But before we get to them, let's get one other thing out of the way. What characterizes Leica lenses designed under Peter Karbe, from the 50 Apo Summicron to the 50 Summilux-SL to now the 75 Noctilux, is not only that they are virtually CA/PF free wide open but also that they exhibit "a similar very unobtrusive rendering that gives images a delicacy and subject isolation that is very pleasing to the eye" (quoting another user here). So the first few pictures are mainly to show the OOF rendering of the 75 Noctilux.

 

Less compressed JPEGs here: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-frWwMF/i-bXk4Nnn 

 

The first one for lack of PF wide open. Stunning.

 

Highlights, shadows, and blacks tweaked a bit and LR default settings.

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ISO 200 f/1.25 @1/1500 sec.

Only Exposure +0,10 and LR default settings

ISO 200 f/1.25 @1/500 sec.

 

[Chaemono]

Focus point is on the edge of the speedometer.

 

Less compressed JPEGs here: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-frWwMF/i-bXk4Nnn 

 

CL + 50 Noctilux opened in LR not touched.

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ISO 200 f/0.95 @1/640 sec.

 

M10 + 75 Noctilux with LR default settings except Exposure +0.20

ISO 200 f/1.25 @1/500 sec.

Edited March 30, 2018 by Chaemono

[skater75]

0.95 color bokeh spots look brighter to me than the ones out of 1.25

Edited March 30, 2018 by skater75

[pico]

I am struck by the smooth OOF (bokeh, whatever). Your posts are the first compelling evidence.

Perhaps Leica could consult with you to put your photos in their literature. Leica does a rather

poor job of that.

.

Edited March 30, 2018 by pico

[Chaemono]

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I sense some anxiety here. Tons of pictures to follow in this thread.

[Chaemono]

Let's do one more for today because one user has been begging for it.

 

I didn't deal with the purple fringing in the CL + Noctilux picture even though it would have been easy to remove.

 

Less compressed JPEGs here: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-frWwMF/

 

 

CL + 50 Noctilux: WB adjusted to try to match, Exposure -0.10, Highlights -24, Clarity +10, Sharpening +40, Vignetting +20

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ISO 200 f/0.95 @1/800 sec.

 

M10 + 75 Noctilux: AWB by the camera, Exposure +0.10, Highlights -15, Shadows +50, Blacks -20, Clarity +10, Sharpening +40, Vignetting +20

ISO 200 f/1.25 @1/750 sec.

Edited March 30, 2018 by Chaemono

[lik]

Dear all, here my first impressions and testing. 

 

Until now my by far most used lens was the 50/0.95 Noct.

From my perspective this new 75 outperforms the 50 Noct by far in terms of sharpness, also in the edges and CA. 

 

Focussing: Through the CRF I always use the Viewfinder Magnifier M1.4x - I can highly recommend that. With this tool you have exactly the 75mm frame. And the bulky lens does obstruct the view not more than the 50 Noct in the 50 frame. 

 

For portraits I use mostly the CRF, other more distant subjects I’d rather use the EVF. 

 

 

All pics wide open at M10, some moderate adjustments in LR.

 

 

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[lik]

One pic and its edges. This the 50 Noct never could do. 

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[lik]

And a first shooting - here with the sea as background.  

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[lik]

And here with a cliff in a background less than 10 m away. So - maybe gives again an idea of the bokeh at closer distance. 

What can I say - the lens is a beast and wonderful. 

Tricky to focus - yes. But IMO not more than the 50 Noct. 

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[lik]

 

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[jerrybay]

I’m done. Well, the most obvious thing to say is that my copy of the 75 Noctilux renders the out-of-focus areas smoothly as silk. None of that busy bokeh with bright outlines around the contrast edges that draw the viewer’s attention. You must have gotten a bad copy. I would take it back. I have tons of pictures. Will post them here later.

