Reissued Noctilux 50 1.2 on Monochrome Sensors

[dsetiono01]

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Some of the reviews of the re-issued Noctilux 50 1.2 were harsh, I had one , loved the form factor and look, but I agreed with most of the reviewers that there's just something about it in terms of expectations vs reality and somehow I couldn't love the pictures coming out of it (when I was shooting it with the M10R and SL2S), so I parted ways with it.

I was watching the super helpful discussion on Monochrome cameras and when they were talking about Vintage Lenses (around Mark 01:26:00), they mentioned that because Vintage lenses were optimized for cameras at the time of their era (ie especially during B&W Film era), therefore "More Fun" for Monochrome Sensors.

I wonder if anyone here had experience with the modern Noctilux 50 1.2 Reissue on any of the Monochrome cameras and share their experience/ Photos if available? Somehow (perhaps due to the less than favorable reviews), second hand dealers in my area have plenty of 50 1.2 at really good price (even less than what I was able to sell mine back in the day!), so I'm really thinking if I should give this lens another chance.

 

[rtai]

Sorry I have no examples because I ended up not buying one. The Noctilux 1.2 is not an ideal day time lens. It was meant for low light and it can be quite beautiful in a surreal way shot at near darkness. I wouldn’t shoot color at near darkness so monochrom makes sense.

[Keith (M)]

After having an f1 v4 and never really gelling with it, I part-exed it for the 1.2 Re-Issue and find the results very much to my liking on both M10M and M11.  However, it is the f1.2/M10M combination that I find particularly pleasing, whether the images are 'street' (examples from a walk around town last week) or from wandering around the local countryside.  50mm-wise I also use Summilux-ASPH, Summicron LTM & ZM C-Sonnar, enjoy them all but the f1.2 has become my 'weapon of choice'.

Absolutely no regrets at making the change!

 

 

 

[Budfox]

Keith (M) - Very nice pics btw (whatever the lens)

[John Black]

The 50/1.2 does not perform better on the M10-M or M11-M (I have both).  At F1.2 there is a sharpish area, but it's a very tiny, tiny spot at the very center of the frame.  I do like the 50/1.2 at F2 to F2.8.  F2.8 starts to bring in enough sharpness where I'm happy, but it's more so the lens' draw at F2.8 that I like - the mash-up of its bokeh, focus fall off, still some vignetting, etc.  I also have the 50 APO and 50 Lux ASPH, so it's probably the 50/1.2's "messiness" that attracts me.  But it's a very expensive to shoot at F2 or F2.8, so don't ask me to defend that decision

Some pix here with the M10-M, M10-R and M11 - https://www.pebbleplace.com/gallery/rangefinder/leica_50mm_noctilux_f12.html

 

 

 

 

 

[Hanno]

6 hours ago, John Black said:

Some pix here with the M10-M, M10-R and M11 - https://www.pebbleplace.com/gallery/rangefinder/leica_50mm_noctilux_f12.html

 

Beautiful portfolio. Thank you for sharing. 😄
 

Truly great to have it organised by lenses. The sections on the 50mm APO, Noctilux 50mm 0.95, 50mm 1.2 and 75mm 1.25 are so informative and do true justice to each lens. The 50mm lux asph I section is simply stunning. Can’t wait to see what you will do with the new close focus capability. 

 

Edited April 29, 2023 by Hanno

[John Black]

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Thank you.  I'm unsure about the new 50mm Lux ASPH II.  If shooting landscapes at F5.6 and such, the "mid zone dip" is gone (relative to its predecessor), or "gone enough" that it looks to be a non issue.  

Where the 50 Lux ASPH II is "less than" relative to its predecessor is its off-center sharpness at F1.4.  The 50 Lux ASPH II's central sharpness is probably on par with the original 50 Lux ASPH, but if I moving just alittle to the right or left, the sharpness drops-off like a stone.  

I don't want to rush to judgement on the 50 Lux ASPH II, so we'll see.  As to the original poster's query, the 50 APO + 50/1.2 is an interesting duo.  If most of the pix are F2 (or smaller), then 50 APO is the high performer and 50/1.2 is the character lens.

It's when going below F2 where the choices get more complicated and that's how the 50 Lux ASPH (I) wiggled its way back into my kit.  I've owned alot Noctilux's over the years - love the "idea" of them, but the real world use / outcomes hasn't gone well -

50 Noc V4 - soft wide open, busy bokeh in some conditions, stiff focus, usually pretty banged up lens hoods
50 Noc ASPH - "huge"...  heavy.  so-so at F.95 (usable, but marginal).  really good F5.6, great colors at night
50/1.2 - softest of the bunch when shot wide open, but the smallest and easiest to carry.  nice lens starting ~F2
75 Noctilux - awesome wide open, but unbelievably big & heavy

I think the 50/1.2 has lasted a bit longer because I like the ying & yang of it with the 50 APO.  They are polar opposites.  

 

Edited April 29, 2023 by John Black
Hit save by accident...

[Hanno]

Shot on M11-M

All at f/5.6 and ISO 125. 

All 1/320s except Summicron APO 50mm shot at 1/400s (so I corrected the exposure accordingly in post).

All processed with same edits. Best to click to view.

1. Noctilux 50mm 1.2

2. Summilux 50mm 1.4 II

3. Summicron APO 50mm 2

4. Noctilux 50mm 0.95

 

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Edited April 30, 2023 by Hanno

[sometimesmaybe]

On 5/1/2023 at 1:26 AM, Hanno said:

All at f/5.6 and ISO 125

at f5.6 i cant say i can easily spot any real difference... maybe a tad of vignette with the f1.2 🤷‍♂️

 

[thatkatmat]

On 4/29/2023 at 3:11 PM, John Black said:

I think the 50/1.2 has lasted a bit longer because I like the ying & yang of it with the 50 APO.  They are polar opposites.  

 

I mostly agree with your assessments. My 1.2 is really fun and interesting at all apertures I think, just depends on what you're shooting. Form factor definitely makes it more likely to end up in my bag...But me, like you enjoy having it as a kind of opposite of the 50 apo. I also have a 1969 pre-asph 50 lux that splits the difference and I just sold my .95 today (it's just too big)

Not sure I notice much difference using it on my m10 Monochrome and my m10-R converted to B&W though, both stunning. 

 

 

Edited May 3, 2023 by thatkatmat

[Fedro]

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[Fedro]

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[Fedro]

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[Fedro]

i like it a lot, but yes, not the sharpest