First, this was a great review. You covered every aspect of this lens that I could want. Second, unlike many other photography vloggers your photos are really good - you're clearly a photographer first and a vlogger second. I appreciate that. And, third, I LOVE how you show the original image and then transition to your edit. So good! It definitely led me to look at your presets, but also it feels like I'm on a journey with you and helps me understand not just how you shoot, but how you got to the final image. Keep up the great work!
I used the Noctilux 0.95 for nearly 10 years for wedding and portrait photography. For this kind of usage it was glued to my M9, M10 and M11. But this year there came point when I was bored by the look of it. I never used 35mm lens from Leica. So I tried the 35mm Summilux and the APO. At the end I have chosen the the 35mm APO M and it's my new companion ever since. I have sold the 50mm Noctilux, because I also have the 75mm Noctilux. You have covered everything one needs to know about this lens. Nice artistic review!
I must say, I LOVE this channel!!! Great review that helped me like no other review I've seen up to date. Precise, interesting, to the point and helpful. THANK YOU!
I am fortunate to have this lens and Oli’s review and comments are spot on. Refreshing and insightful he describes the character of this lens accurately.
@@oliscurra you’re welcome. Yes I do. Going to take it out more on the SL2. Had a break from street photography but went out in London’s west end and Soho last week at night with my 35mm Summilux, and got a few keepers. Going to do the same soon with the Noct 👍🏼⭐️😎
Even as a beginner photographer I am amazed about the practical information about photographie in this video! Most beautiful lens review I‘ve ever watched, very nicely done, beautiful pictures as well! Can‘t wait for your next video! Also it was so engaging, like an entertaining movie😉Thank you very much!! You are extremely talented. 🤩
Hey man, this video was so well put together. The photos, video, knowledge, story telling and your cuts are great. Thanks for the video. I can’t wait to try one of these out 🤙🏼🤙🏼
Hey Hunter super dope of you to comment and thanks for the kind words. I appreciate it & to be honest, it makes the effort absolutely worth it. I am glad you liked the video. 👍 What camera are you shooting?
@@hunterhart1 Oooooh the GFX!!! I owned the GFX50-R. I can say with certainty, it was the best sensor I've ever shot. I'm pretty certain. Fuji know how to make good cameras. Other than their slaughtering of one film stock after another, I think they really listen to their users too, which is pretty cool.
hej olivier, very well made video about a very well made lens! both on an M7 and the SL2S it‘s so fun to use. i really enjoyed the „before & after“ presentation of your photos. makes the review much more honest imo. shoutout to switzerland from cologne.
@@oliscurra trust me, this is not the place. after all it is about the photo. 🙂 but yes, the tool that makes you want to photograph plays a crucial role.
You can get bokeh with a very fast lens. To get Noctilux bokeh, you need a Noctilux. I am a professional photographer; I use it for work, and the price is more than justified. I have the 1.0 Noct and never regretted the money I spent.
Hi Oli! Great video again. I don’t know or maybe I don’t want to choose the Persona I am for having the noctilux. The fact is that all your description is perfect and beside the whole amazing quality of the lens, the challenge of getting this gorgeous images is addicting. I would like tomtrynte 75mm someday to see if it’s at the same magic level of the 50mm.
Hi Fernando, thank you. I am glad you liked it. 🙂 I am sure there are many more personas I am certain that would fit to buy the noctilux. The 75mm Nocti would be a very cool lens to try. Although, I own the 75mm summilx. Probably the best portrait lens I've ever owned. Mändler design great focal length, incredible character. I will do a review on it this year. 🙂 What's your goto camera + lens setup?
@@oliscurra I'm now in love with my SL2-S with M Lenses. I have an 80s 75mm Summilux that I love. The look and feel of it are something out of this world, and it looks so nice in the SL2-S. I think they were made for each other. I'm really anxious to watch your review of it. Have a good one.
Oli!!! Awesome video. AWESOME! Style. Content. Production. Presentation. AWESOME!!! Really enjoyed it. I actually watched it three times in a row just off pure entertainment value. WRT the character traits of potential buyers of this lens, I'm a combo of two of the three. "Money bags Jack" -- because I'm a SERIOUS hobbyist. "Good deal Neal" this lens can be had in different markets for different prices brand new. Japan, where I work and live live is INSANELY expensive when we talk about Leica. The good old U.S. of A. is a bit cheaper. But HK!. Hong Kong will save the buyer considerably more money. As for Jill and all that tech mumbo jumbo -- NOT! But Oli again, thank for this video. I have enjoyed your channel for a while now, but this one was special. Be Blessed, "Doc Chaps" PS: I own this lens and the 75 1.25. And like this video -- AWESOME!
Hey Chaps!!! I gotta say.. THANK YOU SO MUCH, for the kind words and the feedback. You're one of the first viewers of my channel and I'm glad every time I see a comment from you. 🤓 I am thrilled that you enjoyed the video. A lot of effort went into it, including starting from scratch after I was 50% through. It's awesome you found yourself in a mix of the personas. 🙂 It's a lens that is so expensive it's difficult to recommend to buy or not, so I figured I'd rather describe a few of the people I know (myself included) who've bought the lens. I'm not sure if I've asked you before, but are your photos online somewhere? I'd love to look at them. Maybe see if I can spot the 75 noct as well. I think it must be a very special lens. I own the 75mm summi and it's my favourite portrait lens hands down in terms of character. God bless dude. I hope you're well. PS: Now I've got a reason to travel to Hong Kong & Japan soon. 🙂
@@oliscurra I’m flattered that a photographer of your caliber would be interested in my modest efforts but I’m happy to share. I forwarded my website info. Please share your thoughts. Thank you again for your kind words and your informative content. Be Blessed, “Doc Chaps” PS: At one time I owned all of the APO glass with the exception of the new 35. Like you, my favorite was the 75. So much so, that I’m eyeing a used one to shoot exclusively on my MP. Peace!
