50mm Summilux pre-ASPH v3 vs. Noctilux f/1.0

[evikne]

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I made this comparison while I still had both lenses. All shots are taken 1 m from the vase, with the camera on a tripod. The living flame in the fireplace naturally changes from picture to picture, but you can also clearly see the differences in bokeh and vignetting. I think the most striking difference is that the Noctilux has a much smoother bokeh at f/1.4, compared to the Summilux. From f/2 they are pretty similar.

The best way to compare, is probably to download all pictures and display them in your preferred way on your computer. 

First the Noctilux:

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Edited January 2, 2023 by evikne

[evikne]

Then the Summilux:

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[evikne]

Downloading the images from the forum one by one is quite cumbersome, so I try to upload them here as a zip file:

Lux and Noct.zip

[fil-m]

1 hour ago, evikne said:

Downloading the images from the forum one by one is quite cumbersome, so I try to upload them here as a zip file:

Lux and Noct.zip 1.81 MB · 2 downloads

Lovely, lovely rendering of the Noct 50/1, including the focus zone and the OOF area plus the transition in between.

And it sharpens well if you push a little bit (and if you want that of course)! I've tried it on your files. Good flexibility.

Quite an interesting lens and design. The .95 brought more sharpness (and detail), however at the expense of purple fringing, extra bulk and weight. Different design choices, but I cannot call that an improvement. Which makes the 50/1 unique (and quite interesting) among all Noctilux 50s. 

[farnz]

4 hours ago, fil-m said:

Which makes the 50/1 unique (and quite interesting) among all Noctilux 50s. 

My 'cold, dead hands' lens and has been for 10+ years.  No other lens draws like it.  Sure it has its quirks and character that might put some people off but it 'sees' things in the dark that I cannot and produces pictures with unique character.

Pete.

[grahamc]

Thanks for sharing Ernst.

In case it is useful, here is a size comparison of the 2 also (E58 which of course is the smallest of the 50:1 versions). FWIW I find the E58 doesn’t need a hood as the front element is very recessed.  

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Edited January 3, 2023 by grahamc

[Hanno]

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On 1/2/2023 at 1:00 PM, evikne said:

I made this comparison while I still had both lenses. All shots are taken 1 m from the vase, with the camera on a tripod. The living flame in the fireplace naturally changes from picture to picture, but you can also clearly see the differences in bokeh and vignetting. I think the most striking difference is that the Noctilux has a much smoother bokeh at f/1.4, compared to the Summilux. From f/2 they are pretty similar.

The best way to compare, is probably to download all pictures and display them in your preferred way on your computer. 

First the Noctilux:

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!

Thank you so much for the effort and comparative test, but also for all your care in doing so; even for a "simple" test, you went for a beautiful light and colour palette  

Edited January 3, 2023 by Hanno

[evikne]

10 minutes ago, Hanno said:

Thank you so much for the effort and comparative test, but also for all your care in doing so; even for a "simple" test, you went for a beautiful light and colour palette  

Thank you! The photos were taken in a holiday house we rented one summer in central Norway.

[leicaoptik]

Am 3.1.2023 um 14:19 schrieb farnz:

My 'cold, dead hands' lens and has been for 10+ years.  No other lens draws like it.  Sure it has its quirks and character that might put some people off but it 'sees' things in the dark that I cannot and produces pictures with unique character.

Pete.

Hi Pete, the Noctilux 1.2 draws even more:)

[farnz]

38 minutes ago, leicaoptik said:

Hi Pete, the Noctilux 1.2 draws even more:)

Sorry, I don't understand the thrust of your post.

Pete.

[leicaoptik]

vor 45 Minuten schrieb farnz:

Sorry, I don't understand the thrust of your post.

Pete.

The Nocti 1.2 has a more special character wide open than the Nocti 1.0, you said that no other lens has this. Greetings Philip

[farnz]

13 minutes ago, leicaoptik said:

The Nocti 1.2 has a more special character wide open than the Nocti 1.0, you said that no other lens has this. Greetings Philip

I don't wish to divert this thread into a meaningless, subjective argument about which Nocti has "a more special character" (your words).  I said that "No other lens draws like it." - so it has its own unique rendering; if you prefer the 1.2 to the 1.0 then that's absolutely fine.  I don't.  I prefer the 1.0.  Let's leave it there.

Pete.

[lifeandmylens]

An old thread I realize. But does anyone have any sample side by shots of a pre asph lux and a noct f1 outside with a little more of a complex scene?
 

I’ve got all 3 versions of the pre asph lux but am intrigued by the idea of a e58 noct and sell 2 of the pre asph luxes. 

Edited June 13, 2023 by lifeandmylens

[a.noctilux]

31 minutes ago, lifeandmylens said:

An old thread I realize. But does anyone have any sample side by shots of a pre asph lux and a noct f1 outside with a little more of a complex scene?
 

I’ve got all 3 versions of the pre asph lux but am intrigued by a e58 noct and sell 2 of the pre asph luxes. 

As I never carry the two at same time I can not help.

However I have some (for me important) things to say/write as long time amateur of these lenses:

a - these side by side pictures would be meaningless for next user of them as different situations/film/sensor/distance/subjects vary

b - trying with experiences of the two is more productive than choosing by examples from other users

c - anything else can not replace first hand try/use/experience

d - ideal world = have the two (or more) to choose from and best learn to know them well, they are so nicely different

 

[lifeandmylens]

3 hours ago, a.noctilux said:

As I never carry the two at same time I can not help.

However I have some (for me important) things to say/write as long time amateur of these lenses:

a - these side by side pictures would be meaningless for next user of them as different situations/film/sensor/distance/subjects vary

b - trying with experiences of the two is more productive than choosing by examples from other users

c - anything else can not replace first hand try/use/experience

d - ideal world = have the two (or more) to choose from and best learn to know them well, they are so nicely different

 

Thanks. You were right, I need to try it myself.  I bought a e58. 

[a.noctilux]

2 hours ago, lifeandmylens said:

Thanks. You were right, I need to try it myself.  I bought a e58. 

Best decision 👍.

Don't bother compare the lenses, just use the new alone, for a while learning to know the Noctilux flaws/qualites.

Then you will see (first hand) while gaining experiences yourself.