19 thoughts on “The Leica Noctilux f/0.95.”

1. 

   Agreed. The pros outweigh the Cons.
   Simply awesome lens. Most criticism comes from those that have never used it.

   1. 

      Thanks Brian. In all fairness, some of the criticism this lens receives (about size, price, etc.) is legitimate.

2. 

   I am just preparing myself to enter the RF world next year! Waiting for the new M to come out and perhaps see a price drop across M9’s (well that’s the theory anyway!) and at that point look to pick one up.

   So on that note about to buy a second hand 50mm lux ASPH.

   I’ll leave the the big gun (Nocti) to people like yourself Peter who can use them!

   1. 

      Hey Andrew, good luck with your planned foray into the RF world! I predict a very rewarding journey for you.

      The 50 ‘lux — well what can I say… one of the few Leica lenses I still own. And for good reason.

3. 

   Hi Peter

   You’ve really made this lens sing over the last few months, congrat’s. I guess it’s almost inevitable that at some point I too will venture in this direction although certainly not in the next 12 months….:)

   All the best, Jason.

   1. 

      I feel the same way about you and the Monochrom :).

      Thanks Jason.

      (for those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, check out Jason’s site — specifically the startling *clarity* of his B&W theatre images, as captured using the Leica Monochrom: http://aperturepriority.co.nz/2012/11/14/monochrom-scarily-good/)

4. 

   Personally I am very glad that you keep this masterpiece:-)! You already shot a bunch of fantastic images with this lens and I am looking forward what 2013 is going to bring us;-)

   Best regards, Jeroen

   1. 

      Thanks Jeroen! It’s been getting more difficult to photograph here, with the shorter winter days…

5. 

   Hi Peter,

   I hate posting negative sounding comments, and while I really like the two centre images (bird and window) I think that your images from the Noctilux lack the feeling I get from so many of your other images.

   Regards
   Guy

   1. 

      No problem Guy, I appreciate your (polite) honesty.

      Having had this lens for 10 weeks, I’m OK with my output so far. We’ll see how things go, when spring returns (and the beautiful light that goes with it).

6. 

   Hello again Peter,

   I dream to see this Noctilux accompanied by Mmonochrom in your hands and with your vision … You’re going to come! Believe me, it is only a matter of delivery! LOL …
   This combo in your hands can be one of the largest advertising firm Leica …

   Best regards.

   Hugues.

   PS: I do not think it Monochrom give me so much joy …
   Hoping You are doing very well Mon ami.

   1. 

      I have the same dream as you, mon ami. Malheureusement, it’s not going to happen! I’ve instead chosen the Noctilux and one new lens for 2013! We’ll see how that goes…

      Thank you once again Hugues for all of your generosity.

      Peter.

7. 

   Hi Peter,

   I hope you are well and enjoying the break.

   I’m very close to buying a Noctilux. I’ve tried one out and loved it. Particularly the colours and contrast. I have a simple question to you:

   To buy the lens I’m going to have to sell my 50/f2 and my 50/f1.4 ASPH.

   Is it worth it?

   Best regards,

   Steve

   1. 

      Hi Steve,

      I would keep at least one of those as a portable 50. Conventional wisdom would have it that you keep the 50 f/2. Personally, I would choose the 50 f/1.4 ASPH, as you most certainly will regret selling it. It’s that good.

      Unfortunately, selling the 50 f/2 won’t help much in offsetting the purchase price of a Noctilux…

8. 

   Thanks Peter,

   I think it’s the 50/2 I would miss the most for outright sharpness. I really didn’t find the weight of the Noct to be an issue. But then all my lenses are silver and much heavier than the black versions. I think the only downside that I’ve seen to the Noct is the purple fringing but the colours and contrast make up for that.

   I look forward to seeing more of your work. No doubt Christmas with the family will provide plenty of opportunity!

   Best,

   Steve

9. 

   Hi Peter,

   I have felt the same about my Noctilux Asph. Thought about selling it a few times, but its character and unique look certainly outweigh the cons of this lens (weight and CA at f/.95). Certainly a lens to keep forvever.

10. 

    Hi Peter,

    When shooting at f/0.95 how do you recompose if you want the subject to be off-center in the frame?
    When using the Noctilux wide-open, doesn’t even the slightest turn of the camera shift the plane of focus, with the result that the focus ends up on the wrong part of the subject’s face?

    1. 

       Hi Chris,

       Great question. Sometimes I crop a shot during post-processing to create an off-centre composition, but most of the time I try to achieve the correct composition at the time I’m shooting.

       So, how do I do it?….

       In the same way that using a prime lens for a while allows you to “see” in that focal length, using a fast lens (f/1.4 or wider) allows you to get a “feel” for the depth of field. The end result is that after I focus with the centre patch and rotate the camera for an off-centre composition, I will simultaneously make an adjustment to my posture so that I either move slightly forward, or (more commonly) slightly back. It’s done in one fluid motion.

       When I first started shooting at f/1.4, I mostly got it wrong, but with practice I now mostly get it right. It’s the same story at f/0.95, but the learning curve was steeper. If a shot is critical and I must get it on the first attempt, I’ll just shoot and crop the composition later. Whatever works….

       Hope this helps,

       Peter.

11. 

    hi Peter,

    thanks for the photographer interviews. So good to hear what they said and see what they shoot.

    Just wonder, do u still keep the Noct 0.95?