Noctilux 1.2 (reissued) vs Noctilux 1.0?

[stefanusj]

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i remember the quote from Mr. Bresson : "sharpness is a bourgeois concept". And he was using the Nocti 50/1.2 in the street. 

Nocti is definitely NOT sharp but the contrast makes our brain to accept that it is sharp enough and it renders the light beautifully. 

 

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Edited February 22, 2022 by stefanusj
additional notes to photo

[hannycatania]

On 2/18/2022 at 7:56 PM, tightsqueez said:

I’d love to see some sharp wide open off center shots. I’ve been asking anyone to provide some since March of last year. Ha ha. 
 

The lens is pretty sharp dead center. Come off a third and it gets nasty. Move out to the far corner and it actually gets almost as sharp as the center. MTF charts confirm this, and I can definitely see it when I’m shooting. 

I completely agree. It has a noticeable fire drop across the three-quarter zone. That's why I sold it. Paradoxically, however, I am considering buying it back. In fact, in other respects, it has a very particular yield. Boh.

[tightsqueez]

On 5/22/2022 at 7:47 AM, hannycatania said:

I completely agree. It has a noticeable fire drop across the three-quarter zone. That's why I sold it. Paradoxically, however, I am considering buying it back. In fact, in other respects, it has a very particular yield. Boh.

Yeah, that drop in the zone you describe is real, and it’s quite evident in the MTF. I have found f/1.7 seems to be the sweet spot sharpening up a bit but keeping the wide open characteristic of the lens. 
 

I too struggled with the debate of keeping vs selling the lens. And here’s what I have concluded in keeping the lens;

No lens renders like it. None. But at the same time it’s a wild ride wide open. Stop down the lens is absolutely lovely. Those 16 aperture blades smoke the look of the 50 Lux ASPH stopped down. 

And compared to the f/1.0;

The 50 Noctilux f1.0 v1 is amazing on digital wide open… tons of intricate detail where a subject would reside but slightly fuzzy/diffused that looks great for portraits. 
 

Between the two, I love the f1.0 for digital for its wide open sharpness and low contrast. The f/1.2 is beautiful on film because it’s much more forgiving and more about the overall look of an image. I hardly notice the zone drop you find in digital. The f/1.2 is a better every day lens due to its size and the fact it has zero focus shift, whereas the f/1.0 has it from f/2.0 to f/4. 
 

Both are similar but yet unique enough to keep both. 

[a.noctilux]

On 2/19/2022 at 4:13 PM, tightsqueez said:

Well thanks for enlightening all of us mortals with your wisdom. The “a” in a.Noctilux must be short for Ace? Authority? Or maybe Artist? 

Late reply.

Thanks.

a. = Arnaud 😇 or whatever as you cited but always still Noctilux lover/sharer

[tightsqueez]

7 hours ago, a.noctilux said:

Late reply.

Thanks.

a. = Arnaud 😇 or whatever as you cited but always still Noctilux lover/sharer

Ha ha. No problem. 
 

Which Noctilux lenses do you possess, if you don’t mind telling? 
 

I currently have the 1.2 reissue, as well as a very nice E58. It’s amazing how different the various versions of the f/1.0 can be. 
 

I’ve owned the 0.95 and the V4 in the past… don’t miss those at all. 

[a.noctilux]

12 minutes ago, tightsqueez said:

Which Noctilux lenses do you possess, if you don’t mind telling? 

When I bought this 1.0 (E58), I didn't know that this would change my life.

Not for sale at any price, many of whose (not all) I lent had difficulties to find one,  "same E58" I still don't know why.

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Right combo with big M5

 

[tightsqueez]

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1 hour ago, a.noctilux said:

When I bought this 1.0 (E58), I didn't know that this would change my life.

Not for sale at any price, many of whose (not all) I lent had difficulties to find one,  "same E58" I still don't know why.

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!

Right combo with big M5

 

I agree. It’s THE pinnacle Noctilux. The re-issued 1.2 uncovered all the smoke and mirrors of the original, thus giving the throne to the first f1.0. 
 

The e58 has a more painterly out of focus look than the other versions, and a contrast that begs to be paired with these ridiculously contrasty digital sensors. It’s phenomenal on the M10M. Also, I find it has much less focus shift than the others I have owned or tried (at least with my copy). 
 

I bought mine on a whim when I was looking for the 1.2, after seeing how different it rendered than the later models. 
 

Not for sale at any price is no joke!

[OR120]

1 hour ago, a.noctilux said:

When I bought this 1.0 (E58), I didn't know that this would change my life.

Not for sale at any price, many of whose (not all) I lent had difficulties to find one,  "same E58" I still don't know why.

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!

Right combo with big M5

 

Beautiful 3-lug M5