Looks like some prototype Nocticron lenses are available for show somewhere in Japan. These are three new images found by our Japanese friend at Digicameinfo. Still no info about the exact availability and price. That said it really looks sexy on that Black GX7 🙂
101 Responses
i don’t have any technical background. I just like taking nice photos. Anyway, one thing I have learnt is that a big chunk of glass normally equals superb images. And this lens looks like it’s going to be a thriller.
I want one….but…
The 42.5 on the barrel looks garish…
$2000?
No one expect this lens to be budget, but as much as $2000, I’d be surprised. Of course, I could be wrong and you could be spot on, but Panasonic’s higher end zooms tends to suggests me the price range it will be in. I say somewhere between their two f2.8 zooms.
My guess is $1799.00.
Yep! I’d be very impressed if it was as sharp wide open as the 45f1.8 or even the beautiful Oly 60f2.8 but I doubt it.
What I am expecting is it will be sharper than the 45 when stopped down to f1.8 with some lovely colour and bokeh quality and if it comes close to the oly 45 and is still nice at it’s widest I’ll definitely grab it.
I expect the price to be between $1000 and $1300 but I’d love Panasonic to surprise me with a $899 retail tag which I don’t think will happen.
This thing does look hefty and will probably weigh in between 320 and 400 grams. What a system this is!
It’s sharper than the Oly 45/1.8 by far. The 45/1.8 is a nice budget lens that gets sharp at f/4 but wide open it’s soft. To test take a RAW and use C1 Pro to check the sharpness. Capture 1 Pro does not read any firmware corrections and shows the true optical performance.
All Panasonic made Leica designed glass is corrected optically which is why they are equally sharp on both Olympus and Lumix bodies.
The Leica 42.5 is a heavy (by m43 standards) lens very similar to any Voightlander.
I’m sorry but there are 2 simplifications in your post that are misleading.
1. correction in firmware is part of the system, and a choice that has both advantages and disadvantages
2. firmware correction does not imply there is no optical correction, if it did we could make do with simple 1 or 2 element ‘lenses’.
With regards to things like correcting distortion optically, its impossible to do this without introducing higher-order residual distortions that can be extremely difficult to correct for in PP, and it adds more surfaces that can induce internal reflection and flare. There is no ‘best’ answer here, there are multiple approaches that can give acceptable results, and various mixes between those can be made. No, firmware correction isn’t the magic solution, but neither is ‘pure optical correction’.
Looking at CA, axial CA should be corrected optically since it cannot be corrected ‘after the fact’, but lateral CA can be corrected by firmware with little to no harm, and often at a far lower cost then doing this purely optically.
And what matters is the result.
Panasonic (and all m4/3) lenses are sharper on Olympus bodies than on Panasonics because Panasonic bodies have stronger AA filter. All of them except probably GX7, which was claimed to lack AA filter. But, GX7 hasn’t been thoroughly tested.
Check DXOMark lens resolution test results on different bodies and you will see.
If Olympus 45mm F1.8 is too soft for you wide open, perhaps you should try it on Olympus, because it’s not really soft. It does become sharper when stopped down, but F2.8 is enough to make it tack-sharp, not F4.0 as you said.
I’ve shot over a hundred editorial assignments with the Olympus 45 on Olympus bodies. Never shot with it on a Panasonic body. It’s not that sharp wide open. Perhaps you should test with C1 Pro?
Giulio, you know the 45mm is not optimized to get max sharpness at f/1.8, unlike a Noct design :-). But it is certainly not soft, because soft means there are no clear fine details when checking 1:1, I started sessions with the 45 one year ago, switched to the Summilux 25 six months later, and returned to the 45 again since 2 months. The Summilux copy I have has a more “analogue” sharpness, it seems a bit less pronounced. I always use both of them wide open. Personally I would classify the 45 as sharp with no softness.
This thing looks like it is the same diameter as 12-40mm?
Anyone noticed the aperture ring is setting between F1.2 and A, is that secret F1.0 mode?
