By Florian C.A. Czech
Not so long ago Alex
Görlitz from Foto Görlitz wrote to me. "Your review of the M10
(https://flowflo.blogspot.co.at/p/der-leica-salesmanager-eastern-europ.html) is
really great. I do not know when I last read such a good report. Say you really
like to write reports about equipment? "
That depends, was my
answer, if I'm interested and I'm convinced, yes!
Which lens would you like
to test, Alex asked me, presenting me with a not so easy task. In the last
years with Leica I already had almost all lenses on my M's and found the
perfect equipment for me and my way of photographing. All together with top
lenses from Leica, Zeiss and Voigtländer.
For me it is important
that a lens has character! It does not matter to me which name is on it - the
performance must fit! What is overestimated on lenses in my opinion is how
sharp a lens is. I join Ken Rockwell who says, "The more you know about
photography, the more you know that lens sharpness does not matter. Sharpness
is the most overrated aspect of lens performance!
"Https://kenrockwell.com/tech/lens-sharpness.htm
And he is right! Sharpness
is just an easy to measure criterion, as well as contrast and resolution.
Vignetting and distortion are also easy to measure, and so all the photo
magazines set out to evaluate lenses based solely on these criteria. Funny
thing is that the people who perform tests in laboratories, the test candidates
themselves never had on their cameras ...
I'm not photographing test
charts under laboratory conditions! It is important to me how a lens performs
in the hard everyday life of a photographer - the character of the lens and
last but not least the usability and quality of the production are really
important to me. The only thing that matters is the finished photograph!
But how do you evaluate
the character of a lens? That's not so easy. It depends a lot on the
photographer's taste and the actual field of application. The most important
thing, however, is that you have a comparison and experience. That's the only
way to really judge how good a lens is!
I strongly recommend the
leather protector from Leica for a good grip of this not very light
combination!
f 0,95
So back to the beginning:
I had the last 40 years, which I photograph now, almost everything in front of
my eyes. 35mm, medium format, SLR, mirrorless system cameras, etc. and ended up
again at a Leica M, which makes me happy about everything! (Why can you read
here:
https://flowflo.blogspot.co.at/p/der-leica-salesmanager-eastern-europ.html) And
- I've found in recent years, the perfect lenses for me. My luck is that as a
loyal customer, I was always able to test the lenses myself before making my
decision and form my own opinion. Decisive for this assessment are on the one
hand the quality of the lens and the character, on the other hand the price -
performance ratio. If two lenses for my area of application offer almost
identical performance, I opt for the cheaper, no matter which name it says -
point!
So which lenses would
really irritate me now? What did not I have on my M? Then the question of Alex
Görliz was quite easy to answer:
There are two lenses that
really interest me - these are the legendary Leica Noctilux-M 50 / 0.95 and the
brand new Leica Apo Noctilux 75 / 1.25.
Since the 75 was on the
way, Alex promptly sent me the 50th Nocti and we agreed that I will test the
75er Apo in connection and not at the same time with the 50th Noctilux.
The best made lens in
the world
Streetshot with f 0,95
First Impressions - Production quality
A few days later I already
had the communication in my mailbox that a package from Foto Görlitz at the UPS
base at my pharmacy around the corner is ready to pick up. Honestly, I was
pretty excited and already so excited when I set out to pick up the lens. The
more disappointed I was when I took over the quite large package. It was
surprisingly easy and for a moment I thought, there can not possibly be the
Leica Noctilux inside and Foto Görlitz sent me something different as a
consolation ...
On the way home, my steps
became faster and my curiosity rose to the limit! What might be inside?
Carefully I opened the large package and found a Leica typical leather quiver
amidst the generously designed with bubble wrap cardboard. When I took the
quiver in my hand to take out the lens, I was surprised again by the very high
weight and especially when I held the lens in my hands, the Leica Noctilux-M
50mm 1: 0,95 / 50 ASPH!
