new Noctilux coming sometime?

[John Camp]

With the 1.33 factor in the new M8, we're about to have a 66.5 f1 (also known as the 50 Noctilux.) Talk about a great bar camera. But I wonder if Leica will do a 35mm f1 to replace the old Noctilux?

The Noctilux had the rep -- not that I have one -- of being pretty soft around the edges when shot wide open. Since wide open was about the only reason to have one (if you were planning to shoot at f4, why not save a lot of money and buy a Summilux?), soft edges had to be lived with. or maybe even enjpoyed and exploited. But with the 1.33 factor, some of those edges will be lost. Wonder how much? Is it possible the Noctilux will now be totally sharp across the frame?

JC

 

[Matthew]

I imagine it's pretty low on their list of priorities right now. How many Noctiluxes actually get sold? I know I've never even seen one in person, even in the company of twenty or thirty other Leica afficionados. Personally I have a hard enough time scraping together the money for one 50mm lens and the Nocti is just too big to be a "normal" normal lens. If I bought it I would have to have something lighter for everyday use.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

I believe it is called the CV 35/1.2 Nokton 😉

 

[John Camp]

I believe it is called the CV 35/1.2 Nokton 😉

Hmmm...and I'd fought the GAS so successfully for so long...

JC

 

[CameraQuest]

With the 1.33 factor in the new M8, we're about to have a 66.5 f1 (also known as the 50 Noctilux.) Talk about a great bar camera. But I wonder if Leica will do a 35mm f1 to replace the old Noctilux?

The Noctilux had the rep -- not that I have one -- of being pretty soft around the edges when shot wide open. Since wide open was about the only reason to have one (if you were planning to shoot at f4, why not save a lot of money and buy a Summilux?), soft edges had to be lived with. or maybe even enjpoyed and exploited. But with the 1.33 factor, some of those edges will be lost. Wonder how much? Is it possible the Noctilux will now be totally sharp across the frame?

JC

Not likely. Leica's # 1 concern is to survive in a digital world, not to invest more money in very expensive lenses with probably extremely low potential sales figures. The 50/1 Noct was born at the now sold Midland Canada plant, formery Hughes and now Rayathon. Apparently they still make the Noct glass for Leica. It would likely be a very expensive trick to get Rayathon to research and produce a new 35 Noct. The 50 Noct is a great lens. It's been around so long that most people don't appreciate it, until they blow a wad on the 50/1 EOS salad bowl.

Stephen

 

[venchka]

... The 50 Noct is a great lens. It's been around so long that most people don't appreciate it, until they blow a wad on the 50/1 EOS salad bowl.

Stephen

I love it! Thanks, Stephen, I needed a good laugh at the end of a long week!

 

[edlaurpic]

Not so fast . . .

Not so fast . . .

The Noctilux is still a fabulous lens and I expect it will be great on the M8, delivering creamy bokeh and flare-free images even with the light source directly in the frame (that, along with the extra light, is what it is known for). I hadn't considered that it might be less soft at the edges with the 1.33 crop factor, but there may be some truth in that. What I am more excited about is the fact that the M8 RF will probably be good enough to achieve excellent focus even in the close range, whereas the R-D1 only gets it right some of the time with the Noct because of its shorter RF base. Otherwise, I expect that one either won't notice the tighter frame created by the crop factor or one will like it even more beacuse of that, especially for close-up portrait use in low light. I will admit that it is one heck of a hunk of glass to carry around, but for shooting in available darkness, it can't be matched. By the way, if you are thinking of picking one up, I would recommend getting a clean copy of the original version with the removable hood. I almost traded mine for the later collapsible hood version, but I didn't like it at all (just a personal preference, I think).

 

[edlaurpic]

Not so fast . . .

Not so fast . . .

The Noctilux is still a fabulous lens and I expect it will be great on the M8, delivering creamy bokeh and flare-free images even with the light source directly in the frame (that, along with the extra light, is what it is known for). I hadn't considered that it might be less soft at the edges with the 1.33 crop factor, but there may be some truth in that. What I am excited about is the fact that the M8 RF will probably be good enough to achieve decent focus even in the close range, whereas the R-D1 only gets it right some of the time with the Noct because of its shorter RF base. I expect that one either won't notice the tighter frame created by the crop factor or one will like it even more beacuse of that, especially for close-up portrait use in low light. I will admit that it is one heck of a hunk of glass to carry around, but for shooting in available darkness, it can't be matched. By the way, if you are thinking of picking one up, I would recommend the original version with the removable hood. I almost traded mine for the later collapsible hood, but I didn't like it at all (just a personal preference, I think).

 

[peter_n]

This is a niche lens.

It is definitely niche. I understand that ownership is generally short, it takes some work to learn how to use it effectively, and perhaps it is often used with cameras that could do with a CLA. Also a lot of people don't like it's look, so they seem to turn over quite a bit. Personally I love the look of the lens but I would not carry one round on an everyday basis.

 

[Nemo]

It is niche due to the price and size.
I don't know if a redesign based on aespherical lenses would allow for a more compact and less expensive lens.
Anyway, it is more likely to see a new redesigned Summicron 50. Look at the 35/2 ASPH and 28/2,8 ASPH. They are supercompact lenses selling for the price of a Summicron 50 (aprox.). It would be easy to make an even more compact 50mm f/2 ASPH lens, at a similar price.

The next "big thing" will be the new Summicron 50 ASPH.

 

[peter_n]

I wonder about that. You already get a lesson in dermatology with a portrait from a current Summicron. How much more do we need to see?

 

[Nemo]

It is not resolution, but contrast of that resolution and uniformity of the image in the whole field.
Size and weight of the lens are additional considerations.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

I wonder about that. You already get a lesson in dermatology with a portrait from a current Summicron. How much more do we need to see?

Peter,

I want a new summicron formulation that is so sharp, it acts like a MRI or CT scan 🙂

 

[Nemo]

Peter Karbe designed a prototype of a 50/2 ASPH (1989), but the project was rejected for production (LFI, 4/2006).

 

[rvaubel]

Not likely. Leica's # 1 concern is to survive in a digital world, not to invest more money in very expensive lenses with probably extremely low potential sales figures. ....
Stephen

The M8 doesn't need any new fast glass from 35mm upwards. There are many sub F1.5's between 35mm and 85mm.

What the M8 needs is fast glass below the 28mm threshold. Not easily done.

Rex

 

[venchka]

...

The 50 Noct is a great lens. It's been around so long that most people don't appreciate it, until they blow a wad on the 50/1 EOS salad bowl.

Stephen

Speak of the Devil! Lookie Lookie

Canon EF 50mm f:1.0

Wonder what it will sell for. Probably more than a NEW Noctilux.

 

[rvaubel]

Speak of the Devil! Lookie Lookie

Canon EF 50mm f:1.0

Wonder what it will sell for. Probably more than a NEW Noctilux.

What is most amazing (for Canon) is it comes WITH a lens hood!!

Rex

 

[venchka]

The "L" glass I purchased new came with cases & hoods.

 

[EllitoGuy]

i love my noctilux-m, in fact its really the only lens that has me interested in getting the m8

 

[sreidvt]

What is most amazing (for Canon) is it comes WITH a lens hood!!

Rex

Hi Rex,

All Canon L lenses that I've owned have come with hoods.

Cheers,

Sean