rev2333 Posted February 9, 2021 Share #1 Posted February 9, 2021 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi Leica Forum and Leica lovers, Today I've just recevied the new Noctilux 50mm f/1.2. Due to the heavy snow, the DHL delivery time was delayed by one day. When I got this lens, my first reaction was that this lens was much lighter than the old Noctilux 50mm f/1.2. The old Noctilux weighs 470g, and the new one is 407g. (Please correct me if there is an error) And the new lens is very clean and tidy. In contrast, I prefer the new lens. The optical quality of the new Noctilux 50 1.2 is very good. I have done a simple test on my M10 Monochrom. The picture quality at 1.2 aperture is significantly better than 0.95 (of course). And the picture quality is already very sharp at a "small" aperture f/2.8 . This lens can bring more light when the volume is much smaller than Noctilux 50 0.95 (I never use this lens because it's too heavy), which is very beneficial for both digital and film photography. Now let's talk about the personality of this lens: the aperture ring is very loose, which is very different from the old Noctilux. Unlike other Summilux 24, 28, 35, 50, and Noctilux 50 0.95, the aperture ring of this lens feels easy to adjust without almost any resistance. The focus ring is a bit heavier than the aperture ring, but this feels very good, making it easy for me to think this is an old Noctilux. Finally, remember to buy a 49mm UV lens. I don’t like using digital cameras to take photos. Just like my previous posts on the forum, I’m used to using analog cameras to take color and black-and-white film. I hope I can use this lens to complete 2-3 rolls of film within this month, then develop the film and scan. Hope you like this thread. 09.02.21, Goettingen. 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! Edited February 9, 2021 by rev2333 11 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/317835-quick-look-of-the-new-noctilux-50mm-f12/?do=findComment&comment=4137266'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 9, 2021 Posted February 9, 2021 Hi rev2333, Take a look here Quick look of the new Noctilux 50mm f/1.2. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
fredbonhomme Posted February 9, 2021 Share #2 Posted February 9, 2021 Thank you for your feedback. Please show us your first pictures with it once you processed the rolls ! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joakim Posted February 9, 2021 Share #3 Posted February 9, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, rev2333 said: The picture quality at 1.2 aperture is significantly better than 0.95 (of course) Is it really? The 1.2 Noctilux is based on a design that is more than 40 years older than the design of the 0.95. Edited February 9, 2021 by Joakim 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaeger Posted February 9, 2021 Share #4 Posted February 9, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Joakim said: Is it really? The 1.2 Noctilux is based on a design that is more than 40 years older than the design of the 0.95. many lenses today are still sharing the vintage design. it's where the characters are coming from. 3 hours ago, rev2333 said: Today I've just recevied the new Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 i wonder how much money the vintage version will drop these days... the vintage one is very soft wide open afaik Edited February 9, 2021 by jaeger Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 10, 2021 Share #5 Posted February 10, 2021 4 hours ago, rev2333 said: The picture quality at 1.2 aperture is significantly better than 0.95 (of course). According to Sean Reid, the 50/1.2 asph's resolution at f/1.2 does not match that of the 50/0.95 at f/0.95. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted February 10, 2021 Share #6 Posted February 10, 2021 (edited) 21 minutes ago, lct said: According to Sean Reid, the 50/1.2 asph's resolution at f/1.2 does not match that of the 50/0.95 at f/0.95. MTF's agree ... but I'm sure the drawing of the lenses with real subjects will reveal other nuances. 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! Edited February 10, 2021 by FrozenInTime 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/317835-quick-look-of-the-new-noctilux-50mm-f12/?do=findComment&comment=4137465'>More sharing options...
rev2333 Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share #7 Posted February 10, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) I will test the Noctilux 0.95 and new 1.2 in this weekend again, thank you for your informations! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tightsqueez Posted February 10, 2021 Share #8 Posted February 10, 2021 It’s unsettling a brand new lens arrives with a very loose aperture ring. Time and and again I have had the the same issue with Leica lenses. I cannot think of one reason why the last quality control person in the factory would find this acceptable for shipment. Is there a reason I’m not seeing? Are they supposed to tighten up with time? My 50 APO eight years later is still as loose as it was from day one. It’s annoying to constantly look down at your lens and see a different aperture than you thought you were using. I feel like I’m driving a Ferrari with loose wheels! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 10, 2021 Share #9 Posted February 10, 2021 Reid Reviews didn't notice this looseness. Poor QC again i suspect. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darylgo Posted February 10, 2021 Share #10 Posted February 10, 2021 (edited) 18 hours ago, lct said: According to Sean Reid, the 50/1.2 asph's resolution at f/1.2 does not match that of the 50/0.95 at f/0.95. Sample variation, rangefinder adjustment, handheld, many variables could lead to a different conclusion. 