Leica Noctilux 50mm f0.95 ASPH M – A Nocturne

If I bear in mind appropriately, I briefly held this lens in Sydney 2011 Photokina. Good outdated days when there weren’t too many product releases, and every excited you. Noctilux is like Mount Everest for each Leica lover, the holy grail. We climbers attain the bottom camp with the Summilux, and we’re all ready for the appropriate second to climb the highest with no sherpa. It’s important to strive it as soon as to really feel the ability. You don’t have to purchase it, simply carry your spouse or girlfriend to an area supplier and do that lens. Present them the image. I’m assured they are going to prefer it.

50mm is my favorite focal size. I nearly purchased this lens by buying and selling within the Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 ASPH reissue to an area supplier. However I walked out of the shop with no 0.95 as a result of that replicate suffered a front-focusing difficulty. I stored trying to find one other copy in Hong Kong; a duplicate that focuses precisely will suffice. Because of my good buddy Andrew for letting me strive his lens. Now I do know what’s so magical about this lens.

shot with Reflx Lab 800T

A Heavy Loaded Summilux

A regular bottle of Chardonnay, comprises 750ml. This Noctilux weighs 700g! So you may think about your self holding a bottle of wine on the road to hunt some pretty images. It needs to be rather less heavy than that as a result of the bottle additionally provides further weight to the wine. As a earlier proprietor of Pentax 67, it is sort of a kettlebell. Actually, it’s like bicep coaching. This Noctilux might be like a small dumbbell that that you must think about if this issues as a result of it would make your forearm greater ultimately.

Noctilux f0.95 is a Leica Summilux 50mm f/1.4 ASPH in enhance mode. It has a most high-speed aperture of f/0.95. Glorious pop and bokeh, creamy depth of area with the clean-cut however not razor-cut just like the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f1.0 ASPH. It has floating component methods to enhance efficiency in any respect distances. It has a minimal focusing distance of 1m. In contrast to its little brother, I want this Noctilux might focus at 0.7m.

The Dimension that Issues

How does it really feel like holding a Noctilux in your hand? After I received into the infinite Leica world, all 35mm lenses regarded small. Nearly all the pieces is sort of a miniature in comparison with the chunky DSLR lenses. Utilizing the Noctilux 50/0.95 is like mounting a Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM in your Leica physique. In case you don’t relate to how massive that’s, open the fridge and discover your favorite peanut butter, which is roughly the dimensions.

Regardless of its dimension and weight, it appears to be like extra good-looking than the cheaper different TTArtisan 50mm f/0.95 by way of the lens proportion, entrance rim, aperture ring and the design of the focusing barrel. However I all the time suppose the black anodised paint isn’t sturdy on any Leica M lenses. After heavy utilization, there might be some indicators of silver patina. 

It takes a 60mm filter, which is a novel dimension. I exploit a size-down adapter to share color filters with different 62mm filters. ND 2x, 3x or 6x is helpful if you wish to shoot large open in the course of the day.

Character and Image High quality

It’s an identical to the Summilux 50mm ASPH. You’ll love this lens for those who just like the Lux. After I realized how one can paint my drawing, my trainer would ask me to combine the unique and add different colors to make it look nicer. Capturing Noctilux large open is rather like getting one of the best color you may. Evaluate to Noctilux 50mm f1. It has extra distinction and a barely higher purple fringe efficiency at large open. The richness and creaminess will make you neglect how heavy the peanut butter jar is holding in your hand.

0.95 on B&W Damaging Movie

shot with Fujifilm Acros II 100

shot with Fujifilm Acros II 100

Digital Efficiency

Noctilux Variations

There are a number of variations. Let me checklist out all right here in your reference.

