FYI: Noctilux and 50mm Summicron

$3K for the Noctilux is a bit steep IMO. "Sure you can get an old version used for a bit less" - a lot less actually... Same lens too. :)
 
Noctilux

Noctilux

I need some advice here. I found a new Noctilux (but in a very old box) at a
reputable camera store. They were trying to get rid of their Lieca lens. The asking price was $2700. This seems very low. I have read that there have been two versions of this lens.

So I have three questions:

1) What are people’s opinions of this lens?
2) Does the price seem correct?
3) How could I tell if this is an old version of the lens and what is the difference?

Thanks
 
John, is it f1.0 or f1.2? The f1.2 has a higher value to some. I saw one with a damaged hood for $1800 on craigslist. The glass had no marks.
 
Picky lens but nice. Its very fast (and heavy) at f/1.0 with minimal depth of field. At 1.0 best used on more distant objects. Up close, really have to think about what you want in focus and out of focus. As you close down, you begin using it like a more normal, slower lens.

I have had mine for several years. I am just beginning to use it again because I have the M8 and I can get instant feedback on what it is doiing. It is pretty cool to see instant feedback and not have to wait a few days for a slide or print, or go to the darkroom.

I have not used the 1.2. Also, the price seems pretty good. I paid less than that maybe 8 years ago for used, but that is before the prices went berserk.
 
I think there are three versions of the f1.0 Noctilux: I has a 58mm filter ring, clip-on lens hood, II has a 60mm filter ring, clip-on lens hood, III has a 60mm filter ring, built-in sliding lens hood (this is the current version). I is slightly smaller than II or III. AFAIK all are optically identical, but version I has a front element that is a bit more deeply inset into the barrel of the lens so it has an increased propensity for vignetting with filters. OTOH 58mm filters are much cheaper and easier to find than 60mm filters.
 
Peter,

Thanks, I have been looking for one of these for a while. What do you think of the price, is that about right?

John
 
I said up above I think it's a bit steep for used and I still think that. I haven't been looking at the prices recently and maybe they have been trending up since the M8 came out. Six or eight months ago you could get one used for ~$2200 - 2400. Tony Rose is selling "used mint" at $3140 and $3240 with 6-bit coding (currently out of stock).
 
it is fun lens for fun pictures, but not fun to use, for the price of a single noctilux, you can get one 50/1.2L and one 85/1.2L from canon, I have tons of fun with these two lens on 5D, instant feedback, auto focus and all that, frankly nowadays I would rather keep the rangefinder lens to its proper size and spirit.
 
KEH recently had a Noctilux 1.0 in the $2500 range, and a 1.2 in the $5-6k range. They might still have both of them.
 
Hey guys!

Hey guys!

Hey, Im the one selling the Noct on PN. This NOCT was checked out and only needed to be cleaned. It is in perfect working condition. Just shot a roll through it last week and its perfect. Ordered an M8 and decided to do digital after my Nikon Coolscan V bit the dust for no reason. PLus Im running out of room to store my negs (I shoot A LOT!) - add to that folm costs for me and I decided I would save some $$ by going the M8 route. I decided I wanted an M8, a 35 cron and 50 Lux. That will be it.

So, Im selling off my Noct, Cron and MP. The MP was cleaned also but has a small scratch on top of it that is varely noticable. Works perfect, and if it doesnt sell Ill keep it for occasional B&W stuff.

Anyway, yes these are mine, and yes it was in an accident but has since been checked out and everything is perfect as I have used it extensively in the past 2 months. I would NEVER sell any gear that had a problem or lie about anything that I sell.

Anyway, I havent been on RFF in a while, and logged in today and saw this thread. Thought I would chime in. Thanks

Steve
 
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