Long Term Noctilux Owners: Reasons why you keep your lens. [Archive]

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eleskin

10-05-2009, 18:49

There are many online who say a lot of people buy a Noctilux and only keep it for a short time, only to sell it. My thoughts are why have others kept their Noctilux. When I bought mine, I knew very well what I was getting into, and appreciate what the limits are in f1.0 photography. If used sensibly, this optic can render a unique image like no other lens for a certain specific "look" and can prove to be a keeper that one would never sell. I am one of those who will never sell.

This is open to ALL M users , Digital and Film. Why have you NOT sold your Noctilux?

nikonhswebmaster

10-05-2009, 19:02

You have taken the discussion a step further and proposed "f1.0 photography" as a genre.

I am open to thinking about it. I am not even sure about something as clear as pin-hole photography as a genre, but clearly it is considered more than a style.

maddoc

10-05-2009, 19:03

I own my Noctilux since January 2007, had it repaired and calibrated once by Leica. The lens is heavy and not easy to focus, actually it takes a lot of practice .... Also f/1.0 and the resulting shallow depth of field limits the range of subjects. But if everything fits ... then the lens can render some very nice results. :)

axiom

10-05-2009, 19:19

I need the speed.
I really do

Rayt

10-05-2009, 19:36

I have an M3 DS dedicated to one. For every Leica lens there are cheaper and as capable lenses in other brands but not the Noctilux; there is no substitute.

rodinal

10-05-2009, 20:42

fleetwoodjazz

10-05-2009, 21:39

Take a Noctilux + M7 + Neopan 1600 and you will be able to photograph anything you can see at night, handheld. No other camera/lens combination compares to this one. I love available darkness photography. I've owned my Nocti for three years now and even got a spare after the first year (irresistible price and fear to lose an extinguishing lens).

If taking handheld photo at night, I would say now the two Nokton are really "doing it" at much as the Noctilux. This is the case with you, any plan to part with your spare one :D

matt335

10-05-2009, 23:08

I haven't had mine long. It allows you to push your creative desires to another level. It is heavy, hard to use, takes a while to get accustomed but it is like no other lens I have used ever. Why would I want to sell it? No idea really. Some photog's use certain gear to improve their photography, whereas some see before they shoot with any camera. Don't buy one to improve your work, and don't sell one because it didn't improve your work. It performs beautifully from f2 to f16. When you go further past f2 to f1 it takes you into another level altogether. It allows you to create and improvise on film without after effects.

Mountainsmith

10-06-2009, 02:06

Simple.... it's unique. Many of us know why it's so unique. For those who don't know, have a look on the photos, and you tell me....

JSU

10-06-2009, 05:34

I had a Noctilux for about a year and a half, even had a dedicated M3 on which it stayed, but when my job moved from digital to film I could not justify keeping it essentially just sitting on a shelf. Other Leica pieces for which I have an emotional attachment I did just that. As such the Noctilux, 21 Elmarit-Asph and the M3 went away. I don't miss them.

But life has changed and the M8.2 is now a primary part of my photographic life. Knowing what I do about the Noctilux I have chosen not to replace it. I feel a single fast lens not as flexible for me as a few almost as fast lenses.

So now I have a 35/1.2 Nokton and a 60/1.2 Hexanon for a modern look and a 50/1.2 Canon for a vintage look. Obviously f-1.2 isn't f-1.0 but for me I manage just fine with the 1.2 lenses and I am better suited with the flexibility of three different focal lengths and imaging styles rather than a single 50mm.

I can't knock the Noct, it represents a particular look and technique that has value, more for some than others.

furcafe

10-06-2009, 06:15

Ditto. I simply do a lot of low-light photography & having f/1 increases the # of keepers. It's mostly an available darkness tool. I don't use it as a "special effects" lens for the shallow DoF (e.g., no daylight shooting w/ND filters); not that there's anything wrong w/that if that's what floats your boat, but that's not why I have a Noctilux.

Although I can certainly (& have) used it as a regular 50mm, I think the Noctilux is a specialty lens, like a fast telephoto, superwide, or macro. If you need it enough to be worth the extra money, you keep it. Per fleetwoodjazz's post, if the f/1.1 Nokton had been available back in 2002 (or the 50/1.2 M-Hexanon had been more available), I might have bought it instead; if I was rich right now, I might replace it w/the new version!

I need the speed.
I really do

Ken Shipman

10-06-2009, 06:34

Difficult to handle, but it's irresistible for me. My avatar was taken with a Noctilux.

jarski

10-06-2009, 09:02

I've hoarded quite a few M (incl. used Noctilux from -80's) & LTM lenses that havent been used very much, yet. why not used, I dont have digital body behind the lens, yet.

so, havent sold because my initial purpose of buying those lenses hasnt realized, yet :)

johnastovall

10-06-2009, 09:39

I have long been a low light photographer and the Nocti along with my Canon EF 50/1.0 let me shoot under conditions no other lenses will. Oh, and I have converted to M-mount Canon 50/0.95. I would never give up these super fast lenses.

martin s

10-06-2009, 09:48

peter_n

10-06-2009, 10:10

Simple.... it's unique. Many of us know why it's so unique. For those who don't know, have a look on the photos, and you tell me....+1. For the look of it at f1 or thereabouts, so I'm keeping it. The new one looks like a faster 50/1.4 ASPH to me.

Benjamin Marks

10-06-2009, 10:33

I like mine because it does things that no other lens does and has a look all its own. From a practical perspective, if I sold it, I'd never be able to afford to replace it either.

Ben Marks