Schittra Posted March 9, 2020 Share #1 Posted March 9, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) HI I am not a professional. Just amateur taking photo for family, traveling, and carry around when I am going out. I have been using Leica for 10 years plus. In short, I am not professional nor expert. Today I have interesting experience. I got a chance to try Noctilux 50mm - both f/0.95 and f/1.0. For 50/0.95, it's much bigger and heavier than f/1.0. The wide open image at f/0.95 is amazing. When I stop down to f/1.4 and f/2.0, the images are not much different from my beloved Summilux 50/1.4. I am an amateur. I may not see the different. Then I put Noctilux 50mm f/1.0 on. Of course, smaller and lighter. The wide open image at f/1.0 is as great as we can expect from Noctilux. When I tried to stop down to f/1.4, and f/2.0, the images continue to be different from my Summilux 50mm. I said it's "different" - which I can see from naked eye. Most of them look better from Noctilux. Am I hallucinating or something? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 9, 2020 Posted March 9, 2020 Hi Schittra, Take a look here Noctilux 50mm /0.95 and 1.0. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
a.noctilux Posted March 9, 2020 Share #2 Posted March 9, 2020 No, you saw things well as you should. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ardbeg Posted March 9, 2020 Share #3 Posted March 9, 2020 I concur. Your perceptual breakdown of the differences is spot on. Just as the 0.95 and Summilux ASPH have similar renderings from ~1.4 and further stopped down, I find the Lux pre-ASPH and 1.0 to have similar renderings from say F2 and smaller. I give the character edge to the older Noct at 1.4 (although the Lux pre-ASPH has less vignetting at 1.4) and the Noct at 1.0 is great (if used well; no need to shoot that 1.0 or 0.95 wide open all the time in my view). 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schittra Posted March 9, 2020 Author Share #4 Posted March 9, 2020 26 minutes ago, a.noctilux said: No, you saw things well as you should. Thanks. My impressions from limited experience today are: 1. I can go 2 stops lower for f/0.95. But how often will I use at the condition? For my purpose in day-time, I will stop down to f/2.0 or lower anyway. I will waste such a beautiful lens to give me similar result (from amateur's eye) at f/2.0+ to summilux. 2. Noct f/1.0 are consistently delivery the "magic moment" up to f/4.0 (very tiny different but can see tone and color rendering comparing to summilux). I can maximize the beauty of Noct up to f/4.0 but I will lost the ability to go at f/0.95. Not to mention the benefit of lighter and smaller of f/1.0 too (and cheaper). Just a thought from amateur... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darylgo Posted March 10, 2020 Share #5 Posted March 10, 2020 Modem lens vs. classic lens, sharp (er) vs. smoother. I find them both beautiful and neither can be post processed to look like the other. In order to shoot wide open in daylight use a neutral density filter, 2-3 stops for sunny days. Modem sensors and classic lenses are a bonus in this digital age. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del-Uks Posted March 10, 2020 Share #6 Posted March 10, 2020 For those who like the Noctilux f/1 rendering but can’t afford it, the Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 v.3 also has that creamy « Mandler’s Delight » smoothness. It is lighter than the Lux (APO) Asph and it’s a marvelous lens for portrait. The only drawback is its noticeable distortion. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted March 10, 2020 Share #7 Posted March 10, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) Yes, as I like the Noctilux 1.0 but better (second ...or first ) choice would be what Del-Uks advice, pre-asph Summilux-M 50mm same Mandler's creation as the 1.0. As they have same optical cell Summilux-M 50mm "II" or "III" does have same rendering, so grab what you find. Some words about aspherical Summilux-M 50mm..., I have three different bodies of same "optical cell" . "II" with longer focus throw can be good choice if one uses at close distance (to 1m) at f/1.4 or f/2. Side note, in same situation, easier than Noctilux 1.0 which has narrower focus ring, and some more weight and more finder blockage. I find that the short focus throw of the "III" can be harder to precise focussing at same situation, even if it does focus closer to 70cm. The Summilux 50mm "I" is another matter. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
