Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Under dim lighting you gain ~ two stops with the Noctilux over the 75mm Summilux (one stop aperture and one stop assuming the Noctilux can be safely handheld at 1/60s and the Summilux at 1/125s) I think the conditions you describe are exact what the Noctilux was made for, stage or bar scenes, live events under dim lighting.
You bring up a major point that the Noct was made for this kind of setting and that cannot be argued against; but the 75 Lux, while it can't beat the speed of the Lux, does suprisingly well.
Calzone
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
The Noctilux is capable of performing amazing feats in low light. The limitation being that if it is that dark, seeing what to focus on is a problem and getting whatever you focussed on to stay still is another!
Theoretically the Noctilux can "see" in dim light about 4 times better than we can (this according to Dr Mandler - its designer). Often users are disappointed with its performance is because of "user" difficulty rather than optical performance.
We should not forget too that the Noctilux is a 35 year old design and lenses like the Hexanon 50/60 f1/2 coupled with modern film will do better.
This said, fast to super fast 50's are interesting and also challenging, but we all go through that phase and some of us stick with them - or, as in my case, I got the Nokton 35/1.2 instead.
Theoretically the Noctilux can "see" in dim light about 4 times better than we can (this according to Dr Mandler - its designer). Often users are disappointed with its performance is because of "user" difficulty rather than optical performance.
We should not forget too that the Noctilux is a 35 year old design and lenses like the Hexanon 50/60 f1/2 coupled with modern film will do better.
This said, fast to super fast 50's are interesting and also challenging, but we all go through that phase and some of us stick with them - or, as in my case, I got the Nokton 35/1.2 instead.
Superdan138
Established
The Noctilux is capable of performing amazing feats in low light. The limitation being that if it is that dark, seeing what to focus on is a problem and getting whatever you focussed on to stay still is another!
Theoretically the Noctilux can "see" in dim light about 4 times better than we can (this according to Dr Mandler - its designer). Often users are disappointed with its performance is because of "user" difficulty rather than optical performance.
We should not forget too that the Noctilux is a 35 year old design and lenses like the Hexanon 50/60 f1/2 coupled with modern film will do better.
This said, fast to super fast 50's are interesting and also challenging, but we all go through that phase and some of us stick with them - or, as in my case, I got the Nokton 35/1.2 instead.
Your replies are always wonderful to read, thanks so much for your input. How much do the Nokton 35/1.2's go for? I have a 35mm summicron now....love it....but want to experience the blur really badly....I would love to do night photography and just have it look good when its dark out and get the blur....I love street shooting at night.....
-Daniel
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
I bought the last Nocti sold on RFF simply because I wanted to give it a shot. Heard so much about them. These days I shoot much more low light than ever before. I buy a fair amount of gear, use it, keep it, or pass it on. The one I bought is 6-bit so if I ever decide to snag an M8 I'm good to go. Heavy? How much heavier than my Hasselblad and 100mm can it be? Mint, 6-bit, complete, $3.5K and change. Not bad considering new ones going for $10K.
Superdan138
Established
I bought the last Nocti sold on RFF simply because I wanted to give it a shot. Heard so much about them. These days I shoot much more low light than ever before. I buy a fair amount of gear, use it, keep it, or pass it on. The one I bought is 6-bit so if I ever decide to snag an M8 I'm good to go. Heavy? How much heavier than my Hasselblad and 100mm can it be? Mint, 6-bit, complete, $3.5K and change. Not bad considering new ones going for $10K.
YOU were the reason I wrote this thread!!!! Haha.....enjoy your new lens....send me some pics so I can drool a while longer. I really hope you have fun with it....I cant wait to find the right one. Im sure a near mint or mint one will come my way soon....for a good price in $3,000s....
-Daniel
Superdan138
Established
If you're a swirly blur freak, you might indeed enjoy the Nokton 35mm f/1.2. You can get them new for much less than a Noctilux. Search through flickr to see if you like the results. I, like many others, love the Nokton 1.2.
Very nice pictures....but theres just something about the Noctilux.....cant quite describe it....I have read all the threads of people buying and never using then selling...but I think it will be something that I constantly go to and want to keep to always have fun with....
-Daniel
gdi
Veteran
Ya but for how much? Under $4,000 for a near mint or mint one?
-Daniel
Its easy enough to check - the website lists Ex+ for $4650. If they are asking that then a similar one can be had from an individual for close to or under $4k.
Ebay BINs just aren't selling at $4500 and the most recent sale I saw was for $4000. There was even a Noctilux 1.2 that went for $5600.