Let's start. Many test shots to follow comparing the CL + 50 Noctilux with the M10 + 75 Noctilux. But before we get to them, let's get one other thing out of the way. What characterizes Leica lenses designed under Peter Karbe, from the 50 Apo Summicron to the 50 Summilux-SL to now the 75 Noctilux, is not only that they are virtually CA/PF free wide open but also that they exhibit "a similar very unobtrusive rendering that gives images a delicacy and subject isolation that is very pleasing to the eye" (quoting another user here). So the first few pictures are mainly to show the OOF rendering of the 75 Noctilux. Less compressed JPEGs here: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-frWwMF/i-bXk4Nnn  The first one for lack of PF wide open. Stunning. Highlights, shadows, and blacks tweaked a bit and LR default settings.M10+75 Noctilux lack of PF_lufv.jpg

 

ISO 200 f/1.25 @1/1500 sec.

Only Exposure +0,10 and LR default settingsM10+75 Noctilux OOF areas_lufv-1.jpg

ISO 200 f/1.25 @1/500 sec.

Thanks for sharing with us Chaemono.I noticed out of camera photos the 75mm Noctilux has smoother and creamy out of focus area rendering compared to the 50mm Noctilux. Most photos online I have seen don’t have the smooth bokeh like yours, not sure it’s down to post processing or camera settings. Looking forward to see more mate.

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[jerrybay]

Dear all, here my first impressions and testing. 

 

Until now my by far most used lens was the 50/0.95 Noct.

From my perspective this new 75 outperforms the 50 Noct by far in terms of sharpness, also in the edges and CA. 

 

Focussing: Through the CRF I always use the Viewfinder Magnifier M1.4x - I can highly recommend that. With this tool you have exactly the 75mm frame. And the bulky lens does obstruct the view not more than the 50 Noct in the 50 frame. 

 

For portraits I use mostly the CRF, other more distant subjects I’d rather use the EVF. 

 

 

All pics wide open at M10, some moderate adjustments in LR.

I see we have similar findings in regards to the lens and thanks for the lovely photos Lik!

[jerrybay]

Since we are all posting OOC files to show the smoothness of the bokeh, I might joined the party and the 75mm noctilux does have almost painting-like renderings.

 

NB: High capabilities for post processing like the 50 Noctilux.

 

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Edited March 31, 2018 by jerrybay

[johnp1975]

I am struck by the smooth OOF (bokeh, whatever). Your posts are the first compelling evidence.

Perhaps Leica could consult with you to put your photos in their literature. Leica does a rather

poor job of that.

.

Agreed! Hope to see more to persuade My decision with the Lens

[Chaemono]

Let's do two more for those creamy OOF areas. lik's pictures in posts #29, #30, #31, #32, #33 above say it all. Stunning depth rendering of the 75 Noctilux, too.

 

Less compressed JPEGs here: https://www.smugmug.com/gal lery/n-frWwMF/

 

CL + 50 Noctilux: WB adjusted to try to match, Clarity +10, Sharpening +40, Vignetting +20

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/0.95 @1/800 sec.

 

M10 + 75 Noctilux: Temperature slightly reduced, Exposure +0.50, Clarity +10, Vignetting +20

 ISO 200 f/1.25 @1/750 sec.

Edited March 31, 2018 by Chaemono

[johnp1975]

I am mesmerized by stunning silky smooth bokeh of the 75mm Noctilux and is it just me that the 50 Noctilux seems a bit busy in comparison?

 

John

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[enboe]

Let the experimentation begin!

 

I was able to attach my lens to my M10 for the first time last night - sad how work gets in the way of play.  One lesson less discussed in these threads.  The 75/1.25 should come with the Viso 020 as part of the scope of delivery.  I tried all three standard focusing approaches, rangefinder was back-focused in calibration at 2m, live view - usable, but you need to compose on the screen you focus on, as the depth of field is only a few to a few tens of millimeters and any camera translation along the line of sight will result in a proportional shift of the focus plane, and Visoflex 020, which was most usable and stable for me.  Holding the camera to one's face is much more stable than holding at arms length when comparing the two live view options.

 

Back to the thread...

 

Eric