M9/Summilux OR M8/Noctilux

[purewire]

A few weeks ago I purchased the M8.2 at a great price. Resell value on the camera has gone up quite a bit since then. I have also been saving up for a Noctilux while using a CV Nokton f1.1 to hold me over. The weight can be a burden at times but the images are great for what I want to do.

Recently I came across a used M9 at a pretty decent price as well. The condition is almost new. If I go with the M9, I will be going for a used Summilux 50mm pre-asph.

There are pros and cons to both choices. Noctilux prices are sky high these days. A summilux is an excellent lens that is much easier to carry around but not quite as "magical". What would you do?

[mabelsound]

M9/Lux. And start your savings over for a future Noct!

[Photon42]

I'd take a Summilux which can focus down to 0.7m along with the M9 - but how important is this for you? If you want a Noctilux, a Summilux won't do. If you want an M9, an M8 won't do.

[jsrockit]

Hmmm, 67.5mm Noctilux on a outdated camera or a 50mm Summilux on a up to date camera... I'll take the latter. Buy the Summilux used and use the cash saved on a Nokton.

[fates]

Get the M9 and keep the Nokton 50/1.1. With the savings you can buy a reasonably priced sports car.

[ferider]

Why would you pick a tele for the M8 when 50 obviously is your favorite FOV ?

Why not M8.2 + 35/1.2 or 40/1.4 ? Name tag ?

[purewire]

Originally Posted by ferider

Why would you pick a tele for the M8 when 50 obviously is your favorite FOV ?

Why not M8.2 + 35/1.2 or 40/1.4 ? Name tag ?

Well the intent will be to pickup the M9 in the future someday. I can live with the crop on the M8.2 until then.

[Benjamin Marks]

M9 + anything. The Noctilux is a great lens, but something of a special purpose thing. The M9 is a great camera and works really well with a wide variety of M and LTM glass. I guess I should put in the obligatory "unless you need f:1" - but really, how often do you really need f:1. In my case it is about a dozen times a year out of 10,000 frames or so.

[Pherdinand]

what would i do, i tell you what i would do, i'd get a bessa, a voigt nokton, and the whole friggin family for a nice two weeks on bora bora!

[250swb]

Originally Posted by Benjamin Marks

M9 + anything. The Noctilux is a great lens, but something of a special purpose thing. The M9 is a great camera and works really well with a wide variety of M and LTM glass. I guess I should put in the obligatory "unless you need f:1" - but really, how often do you really need f:1. In my case it is about a dozen times a year out of 10,000 frames or so.

+1, you summed everything up superbly

Steve

[outback]

No doubt: M9 + Noctilux...!!!!

[The Meaness]

Depends how much you like that 67mm fov using the nokton on the M8.2 - if you are really feeling it, maybe using the M9 will mess with your mojo. I have noticed that my go-to lenses have changed somewhat since moving from the R-D1 to the M8.

[Mister E]

Forget the Cosina glass. Get the Summilux. The latest one before ASPH. Great lens, B&H just had one last night for $1500, which is a great price. It's sharper than the Nokton, has more character and is MUCH smaller. It's perfect on my M9.

Having had the Noctilux it was amazing, but not worth the size or the 1m MFD.

[MCTuomey]

If Noctilux magic is what you must have then, yes, get one coupled to an M8. Especially if the crop factor is liveable. The M8 files may be mpx- and iso-challenged versus those of the M9, but they are still very good.

[kdemas]

I really enjoyed the Noct on the M8. Slight tele effect was an interesting perspective.

Output from the M8 is still outstanding as long as you know it's strengths and weaknesses going in.

[maddoc]

The Summilux is more than sufficient for low-light, focuses down to 0.7m and is small compared to a Noctilux. However, when you are after the "look" of the Noctilux than a Nokton or Summilux will not do... (I had sold my 50mm Summilux-M latest pre-ASPH to finance a Noctilux and never regretted the switch)

[Mister E]

I'd rather shoot an M9 with no lens than an M8 with any lens.

[maddoc]

Originally Posted by Mister E

I'd rather shoot an M9 with no lens than an M8 with any lens.

... the M9 - pinhole project !! Anybody done that ?

[deirdre]

I have an M8 and I love it to pieces, but if I had the scratch, I'd get the M9.

[LeicaTom]

Originally Posted by memphis

m9 and summilux or canon 50/1.2 ---- seems a much better choice

Yeah I second that choice.......M8.2 and a Canon f1.2/50 ~ M9's will come down in price in the next 2 years, (just like M8's did) and the Canon f1.2/50 is an amazing lens, still affordable but, I think only in a short while, they will be $1,000 + in minty condition soon, once the rest of the people shooting realize they don't need a Noctilux.........
(just a waste of good money in my personal opinion)

I have never liked the look a Noctilux gives :/

Tom

[maddoc]

I wonder what is amazing about a Canon 50/1.2 used at full aperture ... (Maybe I have only used and seen bad copies)

[Mister E]

Originally Posted by LeicaTom

Yeah I second that choice.......M8.2 and a Canon f1.2/50 ~ M9's will come down in price in the next 2 years, (just like M8's did) and the Canon f1.2/50 is an amazing lens, still affordable but, I think only in a short while, they will be $1,000 + in minty condition soon, once the rest of the people shooting realize they don't need a Noctilux.........
(just a waste of good money in my personal opinion)

I have never liked the look a Noctilux gives :/

Tom

Neither the Canon 50/1.2 nor the 50/1.1 Nokton are in the same class as the Noctilux or Summilux. It's a nice lens, but very much a substitute an equal.

[Mister E]

Originally Posted by maddoc

I wonder what is amazing about a Canon 50/1.2 used at full aperture ... (Maybe I have only used and seen bad copies)

Maybe it softness, nervous backgrounds or crummy feel?

[bizarrius]

Originally Posted by Mister E

I'd rather shoot an M9 with no lens than an M8 with any lens.

now that would be a dusty project!

[Roger Hicks]

Yet another vote for the M9. A lot more versatility for the money.

Cheers,

R.