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[OM] Noctilux versus Zuiko [was: [OM] While we were fighting...[origina

Subject: [OM] Noctilux versus Zuiko [was: [OM] While we were fighting...[originally mailed Thurs. AM]]
From: Gary Reese <pcacala@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 05 Aug 2001 09:24:38 -0700
Mark H. writes:

<< And you know there IS a F1.2 50mm Leica lens and that is the Original
Noctilux.  Made from the late 1960s to 1975 or so it is extremely rare
and is a highly-sought after collectors prize bringing upwards of
$5000.00. I know that many ( including myself ) in the Oly group also
have Leica
cameras.   Does anyone happen to have or have access to one of these
most rare lenses???  If so it would make a fine subject to compare to
the Zuiko 50mm F1.2. >>

You are comparing lenses of two different eras here, which doesn't seem
entirely fair.

The f/1.2 Noctilux was already the subject of a comparison test to a
Zuiko in the May 1976 Popular Photography, where my take is that the
Olympus 55mm f/1.2 (the 50mm f/1.2 Zuiko was released yet) was superior
in many measured factors, except flare, T-number, spherical aberration,
and central zone split image contrast. Regarding the latter, that
Noctilux was the worst of any f/1.2 lens tested in corner performance.
The Noctilux was better 2/3rds out at f/1.2 and f/2 only, but was one of
the worst performers in the very important 1/3rd out zone.

The 50mm f/1.2 Zuiko was tested Nov 1983 in Modern Photography, but I
don't know a date for the 50mm f/1.2 or 1.0 Noctilux tests.

Of course, comparing a 50mm rangefinder lens to an SLR lens is a bit
like comparing apples to oranges.  They have different focusing systems!

Gary Reese
Las Vegas, NV


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