Mikewest Posted March 17, 2024 Share #1 Â Posted March 17, 2024 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello, I currently own a Leica SL and I'm using this camera with M lenses (Summilux 35 FLE, and Noctilux f1). I would like to buy a used Leica M11 (or M10R) and I would like to know if I could still enjoy my old Noctilux f1 with it, or will I have very bad results? (in that case, I'll go with a M10). Â Thank you very much for your help. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 17, 2024 Posted March 17, 2024 Hi Mikewest, Take a look here Leica M11 with older lenses (like Noctilux f1)?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Knorp Posted March 17, 2024 Share #2  Posted March 17, 2024 Well, if your F1 and/or used M are not out of whack you’re fine. F.i. I’m using a ‘54 Summarex 1.5/85mm on my M11-P and find the results fully acceptable. But as always: YMMV 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted March 18, 2024 Share #3 Â Posted March 18, 2024 17 hours ago, Mikewest said: I would like to buy a used Leica M11 (or M10R) and I would like to know if I could still enjoy my old Noctilux f1 with it, or will I have very bad results? What makes you think the results wouldn't be good? The lens was made for the M platform after all. 17 hours ago, Mikewest said: (in that case, I'll go with a M10). What makes you think the results would be better with the M10? Just trying to understand what your concerns are... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikewest Posted March 18, 2024 Author Share #4  Posted March 18, 2024 3 hours ago, Ecar said: What makes you think the results wouldn't be good? The lens was made for the M platform after all. What makes you think the results would be better with the M10? Just trying to understand what your concerns are... I was thinking that older lenses had less good results with higher resolution sensors. But maybe I am wrong ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted March 18, 2024 Share #5  Posted March 18, 2024 31 minutes ago, Mikewest said: I was thinking that older lenses had less good results with higher resolution sensors. But maybe I am wrong ? I fear you are 😎. The M11 works perfectly with my couple of dozen M and LTM lenses including symmetrical ones like S-A 21/3.4 from 1977 (1st pic) and even earlier ones like Elmar 35/3.5 from 1948 (2nd pic). 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 1 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/391006-leica-m11-with-older-lenses-like-noctilux-f1/?do=findComment&comment=5111519'>More sharing options...
Ecar Posted March 18, 2024 Share #6  Posted March 18, 2024 (edited) 1 hour ago, Mikewest said: I was thinking that older lenses had less good results with higher resolution sensors. But maybe I am wrong ? Fear not. As a 'heavy user' of vintage glass, I'd say that advances in sensor technology have only brought more usability to old lenses - mostly due to improved dynamic range. If you think about it, a sensor just captures the image that it "sees". It doesn't know what sort of glass the light has travelled through. In other words, sensors may respond differently (think M9 vs M11 colours), but they are effectively "lens agnostic". Higher resolution sensors will only allow you to zoom in further and better see the flaws of the lens, which have always been present irrespective of whether it's a modern or a vintage one. FWIW, I have yet to mount a Noctilux on my M11, but when I do, I fully expect it to perform at least as well as on the M10... Edited March 18, 2024 by Ecar 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGodParticle/Hari Posted March 18, 2024 Share #7  Posted March 18, 2024 Advertisement (gone after registration) On 3/17/2024 at 5:45 PM, Mikewest said: Hello, I currently own a Leica SL and I'm using this camera with M lenses (Summilux 35 FLE, and Noctilux f1). I would like to buy a used Leica M11 (or M10R) and I would like to know if I could still enjoy my old Noctilux f1 with it, or will I have very bad results? (in that case, I'll go with a M10).  Thank you very much for your help. On the M11, wide open at f1, there is some blooming/ghosting. I suggest -3/4EV or -1EV to compensate. Overall performance is still excellent and the lens fingerprint remains unique 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Bunting Posted March 19, 2024 Share #8  Posted March 19, 2024 (edited) The Noctilux f1 looks great on the M11 if you respect its limitations. Closer subjects tend to look better if you're shooting at wide apertures. And the lens is soft, even when focus is perfect, unlike the f0.95. E.g.: 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!  Environmental shots take on an otherworldly glow that is kinda fun but ultimately a bit limiting. And yeah, there's lots of fringing  Edited March 19, 2024 by Jeremy Bunting 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  Environmental shots take on an otherworldly glow that is kinda fun but ultimately a bit limiting. And yeah, there's lots of fringing  ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/391006-leica-m11-with-older-lenses-like-noctilux-f1/?do=findComment&comment=5116338'>More sharing options...
