Leica 75mm f/1.25 Noctilux

[brennanphotoguy]

Just because someone doesn't see a point in spending $13k on lens that a $2000 Canon lens can already do doesn't make them small minded. Or if you want to stay M mount you can get a 75mm Summilux for less than $5000 and have 99% of what this lens is.

 

[Emile de Leon]

The images look wonderful...maybe worth the price of admission...

 

[daveleo]

Leica just threw another log on the fires of Leica hate that burn in the bellies of the small minded; good for them! 😀

I *love* when I read "Leica announces ....." partly because I know that the the internet commentary will amuse us for a week or so.
And partly because I use their pricing to calibrate my wife's mind on what I need for gear.

 

[Huss]

Leica just threw another log on the fires of Leica hate that burn in the bellies of the small minded; good for them! 😀

Wait, so this lens is the equivalent of acid reflux?

 

[Huss]

The images look wonderful...maybe worth the price of admission...

I got a Zenit Helio 85 1.4 that does better. Got it with a coupon that came with that case of canned tuna (in olive oil, line caught)

 

[Emile de Leon]

LOL..
Give me 2 of em...always need a backup...

 

[JHutchins]

Users of the Summilux 75/1.4 already report online how difficult itis to focus this lens. Now, make the max aperture even larger, and have fun trying to challenge your eye sight!

Part of what makes it difficult to focus the 75 Summilux is focus shift. Presumably this will not have the same difficulties.

Though with depths of field as shallow as this even with a well magnified rangefinder or, for that matter, an evf or SLR you'll need some patience and focus bracketing if you want very precise focus just because small shifts in body position will matter a lot.

But I like the fact that Leica is willing to push limits and put out some crazy damn the cost stuff.

 

[JHutchins]

I don't see the attraction of using 75/90/135 lenses on a rangefinder camera. You are essentially using the equivalent of the SLR microprism to focus and frame. I have always seen rangefinder cameras as best for 28/35/50 lenses. Using one viewfinder to focus and another to frame with lenses wider than 28 also seems a real kludge. How can you possibly work quickly?

I think lots of people who shoot with really wide lenses don't bother focusing every shot. I use a 21 routinely and certainly make no attempt to focus every time.

And it's true enough that there are camera bodies much more suitable than a Leica M for use of longer lenses (though I don't really think of a 75 as so very long). But there aren't a whole lot of lenses better for portraits than the 75 Summilux or even the 50 Summicron DR. Strikingly beautiful results come so freely from those lenses that you use the camera they're made for.

 

[raid]

I had the 85 1.2 L for the EOS and if the FD is the same glass it's up there with the best of the best even at 1.2. I'd even go so far as to say the 85 1.2 performs better at 1.2 than the Summilux 75 at 1.4.

I have the Canon FD 85/.12L and also the Summilux 75/1.4. Both are superb lenses.

 

[x-ray]

I have the Canon FD 85/.12L and also the Summilux 75/1.4. Both are superb lenses.

Never had the FD but had the EOS version and loved it. When I switched back to Nikon from Canon that was the lens I hated to give up. I guess I've had my 75 Summilux at least 12 years and probably longer. On my M's it and my 35 Summicron v1 are my two most used lenses.

As to the above comment about focus shift, I only use my 75 summilux on film usually wide open or near wide open and have never observed a focus shift. Perhaps it only on a digital sensor.

 

[bherman]

Leica 75mm f/1.25 Noctilux

Yes, I'm sure that for some of us, the Leica 75mm f/1.25 Noctilux might be difficult to focus on an M or M10, but it should be easier with the optional EVF/Visoflex and even better on the SL.

I know several people who have the 50mm F/0.95 Noctilux on the SL and nail most (95%) of the images, even wide open.

-Brad

 

[raid]

Using the M240 with LiveView will make focusing very easy.

 

[michaelwj]

I *love* when I read "Leica announces ....." partly because I know that the the internet commentary will amuse us for a week or so.
And partly because I use their pricing to calibrate my wife's mind on what I need for gear.

But honey, the 35/1.4 Summilux ASPH FLE is less than half the price! They're practically giving it away!

My wife sews. Sewing machines are expensive - she has two that equal the cost of my camera gear. But where I spend maybe $2-300/year on film, fabric cost about $50-100/item! On one hand I can easily justify my spending relative to hers, but on the other hand, if I do we'll be broke!

 

[GarageBoy]

I don't see the attraction of using 75/90/135 lenses on a rangefinder camera. You are essentially using the equivalent of the SLR microprism to focus and frame. I have always seen rangefinder cameras as best for 28/35/50 lenses. Using one viewfinder to focus and another to frame with lenses wider than 28 also seems a real kludge. How can you possibly work quickly?

While I don't disagree, the 21mm will always be an rf wide to me for non architecture stuff. Stop it down, hyperfocus and go for it. Plus, 21s in rf mount were better than 20s, if they even were available in SLR mounts


75 1.2 on an rf... So how are you supposed to do portraits wide open? Can't really focus and recompose without too much error

 

[BillBingham2]

It's going to be a wonderful lens for folks who need it and can justify the cost.

I'm not one of them on either count these days.

We live in a world where there are options, all in all it's not a bad place. I'm not sure that anyone here is a Leica hater. Frankly I look at the cost and think new (to me) car.

B2 (;->

 

[Daryl J.]

I would absolutely love to have one even though I shoot film.
Also, I did not win any lottery.

 

[Mackinaw]

......75 1.2 on an rf... So how are you supposed to do portraits wide open? Can't really focus and recompose without too much error

Using a viewfinder magnifier will help. Whenever I use my 75mm Summilux I always attach a 1.4X magnifier to the eyepiece of my MP. Really helps in nailing the focus.

When shooting with my M240, I use live-view to focus. You can focus on a eyelash if you wish. The image is always sharp.

Jim B.

 

[icebear]

I bought a 75asph used shortly after its release. Obviously someone had buyer's remorse and sold it quickly, my luck. The dof is shallow enough and I don't really have 12 grands burning a hole in any of my pockets.🙄
And yeah, 1055grs is something I don't want to schlepp around the whole day either.

 

[CameraQuest]

http://blog.leica-camera.com/2017/11/29/introducing-leica-noctilux-m-75mm-f1-25-asph/

the real wonder is if it will focus accurately.

the previous 75/1.4 was often a prob to focus without having it calibrated to a particular camera

 

[Bille]

75/1.2 ... DOF should match that of nice 85/1.4. I think the Nikkor AIS is around 500$?

I´ll pass. 😱

PS: Owned a Noctilux 50 three times in the past, ultimately decided it was too heavy and expensive.