Noct or 35mm F2 asph.

[qruyk12]

Hello all, looking at consolidating and shrinking my Leica gear. Here is my question. I have a 35mm asph f2 and a 90mm elmarit M 2.8 and I want really just one lens. I use the 90 and 35 about equally.

Would the Noct be a good all around lens? I dont care about weight or size issues.

I am planning on buying the Panasonic GH1 when it comes out and use my Leica glass on it as well.

 

[Tim Gray]

I'd say no. I think the 50 ASPH Summilux is a better all around lens. More importantly, you use both 90 and 35 a lot, do you think you'll actually be happy with a 50 to replace both?

Note - I assume you're talking about the Noctilux. If something like the CV 35/1.2 Nokton, then that might be a better all around lens...

 

[Calzone]

How much do you like that 35/2 ASPH? If you like and enjoy the FL, consider eventually upgrading to the 35/1.4 ASPH.

Although, you mention that size and weight is not an issue for you, it is still an advantage; and, for me its the major point of one body/one lense every day carry.

Not sure if the shallow DOF available on the Noct is worth the premium in price and weight.

Good luck.

Calzone

 

[Pierre-Christian H]

Have you considered a Nokton f1.2 and Epson RD combo?

 

[Livesteamer]

I also would vote for the 50mm Summilux ASPH. I use it for about 90% of my work. I have the older Noctilux and would not consider using it as my main lens. As you know it is big and heavy, it blocks part of the finder. Optically it is no match for the Summilux ASPH and it's price makes me very careful about when and where I use it. I get out the Noctilux only when I really need that f1.0 and then there is nothing else like it. Joe

 

[peter_n]

If you're using a 35 and a 90 then paring down to a 50mm FL seems to make sense. I would agree with the above, the 50/1.4 ASPH is a brilliant lens, but so is the immediately preceding lens the v.3 pre-ASPH with the 0.7M closest focus.

 

[Rafael]

I would ask why you really want only one lens. You've said that you don't care about weight and size. Have you always wanted a Noctilux but can only afford one if you sell the other two lenses? In other words, is your desire to move to one lens more aimed at getting a particular lens or do you actually only want one lens (i.e. after making this change, you would not look to buy another lens even if you could afford one)? If the latter, have you considered whether an interchangeable lens rangefinder system is really the best option for your needs/wants? A clear answer to the question of why you only want one lens might be helpful for answering the question of which lens to get.

 

[maddoc]

50mm is my favorite focal length, I have the Noctilux (if "Noct" is the Noctilux ?) and use it for ~ 80% of my photography. In real life photography, at f/2.0 and lower it is as sharp the older versions - before the actual - 50mm Summicron-M (but not from MTF charts or brickwall test shots) at f/1.4 it is better than the 50mm Summilux-M pre-ASPH (I owned that lens) and at f/1.0 there is no comparison (exept the new 50/0.95 ASPH) . The 50mm Summilux-ASPH is superior but not everbodies taste...

If weight, minimum focus distance of 1m, and size are not a problem it is a very good allround performing lens. There are some photographers who don't use anything else than the Noctilux with their Leica (have a look at flickr) but I prefer to switch to either the 21/3.4 or 35/1.4 pre-ASPH from time to time.

 

[Tim Gray]

Good point that I forgot to make that was kind of stated by others - and a very important one to me. The Noctilux only focuses down to 1m. When only using one lens, I find that a big limitation and really want .7m as a minimum focus distance. Another reason why the 50 Asph (or the preceding Summilux) would be a better choice in my mind.

 

[qruyk12]

why one lens??

why one lens??

Well i came from the world of GSW690III as well as earlier versions of this camera so fixed lens is just burned into my head. I just like the idea of having something betweem the 35 and 90 on my Leica and now I am tossed between the 50mm Summilux and the Noctulix after reading these posts.

 

[Tim Gray]

Well the Summilux (ASPH) is awesome. Not to big, sharp, fast, built in hood. It loses a stop compared the Noctilux, but is cheaper, sharper, smaller, easier to focus, focuses closer, etc. I know that's not everything, but it's much more of a sensible everyday lens to me.

With 400 film (or even 3200) I find that it's fast enough too.

 

[thomasw_]

Ok, assuming the 50mm lens will meet your RF photographic requirements. It is apparent that you will need an all-round lens. If you can afford it, many RF users would agree that the best all-round 50mm lens on the market today is the Summilux 50/1,4 ASPH. With a close focus of ,7 m portraiture is not a problem; and a versatile 50mm can work as a portrait lens. Take a look at some lens signatures on the flickr M-mount group for some comparison/contrast. If I had to choose between the summilux 50/1,4 ASPH and the modern Noctilux 50/.95, in the sense that I could only have one of them, i'd get the Summilux as it is a better all-rounder. Even though it is a stop slower, it is still remarkable in low light situations; and with fast film in B+W, I haven't encountered a situation yet where f1,4 didn't get me an image.

 

[Rafael]

Well i came from the world of GSW690III as well as earlier versions of this camera so fixed lens is just burned into my head. I just like the idea of having something betweem the 35 and 90 on my Leica and now I am tossed between the 50mm Summilux and the Noctulix after reading these posts.

In that case, if you can afford the 50/1.4 ASPH, I would join the chorus of support for that choice. While I do really like some of the Noctilux images I have seen, I would not want one as my only 50mm lens on account of the vignetting which, while it can be used to great effect, is not, at least in my opinion, always desirable and, therefore, is not a quality that I would look for in an "all-purpose" lens.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

... I have a 35mm Asph f2 and a 90mm Elmarit M 2.8 ... I use the 90 and 35 about equally. I am planning on buying the Panasonic GH1 when it comes out and use my Leica glass on it as well.

Your assertion that you use the 35 and 90 equally, to me, says it all. Paring down to a 50 will only frustrate you, being either too long, when you would normally use a 35, or too short, when you would normally use a 90.

IIRC, the GH1 has an effective 2:1 crop factor (your 35 will suddenly become like a 70), which will only enhance your frustration when you really want something wider.

Further, if weight and size really are not a problem for you, then carrying a second lens around should not be an issue.

Solution: Be happy with what you have.