[Leica] Have 35 'Lux, want 35/1.2 Nokton. Crazy?

[hoppyman at bigpond.net.au (Geoff Hopkinson)]

Peter. No technical comment from me. All right, one brief one ;-) I've not
tried that lens nor read that review. Hard to believe that it is immune to
focus shift though!
In principle, you should keep the Summilux surely? If you want to try the
other lens as well, it is a comparatively smaller purchase, is it not?
Oh and yes you do have LAS. 

Cheers
Geoff
http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman/e
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/gh/

-----Original Message-----
Subject: [Leica] Have 35 'Lux, want 35/1.2 Nokton. Crazy?

Has anyone here used both the Leica 35/1.4 Summilux ASPH and the CV 35/1.2 
Nokton?  And had to decide between one or the other, or both?

I have the Summilux, and I've never tried the Nokton.  Yet the pictures I 
see on the Net taken with the 35/1.2 Nokton make me want it. Not as a 
replacement for the 'Lux, but as an adjunct.  I'm not sure if the desire is 
based on some real photographic need, lens buying addiction, or perhaps 
misplaced Noctilux envy.

Anyway, here are my random thoughts on the matter:

With film, I have always been primarily a 50mm kind of guy. Which makes me 
a 35mm kind of guy with the M8.

I love available light. It's a significant part of my photography. Now, the 
half-stop between f/1.4 and f/1.2 doesn't make a huge difference in shutter 
speed. But the difference between 1/15 and 1/22 second, or 1/30 and 1/45 
might be significant in reducing motion blur on a marginal shot.

The Nokton does not have appreciable focus shift as you stop down, 
according to Sean's test. The Summilux does. I've learned to get around it, 
but it's annoying to have to think about one more thing.

The Summilux is unbelievably sharp and contrasty even wide open. It has 
fairly harsh bokeh. The Nokton is a little less sharp and contrasty, but it 
seems more than adequate wide open, and the bokeh and contrast are more
gentle.

I'm not sure I want to carry a lens that weighs more than a pound around my 
neck. So the Nokton would be something I carry mostly when I know I'm going 
to need it.

I also have a classic design 50/2 Summicron v. 4, which I use when the 
light is good. I prefer its bright-light rendition to the 'Lux's. So I've 
already got two 35mm lenses.

Oh great, I'll have to buy another big, expensive IR cut filter.

If I got the Nokton, it would be hard to justify keeping the Summilux. Yet 
how could I sell the Summilux?  It's the best lens I've ever had, by the 
standard of sharpness and clarity.

I'm an idiot.  I should stick with what I've got.

And yet. . .

Repeat entire circular thought process over and over.

So, as the cowardly Lion said:  "Talk me out of it." Or not...

--Peter





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