Re: [Leica] Should I buy a Noctilux?

["Jorg Willems" <jorg@mindspring.com>]

Karen,
The Noctilux is wonderful lens that I enjoy now for many years.  It IS heavy
and if you want to use it wide open it requires a lot of practice because
DOF is very narrow.   My Noctilux is pretty much now my standard lens.  I am
pretty big guy and my petite wife is wondering how I am able to always
'drag' that big lens with me.

'Best Tool' depends on the job.  If you like available light and you don't
mind a heavy outfit I certainly would recommend it.  I also recommend that
you use the grip with it.  It helps tremendously to counterbalance the lens.
I am using the Abrahamsson Rapidwinder with the grip which makes the whole
outfit even more heavier which I experience as a benefit because it allows
me to hold the camera steady and 1/30 are no problem at all.

Jorg

- ----- Original Message -----
From: <Ninka@aol.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2001 6:18 PM
Subject: [Leica] Should I buy a Noctilux?


> I plan In a few weeks time  to go on a short trip to Denmark, and though
I'll
> only be there a few days  I hope to bring back some good shots from the
> street life of  "wonderful
> Copenhagen".  But I have a dilemma that I would like to get  solved before
> leaving,  and I hope you  experts will give me some advice:
> For my Leica M6 I have three lenses, a 50mm F2Summicron,  a 90mm F2.8
Elmarit
> and a  28mm F2.8 Elmarit.  Of these I use the Summicron for at least 90%
of
> my picture taking,   Now for some time I have seen a lot written here
about
> the famous 50mm  F1 Noctilux lens, and since I value picture quality very
> highly, do not like flash and am happy when I get a picture which I think
> have bokeh , I  have seriously considered changing out the Summicron for a
> Noctilux.  The drawback (aside from the expence) is that the Noctilux
(which
> I have not yet seen)  is so  heavy, my dealer says that the weight is the
> double because of all the glass, and he also says that I will not get
better
> quality photos than with my Summicron, as long as I do not absolutely need
> the extra light power.     I am certain that if I were a professional I
> would have  had no doubt, but since I'm just a keen amateur,  getting much
> satisfaction from my hobby,   would the change be  worth it?   I have
always
> believed  in having the best tools, this is why I bought Leica in the
first
> place.    Please advise me.  I hope to hear pro and contra to make the
right
> decision.
> Karen Sorensen