[PY] PHOTO YODOBASHI "RANGEFINDER" | LEICA NOCTILUX-M f0.95/50mm ASPH.

Category Tags : LEICA NORMAL | Carl Zeiss NORMAL , Voigtländer NORMAL , ALL LENS

Unlike the former version, it’s very sharp and clear wide open. You can get enough amount of bokeh in the front and behind even when you focus on 5 to 10m ahead. This means you can get a picture just like it was shot using the PENTAX 67 with the 105mm F2.4 lens. Yet, it was taken with a 135mm camera. Shooting at this distance is a lot more interesting than playing with the Focus distance.

LEICA M5 , LEICA NOCTILUX-M f0.95/50mm ASPH. , Photo by K

The amount of bokeh is different between in the center and the corners. Is it really f0.95? At least, the former version wasn’t this clear.

LEICA M9 , LEICA NOCTILUX-M f0.95/50mm ASPH. , Photo by N,MATSUI

It’s the best fun when this lens is shot wide open. This background is somewhat unfriendly to the lens, but the former version seems to have better taste of bokeh. So, the results depend on how you use it.

LEICA M9 , LEICA NOCTILUX-M f0.95/50mm ASPH. , Photo by K

The vignetting is not as extreme as the former version. Still, it is a considerable amount. But it’s not to the point I feel difficult to handle.

LEICA M5 , LEICA NOCTILUX-M f0.95/50mm ASPH. , Photo by K

I shot loosely without stopping. I intended to focus to the head of the man, but failed (it’s to the chair) in this shallow depth of focus.

For Leica users, the former version is like an idol because of the drastic falloff, thick color, and the maximum aperture of f1. If Leica wants to update this unique former lens, obviously their best approach would be to make one that could crush the former version. And this latest one came with a slightly brighter maximum aperture of f0.95. It’s unbelievably clear even wide open and the sediment (which was the appeal of the former version) wide open has been washed away. And, the purple fringing (which was just a con) has been wiped away, too. What a wonderful performance. The price? It’s a lot more expensive. Whether you invest on this one-and-only specs and performance or not depends on whether you ask for it or not. One stop brighter than f1.4 gives you more chances to shoot under limited lighting, but honestly, you won’t need anything brighter than f1.4 in most situations. Now, it’s about whether you need something unique or not. Anyway, this is a lens with a distinct identity.