Hi all, Been wanting a Noctilux for a while now and fianally got one! A nice man in my area had a mint one for sale complete with box, filter etc. for $1350.00...I could not resist.Some I have tried have had stiff focus but this one is incredibly smooth and easy . Before I bought this lens I was concerned about the weight, the long focus and the image quality. All that has been put to rest now upon seeing the first B+W images out of the darkroom,as well as the actual use of the lens itself.The weight is nothing to worry about,if anything it seems to stabilize the camera for sharper images.The long focus is a pleasant surprise because it is for me much easier to find the correct focus or close to it before I raise the camera to my eye.I can much more easily, than my 35 1.4 asph, focus by estimate.I dont know if it is faster but I'm more adept at estimate focus than with the 35mm.As to the image quality it is really, really excellent.I love that it is a lower contrast lens as the photos are at least 2x's easier to print in the darkroom, esp.those taken in contrasty situations.Pics by candle light or at night with lights in the pic have no flare and the shadows speak with a clarity that has to be seen to be believed.There is little if any halo around a candle or light in the photo...something the 35mm asph just cannot lay claim to.Needless to say ...I love this lens!If I had known about its qualities sooner I definatly would have bought it long before the 35mm asph for low light.I know there are folks out there who dont like this lens for whatever reason....but for my money...the Noctilux is the one!! And did I mention it is sharp? Maybe not the knife bite-ing acid sharpness of the current types but a beautiful and unique rendering that makes me happy to use Leica. In my opinion any M owner owes it to themselves to at least try this great lens once or to procure one for themselves.

-- Emile de Leon (knightpeople@msn.com), March 26, 2002

Answers

Thanks for those notes on the nocti. I admit I have a craving that perhaps is a bit of equipment lust, but also for the low light capabilities I routinely find myself in. A lot of times I'm shooting wide open with my 35 or 75 lux and still at 1/15-1/30 (albeit with 100 speed film). But, I'm just not a volume film shooter, so I buy a roll and it can last me a few outings usually, so having a flexible lens helps. Good that you got a sweet deal on it too...B&H has them for 2600 bucks ouch! Maybe I'll check www.kbcamera.com, perhaps they have some non-US ones for cheap.

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), March 26, 2002.

2200 bucks at KB. : )

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), March 26, 2002.

Emile, it is people like you who will end up making me have these continuing nightmares. As long as I don't here about the Noct I am content with my fabulous 35mm Lux Asph and (not used) Nocton.

But how dare you? Now I'll be thinking once again, stressing me out and psychologically pressuring me to aquire the lens by any means to my own financial detriment!

Good for you mate. I will have one someday. It is my destiny, and James's **grin**

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), March 26, 2002.

Emile How would you say the Nocti compares to the 50Summi? Apart from having the extra F stops, whats it like at say F8 or F11? I feel quite tempted to trade my summi in!

-- Karl Yik (karl.yik@dk.com), March 26, 2002.

Yep, everytime I rationalize that the Noct' is fast aperture overkill, I read one of these posts. Now I've got to begin the rationalization process all over again, or get a Noct' of my very own ;^)

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), March 26, 2002.

I too took the Noctilux plunge! Everything Emile says rings true for me also. I relish the photographs this lens has taken that I might not have gotten otherwise. Even in fairly bright indoor ambient light I have been shooting at a higher shutterspeed and getting sharper images. Remember, images taken with a sharp lens may be negated by camera movement. This makes the Noctilux that much more off an advantage. Being able to get a 1/125 or a 1/250 maakes a big difference sometimes. But those great images taken at a 1/15 or 1/8 wide open really show the beauty of this glass. It is still lighter than most any other fast fifty and it balances decently on my M's. If you own a Leica and you are only going to live once, find it in your means to acquire this lens, it is a world beater.

-- James Gumm (jim.gumm@okdhs.org), March 26, 2002.

Ahhh yes, noctilux, the Porsche 911 turbo of Leica lenses, super fast. Kristian, we will end up getting ones before we know it! The seed has been planted...and for some strange reason I also kinda like that 90 asph apo, now that really doesn't make sense! And how about that 28 f/2? Wooooo! Hahaha!

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), March 26, 2002.

Karl,I wouldnt give up your 50mm summicron as it is better to own both for different reasons. At f8 to f11 on a tripod with pan f 50 asa this lens kicks butt. But so does your summicron! Where the Noct shines is at f1 as it has the look of a larger format with the pinpoint sharp area and the nice bokeh/out of focus area. I love my DR 50 mm too as I know it will beat most lenses hands down for resolution and overall rendering.The Noct indeed has a very special look that the average 50mm cant duplicate. I still run out of light though, at a 15th sec.at night, handheld at f1, even with the Noct, but even though I have only owned this lens less than a week it has gotten pics that would have been impossible with the 35mm asph 1.4.This is truly working at the limit of available light.The other advantage is you can use a slower,more fine grained film....two whole stops slower(film) than your Summicron can use at f2 for great enlarge ability. I really think though that the best reason to get the Noct is for the overall look at f1!Having purchased one, I can say that I would definatly not want to be without a Noctilux...ever!

-- Emile de Leon (Knightpeople@msn.com), March 26, 2002.

James, shut up, or you'll be dealing with my fierce fiance!!!

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), March 26, 2002.

Once the seed has been planted it must blossom and bear fruit someday!I'm still working up the nerve to tell my wife I bought this! I think she knows already though because I have been carrying the Leica w/Noct everywhere. If you can manage it, just bite the bullet...you wont regret it. Especially if you use Leica M for low light.Also ...there is a distinct feeling of photo-power that comes in using this lens and seeing the results!Can I live without this lens?Well... Yes.But would I want to, knowing what it can do? Well that's another question entirely!

