Lowlight lens -- best value for money

[drjoke]

I already have Hexanon 50mm and ZM Sonnar 50mm. Those will be my daylight lenses, and I am quite happy with them. However, I find myself taking more and more pictures in lowlight (outdoor at night), and am been wishing for faster lenses.

It seems there are three speeds which are probably fast enough.

1) 1.0 -- I cannot justify paying for Noctilux or the 0.95. I envy those who can.

2) 1.2 -- Only two choices here: The Canon and Nokton 35mm

3) 1.4 -- Several choices here: Canon, Nokton 40mm, Leica (which I cannot justify)

4) 1.5 -- Nokton 50mm Is this option much different from Nokton 40mm?

For option 2 - 4, they are all within the same affordable price range (except for Nokton 35mm).

I see several discussions here regarding how 35mm is easier to use than 50mm for lowlight. I have only been using 50mm, so is that true? I am very interested in hearing this discussion.

Is the differences between 1.2 and 1.4 great enough to help you from missing some great shots? The Nokton costs more than twice as much, and is also more than twice the size. It's about half a stop difference. Does that difference justfiy the trouble?

If I have no concern between price difference of the 50mm and 40mm Nokton vs. the old Canon, which would be considered better quality for lowlight?

 

[Krosya]

there are more choices for 1.2 - 2 Hexanons 50/1.2 and 60/1.2. Both rare and very pricey lenses, yet everything I have seen from them (not much though) is superb!

 

[akptc]

For what it's worth, I've been using the CV 50/1.5 on my R-D1 and loving it but recently have been even more impressed with the Canon 50/1.2 on the same body. The way it renders colors seems more lively and the bokeh seems smoother than the (very nice in its own right) bokeh from the CV 1.5. My only complaint with the Canon 1.2 is the very narrow aperture ring which is awkward to turn with the clamp-on hood mounted.
I had the 40/1.4 but didn't like the ergonomics, otherwise a great lens.