algrove Posted May 25, 2024 Share #9 Â Posted May 25, 2024 On 3/17/2024 at 12:45 PM, Mikewest said: Hello, I currently own a Leica SL and I'm using this camera with M lenses (Summilux 35 FLE, and Noctilux f1). I would like to buy a used Leica M11 (or M10R) and I would like to know if I could still enjoy my old Noctilux f1 with it, or will I have very bad results? (in that case, I'll go with a M10). Â Thank you very much for your help. No problem OP. Go to a camera store and try it out for yourself before the investment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knorp Posted May 25, 2024 Share #10  Posted May 25, 2024 You'll be pretty happy how the F1 performs ... (Almost) wide open 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! Closed a bit 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Closed a bit ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/391006-leica-m11-with-older-lenses-like-noctilux-f1/?do=findComment&comment=5303074'>More sharing options...
BlackCrowFoto Posted May 25, 2024 Share #11 Â Posted May 25, 2024 Maybe sacrilegious here, but some of the sharpest, smoothest results I got from the M11M have been with a $50 Helios lens, the 58/2. No problem for the camera or the lens. Any Leica glass will offer similar or better results, I'm sure. Â 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted May 26, 2024 Share #12  Posted May 26, 2024 (edited) 7 hours ago, Knorp said: You'll be pretty happy how the F1 performs ... (Almost) wide open 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! Closed a bit Bart, Nice wheels you own.😀 Edited May 26, 2024 by algrove 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted May 29, 2024 Share #13  Posted May 29, 2024 On 3/18/2024 at 11:25 AM, Ecar said: Fear not. As a 'heavy user' of vintage glass, I'd say that advances in sensor technology have only brought more usability to old lenses - mostly due to improved dynamic range. If you think about it, a sensor just captures the image that it "sees". It doesn't know what sort of glass the light has travelled through. In other words, sensors may respond differently (think M9 vs M11 colours), but they are effectively "lens agnostic". Higher resolution sensors will only allow you to zoom in further and better see the flaws of the lens, which have always been present irrespective of whether it's a modern or a vintage one. FWIW, I have yet to mount a Noctilux on my M11, but when I do, I fully expect it to perform at least as well as on the M10... As a Noctilux f/1.0 owner, this is what I would have expected. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwidad Posted May 30, 2024 Share #14  Posted May 30, 2024 On 3/18/2024 at 9:17 AM, Mikewest said: I was thinking that older lenses had less good results with higher resolution sensors. But maybe I am wrong ? I have M lenses from the early M days all the way thru modern lenses. They all look great on my M11. The 50 f2 summitar was great and it's LTM! Having the resolution is great if you want a 6' enlargement 🙂 and it doesnt take a 2023 summilux to get there either! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwidad Posted May 30, 2024 Share #15  Posted May 30, 2024 On 5/25/2024 at 12:19 PM, BlackCrowFoto said: Maybe sacrilegious here, but some of the sharpest, smoothest results I got from the M11M have been with a $50 Helios lens, the 58/2. No problem for the camera or the lens. Any Leica glass will offer similar or better results, I'm sure.  I have the1st gen voigtlander 50 f1.5 LTM (nokton) and comparing it so posted raw files from lenses costing 10X more it holds its own in sharpness, flare and bokeh! I would say the same for my old canon LTM 35 f2.8 (late model) - very capable lens! maybe you if crop at 200% you might spot some differences but not in real world use! Having said that I would love to own a summilux 50 🙂 Pixel peepers are never happy it seem today! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexffm Posted May 31, 2024 Share #16 Â Posted May 31, 2024 We all know that the 50 1.0 is not a simple lens, that will remain. But there are no other disadvantages from the camera. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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