If you had to choose today: Noctilux f1 vs Noctilux f1.2

[patrickcolpron]

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Noctilux 1.2 Reissue, it's a no brainer. 

It is lighter, I like its rendering at f/1.2 and it's great when using it to shoot black and white film or a digital M monochrom camera with a yellow filter. 

Plus I can't manage to get a sharp image with the f/1 Noctilux whereas I have less of an issue with the f/1.2 reissue. 

[John Black]

13 hours ago, aires35iii said:

Mr Black, why do you prefer the 1st version of the Summilux ASPH ?

Because it is sharp at the center at F1.4, has good off-center sharpness at F1.4, and very smooth bokeh.  Ergonomically, they are small with a built-in hood.  Financially, cheap as chips these days.  

The 50/1.2 re-issue had a nice draw / rendering at F2.8, but it seemed (to me) a very expensive way to shoot F2.8.  F2 had a sharp(ish) center.  F1.2 was really just more of "look".  Nothing was critically sharp, just some area was kind-of, sort-of, maybe more focused.    

[rustyrus]

I would pick the 50 1.2 Everyday of the week- 

 

Its my favorite 50 I own- I owned the 50 f/1 v4 and absolutely hated that lens- The ergonomics just don't make it feasible FOR ME to carry around and use. The 50 1.2 is something I can leave on the camera for the whole day and just shoot with. 

 

I love the softness of it wide open and its plenty sharp stopped down. On monochrome and film, its really a beautiful aesthetic IMO- 

 

 

[aires35iii]

11 hours ago, John Black said:

Because it is sharp at the center at F1.4, has good off-center sharpness at F1.4, and very smooth bokeh.  Ergonomically, they are small with a built-in hood.  Financially, cheap as chips these days.  

The 50/1.2 re-issue had a nice draw / rendering at F2.8, but it seemed (to me) a very expensive way to shoot F2.8.  F2 had a sharp(ish) center.  F1.2 was really just more of "look".  Nothing was critically sharp, just some area was kind-of, sort-of, maybe more focused.    

Ok, but I meant : why not the new Summilux, instead of the 1st one ? What does the 1st version add regards to the 2nd ?

[rustyrus]

A few recent film shots with Noctilux wide open- Porta 800

 

 

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[aires35iii]

10 hours ago, rustyrus said:

A few recent film shots with Noctilux wide open- Porta 800

 

 

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Nice. I like the one with the book. What is this place ?

So this is the 50/1.2 re-issued, I guess ? Do you know the apeture used ?

Edited December 29, 2023 by aires35iii

[rustyrus]

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5 hours ago, aires35iii said:

Nice. I like the one with the book. What is this place ?

So this is the 50/1.2 re-issued, I guess ? Do you know the apeture used ?

Both shots up top are wide open- 

 

Its the rare book room at Powells books in Portland, OR. Also here are a few more of the Noctilux 1.2 re-issue w/Leica M-A and Porta 800

 

Pic of my son below is also wide open. Again- I love the look the Noctilux gives mixed with the outstanding handling, its my clear choice over the Nocitlux f1. The lens is soft wide open, but its plenty sharp for the photography I do and bring it out for- Also I enjoy the look of soft pictures sometimes, its a nice change to the overblown definition that processing allows us to do today. Hope this helps anyone- 

 

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Edited December 29, 2023 by rustyrus

[John Black]

On 12/28/2023 at 2:02 PM, aires35iii said:

Ok, but I meant : why not the new

The 50/1.4 ASPH "II" has very poor off center performance at 1.4.