I do not know how to put
it in words ... The lens has suddenly estimated to be ten times as heavy when
unpacked ... With its dimensions of 73 x 75 mm, it brings a proud 700 grams on
the scales. And I mean that consistently positive. I was and am overwhelmed by
the build quality. The lens looks as if it were made of glass and metal, without
air bubbles. And indeed there is a lot of glass and metal installed.
With the Leica leather
protector this combination is great in the hand and with the Rock & Roll
Strap makes it comfortable to carry!
I grab greedy for the
aperture ring to turn it. Wow - so supple, almost without friction and yet with
clear but gentle clicks, the aperture ring, which is designed in half-fade
stages, snaps in precisely. A pleasure! I know of no other lens, which makes so
supple and full at the same time adjust the aperture.
Next is the removal ring.
Again wow! So smooth, it can be turned, with just the right resistance to focus
precisely. Not too easy, not too heavy. I have not seen or felt this precision
with any other lens. So manual focus must go!
As some of you know, I'm a
big fan of really old Leica glass. Leica still makes the highest quality lens
frames for me today - but nevertheless I find the lenses of the
"golden" Leica years from the period 1930 to the end of the 60s
undefeated. This is also the reason why these old lenses still work flawlessly
and are so often bought. This is also the reason for the value stability of
Leica lenses!
With this Noctilux,
launched in 2008, the third version, Leica once again joins this unsurpassed
manufacturing quality. I do not know any other Leica lens apart from the Leica
Apo-Summicron 50 and the Leica Noctilux-M 1: 1.25 / 75mm ASPH maybe, which can
compete with today's Noctilux 0.95. This is probably also the reason why this lens
is supplied in a classy presentation box with glossy black fabric and has a
special position in the Leica lens program. For me it is currently the
best-made Leica lens and at all the currently best-made lens in the world.
Now I can also understand
that there are people who put this 10,400 - euro lens into a glass cabinet to
take it from time to time in order to play with it, to enjoy the manufacturing
quality and at the same time a value investment have.
Thinking for a minute ...
No, I can not quite understand them! This lens belongs to a Leica M to excel in
what it's made for - producing unique photographs under the guidance of the
photographer!
Handling
First set to my Leica,
doubles the weight of my M10. With attached Visoflex finder, original leather
protector from Leica and the terrific custom-made, 140 cm long Rock & Roll
Strap, this combination brings a proud 1750 grams on the scales.
Since I'm a "big
boy", that does not bother me. Of course, this setup is the opposite of my
Vintage Summaron 2,8 cm at the M10, but as I said that is fine for me. Two
things make the combination much easier to carry with: Firstly, my original
leather Leica protector. Through this you keep this combination safe and
non-slip in the right hand. And second, the sensational Rock & Roll Strap
from https://rocknrollstraps.com. In a special order of 140cm, I wear my M
diagonally over the left shoulder. The length of the strap I have measured so
that the camera hangs on ledge height and I have her with loosely hanging arm
by hand always at hand, without having to move up or down. In addition, the
weight of even this combination is distributed pleasantly on the shoulder, back
and chest. The construction of the Rock & Roll Strap additionally absorbs
the weight of the station wagon comfortably. All in all, this station wagon is
very comfortable for me to wear for a whole day.
Facing the eye, this
combination lies like a rock in my hands. The left hand under the lens to
adjust the aperture and distance, the right hand encloses the camera on the
right and is responsible for additional stability and triggering. It feels
perfect to me. Due to the weight and the large contact surfaces in my hands, I
hold a perfectly balanced unit which allows synonymous long shutter speeds from
the hand or a blur impossible!
The focus distance is
short enough to focus quickly and long enough to allow for precise focus. This
is also helped by the large lens diameter, which makes focusing very
comfortable. I think this combination was excellent. It is a great pleasure to
focus even with open aperture and rangefinder.
With a little practice, you can also get fast-moving subjects! Aperture 0.95
Speaking of focusing ...
