Review: Leica Noctilux 50mm f1.2

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The problem i have with the investment theory is that when i buy a lens i like to use it in all winds and weather without fear,also all my 4 grand children can use it to take pics so i can get into the odd image.

Now i still look after the lens but it might get a knock or a scratch etc but the main thing is enjoying using it in all conditions without fear in my view.

I am lucky enough to own the very expensive 50mm summicrom V5 silver/chrome but i just use it as i would  any other lens and if i had this noctilux remake the same would apply otherwise you may as well pack in actually taking photos.

   

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[Elderin]

I own the new 1.2 Noctilux and as much as i love the images i do not agree with the results.

First, i shoot with Leica SL2s and that is where you can nail focus better than on any M camera (unless you use evf). 

The lens must therefore not be calibrated 100% to my camera- Maybe your lens was not 100% fit.

Why do i say this ? Well, i get sharp results in the center. Not super sharp but at 1.4 it is as sharp as my 50 Summilux at 1.4 and slightly less sharp at 1.2

Also sharpness at 1.2 improves when you shoot at a distance. At infinity center sharpness even at 1.2 is remarkable and definelty usable. That hold also true for 4m.

Corner sharpness is not great at 1.2 (nothing really sharp that is true) but also only at minimum focus distance where it does not matter much anyway. At infinity corner sharpness is better and only extreme corners are soft. At f5.6 corners are sharp at infinity. really sharp. you can say the images is still sharper in den middle but only because the sharpness in the middle even beats my Summilux.

For me it is perfectly usable as a daily driver and that what it is right now. The Summilux is staying but only because Leica lenses do not fall in price easily

I might post a review because i read so many that almost kept me from buying and i feel the need to do it. gerhardsphoto.com will be the site.

Dont know if my time will allow that to happen.

Greetings from Cologne, Germany

Elderin

 

Edit: I also owned (and sold) the Noctilux 50 1.0 V4 and the Noctilux 0.95 both for the same reason. to big and heavy on a full day out. that is unless it is the only lens you carry along, then the F1 is ok. The 0.95 is always a burdon (but the results are beautiful in their own rights though very different from the 1.2).

Edited September 9, 2022 by Elderin
Edit

[jakontil]

On 9/9/2022 at 8:26 PM, Elderin said:

I own the new 1.2 Noctilux and as much as i love the images i do not agree with the results.

First, i shoot with Leica SL2s and that is where you can nail focus better than on any M camera (unless you use evf). 

The lens must therefore not be calibrated 100% to my camera- Maybe your lens was not 100% fit.

Why do i say this ? Well, i get sharp results in the center. Not super sharp but at 1.4 it is as sharp as my 50 Summilux at 1.4 and slightly less sharp at 1.2

Also sharpness at 1.2 improves when you shoot at a distance. At infinity center sharpness even at 1.2 is remarkable and definelty usable. That hold also true for 4m.

Corner sharpness is not great at 1.2 (nothing really sharp that is true) but also only at minimum focus distance where it does not matter much anyway. At infinity corner sharpness is better and only extreme corners are soft. At f5.6 corners are sharp at infinity. really sharp. you can say the images is still sharper in den middle but only because the sharpness in the middle even beats my Summilux.

For me it is perfectly usable as a daily driver and that what it is right now. The Summilux is staying but only because Leica lenses do not fall in price easily

I might post a review because i read so many that almost kept me from buying and i feel the need to do it. gerhardsphoto.com will be the site.

Dont know if my time will allow that to happen.

Greetings from Cologne, Germany

Elderin

 

Edit: I also owned (and sold) the Noctilux 50 1.0 V4 and the Noctilux 0.95 both for the same reason. to big and heavy on a full day out. that is unless it is the only lens you carry along, then the F1 is ok. The 0.95 is always a burdon (but the results are beautiful in their own rights though very different from the 1.2).

To my surprise, out of the 50s focal length i have, the 1.2 being the most used lens in my library

i once sold and reclaim back the 0.95, the monster stay for a very special occasions

[Kiwimac]

I owned the f1 Noctilux. I was passing through Singapore in 2004 on an 8 month trip, shooting film with my M7. I wandered into a few camera stores and one had thef1 sitting on a shelf. Since this was pre-digital, the lens seemed as though it would be handy on the trip so I bought it for about GBP2500.

I honestly never liked it much because it was just too big and heavy on an M and when Leica looked like they were never going digital, I sold all my glass for a pittance. The next year, they went digital...

I might consider the 1.2 re-issue because I love the rendering it gives but flare looks bad.