23 hours ago, rev2333 said: Hope you like this thread. Thank you for sharing your shipment info and evaluation. Edited February 10, 2021 by darylgo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rev2333 Posted February 11, 2021 Author Share #11 Posted February 11, 2021 (edited) vor 21 Stunden schrieb tightsqueez: It’s unsettling a brand new lens arrives with a very loose aperture ring. Time and and again I have had the the same issue with Leica lenses. I cannot think of one reason why the last quality control person in the factory would find this acceptable for shipment. Is there a reason I’m not seeing? Are they supposed to tighten up with time? My 50 APO eight years later is still as loose as it was from day one. It’s annoying to constantly look down at your lens and see a different aperture than you thought you were using. I feel like I’m driving a Ferrari with loose wheels! vor 21 Stunden schrieb lct: Reid Reviews didn't notice this looseness. Poor QC again i suspect. I've contacted with Leica Custmor Care, and they will contact me back soon I think, for the aperture ring problem. Edited February 11, 2021 by rev2333 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rev2333 Posted February 11, 2021 Author Share #12 Posted February 11, 2021 Am 10.2.2021 um 00:34 schrieb jaeger: many lenses today are still sharing the vintage design. it's where the characters are coming from. i wonder how much money the vintage version will drop these days... the vintage one is very soft wide open afaik It's very expensive now...I think no one will buy the vintage Noctilux 50 1.2 for photography, but only for collection. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted February 11, 2021 Share #13 Posted February 11, 2021 On 2/10/2021 at 3:16 PM, tightsqueez said: It’s unsettling a brand new lens arrives with a very loose aperture ring. Time and and again I have had the the same issue with Leica lenses. I cannot think of one reason why the last quality control person in the factory would find this acceptable for shipment. Is there a reason I’m not seeing? Are they supposed to tighten up with time? My 50 APO eight years later is still as loose as it was from day one. It’s annoying to constantly look down at your lens and see a different aperture than you thought you were using. I feel like I’m driving a Ferrari with loose wheels! Yes, it's infuriating. Send it to Leica: it's a very easy fix and, in my experience, they'll do it for free. Just make sure you agree on a timeframe, as you probably don't want to be without your lens for weeks - especially when it only takes a few minutes to make it tighter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedaes Posted February 11, 2021 Share #14 Posted February 11, 2021 On 2/10/2021 at 2:34 PM, lct said: Reid Reviews didn't notice this looseness. Poor QC again i suspect This was/is a common winge about the 50mm APO-Summicron, a lens we know is assembled only by the most skilled. It is easily adjusted if requested, but could well be the design standard rather than a QC issue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tightsqueez Posted February 11, 2021 Share #15 Posted February 11, 2021 2 hours ago, Ecar said: Yes, it's infuriating. Send it to Leica: it's a very easy fix and, in my experience, they'll do it for free. Just make sure you agree on a timeframe, as you probably don't want to be without your lens for weeks - especially when it only takes a few minutes to make it tighter. I did just that yesterday. They are sending me a loaner. Leica has definitely stepped up their customer care in the last few years. They stated things are a bit slow because of the pandemic, possibly 10 weeks for an adjustment. I’m cool with that. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joakim Posted February 11, 2021 Share #16 Posted February 11, 2021 (edited) On 2/10/2021 at 12:34 AM, jaeger said: many lenses today are still sharing the vintage design. it's where the characters are coming from. True but the 0.95 Noctilux is certainly not a vintage design. Edited February 11, 2021 by Joakim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Prime Posted February 11, 2021 Share #17 Posted February 11, 2021 (edited) I assume we’re all allowed one dumb question, Why is this lens interesting, other than rendering (but that’s a stretch) if there’s already a Summilux f1.4 ? - it’s not even a whole stop of difference Edited February 11, 2021 by Mr.Prime 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tightsqueez Posted February 11, 2021 Share #18 Posted February 11, 2021 22 minutes ago, Mr.Prime said: I assume we’re all allowed one dumb question, Why is this lens interesting, other than rendering (but that’s a stretch) if there’s already a Summilux f1.4 ? - it’s not even a whole stop of difference No dumb questions, just dumb answers. Ha ha. I think the re-release is pretty cool. There are very few original lenses out there and because of the rarity, a legend was born... with it magical properties were born. I mean, imagine if Ford produced the ‘65 1/2 or ’66 Mustang just like they were originally produced? That’s what Leica is doing! To be honest though, I am skipping this lens for now. I think the lens behaves very different with digital than with film and find the character of the “rendering” nauseating. I’m not the only one... believe me. I have have other reservations but initially feel this lens steps all over one’s vision. We’ve become spoiled with lenses that “get out of the way” in terms of spilling their rendering on our vision. Some do better than others; the 50 APO would be a modern example. Life is good though; buy it, try it, like it or not, pass on to the next guy or gal. I’m happy Leica is making these. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted February 11, 2021 Share #19 Posted February 11, 2021 Perhaps Wetzlar is seeking to boost the bottom-line prior to the end of the Financial Year... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rev2333 Posted February 11, 2021 Author Share #20 Posted February 11, 2021 vor 3 Stunden schrieb tightsqueez: No dumb questions, just dumb answers. Ha ha. I think the re-release is pretty cool. There are very few original lenses out there and because of the rarity, a legend was born... with it magical properties were born. I mean, imagine if Ford produced the ‘65 1/2 or ’66 Mustang just like they were originally produced? That’s what Leica is doing! To be honest though, I am skipping this lens for now. I think the lens behaves very different with digital than with film and find the character of the “rendering” nauseating. I’m not the only one... believe me. I have have other reservations but initially feel this lens steps all over one’s vision. We’ve become spoiled with lenses that “get out of the way” in terms of spilling their rendering on our vision. Some do better than others; the 50 APO would be a modern example. Life is good though; buy it, try it, like it or not, pass on to the next guy or gal. I’m happy Leica is making these. The new lens gives me more passions to take pictures. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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