patrickcolpron Posted September 29 Share #461 Posted September 29 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) 11 hours ago, didier said: Great shot ! This only thing that makes me hesitate to get this lens is the 1m limit for focusing… I had the same initial reflection, but my first Leica lens years ago was a 50/1.5 Summarit which has the same close focus limit. I also have an APO 35, it has a 30cm close focus limit. In my opinion, that close focusing limit on the Leica APO 35 and newer Leica M lenses is a marketing gimmick. At least one person at Leica confirmed this to me. It is a novelty, I only used a handful of times. If Leica was to release a smaller APO 35 or a 35 Cron V4 re-issue with a close focus limit of 70 cm, I'd trade in my current APO 35 for it in a heartbeat. I seldom photograph people or "things" at 70 cm or closer. I purchased the APO 35 for food photography, to get close up shots of food for my work, only to end up preferring using a 90 or a 75 mil lens to make tighter and closer compositions. Same goes with the 50 focal length. I never used or very seldom used my APO 50, 50 Summarit and 50 Lux ASPH after purchasing the 50/1.2 because I find 1m distance is close enough for portraits with a 50 and of the 50/1.2 stelar rendering to my eyes and own taste. That works for me, you just have to look at your own experience and photography using a 50, what is the minimum distance you generally use a 50 at? All said and done, before getting the 50/1.2, I was more of a 35 mil focal length person and mostly, almost only using a 35 mil lens for both my work and pleasure, now I am more in the 50/50 camp, half my photos are made with a 35 mil lens, the other half with a 50/1.2. I feel that any closer than 1m would be too close for portraits with a 50, but what do I know? 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! Made with an M10M at 1.2 as usual, my youngest always "thrilled" to have his picture taken 😉 I want to point out that I am not attempting to "sell" this lens, the 50/1.2 works for me, it is not for everyone. Close focus limit aside, it is a difficult lens to tame, wide open never rely on live view or a Visoflex to nail "critical" focus. I'll even add, if you use live view or a Visoflex or an SL (whatever model) for your M lens photography, this lens isn't for you. The best results with it are achieved using the rangefinder, and I mean you will get much better resulting images with sharp focus or close to sharp focus using the rangefinder than you ever will looking through an electronic screen to compose and focus your shots with. All my photos with the 50/1.2 are made using the M rangefinder while looking through the optical viewfinder. At anything other than minimum focus or close to minimum focus distance, at f/1.2 it is almost impossible to nail "critical" focus, it is not a 50 ASPH not a 50/0.95 with which you can easily achieve sharp focus with, wide open. When in doubt or if you are not sure these two points above should help in your decision factor. It is also one of the reasons I love it, I have yet to master this lens and discover all of its strength and shortcomings. Edited September 29 by patrickcolpron Giving you a few reasons not to buy it. 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Made with an M10M at 1.2 as usual, my youngest always "thrilled" to have his picture taken 😉 I want to point out that I am not attempting to "sell" this lens, the 50/1.2 works for me, it is not for everyone. Close focus limit aside, it is a difficult lens to tame, wide open never rely on live view or a Visoflex to nail "critical" focus. I'll even add, if you use live view or a Visoflex or an SL (whatever model) for your M lens photography, this lens isn't for you. The best results with it are achieved using the rangefinder, and I mean you will get much better resulting images with sharp focus or close to sharp focus using the rangefinder than you ever will looking through an electronic screen to compose and focus your shots with. All my photos with the 50/1.2 are made using the M rangefinder while looking through the optical viewfinder. At anything other than minimum focus or close to minimum focus distance, at f/1.2 it is almost impossible to nail "critical" focus, it is not a 50 ASPH not a 50/0.95 with which you can easily achieve sharp focus with, wide open. When in doubt or if you are not sure these two points above should help in your decision factor. It is also one of the reasons I love it, I have yet to master this lens and discover all of its strength and shortcomings. