Ne314satel wrote:
I used the 0.95 for street photography and the 1.0 only for portraits. But lately, I’ve swapped them for the Summicron 50/2 and Summarit 50/1.5. And carrying my bag has become much easier
As for the Noctilux, it hardly gets used anymore. A classic story.
nehemiahphoto wrote:
Have you considered trying the CV 50/1? It offers a lot of of the same strengths and weaknesses of the Noct’s but in a smaller cheaper package that you can drop 1k on and not 5k. Buy intelligently used and you offload it if you decide it’s not your jam.
I second this suggestion. I bought the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f1.1 (the predessor of the current f1 version) to scratch my ultra-fast 50mm itch. I enjoyed it and still use it occasionally, but learned I would likely not gotten my money's worth out of a Noctilux.
finnphotos wrote:
Perhaps the time has come to finally take the plunge on a 50mm Noctilux, either an F1.0 v3 or v4 or the F0.95. But I keep having this recurring thought that I'm insane for spending that kind of money on a lens, especially one with as many "flaws" as a Noctilux.
I've tried/owned just about every other Leica 50 and 35 except the APOs and have consistently wanted to try a Noctilux, particularly the F1.0 variant. But I worry that the lack of sharpness will leave me wanting, as I'm using it on modern digital (Leica SL3-S) as well as film (Leica MP). For film, I'm obviously less worried. But with digital, will I be disappointed? Would I be happier with a more modern lens like the 50 Summicron APO that will give me perfect sharpness? For anyone that's used a Noctilux on digital, are the results satisfying or is the lack of sharpness/contrast a distraction?...Show more →
I have the 0.95 asph, summliux v1 and v3 and had the nokton 1.0
It is what everyone is saying - if you want sharp, then the modern asph (wide open) will suit; not with old or retro versions. Past wide open, from what read and see everywhere they come basically equally sharp.
So the question is, do you want to use wide open most of the time or once in a while? maybe f1.4 is enough and gives you the dof you want/need
Note that the noct wide open has a razor thin DOF, and with close subjects missing it's easy - further away it's difficult to focus.
I like UWA, shooting wide open (razor thin dof), and contrasty B&W shots - everyone is different, and so will be the noctilux and summilux versions.
you will get sharpness at f2.0 with almost all the lenses you mention