Well-done! I cannot justify buying a Noctilux 50mm f/0.95; that “financial window” closed in 2022, but I am glad that such optical marvels exist. I was blessed to start using the Leica M system in 2018, with a pre-owned Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, and a new M10, a post-retirement self-gift, a project to re-learn how to want to photograph anything to do with people, people, after 7+ years of evidentiary/forensic/crime scene photography. I continue to believe that I “started at the top,” with the Summilux. In 2022, I added a pre-owned APO Summicron-M 75mm ASPH, which I see as an equal to my Summilux, and about as large and heavy as I would want to use on an M camera. My internal “Jill the Connoisseur” would certainly appreciate the occasional photo excursion, with a Noctilux. 😉
I hear ya Rex. To this day I can't believe the "Good Deal Neal" moment I had with the lens. I've often been in two minds about it. Sell it... because I'm not made of the kind of money to own a lens like this. Keep it because...because I'm not made of the kind of money to own a lens like this, but the deal was so sweet that I could afford it. I will spend a lot more time shooting it this year to see if I can get more mileage out of it or not. I hear soooo many good things about the Summilux 50mm ASPH. It's basically the same signature as the Noctilux if shot at 1.4 for less money & especially weight. Got the same quirks too in terms, especially in harsh sunlight. 2-part question for you: 1. Do you have some of your portraits online? 2. How does photographing crime scenes translate into or influence the photography you normally take? 🤓 Cheers, Oli
@@oliscurra 1. I have very few images posted on-line, none of them portraits. 2. Crime scene and evidentiary images are artless, with the subject centered, and as much in-focus as possible. I did have to learn how to get everything right, in-camera, because I was not allowed to edit or post-process. As I became more confident, I would coach some of the family violence victims to present themselves in an empowering way. Photographing a victim of domestic violence is a very intimate, very empathetic experience. For a while, I had concentrated on photographing flowers, birds, and cute animals, during my personal time, as an antidote to the toxicity of the public servant environment. I might have spent about $13K US on a 600mm f/4 “super telephoto” lens, as a post-retirement self-gift, but, I had injured my left shoulder, so, would not be using such a huge lens, for while. That enabled me to spend a lesser amount on the Summilux 50 ASPH and M10. (This was a time when a New M10 still cost less than $7K US.)
@@oliscurra Both the Noctilux f/0.95 and the Summilux ASPH are Peter Karbe designs, and, based upon images I have seen on-line, much like each other, in rendering, but not, of course, identical. If a Noctilux had become part of my “brand,” I would not be too quick to sell or trade it. I would, at least, try to borrow or rent the potential successor. When I see your lovely images, I am seeing your style, your brand. If a Summilux can do that for you, then it is good to know that. If you need your Noctilux to create such work, then it is good, and vitally important, to know that, too. Notably, a reason that decided not to add a Noctilux f/0.95 lens, is because I would have to use it on M cameras. If I had an SL-series camera, I might well have decided to buy the relatively big, heavy Noctilux. Another thing to consider: Your Summilux-M 75mm lens is a Walter Mandler design. One of the f/1 Noctilux lenses, designed by Walter Mandler, might better fit what you want to see in your images. (I have not checked prices on these lenses, for some time. Some versions of the f/1 Noctilux are more collectible than others.) I have test-shot a Summilux-M 75mm lens, locally. Lovely images! It front-focused, to a bothersome degree, however, so, I did not buy it. Well, I am “talking” too much. I had better start watering my wife’s plants. 🙂
Having shot with the Noctilux a couple of times, I really enjoyed this video! Very well produced and lots of sample images. When it comes to personas, I squarely fall in the camp of mega deal seeker :-). If I would ever be able to get one, it would live on my camera, because like you said you need to practice and shoot with it often. The SL series seems like the best option, balance and size wise. Although I do really like the results with a film M body. Looking forward to part 2 of this review!
Thank you mate, I am glad you enjoyed it and yeah man, I am totally with you in terms of the deal seeker and for a lens like the Noctilux, you used the absolutely most accurate word ever: "MEGA". Because to buy that lens it's gotta be a mega deal. Truth be told I'm currently playing around with whether I want to sell it or not. It simply doesn't see enough time on my cameras at the moment. Maybe it's time to get that part 2 of the video which focusses on the images made by it rolling so that I can really think it through. This is the kind of lens that for a guy like me, I only buy once. To find the deal I had with it before is a rare occasion. 🙂
Truly great video review of this lens. I’m buying it for the Nikon Z9……I can’t believe how fluidly you covered every aspect of this lens from personal taste to real world applications to the ‘I MUST have it’ mentality of the human mind. In my case I finally have the funds to pull the trigger on this lens, which is why I ended up here…… but I hope I don’t shoot myself in the foot accidentally, $14,474 after taxes is a lot of pain…… but so worth it. Your video did provide a get out clause in the sense that I do fit the profile of someone who just wants to own it to ‘see what all the fuss is all about’ and I could care less about the price tag.
Great review! I had two of them and sold them, because for my type of shooting where the focus area is mostly of center I don't like the falloff of sharpness. This said, I kept the Nocti 1.0 for some sentimental reasons. The difference between the 0.95 and the 1.0 is that the 1.0 starts to shine from 3-10 M distance, while the 0.95 is sharp over the whole focus range. The bokeh is also a bit more soft on the 1.0
It sure is, but when it work…. 🤩 What do you shoot it on? PS: Just finishing up an edit on a similar lens. Its design was based on the original F1 Noctilux. Keep a look out. Most likely will drop today or tomorrow.
