Leica M 75 Summilux or 50 noctilux f/1.0

[FrankA]

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If you could only choose one which would it be?   I can get one or the other in great shape.  The 50 is version 4 and the 75 is version two German.  I understand the difference in focal length.  I will use either lens for its strengths.  They are very similar and are great examples of Mandler’s genius. I don’t need both.  I am leaning towards the 50.  The lens I get will be used on an SL2 and maybe an M9.  Thanks for your consideration.  

[chasdfg]

I find 50mm a far more useable focal length for daily use. I appreciate the 75lux more, in that it is sharper than the 50Noct f1 and more controlled in terms of rendering, but that's personal preference. Even though they're both Mandler lenses, I don't think they render that similarly largely because the 50mm f1 is super-charged in its own way. Checking out pictures by both lenses on the web (and this forum) should give you an idea of which one you prefer on a rendering basis.

I've a love-hate relationship with the Noct f1, but i understand it's allure. I'd pick that between the two. I have both lenses and use the 50 f1 more because of its focal length and whenever i want "magic". The 75lux is my favourite portrait lens though, but to me its applicable is limited. If you have other 50mms, i suppose then a 75lux comes into the picture.

[a.noctilux]

I use these two Mandler's (before knowing that ! ) for some decades now.

Myself, I can not choose only one of them.

As SL2 user (if I happen to be), I'd use the 75mm which has larger focus ring 😇 and focus closer to 75cm in place of 1m of Noctilux.

If you use for close subjects, this can be a plus.

 

The renderings are close but not 'same', for me one must use the two to see that they ARE different.

[MarkP]

I have both lenses.

The 1.0/50 Noctilux v3 was a gift from a friend 🙂.  I bought the 75 Summilux some years later (later German version).  Photos taken with these lenses look like nothing else, especially the 50 Noctilux. 

As chasdfg wrote, 50mm is a more useful focal length.

I consider the 75 Summilux a better corrected and more intimate version of the 50 Noctilux.  As a.noctilux wrote they render (and colour) similarly but not identically.

I rarely shoot either lens wide open, DOF too narrow for my taste, preferring to keep that last stop in reserve for very low light.

Both lenses are used on M film and digital cameras as well as the SL2. They balance very nicely (and easier to nail focus) on the SL2.

Edited August 30, 2021 by MarkP

[overexposed]

Never used the 75, but if there is one thing that i dislike about the 50 F1, its 1m minimal focusing distance. would love to get closer to people sometimes

[ianman]

I'd probaly get something else. I've never been interested in the Noctilux. I have a nice 75mm Summilux but it is my least used lens and I don't particularly like it. I prefer the 50mm Summilux pre asph. I have a black paint version III.

[a.noctilux]

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7 minutes ago, overexposed said:

Never used the 75, but if there is one thing that i dislike about the 50 F1, its 1m minimal focusing distance. would love to get closer to people sometimes

If I need to get close, with Noctilux 1.0 (use at wide open at close is not my favorite experience anyway),

I can use a 1cm ring like OUFRO (with LV of course), or E60 close focus diopter +2/+3 (which I don't have).

 

...

Ian's suggestion above is sensible, the Summilux 50mm are 'better choices' for easier pics and use.

Now I tend to use lighter lenses like the nice Summarit-M (35/50/75) line that I discovered recently.

[MarkP]

The 50 Summilux is clearly a 'better choice' for an everyday 50mm lens but that wasn't the question. 

[Hanno]

Do you do a lot of B&W? If so the 1/50mm v4 Noctilux is a superb choice for B&W. 

Also, despite its size and bulk, the SL2 system with its high quality EVF is a plus for that lens when wide open. 

[a.noctilux]

58 minutes ago, MarkP said:

The 50 Summilux is clearly a 'better choice' for an everyday 50mm lens but that wasn't the question. 

Mark, you are right.

No lens is better choice only different choice in each,

I see those as palettes to digest for 'better use'.

[MarkP]

28 minutes ago, Al Brown said:

75 lux. Have one, sold my Noct. Complements the 35 lux perfectly.

This is a good point. I found that after I got the 75 Summilux it was out on its own, not really rendering similarly with any of the wider lenses I had at the time.