Edited January 9, 2023 by Kiwimac

[insideline]

20 hours ago, Kiwimac said:

I owned the f1 Noctilux. I was passing through Singapore in 2004 on an 8 month trip, shooting film with my M7. I wandered into a few camera stores and one had thef1 sitting on a shelf. Since this was pre-digital, the lens seemed as though it would be handy on the trip so I bought it for about GBP2500.

I honestly never liked it much because it was just too big and heavy on an M and when Leica looked like they were never going digital, I sold all my glass for a pittance. The next year, they went digital...

I might consider the 1.2 re-issue because I love the rendering it gives but flare looks bad.

Welcome back to Leica if you are just coming back. I have owned or do own every single model of Noctilux beginning with my Dad's original 1968 1.2 to my original 1975 E58 F1 Noctilux and every version of F1 afterwards, then the .95. and the 75 1.25, then last the new re-issue 50 1.2. My two favorites always are the original 1.2 and the E58 F1 as they both render in ways that no new lens can quite muster, plus the size of both I find acceptable for all day carrying. Having said that the new re-issue 1.2 is incredibly well made and has its own rendering and while not the same as the original 1960's 1.2 yet still quite artistic, then when stopped down from F2 on up it performs as a wonderful all around 50mm lens. For many the 50 1.4 Summilux may suit them more but for a more "playful" look when shot wide open the new re-issue is quite neat, not as artistic as the original but far far less expensive, plus no worries about glass condition or having an accident with a $35,000++ original. While I sold my re-issue it was primarily due to the fact I already owned too many Noctilux's, but at the used prices I have seen of late for the re-issue along with the great build quality I would think it hard to pass up and hope you do acquire a copy.

[Kiwimac]

I have seriously thought about it. 
 

My concern would be, I suppose, whether it’s suitable as an only lens. In NZ$, a Summilux is $6900 and the Noctilux f1.2 is $12,900.  A 0,95 is $21,000. 
 

So if I stretched the budget as far as the 1.2 it would have to be the daily 50 for a long time. I do like almost all the images I’ve seen taken with it though. 
 

What do you think? Can it be that?

[Jeremy Bunting]

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2 hours ago, Kiwimac said:

I have seriously thought about it. 
 

My concern would be, I suppose, whether it’s suitable as an only lens. In NZ$, a Summilux is $6900 and the Noctilux f1.2 is $12,900.  A 0,95 is $21,000. 
 

So if I stretched the budget as far as the 1.2 it would have to be the daily 50 for a long time. I do like almost all the images I’ve seen taken with it though. 
 

What do you think? Can it be that?

Not if you want anything in your image to be perfectly sharp at under f4. 

[alainD]

The 50mm Noctilux f/1.2 is my favorite 50. It can do all. The only major drawback is the minimum focusing distance of 1m.

if you need an all purpose 50, I’d suggest get the Summilux asph or the rumored replacement with a shorter minimum focusing distance (like the new 35mm Summilux).

The reason to buy the Noctilux f/1.2 is the way it renders. It is unique.

Alain

 

[Kiwimac]

It is unique. There is just one in NZ as we speak. Apparently they only just finished filling back orders!

 

 The images almost remind me of a Monet in the background. 

[Kiwimac]

2 hours ago, alainD said:

The 50mm Noctilux f/1.2 is my favorite 50. It can do all. The only major drawback is the minimum focusing distance of 1m.

if you need an all purpose 50, I’d suggest get the Summilux asph or the rumored replacement with a shorter minimum focusing distance (like the new 35mm Summilux).

The reason to buy the Noctilux f/1.2 is the way it renders. It is unique.

Alain

 

Why is that a drawback?

 

I rarely stick my camera that close to anything. 

[wlaidlaw]

7 hours ago, Kiwimac said:

I have seriously thought about it. 
 

My concern would be, I suppose, whether it’s suitable as an only lens. In NZ$, a Summilux is $6900 and the Noctilux f1.2 is $12,900.  A 0,95 is $21,000. 
 

So if I stretched the budget as far as the 1.2 it would have to be the daily 50 for a long time. I do like almost all the images I’ve seen taken with it though. 
 

What do you think? Can it be that?

My suggestion would be to buy a new old stock 50 Summilux III from someone like Fotopia in Hong Kong (very reliable - I have bought from them for UK delivery). This has nearly as good Bokeh as the f1.2 Noctilux but yet is sharp enough to use as a everyday lens. IMHO, the bokeh of the Summilux III is a country mile better than the 50 ASPH Summilux IV, which I have never warmed to as a lens, especially on digital M's, with its ultra high edge contrast.

I acquired one of the chrome LTM mount Special Edition 50 Summilux III lenses, when I got a Japanese friend to bid at an estate sale of a Leica collector. In fact I had previously bought one of the Special Edition 50 Summicron-V LTM mount lenses from Japan. This is a very good lens, the best of various 50 Summicrons I have owned over the last 60 years and is my "go to" lens for use on my Barnack bodies but it does not have that special extra little something that the 50 Summilux IIISE has. The half stop difference in exposure and DOF between f1.4 and f1.2 is barely noticeable.

