Just a comparison of the 50 Summilux f1.4 (v1) against the 50 Noctilux f1 (v2). I’ve order the photos so you can see f1.4 vs f1.4, and then f2 vs f2, but also started with the Noct at f1 so you can see the extra juice (or optical errors depending on your perspective!) from f1 to f1.4 on the Noct. Not surprising what you’ll find: the newer Summilux has more magenta color caste, higher micro-contrast, less spherical aberrations, less Axial CA, smoother bokeh generally and less field curvature towards the edges resulting in less business.
Enjoy!
Exposure Settings Note:
WB numerically matched, manually focused. Medium contrast tone curve added in Lightroom. No other editing at all. No lens profiles applied. Camera was handheld—it’s a rendering, not a sharpness or centering exercise. All photos taken with a NKIR v3+ modded Sony a7rII (native lens performance). B/W photo has one of my custom presets applied as well, just so you can see the tonality distinctions there as well.
50/1 Noctilux v2 @ f1.0
50/1 Noctilux v2 @ f1.4
50 Summilux ASPH v1 @ 1.4
50 Summilux ASPH v1 @ f2
50/1 Noctilux v2 @ f1.4
Take a look at what aperture and lens each photo is shot with, though you can probably deduce it simply by looking at the differences in tonality, contrast and bokeh. Especially towards the corners.
Set B:
A bit further away, but all Lightroom parameters are the same. And yes, she’s a playful person.
50/1 Noctilux v2 @ f1.0
50/1 Noctilux v2 @ f1.4
50 Summilux ASPH v1 @ f1.4
50 Summilux ASPH v1 @ f2
50 Summilux ASPH v1 @ f1.4
50/1 Noctilux v2 @ f1.4