Handling a rangefinder basically requires some time to get used to someone who
is not used to working with it. But once you have learned to handle it, you do
not want anything else. A tip from me: Always sets the distance between two
shots to infinity. So you always turn into the same direction until the image
in the rangefinder appears sharp. In most cases, it's as fast as autofocus, and
usually even faster, and I always know where the focus is - there are no false focuses.
Depending on the recording
distance, however, it becomes critical below aperture 2. At aperture 1.4 and
even more at aperture 0.95, highest concentration is announced. Especially if
the shooting distance is less than three meters. If there are 3 meters and
aperture 0.95 still a focal plane of about 20cm, so it decreases at 2 meters to
about 4.5cm and at a recording distance of 1 meter to not quite 1 cm.
Of course, that takes a
lot of practice. Those of you who have worked with aperture 1.4 on an M with
the range finder will get the hang of it quickly. Anyway, it is no longer fast
and sloppy. This inevitably leads to blurred images.
It's a challenge and not
recommended for beginners in the M system. But I already love it at the M,
because I have to prepare even better for the picture! To be sloppy is not! You
have to take your time and this forces you to get in contact with the scene and
the people, especially in street photography, while you focus precisely. Of
course you have to be able to stand that. But if you get involved, you will be
rewarded with extraordinary recordings!
To catch such situations
well, you should plan the recording.
Leica M10 / Nocti f 0.95
Leica M10, f/0,95
I love this lens after a
short time for street shooting! Aperture 0.95
In any case, I fell in
love with the Nocti after the first street scenes in this lens. Even moving
subjects are possible with a little more practice!
And then there is still
the great Visoflexsucher of Leica. I like to use it again and again - no matter
which lens. This viewfinder makes the M a different camera and extends the
range considerably! But especially with the Noctilux 0.95 it makes eg. Portrait
shots a breeze. Of course you should also work here prudently. If you do that,
you can quickly focus on the millimeter! - Great!
Also worth mentioning is
the built-in lens hood! You take them off and with a left turn you fix them
against accidental insertion. It effectively stops stray light from the side,
but it does not protect much against front lens damage due to the design,
because the diameter of this 60mm lens is very large and the lens hood is
rather small in comparison. Also, it happened to me again and again that the
lens hood has unintentionally retracted ...
I therefore strongly
recommend the use of a protective filter for the front lens. Likewise, a
corresponding gray filter is a must, in order to be able to photograph with
open aperture even in bright daylight.
The solution of the Leica
APO-Summicron-M 1: 2.0 / 50mm ASPH and the Leica Noctilux-M 1: 1.25 / 75mm
ASPH, in which the lens hood is extended by turning, I like it much better
because they are not unintentionally again can retract! It shows again that in
the development of new lenses Leica listens to the photographers and installs
innovations to meet our wishes. I am sure that the same solution will be
installed in any new version of the 50's Noctis.
The gradation of out of
focus, sharp, out of focus draws the Noctilux 0.95 quite soft and smooth!
Optical quality
The 50mm focal length you
love or you don´t. It is unspectacular, but for that very reason very
universally applicable. Anyway wants to be designed with this focal length. By
itself, it produces very little tension compared to a wider-angle lens. For it
scores with honest, distortion-free recordings.
As a self-confessed bokeh
fan, of course, I was most curious about the rendering, the drawing of the blur
area, both in the background and in the foreground. I was curious about the
character and soul of the world's brightest ASPH 50mm lens!
Leica Noctilux Aperture 0,95
My previous bokehking, is
the Zeiss Sonnar 50mm / f1: 1.5. Compared to the Leica Summilux 50mm / f1: 1.4
ASPH I like it better from the rendering. The Lux is from the two the slightly
better processed and sharper lens, the Sonnar has for me the clearly nicer
bokeh! This circumstance made me grab for the Zeiss, since the lens sharpness
hardly plays a role nowadays. I mean, what's that nonsense at all, if you
advertise with such lenses with the perfect edge definition at open aperture?
