Leica 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux

Bangles · 30th April 2008

So it was said that this lens is 'One of the legendary lenses of all time'. What has your experience been on this piece of glass? Worth the investment?

CanonRF · 30th April 2008

Go ask Hacker & Gommy.

Originally Posted by Bangles

So it was said that this lens is 'One of the legendary lenses of all time'. What has your experience been on this piece of glass? Worth the investment?

nordleadx · 30th April 2008

Anyone has any idea whats the selling price now???

Hacker · 30th April 2008

Originally Posted by Bangles

So it was said that this lens is 'One of the legendary lenses of all time'. What has your experience been on this piece of glass? Worth the investment?

Love the rendering.

mrfink · 30th April 2008

Originally Posted by Bangles

So it was said that this lens is 'One of the legendary lenses of all time'. What has your experience been on this piece of glass? Worth the investment?

Had this lens about a year and used it on M6/M7/M8 B&W, Colour + digital and it does produce great results... low light... portraits.... whatever.

but it's big, heavy + obsures the VF... most likely others can do as well with something else.

Is it worth the investment? Well I don't at all regret buying it, won't ever sell it but I guess you have really got to want one and then it is.

gommy · 30th April 2008

Someone I know, recently bought new locally for $8500+GST! Even second hand prices on eBay has gone up. If you go RFF or LUF, sometimes still can find listing for US$4.5k.

Originally Posted by nordleadx

Anyone has any idea whats the selling price now???

CAMERA23 · 30th April 2008

I remember the first one I brought only cost S$1500, around 4 years ago......

gommy · 1st May 2008

"Naughtilux" is not for everyone but I love mine. If you like sharp images of the modern lenses, then it is not for you. For this very reason, I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to own one cos the previous owner does not like its unsharp images. I only use mine at f1.0-it is where the "Naughtilux" displays its character. Whether, it is worth its investment, I'm not so sure at its current price. But, I think, price will continue to go up as production of this lens has ceased.
There are rumours going on that Leica will come up with a new Noct- the last I heard is that a Limited edition of the Noct will be announced at Photokina 2008 (from reliable source) but I'm sure the price will be much higher than current price.
On the other hand, there are other lenses that are very similar to the Noct in its rendering/drawing such as Canon50mmf0.95, Canon50mmf1.2, Hexanon50mmf1.2 & Hexanon60mmf1.2.

Originally Posted by Bangles

So it was said that this lens is 'One of the legendary lenses of all time'. What has your experience been on this piece of glass? Worth the investment?

gommy · 1st May 2008

Wow, the first one....how many do you have?......sell to make some money

Originally Posted by CAMERA23

I remember the first one I brought only cost S$1500, around 4 years ago......

lokewl · 1st May 2008

Originally Posted by gommy

Wow, the first one....how many do you have?......sell to make some money

If you are selling your Noct, tell me hor!

cocoa · 1st May 2008

.
"Slave to the 50mm Noctilux"

Read the ""Noctilust" antidote" section...

nordleadx · 1st May 2008

I own a canon 50mm f1.2 but can say.. Pic from the Noctilux is really one of a kind.. Wow 8.5k !!! Can get M8 alreadly.. Than again,I rather use this lens on my m film body. Thanks gommy.

Bangles · 1st May 2008

There is no end to the bittersweet leica love affair is there?

Well basically, i am intrinsically drawn to lowlight shots and the current set up i have (m6+50mmf2+iso400 film) doesnt render too well to the occasion. So i suppose there are alternative courses of action:
1. get an m8 with a much wider spectrum of iso, so i dont have to rely on the availability of the appropriate film - and just stay with the current lens...
2. get the noctilux once and for all. it hurts the pocket, but then there is little else (i hope) i will lust for by way of lenses since i use 50mm lens all the time.

i am very happy with my m6. the leica glow on low light situations is really out of this world. i dont know of option (1) is a good one to take at this point in time, since i am really not technically inclined and given the technical glitches and the fix-ups that an m8 owner needs to do occasionally, its a bit of a pain.

but wow.. i did not realise how expensive this lens is. was thinking it was in the range of sgd5k...

Hacker · 1st May 2008

Originally Posted by nordleadx

I own a canon 50mm f1.2 but can say.. Pic from the Noctilux is really one of a kind.. Wow 8.5k !!! Can get M8 alreadly.. Than again,I rather use this lens on my m film body. Thanks gommy.

Still have to add 7% GST!

gommy · 1st May 2008

Ya, especially with the current M8 offer, ie plus any free Summarit lens of your choice, still have cash left over!

Originally Posted by nordleadx

I own a canon 50mm f1.2 but can say.. Pic from the Noctilux is really one of a kind.. Wow 8.5k !!! Can get M8 alreadly.. Than again,I rather use this lens on my m film body. Thanks gommy.

alternatve · 1st May 2008

Actually, I've done wonders with a 50/1.5 lens and ISO 800 film. Anything more and you really need a tripod. f/1.5 is already hard to control, f/1 would be worst!

Samuel

CooperS · 1st May 2008

I have a friend who paid S$10,000 for it at Alan Photo in Funan recently. I am wondering now if he had his carrot chopped.

