Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/07/16

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Subject: RE: [Leica] Should I buy a Noctilux?
From: "Dan Honemann" <danh@selectsa.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2001 14:39:50 -0400

Stephen,

> One big advantage of the current Summilux 50 is its 0.7m closest focus
> (as against 1.0m for the Noctilux). This alone makes it very desirable
> for me, so it's probably in my future. If the Cosina Nokton 50/1.5 could
> do that (it's only 1m too) I'd have already purchased one.

The closer minimum focusing distance of the summilux is tempting, but you've
got a good thing going with your f1 and f1.2 photos, and I doubt you want to
be shooting at less than a meter at those apertures, anyway.

I do find myself shooting my summicron with the focus ring cranked all the
way clockwise quite often, but I'd love to try a Noct for street shooting
ala Holloway.  I have to wonder if the summilux at f1.4 could duplicate that
look.  If so, it's a no-brainer; if not, then my vote goes to the Noct.

If you ever get the chance, try the 75 summilux sometime.  I've seen it
produce compelling images that I swear would be mediocre by any other lens
(save perhaps the Noct).

Dan