After seeking advice here on the forum, I decided on a 35 Summicron v4 which also compliments it perfectly’. Didn’t think I needed the 35 Summilux (was tempted 🙄) but very happy with my decision.

Edited August 30, 2021 by MarkP

[evikne]

I've had both. Wide open, the Noctilux has the most genuine look. Nothing compares to it. But the 75 Summilux makes almost equally blurred backgrounds because of the longer focal length. And I think it has a slightly more modern and controlled rendering at the widest apertures. Stopped down, both are very sharp.

In addition to be a great portrait lens, the 75 Summilux is also a (short) telephoto lens and (almost) a macro lens (75mm + 70cm MFD), which makes it very versatile. 

[a.noctilux]

I'd add that each one can give stellar results.

Myself, I think that I'm the 'frail link' when I use one of these superlative lenses.

When I was younger (stronger), I was happy to carry and use the two...

Noctilux 1.0 second to none, this would not be possible with Summilux 75mm

 

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!

 

 

from here

this one can be from 50 Noctilux or Summilux 75 ...

 

Edited August 30, 2021 by a.noctilux

[FrankA]

Thank you for the responses thus far.  All great ideas and thinking and I will enjoy digging into the links above.   The decision should come soon as these lenses won’t be available for long.  

Edited August 30, 2021 by FrankA

[a.noctilux]

@FrankA

No need to go again on those links.

Ask yourself only first thing ... which focal length you want/need.

Is it to complement another lens or not ?

Then go ahead, each one IS the right choice 😇.

 

[alainD]

I too have both lenses, and the 50 Summilux pre-asph v2. The rendering of the 75mm Summilux is, IMHO, in between those two 50mm.

If you like the magic of the Noctilux 1.0 rendering wide open (and are ready to use it wide open), nothing compares. I find it wonderful for environment portraits where the background is fairly wide and I want to blur it. I use the 75 Summilux for tighter shots, with less background in the first place. That said, I have to add that these days, I find myself using the Noctilux 50 mm 1.2 and the Noctilux 75mm more. But I disagrees,  this was not the OP question.

Note: the 75mm can be found a lot cheaper these days than the 50 Noctilux f/1. You could get both a 50 Summilux pre-asph and a 75mm Summilux for the price of a Noctilux 1.0

Alain

[junix]

1 hour ago, FrankA said:

Thank you for the responses thus far.  All great ideas and thinking and I will enjoy digging into the links above.   The decision should come soon as these lenses won’t be available for long.  

But if you wait a bit longer “someone else will choose for you” and you can just buy the one left.

I would go with a Nocti, I suppose every “Leicaman” needs to own a Nocti at some point, I’m searching for one myself..

[a.noctilux]

Some idea came I don't know why, while I listened to the nice Mahler's 4th Symphonie LP 🙂.

- the Noctilux 50mm 1.0 is unique

- the Summilux-M 75mm has another 'double' also Mandler creation for Leica R ( much cheaper then ), Summilux-R 80mm

which for me (if I use SL2) would be better match, wider rubber focus ring, a bit rounder aperture when close, stop ring near body, etc.

not to be neglegted this lovely lens in Wiki link here

[Capuccino-Muffin]

5 hours ago, Hanno said:

Do you do a lot of B&W? If so the 1/50mm v4 Noctilux is a superb choice for B&W. 

Also, despite its size and bulk, the SL2 system with its high quality EVF is a plus for that lens when wide open. 

I’m always baffled by these kinds of statements.Noctilux f1.0 version I, II or III will not do? What’s the diff? 
Myy guess is there is absolutely no difference. Especially not for B&W.

Edited August 30, 2021 by Capuccino-Muffin

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[a.noctilux]

Same lens diagram and glasses for the long life of it, again kind of miracle when we know that the Nocti glass 1.9 was very difficult to manufacture.

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/50mm_f/1_Noctilux-M

1975-2005 , 17535 'same lenses' 😇 with different mechanisms 11821/11822/11603.

 

Even some users can see that the first E58 IS better (how ?) than the followers, I would not say that as E58 long user and tried some other newer Noctilux 1.0.

 

Some discussions, here

and here also ...

Edited August 30, 2021 by a.noctilux