[Leica] Re: Noctilux

[John Collier <jbcollier@shaw.ca>]

I often wonder if I had a Summilux if I would use the Noctilux as much 
as I do now. Between the Summicron and the Noctilux there is no 
contest. If I am going to be indoors, I carry the Nocti. My particular 
Summicron suffers from veiling glare (jpgs are still on the way, I have 
to dig for tham as I have not used it in a long time) so it is not a 
favourite lens of mine. Do not get me wrong, I like the Summicron much 
better than any SLR lens (except 105/2.5) that I have ever owned. It is 
just the Nocti is so much better in the flare department. I have heard 
the Summilux is more flare prone and so I am reluctant to experiment as 
the only way I can afford to would be to sell one my lenses to finance 
the purchase of the Summilux. Hopefully someday I will get a chance to 
give one a good testing.

I agree with BD that at times the Nocti 's wide open bokeh can be 
nauseating but it is not that way all the time. I have to do more 
testing but I think it mostly happens when busy "chunky" backgrounds 
are too close to the plain of focus. F/1.2 seems to less susceptible to 
this effect as well. This is all speculation on my part as I need to do 
more testing.

As to justifying the expense, I disagree. I carry the Nocti because it 
does a job no other of my lenses can do. I shoot mostly slide film and 
pushing is not always a viable option. The Noctilux gets the job done 
where otherwise I would be forced to use flash or put the camera aside. 
A simple example is photographing my son's swimming lessons: iso 100 
slide film at 1/60 and f/1. I would not want to go any slower with the 
shutter. The Nocti gets no special treatment, no protective filters and 
no hood. If I was preoccupied with the expense I would sell the damn 
thing. Who needs a lens you are too nervous to use?

I never wanted an f/1 lens but I had a chance to buy one at a good 
price so I figured I would give it a tryout as I could always sell it 
to recoup my expenses. I found the weight did not bother me and I loved 
the results. I now find myself running out of light much less often 
than I used to. Is it a must have lens? No, but it has worked out very 
well for me. Now if someone wants to lend me a Summilux for a day or 
so...

John Collier

On Sunday, April 27, 2003, at 06:20 PM, bdcolen wrote:

> I am also covinced that the lens is often used by those who own it,when
> any number of other lenses would produce a better image,simply because
> they feel the need to justify the investment.

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