50mm Noctilux 0.95 or the 50mm Summilux 1.4

[EddieCheddar]

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Hello SLers,

I'm sure this topic has been bounced around before, but...

I have an SL and really enjoy the EVF -- the rangefinder on the M10 was fun, but took my old eyes too long focus.
I have the 24-90 zoom, and an M 35mm 1.4, and really prefer walking around with a smaller M lens on the SL -- the weight of the larger SL lenses is a bit bothersome and intimidating to others sometime.

I'm thinking about getting a 50mm lens, and was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on getting either the 50mm Noctilux 0.95 or the 50mm Summilux 1.4 for everyday use.
The Noctilux cost about $8k used, and the Summilux costs about $4k new.
I like shooting at night, in low light -- hence the Noctilux.
I also like the lighter camera set-up, hence the Summilux.

Is the Summilux more "colorful" and sharp than the Noctilux?
Is the extra cost, weight and "bokeh" of the Noctilux a bit too much for everyday regular shooting, when I won't be at 0.95?
My thoughts are that whichever one I get, I will have some regrets for not getting the other.  Ha.

I'm not a pro photographer or anything -- just family, friends, and travel -- and then I print some of my photos frame/mount in the house.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts -- much appreciated.

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[padam]

https://indergaard.net/2014/09/19/leica-noctilux-m-50mm-f0-95-asph-review/

https://indergaard.net/2017/07/02/leica-summilux-m-50mm-f14-asph-review/

[phongph]

Hi EddieCheddar!

I have got SL601, SL24-90, M10, M35 lux fle & M75 lux.

I used to have 50Apo and sold since it is too sharp. I tried some 50mm lens and just got 50 Nocti 0.95. I have enjoyed 50 Nocti so much and still study to shoot the portrait (wide open, low light), street life ... with this len.

It is just me. Other SL or M cameraman may think different!

Have a nice day!

Thanks!

Edited May 7, 2019 by phongph

[ajmarton1]

I had the SL, 24-90mm and 50mm .95.  I agree that the SL and almost any SL lens combined with it makes it a big package.  I can't shoot street photography with the SL the way I can with my M10P or Q.  I found that the 50mm .95 was a great lens but took effort to focus.  Also, it is really meant (IMHO) to be used wide open and I found that I didn't always want to limit myself to that type of composition.  So I was conflicted with having an $8k lens sitting around and not being used on a regular basis.  Consequently, I sold it and really have not missed it.  The newer 50mm f2 is fine for me and I also have the older 50mm 1.4.  I would consider the Q2 in the future as I really enjoy the Q when I am doing street photography and a 28mm or cropped 35mm will do. Andrew

[CharlesL]

Look at sample photos from each, judging by the best you find, not the average. I've not found a Noctilux example that struck me as something special. I have found them from the Summilux 50 aspherical, when its modern clear rendering fits the shot and my mood.

 

[hillavoider]

wait for the SL  50/2 summicron, these lenses are a very nice size and unbelievably sharp 

[Donzo98]

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The Noctilux is a special lens... I love 0.95.  

If you are getting it as an everyday shooter and don’t plan on primarily using it wide open, I would say it’s not worth it.

I have a Q2 for use as a general walk around camera, but when I want to be creative, i use the Noctilux. 

[phongph]

8 hours ago, hillavoider said:

wait for the SL  50/2 summicron, these lenses are a very nice size and unbelievably sharp 

Hi!

I had M50 Apo and SL 90Apo, but I sold both lens since They are too sharp for portrait!

Thanks!

[johnbuckley]

I have the SL 50mm Summilux, and until last year had the Nocti 0.95. As soon as I bought an SL in early 2016, I stopped using the Nocti with my Ms and used it exclusively with the SL. Along the way, I bought the SL 50 Summilux, and because it is such a good lens, I didn't feel like I needed the Noctilux 50 as much. I ended up trading the 50 Nocti and some other lenses to buy the 75 Noctilux, which I love.

All this is by way of saying: the SL 50 Summiliux is a really wonderful lens. No, it does not have the magical glow and recognizable bokeh of the 50 Noctilux, but it compensates for that by having a razor sharp focal plane that you can take advantage of due to the camera's excellent autofocus. Someone on the forum offered the tip that using the 50 Summilux with the SL's 1:1 square aspect ratio offered wonderful opportunities, and he or she was right: it's pretty great.

If you are fortunate enough to also have an M of any kind, I think your choice is clear: get the Noctilux, because you can use it on both cameras. If you only have the SL, my recommendation would be to get the the SL 50 because it is a superb lens, has delightful bokeh, and yet is more versatile than the Nocti. I don't know what the SL 50 APO Summicron will be like -- other than expensive! But the SL 50 Summilux is an amazing lens.

As a side note: when I got the 75 Nocti, I used it in various street environments in a way I might never have previously imagined. I hung back and shot it as the magical short telly that it is.  It really worked using it that way! But as a street camera and lens, I used it really only for things like parades and events where you could stand more or less in one spot, as opposed to working through a crowd fluidly. To me, for that you need an M and a wider lens. Still, while I enjoyed the novelty of using the 75 Nocti that way, the reason I own it is for portraits, still lifes, flowers, etc.

[EddieCheddar]

Hello all,
Thanks for all of your above thoughts and comments.
I decided on the Summilux M 50mm 1.4. 
It just came in today, and I snapped a few shots on the way to the dog park.
I posted a few on the "Leica Image Thread" on here.
Enjoy.

[frame-it]

seems very nice at night https://www.flickr.com/search/?group_id=1124924%40N21&view_all=1&text=night