No, it’s F-close-infinity. It sucks in so much light that FF users will vanish in vain not knowing how to achieve a similar DOF. And when you turn to the red dot, the DOF is so swallow that it actually cut reality in half and destroy the world. Panasonic executives are debating whether they should wipe out FF users to gain more market share or just go on to take over the world…
Hey quangzigi – great comment. I’ve been working on a similar theory – that the amount of light causes the aperture blades to warp the time-space continuum and transports the photographer to a parallel universe where all of the photo-blogs are full of friendly and complementary entries and where everybody appreciates the rights of others to have their own views – and no trolls exist. Happy place – but probably not as amusing as reading the extent to which some people rush to show their bigotry 😉
I know that universe. It was M43 2-3 years ago. Far fewer souls but all of them very dedicated to the site. It was a breeze to read through the comments cause everything was helpful and interesting. What happen was that Nikonians run out of oil for their sensors so they started on a quest to find more. Then Canon who run of out idea and others join. They called them self the Don’t See Long Run union. Somehow they find this quite and happy tiny-sensor land full of innovative ideas on the way. They got jealous of our harmless Dpreview awards and decided to all bring their ‘FF sensor’ and ‘DOF’ and ‘total light’ doctrines to brainwash us with their ‘superior’ knowledge. Afterward, they used our ‘mirroless’, ‘retro’ and ‘EVF’ to implemented horribly on the customers. Now this place is wasted from all the angry souls (customers waiting for their EOS-M to focus).
Spot on quangzigi. There’s another parallel universe where Hasselblad trolls snipe at the Nikon and Canon FF users because of their lack of IQ and DOF. They argue that if you can carry your equipment without a wheelbarrow or a small pick-up truck it can’t be worth having. This particular parallel universe has a very, very, small population because most (in fact almost all) of the Hasselblad users recognize that it’s “horses for courses” or “different strokes for different folks”. They are almost universally smart enough to recognize a good image when they see it – regardless of the sensor size and pixel count used to create it. It would have been interesting if there had been on-line blogs in the 1920s so we could read what the 5″x4″ and 6cm x 6cm users said about Leica image quality when Oskar introduced his breakthrough camera with the tiny 24mm x 36mm negative!!
What I find hilarious with the “total light gathering” trolls is that they are too stupid to realize they disqualify themselves are photographers.
To a photographer, for whom exposure is the central concept, it makes no sense… Gather as much photons with a m4/3 “f/2.8” lens as on a FF f/2.8 lens and you either end up with a m4/3 able to cover a FF area with half the light unused on a m4/3 camera (as happens when you adapt a FF lens on a m4/3 body, it keeps the same focal length and aperture, but it gains in depth of field and field of view), or you end up with a f/1.4 lens (and if mounted on a FF body it would still be a f/1.4 but would only cover a 4th of the sensor, leaving the rest unexposed), there’s no way around it.
But these people have very little understanding of the optics and physics involved in photography and they probably never took a picture with anything more than a compact or in P mode.
+10000000
Best thread here in a while and legit troll repellant. More please!
The one in those photos is just a mockup – most likely not working at all. It doesn’t show the filter diameter, either.
I just find it interesting that it has an aperture ring, period. Plus, the A position (assuming it is not just a label for the ring) suggests that in M mode, if you put the ring to that position, then you will be in S mode. That is, the camera would gain control of the aperture. Right?
I think A allows the camera body to take control of the aperture in M or S mode. If you are in S mode, you will still be shooting manual if you have the aperture ring selected to anything but A. I could be wrong. I mostly shoot aperture priority, so an aperture ring is a dream. I will mostly just have to deal with the ring most of the time and leave the body along except when I need to futz with exposure comp or change up ISO. And I won’t have to look into the viewfinder every time I want to confirm what aperture I’m at.
My experience is with the Four-Thirds Leica/Panasonic 25mm f/1.4. You set the aperture ring to A to allow the camera body to set the lens aperture in any mode, so that Olympus bodies can use it fully. The aperture ring works just fine on Panasonic bodies, even through the MMF-3 on the GH3 that I have.
I thought that A is obvious … A = Auto Focus. Most probably Panasonic’s version of Olympus’ pull-back focus ring.
