Kiwimac Posted January 11, 2023 Share #401 Posted January 11, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) One of the dealers here in NZ said to me more or less “You need to understand, Leica no longer makes things primarily for proper professional photographers. It really makes things for rich dentists to use to show off to their rich dentists friends that they can afford the latest Limited Edition gear when they get together for brunch at the tennis club!” Cynical but there’s possibly some element of truth to it. We’ve seen something similar happen to RM Williams, an Australian brand of footwear and clothing. 15 years ago they still made saddles for stockmen to use when mustering on horseback. Everything they made was made in Australia. Then they were acquired by luxury brand owner LVMH. All the real bushmen gear disappeared, the clothes went from functional and tough to fashion items made in China and the handmade boot range was cut by 50% and touted in Vogue etc. Hopefully Leica will avoid that fate! OOI why did the Thambar disappear so quickly in comparison? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 11, 2023 Posted January 11, 2023 Hi Kiwimac, Take a look here Review: Leica Noctilux 50mm f1.2. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
farnz Posted January 11, 2023 Share #402 Posted January 11, 2023 1 hour ago, T25UFO said: I stand corrected, My apologies if you thought so, it wasn't my intention to correct. 🙂 Pete. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fil-m Posted January 11, 2023 Share #403 Posted January 11, 2023 13 minutes ago, Kiwimac said: One of the dealers here in NZ said to me more or less “You need to understand, Leica no longer makes things primarily for proper professional photographers. It really makes things for rich dentists to use to show off to their rich dentists friends that they can afford the latest Limited Edition gear when they get together for brunch at the tennis club!” Cynical but there’s possibly some element of truth to it. We’ve seen something similar happen to RM Williams, an Australian brand of footwear and clothing. 15 years ago they still made saddles for stockmen to use when mustering on horseback. Everything they made was made in Australia. Then they were acquired by luxury brand owner LVMH. All the real bushmen gear disappeared, the clothes went from functional and tough to fashion items made in China and the handmade boot range was cut by 50% and touted in Vogue etc. Hopefully Leica will avoid that fate! OOI why did the Thambar disappear so quickly in comparison? IMHO Leica nurtures contradictory ideas if I can say so: selling state of the art new sharp APO lens while also marketing and selling remakes of older generation models with radically different character (APOs, Noct 1.2/Sx35 classic and Thambars!!); selling highly functional cameras and lenses that are used by professionals and by amateurs while also selling overpriced limited editions for collectors and luxury addicts which are more expensive than what is already quite expensive (!)... Not easy to cover such a wide scope, this might lead to different interpretations of what the brand stands for (a risk the company is taking): some might look at it as a state of the art optics and photography company that provides a specific experience with high performance, others might consider it a luxury company à la LVMH etc etc with the risk of becoming "fuzzy" if the balance is broken or pushed too hard in one direction. ie people might ask "why remake old lenses; are the new ones unloved?" or "why buy pro equipment which is also seen as jewelry?" I (personally) consider that the main focus is the "specific experience/high performance" for pros and amateurs, with the other "luxury" profile staying there to make more money and keep the company profitable in a quite niche market of its own. It reduces their existential risk compared to much larger companies. But again, "viewpoints may vary". 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted January 11, 2023 Share #404 Posted January 11, 2023 11 minutes ago, Kiwimac said: One of the dealers here in NZ said to me more or less “You need to understand, Leica no longer makes things primarily for proper professional photographers. It really makes things for rich dentists to use to show off to their rich dentists friends that they can afford the latest Limited Edition gear when they get together for brunch at the tennis club!" An unfortunate opinion - particularly for a Leica dealer - and one with which I take issue because I see it thoughtlessly expressed quite often by those who aren't familiar with Leica's ethos. Yes, I feel sure that dentists, stockbrokers, hedge fund managers etc with plenty of disposable income are attracted to the products that Leica produces but to assume that these are Leica's primary target market is well off the mark. The Monochrom cameras, the screenless '-D' family of cameras, the S range that probed and created a place in the formerly nailed-up medium format market, the L-Mount Alliance with Panasonic and Sigma, and Leica's insistance on pushing the technical boundaries with lenses such as the 75/1.25 Noctilux, the 50/0.95 Noctilux, the 90/1.5 Summilux-M asph, the 50/2 APO-Summicron asph ('reference') lens, the 50/1.4 Summilux-SL asph lens and the 'character' updates such as the Thambar, the 28/6.3 Summaron must underline in fluorescent how Leica is so much more than a company that simply produces bling and boast products for the wealthy. /Rant over. (Not aimed at you, @Kiwimac) Pete. 4 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwimac Posted January 11, 2023 Share #405 Posted January 11, 2023 (edited) I tend to agree that Leica are both. Camera companies are not immune from making special editions - Nikon have certainly done it before and I expect that the others have also done it. I am sure that striking the right balance is not easy: there are long threads all over the internet on the issues with the M11, for example. It is not helpful to Leica to have that sort of thing - as marketers and PR people will tell you, "perception is reality". Especially in this day and age when 500 irritated people with camera issues can use the internet to make that sound like 50,000. I myself exercised caution as a result of the issues reported by purchasing a BNIB M10-R instead of an M11. Of course, here in NZ I am far away from any Leica repair shop, so minimising the chances of needing one is sensible. To be seen as a professional option, you really do not need to have well documented issues that take weeks to resolve when you launch your latest camera. It's not the best way to persuade more professionals to choose your cameras. Returning to the Noctilux f1.2 vs Summilux 1.4 choice, I think I am about 70/30 in favour of the Noctilux. I would like to have the spare cash to get both (or at least a Summicron as well) as I wonder whether one might not always want that unusual and amazing drawing - sometimes a more conventional look might be the answer. I might get the Noctilux now and just let the dealer know I want a good Summicron pre-owned when he next get one in. Edited January 11, 2023 by Kiwimac Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephengv Posted January 9 Share #406 Posted January 9 Is the noctilux 1.2 still worth it in 2025? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