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/318586-the-50mm-f12-noctilux-image-thread/?do=findComment&comment=5869054'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 29 Posted September 29 Hi patrickcolpron, Take a look here The 50mm f/1,2 Noctilux Image Thread. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Smudgerer Posted September 29 Share #462 Posted September 29 51 minutes ago, patrickcolpron said: I had the same initial reflection, but my first Leica lens years ago was a 50/1.5 Summarit which has the same close focus limit. I also have an APO 35, it has a 30cm close focus limit. In my opinion, that close focusing limit on the Leica APO 35 and newer Leica M lenses is a marketing gimmick. At least one person at Leica confirmed this to me. It is a novelty, I only used a handful of times. If Leica was to release a smaller APO 35 or a 35 Cron V4 re-issue with a close focus limit of 70 cm, I'd trade in my current APO 35 for it in a heartbeat. I seldom photograph people or "things" at 70 cm or closer. I purchased the APO 35 for food photography, to get close up shots of food for my work, only to end up preferring using a 90 or a 75 mil lens to make tighter and closer compositions. Same goes with the 50 focal length. I never used or very seldom used my APO 50, 50 Summarit and 50 Lux ASPH after purchasing the 50/1.2 because I find 1m distance is close enough for portraits with a 50 and of the 50/1.2 stelar rendering to my eyes and own taste. That works for me, you just have to look at your own experience and photography using a 50, what is the minimum distance you generally use a 50 at? All said and done, before getting the 50/1.2, I was more of a 35 mil focal length person and mostly, almost only using a 35 mil lens for both my work and pleasure, now I am more in the 50/50 camp, half my photos are made with a 35 mil lens, the other half with a 50/1.2. I feel that any closer than 1m would be too close for portraits with a 50, but what do I know? 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! Made with an M10M at 1.2 as usual, my youngest always "thrilled" to have his picture taken 😉 I want to point out that I am not attempting to "sell" this lens, the 50/1.2 works for me, it is not for everyone. Close focus limit aside, it is a difficult lens to tame, wide open never rely on live view or a Visoflex to nail "critical" focus. I'll even add, if you use live view or a Visoflex or an SL (whatever model) for your M lens photography, this lens isn't for you. The best results with it are achieved using the rangefinder, and I mean you will get much better resulting images with sharp focus or close to sharp focus using the rangefinder than you ever will looking through an electronic screen to compose and focus your shots with. All my photos with the 50/1.2 are made using the M rangefinder while looking through the optical viewfinder. At anything other than minimum focus or close to minimum focus distance, at f/1.2 it is almost impossible to nail "critical" focus, it is not a 50 ASPH not a 50/0.95 with which you can easily achieve sharp focus with, wide open. When in doubt or if you are not sure these two points above should help in your decision factor. It is also one of the reasons I love it, I have yet to master this lens and discover all of its strength and shortcomings. A lot of practical, honest, good sense here, plus a sensible endorsement of the rangefinder over other M electronic focusing methods.........Thank you Patrick. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrickcolpron Posted September 29 Share #463 Posted September 29 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 MP loaded with Portra 160 wide open at the minimum focus distance (or really really close to it) as good on film as it is with a digital M (huh... okay, better on film!) My youngest always "thrilled" to have his photo taken... or mimicking the look of sadness in my eyes when I see someone using a digital M with a Visoflex 😉 These film photos were made last week And just to compare, again my youngest this evening wide open with an M10R, his left eye almost looks sharp 11 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Leica MP loaded with Portra 160 wide open at the minimum focus distance (or really really close to it) as good on film as it is with a digital M (huh... okay, better on film!) My youngest always "thrilled" to have his photo taken... or mimicking the look of sadness in my eyes when I see someone using a digital M with a Visoflex 😉 These film photos were made last week And just to compare, again my youngest this evening wide open with an M10R, his left eye almost looks sharp ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/318586-the-50mm-f12-noctilux-image-thread/?do=findComment&comment=5869311'>More sharing options...