Nonsense! I do not use a lens with an open aperture, so the edges are perfectly
sharp, the opposite is true. The contrast and the resolution are already much
more important. But most important to me is whether a lens has a character that
can put me in ecstasy.
Even the first street
scenes with the Noctilux at open aperture, put me in this ecstasy! Unbelievable
how this lens draws. It is an absolutely harmonious, so creamy, smoother
process between blurred in the foreground, sharpness on the main subject and
blurring in the background. I'm excited. The resolution is top and the colors
are very pleasant for me, natural and harmonious. The distortion is zero. Even
the vignetting, which can not be prevented with such highly opened lenses, is
absolutely limited and can be used creatively. If you do not want to have
vignetting, just turn them out while working out ..! ;)
I love the range of focus f/0,95
I could not believe my
eyes when I examined the first images on the monitor of my M10. The pictures
looked so great here already. On the monitor of the M10 you can see immediately
whether a shot looks good or not. This
was later confirmed on the 27 "monitor of my iMac. When zooming in, I was
amazed again, what this lens can do! What a resolution, what a sharpness and
the aperture at 0,95! And then the colors! Yes, I admit - 90% of my recordings
are black and white anyway. But also shots which I have converted via Capture
One11 in black and white, deliver through this lens in conjunction with the
sensational sensor of the M10 perfect shades of gray. I confess: This lens has
led me to one or the other color image more ..., ok, it was rather more! ;)
Street Portrais are a
dream with the Nocti! Aperture 0.95
The application of this
exceptional lens is huge. The first few days I still thought why this lens has
even more f-stops ...? I would use it anyway only with aperture 0.95. But even
at Aperture 1,4, 2, 4, 5,6 the Nocti has a very own, very nice signature! Even
slightly to moderately dimmed this lens has a nicer, softer and smootheres
bokeh than my Zeiss Sonnar!
The pop of 0,95
From aperture 5.6 upwards
it holds in my opinion loose with the Leica Summicron 50, which was known for a
long time as the 50s with the highest resolution and sharpness, until Leica
brought the APO Summicron 50 on the market, which sets new standards ,
I'm really thrilled, the
very special, beautiful character of this Noctilux 0,95. Even dimmed, it
retains its appearance and its own character and is recognizable as noctilux
for the skilled, experienced viewer. For my liking it beats my Zeiss Planar 50
/ 1.5 easily and I have a new favorite 50s! The Noctilux 0,95 for me is the
best 50mm lens!
For landscape shots with
open aperture, it invites you to play with sharpness and blur and produces so
fantastically beautiful shots. Dimmed, it delivers perfect images with a
sensational definition, resolution and perfect edge definition.
Aperture 0,95
Aperture 0,95
This Nocti is very good
natured in backlight. If anything, it shows beautiful circular flares, which
can be very well incorporated as a design element in the picture. If you turn
the camera a bit, you get it out of the picture.
Do you see the circular
flares?
Even portraits recordings
make me extremely fun with this Noctilux, although I'm not the portrait
photographer. Due to the low depth of field, one achieves very extraordinary
effects at low shooting distances between one and one and a half meters. With
shooting distances between three and five meters, you have this beautiful pop
effect, the three-dimensional effect that we already know from the Summilux 50.
This effect is much more pronounced with the Nocti, the bokeh much creamier,
softer and more harmonious. A dream!
f/0,95
To be honest, I did not
expect this lens to convince me with so many ways. It's an exception lens in
every way, and I'm overwhelmed with the almost inexhaustible uses and beautiful
harmonic effect the Nocti creates.
I always catch myself
photographing trivial things with it and am pleased about the implementation
that this lens offers me. I think that's what you call still life or something
...! ;)
Gift Basket f/0.95
Just from the desk ...