3D-Kraft.com Posted January 9 Share #407 Posted January 9 Advertisement (gone after registration) Define "worth it". Until then, I would say: No. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephengv Posted January 9 Share #408 Posted January 9 (edited) 10 minutes ago, 3D-Kraft.com said: Define "worth it". Until then, I would say: No. Assuming its the same price as the summilux 50 1.4 new Edited January 9 by stephengv Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted January 9 Share #409 Posted January 9 My view is that the f1.2 and 1.0 50mm Noctiluxes are a bit of a one trick pony. The 0.95 Noctilux is much more versatile but very large and heavy. Nowadays, I only very rarely use mine. Wilson 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
T25UFO Posted January 10 Share #410 Posted January 10 On 1/9/2025 at 3:23 PM, stephengv said: Assuming its the same price as the summilux 50 1.4 new The f1.2 Noctilux is a lot more expensive than the new (closer focusing) f1.4 Summilux. UK prices currently £6.7k for the Noctilux, or £7.2k for the glossy black version. Summilux is £4.0k. Summilux tack sharp at f1.4, Noctilux “dreamy” at least until f2.0, but you can’t get the Noctilux look with the Summilux. The f1.2 is lovely to use, light and compact, complete opposite of the f0.95. If you don’t mind big and heavy, and have the budget, the 75mm Noctilux is brilliant. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Bunting Posted January 10 Share #411 Posted January 10 The f0.95 Noctilux is really not that big and feels great on an M camera. I love shooting film with it at night. The 75 Noctilux, that's a different story. The viewfinder blockage alone makes it kind of useless without an EVF. Love it on my SL3 though. I don't find myself using the f1.2 very often anymore. For "dreamy," I prefer the f1, which is sharper, a bit more refined, and less one-note to me. I use the f1.2 most often when I go to a concert and want to bring a camera and lens setup with a fast aperture that doesn't look so "professional" it'll get me stopped at security. Otherwise, the f1.2 is kind of a hard sell. I loved it when I first acquired it, but it makes your shots all look sort of the same, and that's a bit boring. But I haven't shot it in a while. Maybe I'll take it out this weekend and see if I feel any differently about it. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephengv Posted January 12 Share #412 Posted January 12 Got the lens. So far so good. Thanks for the comments. By the way, what UV filter do you use? Which is better, the B+W or the Leica one? 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! 5 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/317411-review-leica-noctilux-50mm-f12/?do=findComment&comment=5737998'>More sharing options...
JoshuaR Posted January 12 Share #413 Posted January 12 I love love love the 50 f/1.2 Noctilux reissue. I don't feel that it's similar or overlapping with the 50 Summilux ASPH, which I also own. (I would probably sell the Summilux before the Noctilux.) I also don't feel that it's a one-note lens. It has very different character at f/1.2, f/1.4, f/2, and f/2.8 and higher. On my M10-R it's my second-most-used lens, after the Steel Rim reissue. 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! @stephengv, I use a B+W filter, and a yellow B+W filter when it's on my M10M. I don't have the hood, as I bought the lens used without one. 6 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! @stephengv, I use a B+W filter, and a yellow B+W filter when it's on my M10M. I don't have the hood, as I bought the lens used without one. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/317411-review-leica-noctilux-50mm-f12/?do=findComment&comment=5738154'>More sharing options...
hjddd Posted January 12 Share #414 Posted January 12 11 hours ago, stephengv said: 拿到镜头了。到目前为止一切顺利。谢谢评论。顺便问一下，你用什么 UV 滤镜？B+W 还是 Leica 哪个更好？ 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! Leica silm uva code 13329 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephengv Posted January 12 Share #415 Posted January 12 1 hour ago, JoshuaR said: I love love love the 50 f/1.2 Noctilux reissue. I don't feel that it's similar or overlapping with the 50 Summilux ASPH, which I also own. (I would probably sell the Summilux before the Noctilux.) I also don't feel that it's a one-note lens. It has very different character at f/1.2, f/1.4, f/2, and f/2.8 and higher. On my M10-R it's my second-most-used lens, after the Steel Rim reissue. 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! @stephengv, I use a B+W filter, and a yellow B+W filter when it's on my M10M. I don't have the hood, as I bought the lens used without one. Also have the Steel Rim, love it also. what B+w filter do you use? The Master or Tpro? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephengv Posted January 12 Share #416 Posted January 12 Do they still sell that Uv? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephengv Posted January 12 Share #417 Posted January 12 Another test shot: 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! 5 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/317411-review-leica-noctilux-50mm-f12/?do=findComment&comment=5738225'>More sharing options...
jakontil Posted January 13 Share #418 Posted January 13 Has been my go to lens.. i use the bw filter, slim profile but now i use the shortstasche every day filter, got the cpl and mist in one 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/317411-review-leica-noctilux-50mm-f12/?do=findComment&comment=5738650'>More sharing options...
stephengv Posted January 16 Share #419 Posted January 16 I just bought the B+W Clear Master Filter. It's good. Problem is, I can no longer use the Metal Lenshood haha. Will the Leica branded hood, Filter UVa II, E49, allow use of the Metal lens cap? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakontil Posted January 17 Share #420 Posted January 17 19 hours ago, stephengv said: I just bought the B+W Clear Master Filter. It's good. Problem is, I can no longer use the Metal Lenshood haha. Will the Leica branded hood, Filter UVa II, E49, allow use of the Metal lens cap? Are you referring the usability of the lenshood or the lens cap? Afaik the lenshood still useable after applying the filter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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