jakontil Posted September 30 Share #464 Posted September 30 20 hours ago, patrickcolpron said: I had the same initial reflection, but my first Leica lens years ago was a 50/1.5 Summarit which has the same close focus limit. I also have an APO 35, it has a 30cm close focus limit. In my opinion, that close focusing limit on the Leica APO 35 and newer Leica M lenses is a marketing gimmick. At least one person at Leica confirmed this to me. It is a novelty, I only used a handful of times. If Leica was to release a smaller APO 35 or a 35 Cron V4 re-issue with a close focus limit of 70 cm, I'd trade in my current APO 35 for it in a heartbeat. I seldom photograph people or "things" at 70 cm or closer. I purchased the APO 35 for food photography, to get close up shots of food for my work, only to end up preferring using a 90 or a 75 mil lens to make tighter and closer compositions. Same goes with the 50 focal length. I never used or very seldom used my APO 50, 50 Summarit and 50 Lux ASPH after purchasing the 50/1.2 because I find 1m distance is close enough for portraits with a 50 and of the 50/1.2 stelar rendering to my eyes and own taste. That works for me, you just have to look at your own experience and photography using a 50, what is the minimum distance you generally use a 50 at? All said and done, before getting the 50/1.2, I was more of a 35 mil focal length person and mostly, almost only using a 35 mil lens for both my work and pleasure, now I am more in the 50/50 camp, half my photos are made with a 35 mil lens, the other half with a 50/1.2. I feel that any closer than 1m would be too close for portraits with a 50, but what do I know? 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! Made with an M10M at 1.2 as usual, my youngest always "thrilled" to have his picture taken 😉 I want to point out that I am not attempting to "sell" this lens, the 50/1.2 works for me, it is not for everyone. Close focus limit aside, it is a difficult lens to tame, wide open never rely on live view or a Visoflex to nail "critical" focus. I'll even add, if you use live view or a Visoflex or an SL (whatever model) for your M lens photography, this lens isn't for you. The best results with it are achieved using the rangefinder, and I mean you will get much better resulting images with sharp focus or close to sharp focus using the rangefinder than you ever will looking through an electronic screen to compose and focus your shots with. All my photos with the 50/1.2 are made using the M rangefinder while looking through the optical viewfinder. At anything other than minimum focus or close to minimum focus distance, at f/1.2 it is almost impossible to nail "critical" focus, it is not a 50 ASPH not a 50/0.95 with which you can easily achieve sharp focus with, wide open. When in doubt or if you are not sure these two points above should help in your decision factor. It is also one of the reasons I love it, I have yet to master this lens and discover all of its strength and shortcomings. I tend to agree with that close focusing thoughts.. out of hundred shots on a day out, may be less than 5 shots when using close focus on my 35 apo.. even less so with the 35 summilux .. i thought a 1m was also a limiting factor but truth be told, it is more than oke.. i know at times i might prefer 0.7m but i can live without it.. love using the 50 1.2 noctilux, suits me 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie22 Posted September 30 Share #465 Posted September 30 It was wonderful to hear someone say they love the 1.2 because it was difficult to master ….. I feel the same , I find it frustrating , but when I hit it … it’s wonderful. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrickcolpron Posted October 2 Share #466 Posted October 2 Back at the same carrousel with my kids this afternoon wide open at f/1.2, iso 200 and 1/4000s on the M10R. I love the colours out of it and the image even when it is slightly out of focus. 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! 4 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/318586-the-50mm-f12-noctilux-image-thread/?do=findComment&comment=5870552'>More sharing options...