Aren't you surprised though at how many keepers one can actually have at f/0.95 when the range finder is calibrated properly? At that aperture... one should be missing a lot more. 🙂 To this day, I sometimes look at my m files and think "wow... I can't believe I nailed the focus". 🤓
Thanks oli! Really enjoy the informative flows bout the lens, i own one too for few years now and i have to agree with you with everything you have to say… subs to get into the second part!
Thank you Riswan for the kind words. What's one of your favourite characteristics about your nocti? PS: I'd love to see your work. Drop your social in the comment. 👍🏾
Dear Oli, do you have a video on how your process your files. I see the transition from the image out of the camera to the final image you've made after processing, which blow my mind how wonderful they look. If you ever make a video on how your process your photos, I'll be the first in line to watch!
I've got quite a few videos in the pipeline at the moment. But I can do something on post processing soon. In general though I've put all my post processing experience into my presets. Do you have your photos online?
@@oliscurra I don't have any photos online yet; Even though I've taking many photos, I am just starting to learn how to make better photos and how to be a skilled photographer! When I feel like I've got something worthy of posting, I will start to post. BTW, I will definitely check out your presets on your website. Again, thank you for being awesome. I really am learning a lot from this GREAT channel. Much respect.
@@baharam98 Don't be discouraged from post Bah. Even if it is not where you want to be as a photographer yet. The act of posting will make your a better photographer. A difficult lesson for some personality types to learn, at least those who share mine. I find it difficult to post but the truth is, it is better to post than not. Can't wait to see your work and keep at it. PS What's your camera setup like?
@@oliscurra Thanks Oli, this is great advice. You are absolutely right. I will gather some of my good photos and start to post soon. I will provide a link once it's done by posting a reply here. (Camera setup is M11; M-P typ 240; SL@-s; and also: Really enjoying your excellent content...)
Great vid! I just put up mine for sale but now when I tried it again today because of your video, I regretted it. It is a lovely lens. Heavy and cumbersome but lovely. Some of the best shots I made, I made with that lens.
Great video! Thoroughly enjoyed it very informative and great pictures! See if Leica can loan you the 75mm noctilux for review! That would be interesting too!!
Once more a beautiful video oli. I am not interestet in a noctilux but I love the Pictures you and other skilled photographers took with it. peace and love
I have Shot with the Noct and own the Voigtlander 50mm f1. Yes the F1 is sharper, BUT for me, it’s NOT better. For me, better is the more artistic Noct. The F1 looks too modern and clean for me. No magic in it.
I have the 50 0.95 and love the pictures along with the M11. But. Weight - god, every time I go for a walk I think I'll take the 35mm 1.4. Noct 50 0.95 - this is definitely not always with you. For portraits it is wonderful, for street photography it is too heavy and 0.95 is almost never used in street photography due to manual focus.
Truth be told some persons will not consider a vacation or a shoot without having it with them even if it’s stuck to a b cam because another lens makes more sense on the a cam. I shot it a lot for the review and this trend continues, but more to make that decision of whether it’s time to part with it or to keep it around still.
@@mwales2112 Zeiss does magic with their lenses. Never shot the planar, but I own the sonnar. You just know, this company knows how to make good glass...
Hi Ross, Is the fringing as extreme on the Voigtländer 50 1.2 as on the noctilux? The nocti is pretty nuts tbh. I’m hoping to try out some of the Nocti alternatives this year, and the one you’ve got seems to be recommended by a lot of people.
@@oliscurra Oli, I have the 50mm f1 vm, it’s sharper with less fringing. But too modern looking for me. The size of the vm on my M-A is just gorgeous. I love it for film. I prefer the Noct on Digital though.
I have not but I certainly would like to. Specifically the V3 lens to be honest. Must say though, I don’t think of lenses in terms of better or worse. More in the sense of do I like the look or not. What lenses are you shooting mainly?
@@oliscurra I mainly shoot with 35 lux non fle. really love the tone. Now i want to choose only one version of Noct 50mm to my collection. I am thinking whether f1 V1 or 0.95
@@oliscurra I‘ve watched reviews which claimed it achieves full sensor coverage, just with a bit of vignetting. The only medium format cams I own are a Hasselblad H2D-39 and a Fuji GX680 with a digi back, and if I remember right their sensors are a bit bigger than the X1D‘s, means even if I had noctilux 0.95 kinda money, I couldn‘t check. But I love this topic. And now I‘m curious, are you talking about a vignette or actual missing parts of the image circle? Btw, very well done review, please keep going in this direction, that’s super interesting.
Right?? You'd think for that kinda money, it'd be sorted. 🙂 Honestly, my eyes were blind to purple fringing for a while and since I did this review, it can no longer be unseen. Not just with the nocti. 🫣
@@oliscurra I’m still trying to figure that out, mostly 28mm travel… but so tired of the clinical look of so many photographers today. I think that’s why I’m looking for something with a ton of character in 35 or 50mm…
@TedConn If you’re shooting digital, then I would recommend checking out the zeiss c sonnar t* 1.5/50 zm. Tons of old school character and doesn’t destroy the bank.
@@oliscurra Yes Voigtlander would definitely fit to your channel and the way use your gear. They make some great character lenses for the m-mount. The new 35mm 1.5 is also really great 👍🏼 VL lenses are certainly not better than Leica... But also not worse. Bit of their own magic with a Leica twist (and not hand made so a bit friendlier to you bank account 😁)
@@mauricerijnders3507 I can only second that. My first M lens was the Voigtländer 35mm sc (a lens I love so much I bought it a 2nd time after I gifted it to a friend with my old Voigtländer Bessa R3M). And the Voigtländer 21mm 1.8 which is just such an awesome lens. What are your goto lenses?
