M9 + 50mm summilux or 35mm nokton & 75mm summicron?

[artears]

I recently opened a thread asking questions about 50mm f/1.1 nokton. I am seriously considering of getting an M9. So the lenses will be used on a FF M system. First, I thought of getting a 50mm f/1.1 nokton, but then I was thinking what if I stretch the budget a bit more into the 50mm summilux asph territory. Of course with that budget, there is also the option of 35mm f/1.2 nokton with 75mm apo summicron (used) instead of 50mm summilux for a nice 2-lens setup. Which one would you recommend? Can you give some information about it? Also say a few things about 50mm nokton as well?

 

[capitalK]

I was going to post in your other thread "how about an M9 with 35mm f/1.2 Nokton?" but decided not to because it was off-topic.

I'd love to see what that combo can do.

 

[payasam]

The 35+75 option will cover a lot more territory, so to speak.

 

[noimmunity]

I have the Nokton and Cron while a friend has the Lux, but I still haven't tried it yet.

35 + 75 is a fantastic combination especially, in my opinion, if you like people-oriented subjects. The Nokton and Cron combo has many advantages, salient among which would be the very pleasing IQ matched with extreme low light capability (35) and highest magnification for RF lens besides 90 macro (75). But the combo is a bit heavy and bulky. The cron is a perfect lens, but many are in love with the older 75 summilux. If weight is a problem you might consider the 75 lux with a 35/1.4--the smaller CV Nokton is a beauty.

The 50 Lux appears to be a perfect lens that has unmatched rendition at all apertures, and no weight/size penalty for the speed.

Needless to say, all three lenses could exist in the same kit, though I think I'd go for either a 21/35/75 or a 28/50/75 (or 90) set up for three.

 

[artears]

Thank you for your responses. noimmunity, I see you own both nokton versions. How would you rate the quality, rendering, bokeh and sharpness of both compared to each other at the same focal lengths? By the way, I come from a dslr world and I do not mind the additional weight between two lenses 🙂. I would rather go with 75mm summicron though, instead of 75mm summilux, due to it being a newer design, sharper and also smaller in size.

 

[noimmunity]

Quality for both Noktons is similarly high, though you may need to check for the best sample you can get.
Neither is especially sharp wide open. The Big Nokton has generally more pleasing Bokeh, but the little Nokton can be quite attractive as long as you avoid challenging lighting. Since you are looking at using these lenses on a digital body, it may be worth it to wait to see how they interact with the M9 sensor. The little Nokton will exhibit focus shift on the M8. The Big Nok is probably the only super fast 35 that doesn't shift at all on the M8. For use on the M8, there is no question I prefer the Big Nok. But perhaps the M9 will be different?
As for rendering, I'd describe the Big Nok as "elegant and buttery smooth" while the Lil Nok is more "understated" and has even a somewhat nostalgic air.

 

[raid]

The 35 & 75 combo can make a great lens combo, covering 90% of any situation you will face. Add a 19~21mm lens, and you are really covered.

 

[rxmd]

Have you ever shot a 75? In theory it's a great focal length and everybody says so, but I couldn't get warm with it and found it absolutely useless for me. Maybe you should base your decision on your photographic preferences, instead of worrying about what lens is a newer design.

That said, in 35mm lenses I'd get the Nokton 1.2 because I find it beautiful (its output, that is). In 50mm lenses I'd get a Nokton 1.5 because it's cheap for what it does, the Summilux is barely any better and I don't like what I've seen from the Nokton 1.1 (more so since I don't need that fast a lens). 75mm feels like a half-baked focal length that I don't have a use for, and for longer lenses I find the rangefinder doesn't do it for me, so I'd concentrate on the wide angle instead. If I had the money, I'd save for a 21/1.4 or 24/1.4, those are really unique lenses.

Think about how you take pictures and what your personal focal length preferences are, and all the questions of being covered everywhere etc. will nicely take care of themselves.

 

[artears]

Have you ever shot a 75? In theory it's a great focal length and everybody says so, but I couldn't get warm with it and found it absolutely useless for me. Maybe you should base your decision on your photographic preferences, instead of worrying about what lens is a newer design.

That said, in 35mm lenses I'd get the Nokton 1.2 because I find it beautiful (its output, that is). In 50mm lenses I'd get a Nokton 1.5 because it's cheap for what it does, the Summilux is barely any better and I don't like what I've seen from the Nokton 1.1 (more so since I don't need that fast a lens). 75mm feels like a half-baked focal length that I don't have a use for, and for longer lenses I find the rangefinder doesn't do it for me, so I'd concentrate on the wide angle instead. If I had the money, I'd save for a 21/1.4 or 24/1.4, those are really unique lenses.

Think about how you take pictures and what your personal focal length preferences are, and all the questions of being covered everywhere etc. will nicely take care of themselves.

Thank you for your feedback. I already asked the question based on my photographic preferences. If I buy only one lens, it will be a 50mm. Otherwise, for a two lens option, I look for a 35-75mm combo. Currently, I either take 25mm summilux or 14-35mm zuiko with me for one lens street photography, which is equivalent of 50mm and 28-70mm respectively in 35mm world. As you can see, all the three lenses I asked are in that range more or less. The comment on my part about 75mm summicron being a newer design was based on the comparison with 75mm summilux, which might or might not be discontinued as of now. I do not see the advantage of 75mm summilux over 75mm summicron here, since it is bigger and less sharp and I also liked the rendering of 75mm summicron more. I hope I made myself clear this time. Thanks again for your input.

I agree with you about 75mm, since 75mm will be probably the longest focal length I will get from RF. For longer focal lengths, I have my dslr.

 

[Erik van Straten]

A really unique lens is the Nokton 50mm f/1.1. I would like to see some results with that lens from the M9. Here's something with an MP, not bad either.

Leica MP, Nokton 50mm f/1.1 @ f/2.8, Tmax400 printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

 

[artears]

Thank you very much for your responses. In case I will be able to raise enough funds, I think I will go with 35mm f/1.2 nokton and 75mm Summicron asph combo. These two lenses will be enough for me for rf photography. In a few years, I might add a wide angle lens to these... Thanks again to everyone for their valuable input, I really appreciate it.