Noctilux discontinued
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Krosya
Konicaze
If you think that $300 is too much for a Canon 50/1.2 in good condition - you clearly never used one, nor really know what your are missing. But than again - it's no Nocti. CV 35/1.2 may seem like a good odea as well.
But for the record - Canon 50/1.2 is a superb lens - IF it's properly adjusted and has clean glass. Took me a while to find one, but I'm glad to have it now.
Mean Panda
Established
Hexanon 50mm F1.2 is a great lens that not many people know about it or use it. Great lens for color, and outstanding in B/W IMHO. In fact, it's as sharp as the 50 Summilux ASPH. It is not cheap for a Japanese lens. But this lens is no question a very undervalued lens. You are lucky if you can get one for less $2000 now.
amateriat
We're all light!
I was speaking in terms of lens size. The performance credentials of Konica's 50 f/1.2 M-Hex are unimpeachable. But you simply can't make a 50 f/1.2 much smaller than that. You want compact, you're looking at f/1.4.
- Barrett
kevin m
Veteran
If anything, the lemming syndrome is working in the other direction. There's an unstated assumption on this forum than anything with "Leica" stamped on it is automatically "the best," and worth a premium many multiples of the very good, affordable alternatives. Having owned a few of the "ultimate" Leica lenses, including the 35 Aspherical Summilux, and the 24 Elmarit, I'd have to say that the performance advantages of those lenses are largely offset by the very nature of RF shooting: handheld, low-light, low shutter speed photography largely eliminates the small performance advantages that Leica lenses have, when they have them. And they don't always have them.
I heard nothing but negative comments about the Canon 50/1.2, but I bought one anyway, a nice minty copy, just to satisfy my curiosity. To my surprise, I find the lens to be equal to the pre-asph Summilux 50, particularly in the way it renders OOF areas.
The attached pic has some slight sharpening applied to the subject, but is otherwise unmodified. XP2, 1/30, f4.0
hlockwood
Well-known
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
If anything, the lemming syndrome is working in the other direction. There's an unstated assumption on this forum than anything with "Leica" stamped on it is automatically "the best," and worth a premium many multiples of the very good, affordable alternatives. Having owned a few of the "ultimate" Leica lenses, including the 35 Aspherical Summilux, and the 24 Elmarit, I'd have to say that the performance advantages of those lenses are largely offset by the very nature of RF shooting: handheld, low-light, low shutter speed photography largely eliminates the small performance advantages that Leica lenses have, when they have them. And they don't always have them.
I heard nothing but negative comments about the Canon 50/1.2, but I bought one anyway, a nice minty copy, just to satisfy my curiosity. To my surprise, I find the lens to be equal to the pre-asph Summilux 50, particularly in the way it renders OOF areas.
The attached pic has some slight sharpening applied to the subject, but is otherwise unmodified. XP2, 1/30, f4.0
The Lemmings syndrome happens for other gear along with the Leica stuff.
If you been on this forum long enough you will notice it.
Certain gear is lauded and becomes a must have, then falls out of fashion and something else takes its place, it the nature of the beast.
I remember when the Canon P was the rage, then Jupiter 3s, then the Canon 50/1.5 . Now it is the f.95 Canon and the pre asph 35 mil Lux, Noctilux etc.
People start threads about them, post pics with lots of Bokeh, post camera porn, are looking around to find them for purchase.
This lasts for awhile then people move on to the next great thing that is hot at that moument.
That is how things are, I accept it.
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
Kevin M, the f/4 master. 🙂
good shot
good shot
tomasis
Well-known
I can always prove that Elmar performs well.. compared to your sample, kevin
what is really your point with the picture?
Leica excels at its max aperture for most lens. None competes with Leica at max aperture! Hence steeper price when they have to give everything down to edge of glass.
what is really your point with the picture?
Leica excels at its max aperture for most lens. None competes with Leica at max aperture! Hence steeper price when they have to give everything down to edge of glass.
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Roger Hicks
Veteran
True, but only somewhat. I'd love a 'universal' lens that would give me Noctilux results at f/1 (or faster) and 'generic' results at f/5.6. After all, I normally shoot at f/5.6-f/8 OR at full aperture.
I'm really not wild about having one 50mm for f/1 and another for (let's say) f/2.5 and below...
Cheers,
R.
Tonaility
Newbie
New one on the way
New one on the way
I hear there is a new Noc on the way f0.95, also new 15mm or 18mm (can't remember) also quite fast and a new 28mm f1.4.
New one on the way
I hear there is a new Noc on the way f0.95, also new 15mm or 18mm (can't remember) also quite fast and a new 28mm f1.4.
kevin m
Veteran
That a properly functioning example of the Canon 50/1.2 offers equivalent performance to the Summilux pre-asph 50 at a given aperture.
Nonsense. The Canon 50/1.2, in my experience, is equal to the Summilux at f1.4 for less than half the cost. The Hexanon 50 is equal to the Summicron 50 for less than half the cost. The Nokton 35 is equal to the Summilux Asph 35 at about 1/4 the cost. I could go on, but how about you post a pic that illustrates the superiority of Leica lenses rather than just give your opinion. I have a few, myself, but the differences are subtle, and the fluidity of RF shooting was sacrificed to get the results.
Here's another 50/1.2 pic, this one at f1.7. Notice the backlight is much hotter than the face, yet the lens still holds detail in the shadows, but doesn't flare. Much like the Summilux 50. Except it cost $400, not $1,000.
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kevin m
Veteran
Here's another, this one at f1.2. Notice the lack of vignetting in the corners. Soft off-center, for sure, but useable. And certainly a bargain relative to the Hexanon 50/1.2, never mind the Noctilux.
MikeL
Go Fish
ampguy
Veteran
Lol!!
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kevin m
Veteran
Mike, is that the new Holgalux?! I can't tell if I'm seasick or stoned! How much, how much!? 😱
😀😀😀
😀😀😀
Krosya
Konicaze
Maybe - but some come pretty close wide open and at a fraction of a price.
Here is a Canon 50/1.2 wide open :
And here are a couple stopped down to f4:
So, while I wouldn't mind to have a Noctilux - Canon 50mm/1.2 does pretty well for me.
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Krosya
Konicaze
Here is another - wide open Canon 50/1.2:
and another - focus a bit off - my fault, not the lens:
Larger versions of these photos are at the "my photos" link below.
and another - focus a bit off - my fault, not the lens:
Larger versions of these photos are at the "my photos" link below.
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Ororaro
Well-known
Hey, whaddaya know! A "Canon 50 1.2 is better then the overrated Noctilux" conversation! I knew it would be back sooner or later...
Krosya
Konicaze
I don't think anyone says it's better - but rather very close, and is a good alternative.