@@oliscurra I am 54 years old and was happy with every innovation that made making photo’s easier over the last 35 years. Shortly after buying the Sony A1 with GM lenses I went back to Leica. Shooting Sony completely takes the fun out of photography (point and shoot copying your environment). It is not just about the end result but also about the journey and… When you take a different route towards this end result you may see different things ;) I am now using camera’s that I like to use and without features that have nothing to do with photography in my opinion. For me that’s Leica (or Fuji if you don’t want to spend L-money). My favorite go to gear is the M11 with te Voigtlanders 50mm f1.0, 35mm f1.5 and the 75mm f1.5 (+ view finder ;) and the SL2-s for the same reasons you use this camera. Cool channel ✨👌🏼
$21,000 Australia dollars here in Australia and you can’t even sold it half price you paid . No one buy them anymore even at half price because many good Chinese lens brand new cost 1/20 of Leica noctilux and theirs quality like 95% of this noctilux . I owned both Leica noctilux 50mm 0.95 and TT artisan 50mm 0.95 . Many of these noctilux on sale for around $9000.00 aud in Australia and for months they still can not sale . Reality check! For 5% better or less you paid $20,000 dollars more is hard to swallow .
Dtroix you bring up a very interesting lens. The ZM Sonnar is such an awesome lens that I’d hesitate to associate “poor man’s” with it but I understand what you mean. It belongs in my top 5 of favourite lenses. Character for days… Focussing distance is a tad long but otherwise… it’s a magical lens. 🤩 Which 50 or 50’s do you generally rock?
@OlivierSM leica summarit f2.5 for every day use. Canon 50mm f1.5 ltm for old classic look. For potraits and people zm sonnar. For objects and still life canon 50mm f1.8 ltm. For realy dreamy like zack snyder's army of the dead look canon 50mm f1.2 ltm.
😬 Poor man buys Fujifilm with Chinese 7artisans 0.95 35mm or 50mm and has also a lot of vignetting and purple fringing and probably much more creaminess too 😬
@christians.9058 Good thing the cost of a camera’s got nothing to do with the wuality of the photographer, no? Some of my favourite photos are shot on a 50 franc (basically usd), film camera. PS: Never shot the T20, but the E1’s top notch. 👍
Not a very nice comment after I put a lot of effort into creating this video. A shame. You might be the kind of person who has a lot of knowledge about photography but not the manner in which to discourse.
Truly great video review of this lens. I’m buying it for the Nikon Z9……I can’t believe how fluidly you covered every aspect of this lens from personal taste to real world applications to the ‘I MUST have it’ mentality of the human mind. In my case I finally have the funds to pull the trigger on this lens, which is why I ended up here…… but I hope I don’t shoot myself in the foot accidentally, $14,474 after taxes is a lot of pain…… but so worth it. Your video did provide a get out clause in the sense that I do fit the profile of someone who just wants to own it to ‘see what all the fuss is all about’ and I could care less about the price tag.
![[UA] Team Vitality проти NAVI | IEM Cologne 2024](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wttO1zVRTC0/mqdefault.jpg)
First, this was a great review. You covered every aspect of this lens that I could want. Second, unlike many other photography vloggers your photos are really good - you're clearly a photographer first and a vlogger second. I appreciate that. And, third, I LOVE how you show the original image and then transition to your edit. So good! It definitely led me to look at your presets, but also it feels like I'm on a journey with you and helps me understand not just how you shoot, but how you got to the final image. Keep up the great work!
Hi mnachbar, thank you very much for your kind words and I am glad you liked the video. What does your camera setup look like?
I used the Noctilux 0.95 for nearly 10 years for wedding and portrait photography. For this kind of usage it was glued to my M9, M10 and M11. But this year there came point when I was bored by the look of it. I never used 35mm lens from Leica. So I tried the 35mm Summilux and the APO. At the end I have chosen the the 35mm APO M and it's my new companion ever since. I have sold the 50mm Noctilux, because I also have the 75mm Noctilux. You have covered everything one needs to know about this lens. Nice artistic review!
I must say, I LOVE this channel!!! Great review that helped me like no other review I've seen up to date. Precise, interesting, to the point and helpful. THANK YOU!
Thank you very much Bah. I really appreciate it. 🙂
I am fortunate to have this lens and Oli’s review and comments are spot on. Refreshing and insightful he describes the character of this lens accurately.
Purchased today! All thanks to your input and review. Big thanks! J
Oh wow… And? What are your thoughts so far? PS: Have you got your photos online? I'd love to see them.
Hands down, this is the best review of the Noct….ever. 🙏🏽🤩👍🏼
That's very kind of to say Marksteen. Super stoked you enjoyed it. 👍 Do you own the noct yourself?
@@oliscurra you’re welcome. Yes I do. Going to take it out more on the SL2. Had a break from street photography but went out in London’s west end and Soho last week at night with my 35mm Summilux, and got a few keepers. Going to do the same soon with the Noct 👍🏼⭐️😎
Even as a beginner photographer I am amazed about the practical information about photographie in this video! Most beautiful lens review I‘ve ever watched, very nicely done, beautiful pictures as well! Can‘t wait for your next video! Also it was so engaging, like an entertaining movie😉Thank you very much!! You are extremely talented. 🤩
Thank you very much for the lovely words I'm glad that a "lens review" can be considered beautiful. 🥹
Hey man, this video was so well put together. The photos, video, knowledge, story telling and your cuts are great. Thanks for the video. I can’t wait to try one of these out 🤙🏼🤙🏼
Hey Hunter super dope of you to comment and thanks for the kind words. I appreciate it & to be honest, it makes the effort absolutely worth it. I am glad you liked the video. 👍 What camera are you shooting?
@@oliscurra as of now the GFX system, the X-Pro3 and the Sony A7iv. I used to be deep in the Leica system so I enjoy watching these types of videos.
@@hunterhart1 Oooooh the GFX!!! I owned the GFX50-R. I can say with certainty, it was the best sensor I've ever shot. I'm pretty certain. Fuji know how to make good cameras. Other than their slaughtering of one film stock after another, I think they really listen to their users too, which is pretty cool.