-- Emile de Leon (knightpeople@msn.com), March 26, 2002.

Yes indeed, significant others just do not understand. I mean, this equipment is truly a photographic investment of a lifetime. Just think of it that way Kristian! : ) My girlfriend likes to use the word "scary" and "Leica" synonymously. Oh well, hmn, gosh that thing would look handsome in my Billingham 225. It would take up that one lens divider, leaving no more room ; )

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), March 26, 2002.

Emile! Do you know what you hath wrought? *grin* Don't make me buy one! You are creating Nocti-monsters! : ) The idea of my equipment (all recently purchased new): M6, 35 and 75 lux, and to boot a noctilux would bring the total to a grand amount (including the bag). Sheesh...I need to stop frequenting this forum and getting bad ideas. *baddog*!

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), March 26, 2002.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, Noctilux. My favorite treat. Wives and Girlfriends come and go, but the Nocti, now there's a loyal pup that never lets you down. Smooth and dreamy. I've a Canon 50/1.0 that weighs as much as my whole M kit and can't hold a..er..candle to the Leica. I think I'll go pet mine right now. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm --Marc Williams

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), March 26, 2002.

Good dog!Very good dog,Nocti...now bark!Arf!Arf!Good Boy!!!All kidding aside,this is a most excellent lens.Get one and it will bark for you!

-- Emile de Leon (knightpeople@msn.com), March 26, 2002.

Good God! I can see concern of your loved ones! Sure, buy a Noctilux today and you have both feet on a slippery slope indeed! What could be next? Robbing banks? Shooting heroin? Running with scissors?

Hey, tell your significant others to place this whole Leica thing in the proper perspective. Maybe buying a world class piece of glass is not so bad after all!

Emile, can you post some of those new pictures? That should do in all the die-hard holdouts.

Cheers!

-- Scott (PFD261@hotmail.com), March 27, 2002.

James, I thought I told you to shut up?

Do we have the same girlfriend?

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), March 27, 2002.

Hahaha...I don't THINK so, but seems like similar viewpoints! She has a Canon Rebel with the Taiwan zoom, does your fiance have one of those? : ) Anyway, Emile, post some nice photos and that may just send us over the edge into nocti-blivion! NOCTI NOCTI NOCTI! I know I will need one if I should happen to have a dream about one. Oh boy, will I sleep soundly tonight? *sigh*...nice large glass with light-soaking abilities. Making photos happen when lesser lenses cannot...

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), March 27, 2002.

My 2 cents worth....ditto on everything said. My Nocti was purchased at the same price as Emile's, albeit without box and a few more signs of it's 20 odd years of light collecting. I like pristine lenses, but someone once told me a well used lenses has the benefit of actually producing images that someone liked enough to keep using it...:-)

Sharp enough to cut paper, yet soft enough so your subject still feels flattered. Difficult to focus without practice, but once you've got the knack, you can nail it everytime. (I focus,recompose-usually off centre-and tweek the focus the distance of the depth of field marker,so it's focused a fraction closer to allow for a shift in the film plan angle)

Heavy beast with a long throw, but with the Abrahamsson Rapid Winder and his softie, the perfectly balance light collection machine!

Has "the look" and produces "the look". Love it.

(Had the 35Asp'lux but this baby sat around in my bag so much after I got my Noctilux that I found it a more loving home on my friends M6)

-- Simon Wong (drsimonwong@hotmail.com), March 27, 2002.

OK, you've convinced me. But where can I get one for $1350?

-- Jack Matlock (jfmatlo@attglobal.net), March 27, 2002.

I'll post some photo's taken with the new Noct as soon as I'm able to figure out how to do it with the scanner I've got. We just got a new computer and the old scanner is giving us a bit of trouble.Maybe next week.I've got some color and B+W tests at different apertures that reveal much about this lens.Also..I looked for quite a while before I ran into this Nocti.Some people who have this lens will take less than you might expect. Photo stores usually have to charge more than a individual seller but you can never tell.Also..I'm printing generally at a grade three with the nocti when I usually print at grade 1 to 2 with other high contrast lenses and a Focomat 1c.I think the shadows/dark tones have much more info and the highlights require less burning...a definate plus in my book! Facinating lens indeed! Just an aside note...I brought this lens down to the local(great) camera shop and showed the Nocti to the guys...man ...did this lens create a stir...Jaws dropping open! I didnt expect that.The mystery and attraction of the Noctilux continues!

-- Emile de Leon (Knightpeople@msn.com), March 28, 2002.

Mr Wong, me and my 35 Lux Asph have a great relationship, but it is words like yours that are motivating me to take a step towards the dark side. If this thread keeps going I may be turned, but I'll have to give "Luxy" up. "Nocti" is looking really sexy. But how about some pics to push me and "Jamesy" over the edge?

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), March 28, 2002.

Ooo I don't know if I was faced with either the 35 lux or the noctilux, I would stick with the 35 Kristian. But it all depends on your photography. Having that extra width capability could prove that the 35 is probably the greatest all-around focal length. Another factor of course is how much low-light capability you need, and perhaps one should merely switch to a higher speed film. Well, your call Kristian. If I got one, it would have to be in addition to the 35 and 75 lux I have. Would be a "scary" kit to be sure, but that Nocti would be one sweet weapon of choice for certain missions! : ) It seems quite a few National Geographic and other pro photogs use the 35. Of course, you have 2 35 luxes don't you? Well, I say go for it Kristian! *grin* Just keep that 1st edition though! Or, sell it to me! : )

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), March 28, 2002.