The prices are a good bit lower than the peak now, maybe you should place a couple of wanted ads...
Superdan138
Established
Its easy enough to check - the website lists Ex+ for $4650. If they are asking that then a similar one can be had from an individual for close to or under $4k.
Ebay BINs just aren't selling at $4500 and the most recent sale I saw was for $4000. There was even a Noctilux 1.2 that went for $5600.
The prices are a good bit lower than the peak now, maybe you should place a couple of wanted ads...
Was hoping for $3,500 or lower....if possible....
-Daniel
Superdan138
Established
This might not help you guys, but there is one for sale about ten minutes from my place: $2800Oh, but that is in Norway
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Buy it for me....I will give you $2,850....+ shipping and you just made yourself $50 quick bucks....let me know. Whats the condition and where do I see pics? thanks...please PM me also....someone WILL snag it if you post details here :angel::angel::angel:!!!!!
-Daniel
Superdan138
Established
Also can anyone clarify this for me.....which damn model was actually made in Germany? And is there an actual 50mm f/1 lens made in Germany or is it only the 1.2 model......this is one area where I am lost on...thanks.
-Daniel
-Daniel
deepwhite
Well-known
I bought the Noctilux 9 months ago, and I'm still using with it. I just took some shots for my relatives in a gathering and they all love it.
Yet I'd like to point out that, after 9 months of using it, I kind of forgot that it's a "Noctilux"; instead it's just one of my favorite lens, that I would take out if I know what I might be shooting that day.
Yet I'd like to point out that, after 9 months of using it, I kind of forgot that it's a "Noctilux"; instead it's just one of my favorite lens, that I would take out if I know what I might be shooting that day.
Prosaic
Well-known
Personally I would like to see something like the Canon F1.2 in modern guise, new glass, new coatings and slightly smaller than either the Canon or the Noctilux. Something that could be an all-round 50 without a/ forcing you to take a mortgage and b/ not as heavy to carry.
Tom, did you ever ask Cosinas Mr. K about the chances of Voigtländer 50/1.0?
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
Yet I'd like to point out that, after 9 months of using it, I kind of forgot that it's a "Noctilux"; instead it's just one of my favorite lens, that I would take out if I know what I might be shooting that day.
I thought similarly about my 90 Cron ASPH. Once I start shooting with it I forget all about the weight and the framelines and just go for the picture.
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
Tom, did you ever ask Cosinas Mr. K about the chances of Voigtländer 50/1.0?
We need a German made Zeiss 50mm/1.2 Planar that doesnt focus shift like the Sonnar.
ampguy
Veteran
Daniel
Daniel
There's another thread on this, but I think there was a year or two in the mid '90s, and the very latest fullfilments (not humidor box versions) that say "Made in Germany" which probably means QC'd in Germany. It's not well documented.
Daniel
There's another thread on this, but I think there was a year or two in the mid '90s, and the very latest fullfilments (not humidor box versions) that say "Made in Germany" which probably means QC'd in Germany. It's not well documented.
Also can anyone clarify this for me.....which damn model was actually made in Germany? And is there an actual 50mm f/1 lens made in Germany or is it only the 1.2 model......this is one area where I am lost on...thanks.
-Daniel
peter_n
Veteran
There's one for sale on eBay ending in 3 hours. Current bid is $3,273.00.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
...Personally I would like to see something like the Canon F1.2 in modern guise, new glass, new coatings and slightly smaller than either the Canon or the Noctilux. Something that could be an all-round 50 without a/ forcing you to take a mortgage and b/ not as heavy to carry. The "signature" could be like the Nocti @ f1.0, with maybe slightly less fall-off in the corners (a bit of tunnel vision at f1.0) but have it "snap" in the smaller apertures. ...
Sounds like a nice addition for the Voigtlander wish list! Where has that thread gone anyway, I've been wanting to add this for some time now
proenca
Proenca
ffordes have one :
USED to have one.
I bought that one. Its in transit to Portugal now
maddoc
... likes film again.
Wow !! A fast increasing number of new Noctilux owners ! 
I am looking forward to see many new photos taken with that lens !!
Cheers,
Gabor
I am looking forward to see many new photos taken with that lens !!
Cheers,
Gabor
bob338
Well-known
I have been looking and looking and looking and looking! Then....just as I keep checking here everyday....a near mint condition one goes for sale....and its like $3,500 ish....thats the exact one Ive been looking for and I have cash now to buy it....but NO....it gets SOLD before I can jump on it! Where can I find a clean one for under $4,000? Sooooo frustrating!
-Daniel
here ya go...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Leica-Noctilux-...oryZ3323QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
bob
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