patrickcolpron Posted October 5 Share #467 Posted October 5 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Not everything has to be made wide open, a few photos from this late afternoon using the Noctilux 50/1.2 reissue The two photos bellow were made at f/5.6 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! The chair at f/3.4 Same chair at f/1.2 just to show the difference This one, selfie city, was made at f/6.8, that half stop between f/5.6 and f/8 And one at f/8, The pyramid of the Louvre, I think it was f/8, to show how flare resistant and how well the 50/1.2 Noctilux re-issue handles CA (Better than the APO 50 if you ask me!) Straight against the light, the sun is to the right centred on right hand side of the frame, not covered by the pyramid of the Louvre Nothing extraordinary photo wise but wanted to show something different from this lens. I'll let other people chime in regarding the 50/1.2, as far as I am concerned it is the only 50 I use and the only reason I still use a 50. This lens isn't for everyone, it can be challenging and it is not the best in a lot of areas. It has great rendering wide open and slightly closed down and can defend its own closed down. Edited October 5 by patrickcolpron One photo kept showing twice ... search me 10 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! The chair at f/3.4 Same chair at f/1.2 just to show the difference This one, selfie city, was made at f/6.8, that half stop between f/5.6 and f/8 And one at f/8, The pyramid of the Louvre, I think it was f/8, to show how flare resistant and how well the 50/1.2 Noctilux re-issue handles CA (Better than the APO 50 if you ask me!) Straight against the light, the sun is to the right centred on right hand side of the frame, not covered by the pyramid of the Louvre Nothing extraordinary photo wise but wanted to show something different from this lens. I'll let other people chime in regarding the 50/1.2, as far as I am concerned it is the only 50 I use and the only reason I still use a 50. This lens isn't for everyone, it can be challenging and it is not the best in a lot of areas. It has great rendering wide open and slightly closed down and can defend its own closed down. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/318586-the-50mm-f12-noctilux-image-thread/?do=findComment&comment=5872049'>More sharing options...
didier Posted October 6 Share #468 Posted October 6 Very nice series @patrickcolpron ! Thanks for sharing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakontil Posted October 7 Share #469 Posted October 7 (edited) The chair by @patrickcolpron is a good example why this noct replaced my 0.95 as my go to fifty… wide open full of characters but i still can rely on edge to edge sharpness landscape when needed 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 October 7 by jakontil 4 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/318586-the-50mm-f12-noctilux-image-thread/?do=findComment&comment=5872644'>More sharing options...
patrickcolpron Posted October 9 Share #470 Posted October 9 (edited) Two images made at a slightly different aperture because, I posted a image in another thread not remembering if it had been captured at f/1.7 or f/2 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! This one above made at f/1.2 yesterday afternoon in less than ideal conditions with an M10M, iso 400 & 1/250s This one at f/2, about a minute later, iso 800 & 1/250s Both photos of my youngest captured at pretty much minimum focus distance. Give this kid an apple juice, a chocolate cookie and a book, that's the only time he'll stand still and not complain to have to 'pose' for a photo or two. Edited October 9 by patrickcolpron Because because ... 6 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! This one above made at f/1.2 yesterday afternoon in less than ideal conditions with an M10M, iso 400 & 1/250s This one at f/2, about a minute later, iso 800 & 1/250s Both photos of my youngest captured at pretty much minimum focus distance. Give this kid an apple juice, a chocolate cookie and a book, that's the only time he'll stand still and not complain to have to 'pose' for a photo or two. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/318586-the-50mm-f12-noctilux-image-thread/?do=findComment&comment=5873614'>More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted October 9 Share #471 Posted October 9 Wide open or not, the lens and results (almost) always delight. Both M11. f1.2 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! f8.0 5 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! f8.0 ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/318586-the-50mm-f12-noctilux-image-thread/?do=findComment&comment=5873716'>More sharing options...
