Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/12/18

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Subject: Re: [Leica] NOCTILUX-M f/1/50 mm
From: "John R. Fulton Jr." <JRFjr@compuserve.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2001 07:41:00 -0600
References: <e5.10ca5922.294e0db7@aol.com>

There seem to be mixed opinions on the Noctilux. (Duh).  <g>

My interest in the Noctilux has nothing to do with F1.0, weight, 
size, bokeh, cost, color, filter size, sharpness, softness, balance 
or whether it should be one's only 50mm. My interest is its' maximum 
minimum focus of one-meter.
I have an old 35mm Summilux which is a wonderful lens, but it has a 
minimum focus of one meter. If I'm sitting across from somebody in a 
restaurant and  want to photograph them I have to back up (and 
usually bump heads with whoever's sitting behind us). If  I'm 
photographing people (working, playing, reading -- or what-have-you) 
I cannot really get very close to them. It just gripes the heck out 
of me.
Yes, I have a 50mm Summicron. Yes, I have a 28mm Elmarit and both of 
those focus closer (.7 meter). In fact, I have the old 21mm F4  and 
it focuses down to 12 inches (why doesn't my 21mm F2.8 do that?).
I understand there are design issues with such a lens as the 
Noctilux, but the one meter minimum focus is for me a real 
limitation. The idea of owning yet another lens with that maximum 
minimum focus is difficult. I realize that every lens built is a 
compromise of a number of factors and I'm sure that the minimum focus 
was such a compromise with a (ohmygawd) F1.0 lens.
'Just my US$.02 worth.
John Fulton
Fort Worth
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In reply to: Message from SthRosner@aol.com (Re: [Leica] NOCTILUX-M f/1/50 mm)