Aperture 0.95
I like the colors of the
Nocti! Blend 0.95
I love the versatility of
this lens! Aperture 0.95
Conclusion
The Leica Noctilux-M 1:
0.95 / 50mm ASPH convinces me in its full length!
€ 10,400 is a lot of
money, but considering the value stability and the resale value even after 20
years, this investment quickly loses its horror. The previous version, Noctilux
50/1, cost $ 1,149 in 1986. Today you pay for a good used this year (32 years
old) at least about 5.500, - Euro. The current model, built in 2010, the
Leicashop currently sells for € 8,400.
In return, one gets, in
the truest sense of the word, the most valuable lens in the world. A lens for
more than one life, which always gives you pleasure and fun and can be sold
even after decades without loss of value, if you ever want to give it.
A lens that currently or
in the past has no opponent or had! It is the brightest lens in its class,
which scores with an exceptionally high imaging performance. A lens with a
wonderful character and grandiose bokeh!
A lens that you no longer
want to give, you have photographed for a while with it.
I ask myself now only one
question: Which passbook I will plunder, so I can buy this, lens ...?
Here are some more
pictures:
The course of sharpness, f
0.95
0.95
0,95
0,95
0,95
0,95
Even moving Streetshots
are possible at f 0,95 with the rangefinder with a little practice!
0,95
0,95
0,95
Update 6-24-2018
Since exactly 2 months I
take pictures with the Leica Noctilux-M 1: 0,95 / 50mm ASPH. In these 2 months
I took the Nocti only once from my M10: It was the time when I exchanged the
test lens against my own Noctilux.
After these two months in
which I photographed exclusively with the Nocti, daily, - after a good thousand
shots with this exceptional lens, I have to say one thing very clearly:
Anyone who, like me,
prints 90% of their photographs up to size A2 on fine art paper will receive
unconditional medium format quality in combination with a Leica M10. More
resolution, richness of detail, colorrichness and sharpness are there, I
currently do not find in this class.
f/0.95
This lens is able to
perfectly resolve the sensational sensor of the M10 so that in my opinion there
are currently only two lenses that can do just that. On the one hand, this is
the Leica APO-Summicron-M 1: 2.0 / 50mm ASPH and the Leica Noctilux-M 1: 1.25 /
75mm ASPH. on the other hand!
Last week in Leitz Park
opening in Wetzlar, I had the opportunity to test the 75th Apo Nocti and I
believe that this still a touch fine and higher dissolves than the 50s 0.95
Nocti. A detailed test will show this!
Leica Noctilux-M 1: 1.25 /
75mm ASPH. f 1,25
It was at the beginning of
this incomparably beautiful, smooth bokeh and the intensity of light through
which the Nocti could set me in ecstasy, now it is the other f-stops of this
lens too. This bokeh never loses its creamy character, even if it diminishes
naturally by dimming down! For shorter shooting distances you can still cut up
to 5.6 aperture depending on your taste.
f/2.0
f/2,8
If you fade further down
to aperture 8 or 11, this lens literally explodes in the direction of
resolution, detail and sharpness. - Unpackable! I mean, delivers the Nocti
already from 0.95 to Aperture 5.6 References!
f/11
The photographs get a
three-dimensionality at f8 and f11 like I've never seen before. The image is
sharp from front to back, from left to right, right up to the edges of razor
blades. From the image effect and the three-dimensionality it reminds me of the
most modern 4K television sets.
f/5,6
f/8
f/8
Conclusion:
For me, the Leica
Noctilux-M is 1: 0,95 / 50mm ASPH., is far more than a high-aperture lens with
beautiful bokeh.
The Leica Noctilux-M 1:
0.95 / 50mm ASPH. for me is, because of its unsurpassed field of application,
its flexibility, its unconditional build quality and last but not least because
of the outstanding imaging performance the most versatile and best lens in the
world - point.
f/1,4
f/4
f/0,95
f/0.95
f/1,4
f/0.95
f/2
f/0,95
f/0,95
f/0.95
Update 10-19-2018
So, now it is almost 6
months in which I use the Nocti, In these 6 months, I have only used this lens.