That combo has a nice LC-1 vibe to it.
This looks to be similar in size as the Olympus 75 1.8.
I agree with olyuser that big chunk of glass typically translates to superb images. If SLR Magic can put out a fairly nice 50 0.95, then Panasonic can definitely put out an amazing 42. 1.2 that might rival he images of the Olympus 75 1.8 in terms of renderings.
Also, I agree with lone.samurai that the price may be between $999-$1299 but it’s possible and would be a pleasant surprise if they go for $799-$899.
The Nocticron is twice the size of the Olympus 75mm!!!
They technically both share the exact same aperture diameter.
OK…I exaggerated 🙂 ….but The Nocti is quite a bit bigger than my 75mm…..
Yes, length is quite similar but the diameter of 42.5 if a little bigger.
At least it doesn’t look as big as in the previous photo 🙂
I am afraid this is going to be expensive!
please ,@admin find image sample
I still can’t figure out how to mount a hood to this lens! Where is the hood thread? Or Leica uses another mechanism? Please explain.
The front of the barrel looks to be slightly recessed, much like on the Oly 75mm….the Nocticron could quite possibly have a similar ‘sleave’ mount type hood with locking screw.
Yes, the sleeve type with locking screw works flawlessly on my Oly 75mm f1.8
Threaded lens hood?
Why this mockup doesn’t show the text “ASPH. @67mm” compare to the first leaked photo?
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj524/picrumors/picrumors001/094247qejj9j97997l997q_zps2571c200.jpg
My guess is that the optical design is completed but the design of the barrel markings still is being finalized. Someone else mentioned that some of the markings look crude… I think some are just adhesive labels that they’re using for prototyping.
Big heavy and expensive. Not for me. I cant asume big and hevy in m 4/3 its just a silly thing and expensiveness having the oly 45 1.8 insent just silly is nosense.
Just because YOU may feel the lens is big, heavy and expensive it doesn’t mean everyone will feel the same way and is no reason to claim the lens is ‘silly’ or ‘nonsense’……besides, who ever said f1.8 is enough for everybody?
And yes if I want Im in my own. You and others snobs are pretending m 4/3 move to maxi/ expensive 4/3
So anyone who disagrees with you is a snob ? You are ridiculous.
not anyone just u for the moment
Ridiculous and arrogant.
Oh yes this days give our own opinion is called ridicolous and arrogant for stupids ships like u
My opinion is that you dont know what the hell youre talking about and probably dont know what the difference between f1.8 and f1.2 is. My opinion is that youre a moron
My opinion is that you are a complete ignorant. I mean a true ignorant I mean a nazi ignorant that dont admit any opinion.
Cheers
I completely admit your opinion, its just stupid. Big and heavy compared to what? how big is a 85mm f1.2 lens? how heavy? buy a point and shoot and a bottle of vitamins if you can carry a small lens like this
You should leave this forum as you are adding no value. You pick fights. You called a lens silly. Do you even know what that means? It means having or showing a lack of common sense or judgment; absurd and foolish. I think you are silly.
-weld
To true nazi :yes its big heavy an expensive. If the cost to carry a lens fron 1.8 like oly to 1.2 is this for me the”welldone pana is over”.
To stupid pond: my friend you are other than dont want to hear things that you dont like. I began my post with “this lens is not for me” and them explained why. If u think that this lens is going to improve your photography ofyour cat and pets you are a perfecte idiot and the only thing that you will demostrate will be that yoh have money enought. By the way I was here since admin posted there news in dpr…when he creates his blog and I can tell you there are better times with no trolls and no paranoics like you both. So leave you.
Cheers
Well, I love f0.95 craziness. The manual focusing. The blurry background. Makes taking photos more interesting.
Yep! Voigtländer!!!!
Let’s see a nice Nokton 10mm f0.95 next.
I just began with Not for ME. My uniceluler brained friend
Looks similar to the 75/1.8 in size, which is excellent. And is that a metal barrel?
Looks like a great addition to the stable. Well done Panasonic!
This along with the ever-nearing fuji 56 1.2 are the holy griails for fuji x and m43 users. Will be interesting to compare price and quality of the 2 lenses. My money’s with fuji though….