The f1.0 makes the focusing plane a difficult one to use especially coupled with a slow 1/8 etc shutter speed. I see loads of images from the Noctilux on the net that are extremely beautiful. It is all about the character and how it 'paints'.

However, I am also sure that with that every 1 nice shot you have with the Noctilux, there were 20 that weren't right on the money.

Also, the weight of this sucker is not for everyone. It's ok when you hold it. Terrible on the neck strap though.

It takes practice... this lens and a lot of getting used to. Still, I am going to get one! Just don't know when. Gommy selling? Ha.

gommy · 1st May 2008

Wait for the limited edition one that will be announced at Photokina

Originally Posted by CooperS

I have a friend who paid S$10,000 for it at Alan Photo in Funan recently. I am wondering now if he had his carrot chopped.

The f1.0 makes the focusing plane a difficult one to use especially coupled with a slow 1/8 etc shutter speed. I see loads of images from the Noctilux on the net that are extremely beautiful. It is all about the character and how it 'paints'.

However, I am also sure that with that every 1 nice shot you have with the Noctilux, there were 20 that weren't right on the money.

Also, the weight of this sucker is not for everyone. It's ok when you hold it. Terrible on the neck strap though.

It takes practice... this lens and a lot of getting used to. Still, I am going to get one! Just don't know when. Gommy selling? Ha.

nordleadx · 2nd May 2008

Agree. F1.5 is nothing. Even for those who has been using F1.2 for ages are dying to lay their hands on f1. I have f1.2 for nikon , canon and olympus. But deep down, its the Noctilux thats on my no 1 list.

lokewl · 2nd May 2008

The noctilux is getting out of reach ............... S$10K for it..............

30th April 2008	#1
Bangles Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: By my suitcase, but SG is home Posts: 227	Leica 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux So it was said that this lens is 'One of the legendary lenses of all time'. What has your experience been on this piece of glass? Worth the investment? __________________ "That is called grain. It is supposed to be there." -Flotsam

30th April 2008	#3
nordleadx Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: West Posts: 789	Re: Leica 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux Anyone has any idea whats the selling price now???

30th April 2008	#7
CAMERA23 Deregistered Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 416	Re: Leica 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux I remember the first one I brought only cost S$1500, around 4 years ago......

1st May 2008	#11
cocoa Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 175	Re: Leica 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux . "Slave to the 50mm Noctilux" Read the ""Noctilust" antidote" section... Last edited by cocoa; 1st May 2008 at 10:27 AM.

1st May 2008	#12
nordleadx Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: West Posts: 789	Re: Leica 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux I own a canon 50mm f1.2 but can say.. Pic from the Noctilux is really one of a kind.. Wow 8.5k !!! Can get M8 alreadly.. Than again,I rather use this lens on my m film body. Thanks gommy.

1st May 2008	#13
Bangles Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: By my suitcase, but SG is home Posts: 227	Re: Leica 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux There is no end to the bittersweet leica love affair is there? Well basically, i am intrinsically drawn to lowlight shots and the current set up i have (m6+50mmf2+iso400 film) doesnt render too well to the occasion. So i suppose there are alternative courses of action: 1. get an m8 with a much wider spectrum of iso, so i dont have to rely on the availability of the appropriate film - and just stay with the current lens... 2. get the noctilux once and for all. it hurts the pocket, but then there is little else (i hope) i will lust for by way of lenses since i use 50mm lens all the time. i am very happy with my m6. the leica glow on low light situations is really out of this world. i dont know of option (1) is a good one to take at this point in time, since i am really not technically inclined and given the technical glitches and the fix-ups that an m8 owner needs to do occasionally, its a bit of a pain. but wow.. i did not realise how expensive this lens is. was thinking it was in the range of sgd5k... __________________ "That is called grain. It is supposed to be there." -Flotsam

1st May 2008	#16
alternatve Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,311	Re: Leica 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux Actually, I've done wonders with a 50/1.5 lens and ISO 800 film. Anything more and you really need a tripod. f/1.5 is already hard to control, f/1 would be worst! Samuel __________________ f/8 and be there.

1st May 2008	#17
CooperS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 518	Re: Leica 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux I have a friend who paid S$10,000 for it at Alan Photo in Funan recently. I am wondering now if he had his carrot chopped. The f1.0 makes the focusing plane a difficult one to use especially coupled with a slow 1/8 etc shutter speed. I see loads of images from the Noctilux on the net that are extremely beautiful. It is all about the character and how it 'paints'. However, I am also sure that with that every 1 nice shot you have with the Noctilux, there were 20 that weren't right on the money. Also, the weight of this sucker is not for everyone. It's ok when you hold it. Terrible on the neck strap though. It takes practice... this lens and a lot of getting used to. Still, I am going to get one! Just don't know when. Gommy selling? Ha.

2nd May 2008	#19
nordleadx Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: West Posts: 789	Re: Leica 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux Agree. F1.5 is nothing. Even for those who has been using F1.2 for ages are dying to lay their hands on f1. I have f1.2 for nikon , canon and olympus. But deep down, its the Noctilux thats on my no 1 list.

2nd May 2008	#20
lokewl Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: near Sembawang MRT Station Posts: 1,716	Re: Leica 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux The noctilux is getting out of reach ............... S$10K for it.............. __________________ Leica M8,M-4P, Nikon S2-S3 2000/D3x.