Great vid Oli! Your ‘23 vids are great. Photo edit transition was really cool. Script was great too. Looking fwd to more!
Thank you Jan. Awesome that you liked the video and more to come soon. What's your camera setup look like?
I‘m not a photographer… But I appreciate your narrative, the cinematography and the amazing photos you present 🤩 ❤
hej olivier, very well made video about a very well made lens! both on an M7 and the SL2S it‘s so fun to use. i really enjoyed the „before & after“ presentation of your photos. makes the review much more honest imo. shoutout to switzerland from cologne.
Hey Magnus, it's awesome you liked it. Makes me a happy fella. It's even more awesome that you're rocking the M7 & the SL2-S. Have you got more? 🙂
@@oliscurra yeah i guess one could say so 😉
Well....go on. Don't leave me in suspense. 🙂
@@oliscurra trust me, this is not the place. after all it is about the photo. 🙂 but yes, the tool that makes you want to photograph plays a crucial role.
This turned out to be a great review Oli!
Thank you Paul. 🙂 I am glad you think so. 👍🏾
One of the best review for this lens which I acquired new last week. Thank you Sir for such a great review !
Thank you Richard. To hear from you, that you enjoyed and is appreciated is a big motivation for me to continue uploading to this channel. Cheers 👍
Thanks for the review. But your photos are beautiful without edit❤Your photos are unique, love them as they are!
You can get bokeh with a very fast lens. To get Noctilux bokeh, you need a Noctilux. I am a professional photographer; I use it for work, and the price is more than justified. I have the 1.0 Noct and never regretted the money I spent.
I think this is very true, mate. I’ve never shot with the F 1 .0, but I’m looking forward to trying it out once. 👍🏽
Hi Oli! Great video again. I don’t know or maybe I don’t want to choose the Persona I am for having the noctilux. The fact is that all your description is perfect and beside the whole amazing quality of the lens, the challenge of getting this gorgeous images is addicting. I would like tomtrynte 75mm someday to see if it’s at the same magic level of the 50mm.
Hi Fernando, thank you. I am glad you liked it. 🙂 I am sure there are many more personas I am certain that would fit to buy the noctilux. The 75mm Nocti would be a very cool lens to try. Although, I own the 75mm summilx. Probably the best portrait lens I've ever owned. Mändler design great focal length, incredible character. I will do a review on it this year. 🙂 What's your goto camera + lens setup?
@@oliscurra I'm now in love with my SL2-S with M Lenses. I have an 80s 75mm Summilux that I love. The look and feel of it are something out of this world, and it looks so nice in the SL2-S. I think they were made for each other. I'm really anxious to watch your review of it. Have a good one.
Oli!!! Awesome video. AWESOME! Style. Content. Production. Presentation. AWESOME!!! Really enjoyed it. I actually watched it three times in a row just off pure entertainment value. WRT the character traits of potential buyers of this lens, I'm a combo of two of the three. "Money bags Jack" -- because I'm a SERIOUS hobbyist. "Good deal Neal" this lens can be had in different markets for different prices brand new. Japan, where I work and live live is INSANELY expensive when we talk about Leica. The good old U.S. of A. is a bit cheaper. But HK!. Hong Kong will save the buyer considerably more money. As for Jill and all that tech mumbo jumbo -- NOT! But Oli again, thank for this video. I have enjoyed your channel for a while now, but this one was special. Be Blessed, "Doc Chaps" PS: I own this lens and the 75 1.25. And like this video -- AWESOME!
Hey Chaps!!! I gotta say.. THANK YOU SO MUCH, for the kind words and the feedback. You're one of the first viewers of my channel and I'm glad every time I see a comment from you. 🤓 I am thrilled that you enjoyed the video. A lot of effort went into it, including starting from scratch after I was 50% through. It's awesome you found yourself in a mix of the personas. 🙂 It's a lens that is so expensive it's difficult to recommend to buy or not, so I figured I'd rather describe a few of the people I know (myself included) who've bought the lens. I'm not sure if I've asked you before, but are your photos online somewhere? I'd love to look at them. Maybe see if I can spot the 75 noct as well. I think it must be a very special lens. I own the 75mm summi and it's my favourite portrait lens hands down in terms of character. God bless dude. I hope you're well. PS: Now I've got a reason to travel to Hong Kong & Japan soon. 🙂
@@oliscurra I’m flattered that a photographer of your caliber would be interested in my modest efforts but I’m happy to share. I forwarded my website info. Please share your thoughts. Thank you again for your kind words and your informative content. Be Blessed, “Doc Chaps” PS: At one time I owned all of the APO glass with the exception of the new 35. Like you, my favorite was the 75. So much so, that I’m eyeing a used one to shoot exclusively on my MP. Peace!
Well-done! I cannot justify buying a Noctilux 50mm f/0.95; that “financial window” closed in 2022, but I am glad that such optical marvels exist. I was blessed to start using the Leica M system in 2018, with a pre-owned Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, and a new M10, a post-retirement self-gift, a project to re-learn how to want to photograph anything to do with people, people, after 7+ years of evidentiary/forensic/crime scene photography. I continue to believe that I “started at the top,” with the Summilux. In 2022, I added a pre-owned APO Summicron-M 75mm ASPH, which I see as an equal to my Summilux, and about as large and heavy as I would want to use on an M camera.
My internal “Jill the Connoisseur” would certainly appreciate the occasional photo excursion, with a Noctilux. 😉
I hear ya Rex. To this day I can't believe the "Good Deal Neal" moment I had with the lens. I've often been in two minds about it. Sell it... because I'm not made of the kind of money to own a lens like this. Keep it because...because I'm not made of the kind of money to own a lens like this, but the deal was so sweet that I could afford it. I will spend a lot more time shooting it this year to see if I can get more mileage out of it or not.