patrickcolpron Posted October 9 Share #472 Posted October 9 1 hour ago, Keith (M) said: Wide open or not, the lens and results (almost) always delight. Both M11. f1.2 That first one looks like f/2 just based on the out of focus shapes of the lights in the background 😉 Still a great rendering Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted October 9 Share #473 Posted October 9 1 hour ago, patrickcolpron said: That first one looks like f/2 just based on the out of focus shapes of the lights in the background 😉 Still a great rendering Well from memory (taken in Dec 2023) it and others taken that morning were all f1.2 unless the scene dictated otherwise. Obviously the aperture quoted in EXIF is never more than the cameras best-guess but still... 😉 Another example with similar background lights (taken through the shop window):- 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! 2 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/318586-the-50mm-f12-noctilux-image-thread/?do=findComment&comment=5873785'>More sharing options...
patrickcolpron Posted October 9 Share #474 Posted October 9 5 hours ago, Keith (M) said: Well from memory (taken in Dec 2023) it and others taken that morning were all f1.2 unless the scene dictated otherwise. Obviously the aperture quoted in EXIF is never more than the cameras best-guess but still... 😉 Another example with similar background lights (taken through the shop window):- You are right, you made me take a second look at my photos. I thought the "bokeh" balls were more elongated at 1.2 but they are not, except at the very edge of the frame. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAFORLIFE Posted October 10 Share #475 Posted October 10 On 9/29/2025 at 9:32 AM, patrickcolpron said: a 35 Cron V4 re-issue with a close focus limit of 70 cm Why would you want a reissue if you can simply buy the orignal ? Asking seriously... is there something you need improved ? Other than that, I also agree with you on the 30cm mfd being mainly useless. 70cm is nice though, for shooting portrait indoors in tighter spaces, but 1m is fine 95% of the time. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrickcolpron Posted October 10 Share #476 Posted October 10 2 hours ago, MAFORLIFE said: Why would you want a reissue if you can simply buy the orignal ? Asking seriously... is there something you need improved ? Other than that, I also agree with you on the 30cm mfd being mainly useless. 70cm is nice though, for shooting portrait indoors in tighter spaces, but 1m is fine 95% of the time. The original is very good, I prefer it over the Steel Rim to be honest but... it could use modern and better lens coating because the original flares badly against the light. Also, older lenses need servicing and attention more often than modern lenses. Newer lenses seem to last longer, I tend to not be very gentle with my camera equipment. This is why I'd like an all metal re-issue/re-imagining of Leica's Summicron 35 V4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAFORLIFE Posted October 10 Share #477 Posted October 10 26 minutes ago, patrickcolpron said: The original is very good, I prefer it over the Steel Rim to be honest but... it could use modern and better lens coating because the original flares badly against the light. You're absolutely right, the SR (old and new) outperforms the KOB against the light. 26 minutes ago, patrickcolpron said: Also, older lenses need servicing and attention more often than modern lenses. Newer lenses seem to last longer I find the build quality of the solve KOB (11311) far superior to any new leica lens, especially the reissue ones. 27 minutes ago, patrickcolpron said: I tend to not be very gentle with my camera equipment. Sauf la lime à ongle 😄 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrickcolpron Posted October 10 Share #478 Posted October 10 21 minutes ago, MAFORLIFE said: I find the build quality of the solve KOB (11311) far superior to any new leica lens, especially the reissue ones. Time to find a 11311 ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted October 10 Share #479 Posted October 10 37 minutes ago, patrickcolpron said: Time to find a 11311 ! Highly recommended if you like this lens and are prepared to pay for rarity. My first v4 was made in Canada, then I got worried by reports that some inner plastic parts could break and replaced it with a German copy that allegedly fixed the issue. I then came across a silver copy, which is indeed better built and a joy to use. Only slightly heavier - and quite expensive these days... But this thread is drifting seriously OT😉, so here's one taken with the original Noctilux 50/1.2 on the M11 (and already posted not long ago in the View Through Older Glass thread): 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/318586-the-50mm-f12-noctilux-image-thread/?do=findComment&comment=5874094'>More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted October 13 Share #480 Posted October 13 M11, f1.2 Re-Issue. 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! 4 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/318586-the-50mm-f12-noctilux-image-thread/?do=findComment&comment=5875304'>More sharing options...
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