Leica -> F-Mount lens adapter ? Getting f/1.0 on Nikon

[snaggs]

I would REALLY like to get a Leica Noctolux-M. I read around somewhere that you used to be able to get an adapter for Leica Lens to F-Mount ? Its fine if its makes the camera 100% manual.

Any other options for getting f/1.0 on Nikon ? Ill go with the 50mm f/1.2 AIS if I have to, but I'd rather get another stop ;)

Daniel.

[Igor]

Daniel, there was a 50mm f/0.7 Nikon lens , IIRC, not sure anyone of us can find it :)

The 50/1.2 is a great lens, I'm shooting it with great results! Even wide open.

[photoworks]

Sounds interesting Daniel as I have a series of Leica lenses and I wonder how do they perform on a dSLR.

_______
Vasilis

[snaggs]

Seems like Im going to have to dig around and find out the answer for this myself. However, in the meantime I might high-jack this thread to talk about other alternatives for Night-time.

Currently the 50mm f1.4 is my night lens. I'm looking at the 50mm f1.2 but have heard some people say the 28mm f1.4 is the best night lens. Does the shorter focal length make it brighter ?

Daniel.

[Igor]

It does, but the 50/1.2 AIS is great too. There's also a Nikkor 58/1.2 Noct lens which is considered the best for night shooting.

[snaggs]

I've been reading, and since the 28mm has an aspherical eliment (just like the 58mm Noct), it should be just as good.

Also, since its half the focal length, supposidly its like having another full stop over the 50mm f1.4. Only problem is price :)

Daniel.

[astro_photo]

I've been reading, and since the 28mm has an aspherical eliment (just like the 58mm Noct), it should be just as good.

Also, since its half the focal length, supposidly its like having another full stop over the 50mm f1.4. Only problem is price :)

Daniel.

If you want a fast lens with ok result, 28/1.4 is the way to go (athough only about half a stop faster due to Noct's f1.2); but if you want a night lens with good result ... there's only one Noct lens... and with good reason why it is called a "Noct" lens; not to mentioned why a used Noct will cost more than a new 28/1.4.

The ASP. element in Noct is grounded while 28/1.4 is not (though all glass). Due to reflective index differences, the coma corrections is not the same. The Noct can also be used wide open while 28/1.4 needs to be stopped down to about f2 to get good result. Finally, the bokeh and image rendition of the Noct is much better than the 28/1.4. With the magnification factor of DSLR, the Noct would make a lovely portrait lens apart from its night duty :)

If you can find a Noct, get it!!! ... Otherwise, 28/1.4 will do.

[astro_photo]

Forget to mention ... a mounting adapter is difficult at best due to the (very)thin f-mount. Users have sought to modify the lens ... but not sure if you want to do that to a Noctilux!!! In anycase, it will be manual only....

[bjnicholls]

Are you prepared for very shallow depth of field? With a small, dark viewfinder it's pretty hard to do critical focusing for nightime grab shots (not like using a big, bright Leica rangefinder for focusing). I'd just go with a 1.8 lens and crank up the ISO as required.

[jknights]

Are you prepared for very shallow depth of field? With a small, dark viewfinder it's pretty hard to do critical focusing for nightime grab shots (not like using a big, bright Leica rangefinder for focusing). I'd just go with a 1.8 lens and crank up the ISO as required.

I agree with BJN (as usual), I am starting to wonder if I dont have a doppelganger twin in the US :cool:

It would be much easier/cheapr to get a f1.4 AFD lens and boost ISO by 1 or 2 stops.

Remember the fstops go f1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 2.0, 2.8,.......

[Sneakyracer]

You cant really adapt a Leica M lens to mount on a Nikon since the Leica has a ver short lens mount to film plane distance due to not having a mirror. You might be able to adapt Leica R lenses to use on a Nikon Lenses but it will involve disassembly of both parts and it wont be easily reversible. The Canon EOS mount is the mount that accepts the most lenses easily with adapters due to having a much wider opening than the Nikon and the old Canon FD.

[robinp]

I'll go along with BJN & Jonathan on this one - just go for ISO 800 and some software noise reduction!
If you really must have the dream glass then buy a Leica and a Nikon film scanner....

BTW it will be very interesting to see if Epson make a successful job of mating old Leica lenses with a digital sensor in the new digital rangefinder they're producing with Cosina.

Cheers, Robin