Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/04/28

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: Noctilux
From: John Collier <jbcollier@shaw.ca>
Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2003 19:28:48 -0600

Thanks for the offer Greg. If you say it is not up to snuff then that 
is enough for me.

John Collier
On Monday, April 28, 2003, at 06:33 PM, Greg J. Lorenzo wrote:

> I have all three current formulas Leica 50's. The Summilux is the lens 
> I use *by far* the least. The results just don't compare with either 
> the Noctilux or the Summilux (where comparable f stops available). Be 
> happy you purchased the two best 50's first!
>
> If you get down this way sometime you'd be more than welcome to borrow 
> my Summilux and try it yourself.
>
> John Collier wrote:
>
>> 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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>
>
>
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