I hear soooo many good things about the Summilux 50mm ASPH. It's basically the same signature as the Noctilux if shot at 1.4 for less money & especially weight. Got the same quirks too in terms, especially in harsh sunlight. 2-part question for you: 1. Do you have some of your portraits online? 2. How does photographing crime scenes translate into or influence the photography you normally take? 🤓
Cheers, Oli
@@oliscurra 1. I have very few images posted on-line, none of them portraits.
2. Crime scene and evidentiary images are artless, with the subject centered, and as much in-focus as possible. I did have to learn how to get everything right, in-camera, because I was not allowed to edit or post-process. As I became more confident, I would coach some of the family violence victims to present themselves in an empowering way. Photographing a victim of domestic violence is a very intimate, very empathetic experience.
For a while, I had concentrated on photographing flowers, birds, and cute animals, during my personal time, as an antidote to the toxicity of the public servant environment. I might have spent about $13K US on a 600mm f/4 “super telephoto” lens, as a post-retirement self-gift, but, I had injured my left shoulder, so, would not be using such a huge lens, for while. That enabled me to spend a lesser amount on the Summilux 50 ASPH and M10. (This was a time when a New M10 still cost less than $7K US.)
@@oliscurra Both the Noctilux f/0.95 and the Summilux ASPH are Peter Karbe designs, and, based upon images I have seen on-line, much like each other, in rendering, but not, of course, identical. If a Noctilux had become part of my “brand,” I would not be too quick to sell or trade it. I would, at least, try to borrow or rent the potential successor.
When I see your lovely images, I am seeing your style, your brand. If a Summilux can do that for you, then it is good to know that. If you need your Noctilux to create such work, then it is good, and vitally important, to know that, too.
Notably, a reason that decided not to add a Noctilux f/0.95 lens, is because I would have to use it on M cameras. If I had an SL-series camera, I might well have decided to buy the relatively big, heavy Noctilux.
Another thing to consider: Your Summilux-M 75mm lens is a Walter Mandler design. One of the f/1 Noctilux lenses, designed by Walter Mandler, might better fit what you want to see in your images. (I have not checked prices on these lenses, for some time. Some versions of the f/1 Noctilux are more collectible than others.)
I have test-shot a Summilux-M 75mm lens, locally. Lovely images! It front-focused, to a bothersome degree, however, so, I did not buy it.
Well, I am “talking” too much. I had better start watering my wife’s plants. 🙂
This is a very nice review that tells us the deep character of the lens. Thanks.
Cheers Guy. I am glad you liked it. What lenses are you rockin'?
Having shot with the Noctilux a couple of times, I really enjoyed this video! Very well produced and lots of sample images. When it comes to personas, I squarely fall in the camp of mega deal seeker :-). If I would ever be able to get one, it would live on my camera, because like you said you need to practice and shoot with it often. The SL series seems like the best option, balance and size wise. Although I do really like the results with a film M body. Looking forward to part 2 of this review!
Thank you mate, I am glad you enjoyed it and yeah man, I am totally with you in terms of the deal seeker and for a lens like the Noctilux, you used the absolutely most accurate word ever: "MEGA". Because to buy that lens it's gotta be a mega deal. Truth be told I'm currently playing around with whether I want to sell it or not. It simply doesn't see enough time on my cameras at the moment. Maybe it's time to get that part 2 of the video which focusses on the images made by it rolling so that I can really think it through. This is the kind of lens that for a guy like me, I only buy once. To find the deal I had with it before is a rare occasion. 🙂
Truly great video review of this lens. I’m buying it for the Nikon Z9……I can’t believe how fluidly you covered every aspect of this lens from personal taste to real world applications to the ‘I MUST have it’ mentality of the human mind. In my case I finally have the funds to pull the trigger on this lens, which is why I ended up here…… but I hope I don’t shoot myself in the foot accidentally, $14,474 after taxes is a lot of pain…… but so worth it. Your video did provide a get out clause in the sense that I do fit the profile of someone who just wants to own it to ‘see what all the fuss is all about’ and I could care less about the price tag.
Great review! I had two of them and sold them, because for my type of shooting where the focus area is mostly of center I don't like the falloff of sharpness. This said, I kept the Nocti 1.0 for some sentimental reasons. The difference between the 0.95 and the 1.0 is that the 1.0 starts to shine from 3-10 M distance, while the 0.95 is sharp over the whole focus range. The bokeh is also a bit more soft on the 1.0
Awesome review! Do you have any tips for how you are focusing this lens off center? Even with the summilux it is difficult to focus and recompose.
Brilliant Review ! Thanks
Thank you David. 👍 Glad you liked it.
A more challenging lens to use than the Summilux especially on a M. With it, I always hold my breath before and after taking the pictures. 😂
It sure is, but when it work…. 🤩
What do you shoot it on?
PS: Just finishing up an edit on a similar lens.
Its design was based on the original F1 Noctilux. Keep a look out. Most likely will drop today or tomorrow.
@@oliscurra Mostly on M240 and M10-M; and occasionally on SL2 for must have.
Aren't you surprised though at how many keepers one can actually have at f/0.95 when the range finder is calibrated properly? At that aperture... one should be missing a lot more. 🙂 To this day, I sometimes look at my m files and think "wow... I can't believe I nailed the focus". 🤓
excellent video, super cool photographs
Thanks oli! Really enjoy the informative flows bout the lens, i own one too for few years now and i have to agree with you with everything you have to say… subs to get into the second part!
Thank you Riswan for the kind words. What's one of your favourite characteristics about your nocti? PS: I'd love to see your work. Drop your social in the comment. 👍🏾
Dear Oli, do you have a video on how your process your files. I see the transition from the image out of the camera to the final image you've made after processing, which blow my mind how wonderful they look. If you ever make a video on how your process your photos, I'll be the first in line to watch!
