Re: [Leica] Should I buy a Noctilux?

["Simon Lamb" <simon@sclamb.com>]

Karen

This subject has been much debated here on the list and the archives may
well provide more Noctilux vs Summilux vs Summicron information that you
could ever need.  However, it really comes down to whether you need the
extra two stops over the Summicron or the extra one stop over the Summilux.
Sure, you could gain the extra two stops by using 400 speed film instead of
100 speed.  But, when you have the 100 speed loaded with twenty frames to go
and the light goes, you may just miss the image you want to capture without
the Noctilux or Summilux.  Easier and quicker to change the lens than the
film.

You are right that at anything under f/2 or f/2.8 the image quality of the
Noctilux is not as good as the Summicron, but upwards from there it gets
closer.  However, if you capture an image where only the Noctilux would have
enabled you to do so then the relative quality of that image compared to the
Summicron becomes a non-issue.

It is heavy, does intrude into the VF (but I have learned to see through it
as if it were not there) and costs a lot of money.  Only you can justify the
cost but, if you are likely to take a lot of pictures in low light, then the
Noctilux is an excellent choice, as is the Summilux.  I went for the extra
two stops and got the Noctilux in the knowledge that, by having the fastest
lens in the M line-up, if I could not capture an image then no-one would.

It is a lens that takes time to learn how to use and I am by no means
proficient yet, but it does reward by taking some excellent images with a
look and feel that are unique to the lens.

Good luck in your decision.

Simon


Karen Sorensen wrote:

> 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
>