There is almost nothing in it between the Fujinon 35 and the PanaLeica 25. I’m hopeful that the Nocticron will be real gem….the size and amount of glass has me optimistic.
Yeah, I’m really interested to see how this pans out for the two systems. Fuji now has the best 35mm equivalent lens with that 23 f/1.4 that just came out. If the 56 f/1.2 comes out on top, I may have to reconsider staying with m43. Also, very interested in how UWA zooms on the roadmap for both systems will do. 1 pro level UWA zoom, 1 fast 35mm equivalent prime and 1 fast portrait prime is a complete kit for me.
Looks nice, but you must be insane to spend that kind of money on M43 for not so good picture quality.
Million laugh 🙂
Ho hum
If you move out of your parent’s basement and get a real job, you too might be able to afford premium lens.
Not so good picture quality? What are you talking about?
You can put a Ferrari sticker on a Daewoo……but it stays a Daewoo. You can put a very expensive Leica lens on a M43 small sensor camera……but it stays a M43 small sensor camera. For this kind of money you could buy the best APSC or FF small combo’s who will all outperform M43 in every way.
troll of bigger sensor madness,
the man who tallest or biggest of the world is a smart person,most talent and best ability ,
i think all in your brain ,bigger already better?
So you’re saying you can’t shoot real photos without having ISO 204,000 available? You’re right, I see so many fashion concepts being shot without strobes and in twilight these days. Nice job there Mr. Pro Photographer, you really showed us what’s up. Now hurry upstairs, the meatloaf is getting cold… and when momma gets angry, little Dougie gets grounded.
If that were true women would only date black men. Jealous?
So you say there is a FF cam plus a lense as good as this one available for the price of only this lense?!
Show it to me pls!
I am interested in buying that.
Paid troll, don’t reply for real.
You analogy is broken. Do you even know how to use logic and reason? This is not a false sticker labeling one lower priced and economical item as a higher priced and high performance item. This is putting high quality glass on a m43 sensor. You might not like the limitations of a m43 sensor but how can putting high quality glass on it equate to false labeling. To me it is maximizing the quality photos that can be obtained from the system. To people that own m43 cameras this is a good thing. How can it not be?
-weld
Get off here troll
It’s much larger than the 75mm 1.8. Earlier photo shows filter size of 67mm. The 75mm uses only 58mm filters.
The Voigtlander 42.5mm also uses 58mm filters, but it is f/0.95. Only no autofocus.
Its a little wider than the 75/1.8 but looks about the same length, “much larger” is an exaggeration.
Nice. Yet another massive heavy lens for what started out as a small camera-line.
“Massive heavy” hahahahahahaha…retard
Then, buy the 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 and Leica/Panasonic 15mm f/1.7, which are both tiny (even for micro Four-Thirds) lenses.
What I think is the interesting comparison is to the Olympus 45/1.8. The Nocticron is a full stop faster, and from a design perspective it shows how much extra size it “costs” you to get that extra stop. The new lens will be useful to people who shoot action in low light (e.g. Indoor sports, concerts) and meanwhile people who would rather have something more portable (and less expensive) still have an excellent option in the Olympus lens. We’re lucky that in Micro 4/3 the lens lines are getting fleshed out enough that we are able to make these kinds of choices! Most other mirrorless brands don’t offer that luxury (Talkin’ to YOU, Sony!)
just want to add the usefulness for the people who will use the 1.2 just for the sake of how an image will be rendered.
I hope someone like Steve Huff will do a simple comparison between the Noctitron and the Nokton 42.5 how they compare in image looks wide open (I would prefer a full figure shot,half body, close portrait with distant enough background under moodful light)
Looks like it’ll be a nice addition to the system. The “serious portrait lens” was a gap that needed filling. Not a big gap in my book, but still.
Now on to the really big gaps, the canyons of m43 if you will, fast ultrawide prime and long telephoto primes. The former could be one for panaleica. The latter, rather Oly.