I've got quite a few videos in the pipeline at the moment. But I can do something on post processing soon. In general though I've put all my post processing experience into my presets. Do you have your photos online?
@@oliscurra I don't have any photos online yet; Even though I've taking many photos, I am just starting to learn how to make better photos and how to be a skilled photographer! When I feel like I've got something worthy of posting, I will start to post. BTW, I will definitely check out your presets on your website. Again, thank you for being awesome. I really am learning a lot from this GREAT channel. Much respect.
@@baharam98 Don't be discouraged from post Bah. Even if it is not where you want to be as a photographer yet. The act of posting will make your a better photographer. A difficult lesson for some personality types to learn, at least those who share mine. I find it difficult to post but the truth is, it is better to post than not. Can't wait to see your work and keep at it. PS What's your camera setup like?
@@oliscurra Thanks Oli, this is great advice. You are absolutely right. I will gather some of my good photos and start to post soon. I will provide a link once it's done by posting a reply here. (Camera setup is M11; M-P typ 240; SL@-s; and also: Really enjoying your excellent content...)
Nice review, me as an sl2 sl2s shooter I would love to own one but I think due to financial reasons will go for the sl summilux
If I didn’t already own the Nocti and was to pick between the summi and the nocti to buy for myself, I would go for the summi too.
Great vid! I just put up mine for sale but now when I tried it again today because of your video, I regretted it.
It is a lovely lens. Heavy and cumbersome but lovely.
Some of the best shots I made, I made with that lens.
Great video! Thoroughly enjoyed it very informative and great pictures!
See if Leica can loan you the 75mm noctilux for review! That would be interesting too!!
Thank you Nalla. Awesome that you enjoyed it and the photos too. It would be awesome to loan the 75mm at one point. Who knows...maybe this year. 🙂
Once more a beautiful video oli. I am not interestet in a noctilux but I love the Pictures you and other skilled photographers took with it. peace and love
Gavyn mate, thank you very much. Makes me happy to hear. Out of curiousity: which 50 are you rockin?
Oli, did you have the chance to compare your Noctilux to the newer (and for some better) Voigtlander 50mm f1?
I have Shot with the Noct and own the Voigtlander 50mm f1.
Yes the F1 is sharper, BUT for me, it’s NOT better. For me, better is the more artistic Noct. The F1 looks too modern and clean for me. No magic in it.
Great review Olivier! Very well done!
I have the 50 0.95 and love the pictures along with the M11. But. Weight - god, every time I go for a walk I think I'll take the 35mm 1.4. Noct 50 0.95 - this is definitely not always with you. For portraits it is wonderful, for street photography it is too heavy and 0.95 is almost never used in street photography due to manual focus.
Oli to the moon! Love this channel my dude. Hope you keep at it, let’s see some SL2s pics with that night king!
Refreshingly different. I'm "Good Deal" Neal too. Every time I use mine I wonder why I don't use it more.
Truth be told some persons will not consider a vacation or a shoot without having it with them even if it’s stuck to a b cam because another lens makes more sense on the a cam. I shot it a lot for the review and this trend continues, but more to make that decision of whether it’s time to part with it or to keep it around still.
Would like to see it compared to the TTArtisan 50/0.95. I'm sure someone may have already... Great video/review...
Thank you 🤙🏾! Yeah I wouldn’t mind comparing the two myself to be honest. Maybe the kind folks at ttartisan will send me a lens. 🙂
@@oliscurra Comparison here. ua-cam.com/video/pUm6SpJoacc/v-deo.html
@@mwales2112 cheers for that. It’s a good review. Maybe I can get a hold of the lens somehow this year to try it out myself. Which 50 do you shoot?
@@oliscurra Zeiss 50/2 Planar. Love the size and weight. I'm no pro and just shoot for myself, but the images are amazing to me.
@@mwales2112 Zeiss does magic with their lenses. Never shot the planar, but I own the sonnar. You just know, this company knows how to make good glass...
Brilliant
Cheers buddy.
Never heard of the issue with the filter. Maybe that is because I use a filter from B&W 😅
13k? wow!
Yep. You know… just some pocket change 😳
You look like a movie star, full of character! Great review!
My Voightlander 50 1.2 also produces purple fringing but I could buy thirteen Voightlanders for the price of one Noctulux 0.95
Hi Ross, Is the fringing as extreme on the Voigtländer 50 1.2 as on the noctilux? The nocti is pretty nuts tbh. I’m hoping to try out some of the Nocti alternatives this year, and the one you’ve got seems to be recommended by a lot of people.
@@oliscurra
Oli, I have the 50mm f1 vm, it’s sharper with less fringing. But too modern looking for me. The size of the vm on my M-A is just gorgeous. I love it for film.
I prefer the Noct on Digital though.
Have you ever tried Noct F1 V1 lens? Wonder which one is better between 0.95 or 1
I have not but I certainly would like to. Specifically the V3 lens to be honest. Must say though, I don’t think of lenses in terms of better or worse. More in the sense of do I like the look or not. What lenses are you shooting mainly?
@@oliscurra I mainly shoot with 35 lux non fle. really love the tone. Now i want to choose only one version of Noct 50mm to my collection. I am thinking whether f1 V1 or 0.95
Afaik the Noctilux works pretty well on an X1D‘s sensor
It works just fine…it just doesn’t cover the full medium format sensor. It didn’t on my GFX-50R, which was rather disappointing.
@@oliscurra I‘ve watched reviews which claimed it achieves full sensor coverage, just with a bit of vignetting. The only medium format cams I own are a Hasselblad H2D-39 and a Fuji GX680 with a digi back, and if I remember right their sensors are a bit bigger than the X1D‘s, means even if I had noctilux 0.95 kinda money, I couldn‘t check.
But I love this topic. And now I‘m curious, are you talking about a vignette or actual missing parts of the image circle?
