M8 or Noctilux

T

Terao

Kiloran
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I have a (nice) dilemma. Do I buy a Noctilux or an M8? I have an R-D1 already but the short RF length makes me wonder whether I could reliably focus this lens wide open (and lets face it, how else would you choose to use it?)
I'm more than a little addicted to fast lenses, already having a Canon 50mm f/1.2 and a 35mm Nokton and clearly the Noctilux is the holy grail. Given that its about the same price in the used market as an M8 I'm seriously torn as to which to buy. Thoughts?
 
The Noctilux is the same price on the used market as the M8? That's new to me.

PS: both are way out of my price range anyways :)
 
I would think that you would want the M8 with the improved sensor. This way you could take advantage of the large collection of RF lenses that you already have.


Good Luck
 
I have a very loose definition of about :)
I've seen M8s go for not much more than a used Noctilux though, *only* a couple of hundred quid in it...
The prices are mad though, just in the fortunate position to be getting a modest bonus cheque for a hard year at work that has caused me to do much less photography than I'd like and as a result needs to be invested in a suitably compensatory way...
I'm erring on the side of the Noctilux at the moment, its going to work well on the R-D1 due to that camera's crop getting rid of the appalling vignetting, as long as I can focus the thing @ f/1...
 
yes...english currency. A couple hundred quid doesn't *sound* like much :)

Why would you want the M8 instead of the Noctilux? The way I understand it the Noctilux would be the main reason for you to get an M8 with it's longer EBL.
 
Yeah, that's the dilemma, can't afford both :(
I'm perfectly happy with my R-D1 and the only gap I have in my lenses is really a 25 or 28. Hmm, perhaps a Zeiss 28 or the Leica 28/2.8
Thing is I know I wouldn't lose anything on the Noctilux when it came to sell it and I would undoubtedly do that at some point...
 
Terao said:
Thing is I know I wouldn't lose anything on the Noctilux when it came to sell it and I would undoubtedly do that at some point...
Click to expand...

Hi Terao,
If you've seen all the noctilux photos here and on flickr and you think you'll sell it at some point, I probably wouldn't bother with it. I don't think the additional stop is worth the weight. When it comes to image "look", well, that may be worth it to you. I really like the look of the noctilux but for me $3200+ is just too much.

How do you like the 35mm f1.2 on your RD-1?
 
The M8 with no question whatsoever. You already have very fast lenses in the 50/1.2 and the 35/1.2. You would only gain a half stop in speed (and then only in the center), and you would lose that half stop (and probably more) in handholdability versus the 35/1.2. So it is not about speed. The noctilux look is unique, but only at f/1. It may help a few of your photos some of the time, but only if you are shooting with it wide open and manage to properly hit the focus ... considering you are using an RD-1, that is very wishful thinking.
Getting an M8, however, gives you the potential to improve every single one of your photos. The RD-1 is a nice camera, but the M8 has better image quality (assuming you use IR filters or shoot in black and white). So instead of having the occasional improved image from the noctilux, you would get 10mp and 1.3x, a better finder, 1/8000th, a more secure future for repairs and so on.
 
Emile de Leon said:
Noctilux...will be worth more in 3 years than an M8....which will most likely take the status of most digital items in time....
Click to expand...

If that's your criteria, why not just buy a savings bond?
 
Not to be too much of a wet blanket, but your RD-1 will be pretty iffy focusing an f 1 50mm lens with a 1.5 crop factor in the mix.

Keep in mind that the Noctilux is priced ABSURDLY for its capability. I owned one when they were 1800 new and found it to be good for what it was for and lousy for what I use a 50mm lens for normally. It is heavy and slow to focus, fuzzy at full aperture and balances poorly on any small camera.

The Noct is man-jewelry. Go for the M8.
 
It's like with housing, if it doesn't sell, increase the price. I predict if CV were to have "problems "manufacturing the aspherical element and they increased the price on the 35mm Nokton to $2000 or greater, they'd sell like hotcakes. Increase the price, instant Noktonlust! A bit cynical, I know......
 
Get the M8. In all probability won't be taking more than twenty or so pictures a year where the Noctilux will shine more than the 1.2 lenses you already have. Especially given the inherent inaccuracy of focusing a f/1 lens on a 37mm rangefinder base with 1.5 crop. With the M8 you can reuse your existing lenses with less crop and shallower DOF (I wonder if f/1 on a 1.5 crop sensor actually looks significantly shallower than f/1.2 on an 1.33 crop sensor), get better ISO performance for those night shots, and better image quality all in all - better return on investment, IMHO. If you are concerned about resale value of your investment, get neither and invest your money elsewhere.
 
Thanks all, interesting debate. M8 it probably is, Noctilux definitely discounted (unless I find a cheap one :) )
 
When the thrill is gone from the M8, which really is just a matter of relatively quick time passing....the Noctilux will continue to please both in imagery as well as the pocketbook. Really...the Noct is not a toy...unlike the M8.
 
I would say the exact opposite. If your argument is with digital, Terao is shooting with digital already, but if it is with the M8 then perhaps you can elaborate. I shoot with both film M's and the M8, and I assure you that the M8 is just as capable, if not more capable than the film M's. The noctilux is just a stop faster than a summilux, (even then, only in the center), weighs a lot, is slow to focus, only focuses to 1 meter (the depth of field of the summilux at .7m is actually less than the noctilux at 1m and f/1), costs about double, and does not perform as well by most measures. It is beautiful to look at and exotic though...to my eyes it is much more of a toy than the M8.
 
neither really appeals to me, but if i had to pick one it would be the noctilux because it'll hold its value.
 
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