Unbelievable how versatile the Noctilux is!
f/0,95
On bright days I use it
with a B & W greyfiter, which takes me 3 f-stops. With this combination, I
get through to 99%, without having to fade. If the light is not so bright I
always use a B & W protection filter to protect my front lens.
In normal shooting
distances, so from about 4-5 meters, I get along well with the rangefinder. For
closer motives or in bad light, I prefer to rely on the Visoflex viewfinder.
Either way, with the Nocti, precise focus is always required to generate full
power.
f /0,95
However, those who are
prepared to elaborate their photographs carefully will be rewarded with an
incomparable quality and an unmistakable character. It is simply incomparable
to any other lens!
Sensational sharpness at f/0.95
Every day I love the Nocti
more. The manufacturing quality of this, exclusively made in Wetzlar optics, is
amazing. I know no other lens which is
smoother focus. The aperturestops are
perfect! Not too easy - not too heavy.
However, what makes me so
enthusiastic about this lens is its flexibility. At aperture 0.95 you get this
sensational creamy bokeh with simultaneous top sharpness on the main subject.
Dimmed it explodes in the direction of sharpness and resolution without
becoming sterile and thus gets its 3d character.
f/0,95
Conclusion
The Leica Noctilux-M 1:
0.95 / 50mm ASPH with my Leica M10 is the best purchase I've made for the last
40 years. Never before has photography been so much fun!
f/0,95
f/0,95
f/0,95
f/0,95
f/0,95
f/0,95
f/0,95
f/0,95
f/0,95
f/0,95
f/0,95
f/0,95
For other articles on this blog please click on Blog Archive in the column to the right
To comment or to read comments please scroll past the ads below.
All ads present items of interest to Leica owners.
__________________________________________________________________________
For other articles on this blog please click on Blog Archive in the column to the right
To comment or to read comments please scroll past the ads below.
All ads present items of interest to Leica owners.
__________________________________________________________________________
Buy vintage Leia cameras from
America's premr Leica specialist
Buy vintage Leia cameras from
America's premr Leica specialist
Click on age to enlarge
Order: info@gmpphoto.com
Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography
Click on image to enlarge
Order: info@gmpphoto.com
Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography
Click on image to enlarge
Order: info@gmpphoto.com
Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography
Click on age to enlarge
Order: info@gmpphoto.com
Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography
Click on image to enlarge
Order: info@gmpphoto.com
Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography
Click on image to enlarge
Order: info@gmpphoto.com
Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography
Thank you. Very nice review. Would you say the Noctilux 50/0.95 is preferable to the APO 50/2 if I was to carry just one 50mm lens?
ReplyDeleteAn important key word here is "carry." The Noctilux is substantially heavier. Depending on the work you do, it might get cumbersome in the long run. For instance, if your work requires your camera to be carried a lot, as during traveling, the Summicron might be a better choice. However, the Noctilux has advantages that simply no other lens can offer. The maximum aperture and the ability to isolate closer subjects from the background is definitely something to consider. If the weight is no issue, then the Noctilux is definitely the best all around 50mm lens you can buy, especially in view of the fact that at equal apertures, there is virtually no noticeable difference in performance compared to the Summicron. As a final thought, the 50mm Summilux might be a worthwhile alternative. It has a one stop larger aperture and with it, some of the bokeh advantages of the Noctilux.
ReplyDeleteThis is the finest lens on any camera made... It actually inspires me to shoot more, and the reward for this inspiration is amazing photography.
ReplyDeleteThe Summilux, as an alternative, is good advice, but at the back of your mind, you will always want the Noctilux.
ReplyDeleteThat's the trouble with Leica - you'll always want the next and the (supposedly) better thing.
Delete