Btw, very well done review, please keep going in this direction, that’s super interesting.
that production though.
Great presentation! Subs up! And therefore future surfing your videos!
Thank 3irik. I am glad you liked it and happy for the sub. What's your camera setup?
Wait, it has chromatic aberration and significant vignette? *soft chuckle*
Right?? You'd think for that kinda money, it'd be sorted. 🙂 Honestly, my eyes were blind to purple fringing for a while and since I did this review, it can no longer be unseen. Not just with the nocti. 🫣
Sold. Buying!
😂
Jesus man you can really sell a lens. I’m about to go sell all my gear to own this lens.
Don’t do it, brother. Incidentally, this Friday I’m dropping a video on my king of portrait lenses. What kind of photos do you do?
@@oliscurra I’m still trying to figure that out, mostly 28mm travel… but so tired of the clinical look of so many photographers today. I think that’s why I’m looking for something with a ton of character in 35 or 50mm…
@TedConn If you’re shooting digital, then I would recommend checking out the zeiss c sonnar t* 1.5/50 zm. Tons of old school character and doesn’t destroy the bank.
@oliscurra thanks! Any similar recommendation for Leica SL system?
@TedConn Hey Ted. To be honest... this is what I use on the SL system. Do you mean an equivalent with autofocus for the SL system?
Nice ✨👌🏼
Check out the new Voigtlander 50mm f1.0 same kind of magic but for 2k 😊
Thanks Maurice. 🙂 I would love to check it out. Now I just need to convince the manufacturers to send me a copy for review. 🧐
@@oliscurra Yes Voigtlander would definitely fit to your channel and the way use your gear. They make some great character lenses for the m-mount. The new 35mm 1.5 is also really great 👍🏼
VL lenses are certainly not better than Leica... But also not worse. Bit of their own magic with a Leica twist (and not hand made so a bit friendlier to you bank account 😁)
@@mauricerijnders3507 I can only second that. My first M lens was the Voigtländer 35mm sc (a lens I love so much I bought it a 2nd time after I gifted it to a friend with my old Voigtländer Bessa R3M). And the Voigtländer 21mm 1.8 which is just such an awesome lens. What are your goto lenses?
@@oliscurra I am 54 years old and was happy with every innovation that made making photo’s easier over the last 35 years. Shortly after buying the Sony A1 with GM lenses I went back to Leica. Shooting Sony completely takes the fun out of photography (point and shoot copying your environment). It is not just about the end result but also about the journey and… When you take a different route towards this end result you may see different things ;) I am now using camera’s that I like to use and without features that have nothing to do with photography in my opinion. For me that’s Leica (or Fuji if you don’t want to spend L-money). My favorite go to gear is the M11 with te Voigtlanders 50mm f1.0, 35mm f1.5 and the 75mm f1.5 (+ view finder ;) and the SL2-s for the same reasons you use this camera. Cool channel ✨👌🏼
Try the 75 noct
Imagine incidently drop it on a hard floor 🥶😱
I dropped it once. The floor cracked and was never the same.
$21,000 Australia dollars here in Australia and you can’t even sold it half price you paid . No one buy them anymore even at half price because many good Chinese lens brand new cost 1/20 of Leica noctilux and theirs quality like 95% of this noctilux . I owned both Leica noctilux 50mm 0.95 and TT artisan 50mm 0.95 . Many of these noctilux on sale for around $9000.00 aud in Australia and for months they still can not sale . Reality check! For 5% better or less you paid $20,000 dollars more is hard to swallow .
Could Zm sonnar be a poor man's noctilux 🤔
Dtroix you bring up a very interesting lens. The ZM Sonnar is such an awesome lens that I’d hesitate to associate “poor man’s” with it but I understand what you mean. It belongs in my top 5 of favourite lenses. Character for days… Focussing distance is a tad long but otherwise… it’s a magical lens. 🤩
Which 50 or 50’s do you generally rock?
@OlivierSM leica summarit f2.5 for every day use. Canon 50mm f1.5 ltm for old classic look. For potraits and people zm sonnar. For objects and still life canon 50mm f1.8 ltm. For realy dreamy like zack snyder's army of the dead look canon 50mm f1.2 ltm.
@@dtroix That's a very solid collection of 50's you own mate. If you had to choose one? 🤔
😬 Poor man buys Fujifilm with Chinese 7artisans 0.95 35mm or 50mm and has also a lot of vignetting and purple fringing and probably much more creaminess too 😬
🙂 Yes. Although I gotta tell ya, what I've seen from the 7artisans 0.95 50m looks pretty good. Which FUji are you rockin?
@@oliscurra the cheap ones, X-E1 and X-T20 😍
@christians.9058 Good thing the cost of a camera’s got nothing to do with the wuality of the photographer, no? Some of my favourite photos are shot on a 50 franc (basically usd), film camera. PS: Never shot the T20, but the E1’s top notch. 👍
BS//
Not much different from the China made f:0.95 lenses...
Not a very nice comment after I put a lot of effort into creating this video. A shame. You might be the kind of person who has a lot of knowledge about photography but not the manner in which to discourse.
it has chromatic aberration but just learn how to remove it.
Thanks. I know how. Removing it from the bokeh however becomes very tedious. I tend to just live with it.
@@oliscurra it takes seconds 🤷♂
Truly great video review of this lens. I’m buying it for the Nikon Z9……I can’t believe how fluidly you covered every aspect of this lens from personal taste to real world applications to the ‘I MUST have it’ mentality of the human mind. In my case I finally have the funds to pull the trigger on this lens, which is why I ended up here…… but I hope I don’t shoot myself in the foot accidentally, $14,474 after taxes is a lot of pain…… but so worth it. Your video did provide a get out clause in the sense that I do fit the profile of someone who just wants to own it to ‘see what all the fuss is all about’ and I could care less about the price tag.