Along with the 35 APO Summicron, the 50 Summilux IIISE lens is by some margin, the most used out of my 50 odd Leica lenses. Other than I very rarely sell any of my Leica collection, common sense says I should sell my 50/0.95 Noctilux as it just sits on the shelf gathering dust. I find it on the heavy/unbalanced side, as an everyday lens although unlike the f1.2 Noctilux, it is a "do everything" lens and just as sharp as one needs. 

Wilson

 

Edited January 10, 2023 by wlaidlaw

[T25UFO]

5 hours ago, Kiwimac said:

 The images almost remind me of a Monet in the background. 

I posted this photo over a year ago in a different thread, but since you mentioned Monet . . . SL2 + 50mm f1.2 fully open.

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[Kiwimac]

Lovely. Really nice. 

 

It really does seem to be a very special lens. 
 

Is there typically a limit on how long they make these reissue lenses? I know the silver one was only 100 which probably sold before they had even made one, but I’m not sure whether they normally limit the usual production. 
 

 

[T25UFO]

15 hours ago, Kiwimac said:

Lovely. Really nice. 

 

It really does seem to be a very special lens. 
 

Is there typically a limit on how long they make these reissue lenses? I know the silver one was only 100 which probably sold before they had even made one, but I’m not sure whether they normally limit the usual production. 
 

 

Can't answer for NZ, but in the UK this lens is widely available.  Leica UK Online store and several main Leica dealers all seem to have good stock levels.  Leica recently increased their prices in the UK for most lenses, but not for this lens which is still retailing for GBP 6,700.  That's about NZD 12,700 but the UK price includes 20% VAT, which would be deducted for shipments outside the UK.

I believe Red Dot Cameras, Ffordes and Leica Store Manchester all ship worldwide, so there could be a saving if you order from the UK.  Of course, that depends on whether you would have to pay import duty in NZ.

[Kiwimac]

There’s one in stock in NZ. 
 

It’s $12,900 including 15% tax. 
 

Yes I’d get pinged for the 15% plus import duty plus “bio security levy”. That last one is just a ridiculous rort. 
 

Is the lens likely to be made indefinitely or will it disappear like the Thambar did?

Edited January 11, 2023 by Kiwimac

[T25UFO]

3 hours ago, Kiwimac said:

Is the lens likely to be made indefinitely or will it disappear like the Thambar did?

Sorry, don't know, but I'm guessing it will be there for a while.  It's a lens that doesn't suit everyone so a few mint secondhand examples always on eBay.

The chrome lens was limited to 100 and priced at silly money, but still sold out immediately.  Collectors not photographers?

[farnz]

52 minutes ago, T25UFO said:

The chrome lens was limited to 100 and priced at silly money, but still sold out immediately.  Collectors not photographers?

On release the chrome version was priced at £13,000 (double the price of the black version) and within a month or so was (and still is) available from Schouten Select for €70,000 (£62,000).

With the assistance of my Premier Leica Dealership I tried very hard to pre-order or buy one on release but there were none available in any country (surprise, surprise).

Pete.

[ELAN]

59 minutes ago, farnz said:

On release the chrome version was priced at £13,000 (double the price of the black version) and within a month or so was (and still is) available from Schouten Select for €70,000 (£62,000).

With the assistance of my Premier Leica Dealership I tried very hard to pre-order or buy one on release but there were none available in any country (surprise, surprise).

Pete.

I always wonder why Leica does that??  They made a small profit off 100 copies (that are stored and hardly used), and then scalpers make most of the money.  Had Leica made 500 copies they would still sell them all and make 5 times the profit.  And folks like you and I could buy one and actually use it as intended.

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[Jeremy Bunting]

Unfortunately I think that even if scalpers are the individuals most directly profiting off the incredibly inflated prices of Leica limited edition cameras and lenses, that collectors will spend $50,000+ on a Leica lens adds to the general allure of the brand.

[T25UFO]

1 hour ago, farnz said:

On release the chrome version was priced at £13,000 (double the price of the black version) and within a month or so was (and still is) available from Schouten Select for €70,000 (£62,000).

With the assistance of my Premier Leica Dealership I tried very hard to pre-order or buy one on release but there were none available in any country (surprise, surprise).

Pete.

I stand corrected, but I didn't try to buy the chrome through any dealership.  Just bought a regular black one instead.

The fact that it still is available at Schouten Select might suggest there are not many Premier League Footballers using Leica rangefinder cameras as a hobby 🙂