evikne Posted March 10, 2020 Share #8 Posted March 10, 2020 I have both the Noctilux f/1 and the Summilux pre-ASPH v.III, and they are quite similar when stopped down a bit. At f/1.4 I still think the Noctilux has a little smoother bokeh, but if I haven't any plans of shooting wide open at f/1.0, I usually go for the much smaller and lighter Summilux. It also renders very similarly to the famous 75mm Summilux. In this blog you can see many examples from these three lenses, and others. They are sorted in separate, tabbed categories (names without "ASPH" means "pre-ASPH"). https://www.photoblog.com/realmoments/ 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted March 10, 2020 Share #9 Posted March 10, 2020 6 hours ago, a.noctilux said: Yes, as I like the Noctilux 1.0 but better (second ...or first ) choice would be what Del-Uks advice, pre-asph Summilux-M 50mm same Mandler's creation as the 1.0. As they have same optical cell Summilux-M 50mm "II" or "III" does have same rendering, so grab what you find. Some words about aspherical Summilux-M 50mm..., I have three different bodies of same "optical cell" . "II" with longer focus throw can be good choice if one uses at close distance (to 1m) at f/1.4 or f/2. Side note, in same situation, easier than Noctilux 1.0 which has narrower focus ring, and some more weight and more finder blockage. I find that the short focus throw of the "III" can be harder to precise focussing at same situation, even if it does focus closer to 70cm. The Summilux 50mm "I" is another matter. "II" and "III" of spherical pre-asph Summilux-M 50mm of course. I don't have the Asph. model anymore, even if I liked it for it's "biting sharpness", not for me now. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
evikne Posted March 10, 2020 Share #10 Posted March 10, 2020 1 hour ago, a.noctilux said: I don't have the Asph. model anymore, even if I liked it for it's "biting sharpness", not for me now. I've also had the standard ASPH version, and sold it for the same reason you did. I both loved and hated it. But now I've got the Black Chrome edition, which I think has a tiny bit more gentle contrasts. Maybe it's just imagination, I'm not sure. But one thing that is certain, is the much more enjoyable operation. I love its tactile feel and the scalloped focus ring. So this is actually my new favorite lens at the moment. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ardbeg Posted March 10, 2020 Share #11 Posted March 10, 2020 Having sold a 50 pre-ASPH E46 due to the rendering overlap with the Noct 1.0 (Since I don't mind the weight I essentially stopped shooting the pre-ASPH and lugged the Noct everywhere), I got a Black Chrome ASPH to replace it (and to have one "modern" rendering lens in my kit). Having handled the stock ASPH, I do greatly prefer the Black Chrome. But, despite admiring its perfection of rendering, I'm still prefer Mandler and older lens renderings over any of the ASPHs (50 or otherwise). 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Warwick Posted April 12, 2020 Share #12 Posted April 12, 2020 (edited) On 3/10/2020 at 3:13 AM, darylgo said: Modem lens vs. classic lens, sharp (er) vs. smoother. ..... Modem sensors and classic lenses are a bonus in this digital age. Cinematic guys certainly latched onto this, and with Leitz Cine noting the characteristics of its Thalia range ... "Although the THALIA lenses are new lenses, they do offer many of the image characteristics that have driven cinematographers to pair older lenses with digital sensors. They are clear without being overly sharp and focus is smooth and forgiving without looking soft". .....https://www.leitz-cine.com/thalia-spherical-lenses-for-large-format-vistavision-super-35-cinematography/ I wonder which of the modern M or SL lenses are among the smoothest? ... M 90mm 1.5 Summilux, M 75mm 1.25 Noctilux, SL 50mm Summilux? I like high resolution via the sensor's megapixels like I get with my SL2, but equally am interested in as smooth a "film look" as possible. Edited April 12, 2020 by Jon Warwick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted April 12, 2020 Share #13 Posted April 12, 2020 37 minutes ago, Jon Warwick said: ... but equally am interested in as smooth a "film look" as possible. Some would tell you that if you want "film look" just use film that is always available. I tend to agree and use the two medias for what they are "strong characters". "Film gimmick" with digital system is just that film gimmick (which I use sometimes ), but not really convincing. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Warwick Posted April 12, 2020 Share #14 Posted April 12, 2020 (edited) 22 minutes ago, a.noctilux said: Some would tell you that if you want "film look" just use film that is always available. I tend to agree and use the two medias for what they are "strong characters". "Film gimmick" with digital system is just that film gimmick (which I use sometimes ), but not really convincing. I certainly don’t disagree with you that film is film, and a mock version via digital isn’t really totally convincing, and indeed I use 4x5 and my M7 for those reasons. At the same time - I think lenses can possibly render differently (my experience with my M Summicron 50mm v5 suggests it has less acuity than my M 50 APO, and it is for that reason that it is more filmic to my eyes, for example). Aside from the way highlights are recorded, I think acuity has a lot to do with the reason digital looks digital....my 4x5 has TONS of resolution, but acuity isn’t as noticeably harsh. Hence my pondering on whether any modern M lenses have a smoother look, or perhaps to word it differently and more precisely, “less acuity”? If not, and to semi tie it back to the OP’s question, maybe the solution is Mandler style lenses like the 1.0 Noctilux? Edited April 12, 2020 by Jon Warwick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BernardC Posted April 12, 2020 Share #15 Posted April 12, 2020 7 hours ago, Jon Warwick said: Cinematic guys certainly latched onto this, and with Leitz Cine noting the characteristics of its Thalia range ... "Although the THALIA lenses are new lenses, they do offer many of the image characteristics that have driven cinematographers to pair older lenses with digital sensors. They are clear without being overly sharp and focus is smooth and forgiving without looking soft". .....https://www.leitz-cine.com/thalia-spherical-lenses-for-large-format-vistavision-super-35-cinematography/ I wonder which of the modern M or SL lenses are among the smoothest? The Thalia range is the same as the S range (minus a 120/5.6 T/S, plus a 55/2.8). So that might be your answer. Many modern shows are also shot with re-housed Leica R lenses, which provide a sharp-but-smooth look. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaeger Posted April 12, 2020 Share #16 Posted April 12, 2020 It's purely personal taste. one get sick of having too much of A thinks B is amazing and then vice versa. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david strachan Posted April 13, 2020 Share #17 Posted April 13, 2020 6 hours ago, jaeger said: It's purely personal taste. one get sick of having too much of A thinks B is amazing and then vice versa. Yes; it makes difficult to draw any conclusions, other than there must be a lot of confused lens "experts". 🤔 ... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milan_S Posted April 13, 2020 Share #18 Posted April 13, 2020 On 4/12/2020 at 11:17 AM, Jon Warwick said: Cinematic guys certainly latched onto this, and with Leitz Cine noting the characteristics of its Thalia range ... "Although the THALIA lenses are new lenses, they do offer many of the image characteristics that have driven cinematographers to pair older lenses with digital sensors. They are clear without being overly sharp and focus is smooth and forgiving without looking soft". .....https://www.leitz-cine.com/thalia-spherical-lenses-for-large-format-vistavision-super-35-cinematography/ I wonder which of the modern M or SL lenses are among the smoothest? ... M 90mm 1.5 Summilux, M 75mm 1.25 Noctilux, SL 50mm Summilux? I like high resolution via the sensor's megapixels like I get with my SL2, but equally am interested in as smooth a "film look" as possible. The Thalia cine lenses are based of the Medium Format S lenses. I prefer the S lenses over the more perfect SL lenses, because of the cinematic look it gives and of course the tonality and fall off because of the medium format sensor. The Summicron-S 100mm f2 reminds me a bit of the Noctilux range 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 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/307283-noctilux-50mm-095-and-10/?do=findComment&comment=3952779'>More sharing options...
Arrow Posted April 13, 2020 Share #19 Posted April 13, 2020 I solved the Noctilux vs. Noctilux problem pairing the Noctilux 0.95 with a Summilux 75. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arrow Posted April 13, 2020 Share #20 Posted April 13, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, Milan_S said: The Thalia cine lenses are based of the Medium Format S lenses. I prefer the S lenses over the more perfect SL lenses, because of the cinematic look it gives and of course the tonality and fall off because of the medium format sensor. The Summicron-S 100mm f2 reminds me a bit of the Noctilux range 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! Nice one Cinematic look can be achieved using cinematic filters on SL lenses. Edited April 13, 2020 by Arrow Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now