Totally agree! We need some long, high quality, m4/3 fast glass. this should be a big advantage to the 2x crop. Especially now that phase detection is available. But seems Panasonic has dropped the 150mm/2.8.
We now have: fisheye, 12, 14, (15 soon), 17, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 60, 75 mm primes. And several of them in second iteration or two companies. And that’s only AF lenses. Compared to a truly complete range, like Nikon FX or Canon EF it’s pretty clear that the only missing pieces are ultrawide and super telephoto. You may say ultrawide is covered by zooms, but they are slow, and the sensor is small anyway. Hence I root for a 7 or 8/2.8 and a 300/4. For starters. 🙂
Who says they have dropped the 150mm? Link?
In a recently shown roadmap, the 150 did not show up anymore. Although the map did extend out to 300 (because the 100-300 was in there). That’s where that rumor comes from.
No link, but if you are interested, just look in the back issues of this web site, it was reported here.
Oh, I think that roadmap only included 2013-14, and they no longer see it in that timeframe. Nothing beyond 2013-14 will appear in that roadmap.
I hope you’re right. That way oly can concentrate on a longer telephoto.
I’ve come to the conclusion that, if it’s not <$700 (and it almost certainly won't be), I'll never bother. The 42.5 1.8 is enough light and shallow enough DoF that this new lens couldn't be but so much of an improvement on it. I was thinkin' the IS would come in handy, but the 45 already lets in enough light not to NEED it for photos, and I wouldn't use such a long lens for tracking in video anway. Plus, Panasonic may just completely jump ship to in-body IS anyway.
*The 45 1.8
For you to be saying that tells me that youve never shot after sundown with f1.8.
Yeah, portrait shooting at night is the ultimate goal of photography. Actually, why don’t we just create a black rectangle in Photoshop and save some cash?
You want an f1.2 new design lens for less than an old design f2.8 macro? Why bother even being here?
Canon make an 85mm f1.8 and an 85mm f1.2 L. The f1.8 has good optics and takes good sharp photos for a good price. You would be its ideal buyer in Canon world. But some people want the f1.2 L, at 2.4x the weight and 5.2x the price. Most people are like you, but some want luxury lenses. This lens is for them, not you. But one thing they do not need to know, is that you are not one of them and wouldn’t buy the f1.2 unless it cost $700. Go to the Canon forums and start saying the 85mm f1.2 L ($2,200) should cost $700.
I’m sure it’ll be a sweet lens, but considering its size and what it’ll probably cost, I’ll probably just stick with the Olympus 45mm f1.8.
So do I need to wait for APO version for my OMD?
No.
Nice half case on GX7.
Another major fail. m43 is becoming too expensive for us pensioners (core target market of m43). We need Daewoo value cameras and lenses. m43 must be the system for the masses. Not another niche market.
A pensioner saying “another major Fail”? Sounds more like the words of a chav, not a pensioner.
Pensioner is not defined by age. You receive a pension if you are eligible for one. Could be war, widower, disability pension etc. You can be 20 and be a pensioner. So fail is from you.
I’m not sure pensioneers are the target market of m43, nor if you’re even serious, but I’ll say that the extraordinary beauty of m43 is that there is a body and lenses for nearly everybody and almost everything (not quite yet, see above). Don’t like an expensive, heavy, narrow-purpose Leica? No problem, an excellent Oly is available. One stop slower, but you knew there’s no free lunch.
Kodak. Repeat after me very slowly K O D A K Kodak. Now write it on the wall so you don’t forget.
I know this works. My mid thirties son told me what to do, writing on the wall that is. I would have responded quicker but I forgot which wall I wrote it on and had to go through the house.
Just wait for Kodak. Hope they don’t take to long?
I’m fine with the size of the lens as long as it deliver class leading IQ in m43 system .
What I don’t like is the rubber rotating element cover half of the lens body like in the 25mm Summilux need to be replace . Do it in a Pro’s way if the lens really want to be well known .
What are you talking about?
No sign of any OIS in the lens, I think?
It’s by far most beautiful lens for m43 in terms of looks. This screams Leica all over. I won’t probably switch from Oly 45mm but this is the right way by Panasonic and Leica.