1. Leica Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 ASPH
2. Leica Noctilux 50mm f/1.0 E58 V1 (pin hood)
3. Leica Noctilux 50mm f/1.0 E60 V2 (pin hood)
4. Leica Noctilux 50mm f/1.0 E60 V3 (clip on hood)
5. Leica Noctilux 50mm f/1.0 E60 V4 (inside hood)
6. Leica Noctilux 50mm f/0.95
7. Leica Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 ASPH Reissue
8. Leica Noctilux 75mm f/1.25 ASPH

Options at f/0.95

1. Canon 50mm f/0.95 convert to M mount
2. Angenieux M1 50mm f/0.95
3. TTArtisan 50mm f/0.95
4. ZhongYi 50mm f/0.95
5. SLR Magic Hyperprime LM 50mm T/0.95

Viewfinder Blockage

It has a sliding hood, which appears to be like good and neat for each sensible photographer. However be careful in case your hood extends and also you grasp the digicam in your shoulder. The hood might bend for those who knock one thing.

On the M3, it blocks nearly half of the decrease proper viewfinder, together with the frameline. It’ll block much less for those who mount it on a 0.72x finder reminiscent of M6 or MP.

Focusing ideas: Use a magnifier 1.25x in your MP or apply it to an M3. Then you’ll improve the hit price. And attempt to have each eyes open to test what’s in your decrease proper nook for composition.

Why do I would like a Noctilux 0.95?

It really works exceptionally properly as a portrait lens. Some feminine pals are impressed that the lens smoothens their pores and skin and makes them look prettier. Additionally, for those who just like the spatial feeling of medium format or massive format cameras, this lens might simulate the look of a skinny depth of area separating your topic from the background. Additionally, one other review I learn talked about it’s a nice lens to create artwork, and I couldn’t agree extra. It’s a lens properly suited to individuals who need to do inventive work and seize the world in a 0.95 spectrum.

Distinction between a Noctilux f/0.95 and an f/1.0

Sharpness and Bokeh

I’ve tried a number of copies and variations of the Noctilux f1. The 0.95 is way sharper at large open; the definition is extra express, which means extra 3D pop. Additionally, the bokeh has a extra dramatic fall off the sting. Noctilux f1 has gradual and refined bokeh form modifications from cat eyes to smaller ones. It has minimal barrel distortion and higher flare efficiency than the f1. If you’d like further sharpness and clear photos, go for the 0.95.

Try the bokeh comparability with different quick lenses – HERE.

captured with Leica M10-P

What to look out for if you’re eyeing a Noctilux 0.95?

Focusing: take a look at the lens with an object like a water bottle to see if the main target level is appropriate. When the main target is true, the bottle cap needs to be fairly sharp with particulars. Whether it is barely blurred out, you progress it to the facet and shoot at a forty five diploma to see how entrance or back-focused it’s. Native repairman typically can not repair it with the floating component lenses that want particular gear to align.

Verify the copy fastidiously before you purchase.

Aperture ring: Be careful aperture ring that’s too unfastened as a result of you’ll by chance flip it with fats fingers.

Variations: Early model doesn’t include a metallic entrance cap and for those who want to have that good metallic cap, search for a later batch.

Versus Different Extremely-fast Lenses

Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f1 ASPH VM

Voigtlander inherited a cooler color tone. It’s sharper than the 0.95 and extra medical just like the Summilux 50 ASPH.

Canon 50mm f0.95 

The Noctilux f0.95 has extra stable and outline photos, not dreamy, clear and sharp. In case you like a lens with softer photos, flaws and flare, go for the Canon.

Ideas

I’m completely happy and glad with my Noctilux f1 E58. I’ll make one of the best out of that lens. I would want to attend for my GAS to kick in to start out trying on the 0.95 once more. Leica launched Noctilux 75mm f1.25 ASPH, which improved its wide-open efficiency. I’m curious if Leica goes to replace this 0.95. Please make it focus right down to 0.7m and barely compact or light-weight just like the Voigtlander 50mm f1.

Hood prolonged

shot with Reflx Lab 800T

In regards to the Creator

Anson Tang is a movie fanatic based mostly in Hong Kong, with robust ardour for road and movie images. By means of his web site Tahusa, he showcases his work, shares tutorials, and connects different photographers and digicam fanatics. Apart from his web site, make certain to comply with him on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for extra of his work. This text was additionally revealed here and shared with permission.