DxO (Click here) just published the full Nocticron 42,5mm f/1.2 lens test. It will surprise no one here that it became the best MFT lens ever tested by DxO. But the margin to the Olympus 75mm and 45mm lenses isn’t high and the price difference on the opposite is considerable. DxO writes:
Although this is a bold step for Panasonic, the price is a going to be a stumbling block for the majority, particularly as it has to sway users away from the diminutive and accessibly priced Olympus 45mm f1.8.
That model is both discrete and a very good performer, although it’s someway behind in build and in outright optical quality. Looking at the line-up as a whole it’s uncomfortably close to 45mm and the longer 75mm f1.8, yet there seems little doubt it will tempt enthusiasts looking for an edge in performance and to the advantages of returning to an aperture ring.
Expensive? Yes. But if you want the best lens this is the way to go!
You can buy the lens at Amazon US (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here). In UK at Wexphotographic (Click here). In Germany at Redcoon (Click here), Technikdirekt (Click here).
99 Responses
I would rather buy the 45 and 75 and then I would get more than double the score for less money…. Just, joking. 🙂
But the 42.5 is definitely a pro’s lens. Totally wasted in my hands. (I would really buy the other two instead of the Pana.)
same myself
the noctiron is reasonable for pro m43 portrait shooter
for hobbiest like myself …who dont get paid for their shots …the oly 45 should be good enough
You owe it to yourself to find a place to try it, it is really something quite special when you actually use it 🙂
dont take me wrong
its absolutely ok that some people could buy/afford such top notch lens and use it
Yes, if you’re not making money from an expensive lens, do you really need it?
For less than these lenses + a decent M43 cam, you get a 135 cam and better lenses. Then you can start to talk quality. They are indeed a waste, and not just in your hands.
Okay, thanks for your opinion. But I am pretty sure that you haven’t understand the point of m43. I want something small and lightweight and thus 135 would be worst decision, even mirrorless. I also simply do not need that IQ and thin DOF and I will be starting with OOC JPEGs. Thus, a kit lens (14-140) and probably the 20 and 45 after some time.
So it is outperformed by the 75mm except in transmission (a given). T1.6 is also pathetic. Waste of money.
I don’t understand DxOMark scores. How is a lens (75mm) that ties or beats another lens (42.5mm) at all lens metric scores rated lower?
Never mind, I guess it must have been the T-stop in this case. But I’ve seen cases where a lens was more highly rated than others despite lower performance (e.g., Olympus 17mm f/1.8 with lower resolution and higher CA)
It appears DXOMark scores also reflect lenses performance at different aperture setting, which is not shown in the score chart.
No, DXOMark only includes the score at the best aperture which is usually stopped down. That is why you need to ignore the scores and compare the charts at the various apertures.
Well, at 1.2, I guess the Nocticron wins then 😉
yes, lower T stop improves scores. It T stop was excluded from calculation then 75mm would have scored higher.
Whatever you buy following DXO numbers is a waste of money, if you don’t know what it’s for. From my experience, both are great lenses, period. BUT: 75mm is better in theaters when you can’t walk on the stage to take portraits of musicians and artists, but you cannot use it for portraits in narrow spaces such in small rooms (or Venice, where you can’t step backward as you want because you will fall into water or bump tourists), for example. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a faster lens, with a more useable focal lenght, it seems nothing at the moment beats the Nocticron. I think it’s wrong to use the word “outperformed” when comparing such different lenses. In my opinion they should not even be compared, they’re different.
CA is high for a lens of this class…
If you look at the graphs, CA only occurs in the far reaches of the corners.
it’s not bad, and some is to be expected with all fast lenses.
Ok .
Going to get this lens soon .
One more review left , that is from Kai .
Why it took so long for Kai to do it ?
Last week I had a fashion shooting in Venice and used both 75mm and Nocticron. I agree the two lenses deliver similar great IQ, but they’re different. 75mm has a different, narrower field of view, magnification is different and you have to stay some feet/meters away from the subject. Nocticron can focus at 0.5 mts for a different kind of portraiture.
I bought as soon as it was out and it’s already my favorite. There really is something different and very special about this lens.
I can’t agree more. After seeing many real life photos, I pulled the trigger on the PL Noct. The Fuji 56mm’s optic is also excellent, but the rendering has plastic look to my eyes.
Among your photos of the fashion shot in Venice, I found this OUTSTANDING portrait shot. The photo really demonstrates the fabulous color reproduction and image quality of the Leica Nocticron and your skill. GREAT PHOTO, Marco!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcosartoriphoto/13855384714/in/photostream/
The light is all wrong, so wrong that it even distorts her traits. OK for a beginner, surely not worth the grands required for these toys…
The vignetting and chromatic aberration look way too high. I’m betting that the FujiFilm 56mm f/1.2 lens is no worse for less money.
Slightly worse on 56mm. If you own both systems then let the wallet decide what’s best for you.
Transmission on the Panasonic is very very poor for a f1.2 lens.
“Very” is a strong word. Besides, unlike other m43 lenses, and even more so vs fast FF lenses, the Nocticron has corner to corner sharpness even wide open. There’s a reason it was designed with a little less light transmission..
Which other? The 20, Oly 25, 45 and 75 are also sharp from edge to edge. Not sure about the 12 and the Pana is also quite sharp for an F1.4. Even the 2.8 and 4.0 zooms are pretty outstanding wide open.
But I think we should hope that such a large and expensive m43 prime is sharp edge to edge wide open.
Because you know? Please shut up. Hello people, this is another scam from the same smart arses who said, a puny sensor can be “pro”. Whatever “pro” means.
I find it hilarious that the consumer electronics company (panasonic) bests the “camera” company (olympus) anytime there is a head to head comparison. Of course there are differences in the lens objectives/FL/price, never the less, I regard Panasonic as the current vanguard in m43, creating world beaters when they apply themselves… as they have recently.
I have the new pens and I have the GX7, it’s undeniable I reach for the GX7 more often now.
Anyways, congratulations to panny and their lens team… lenses like this really inspire my confidence in m43 as a system with a healthy future.
I am not sure you are right there. When we compare the 12-40 vs the 12-35 we see a cheaper lens with greater range hold its own vs the Panasonic.
Beyond those two lenses we cans see two companies prioritizing different things. Panasonic has two standout lenses for me considering their price the 20mm (solid lens but as slow as the original 17 at focussing) and the 25mm (great all round lens). Then Olympus has a range of very small 12, 25, 45, and 75mm lenses. A solid 60mm macro, a tiny 9-18mm etc etc. When either company makes IQ a priority over size they produce lenses that rise above (but are pricey). When they go for size or price, something gives.
What I will say is we are really spoiled for choice right now.
The price of the Olympus and Panasonic F2.8 zooms are around the same price here in Europe {£800 vs £830 }.They were both around £900 at launch up until two weeks ago the Pany was at £750, it just jumped.
Though to be fair the Panasonic does not fall apart lol
Huh, so in one market they are similar in price… Hmmm, well lets look at a benchmark instead of random numbers. BH: 999 for the olympus and 1098 for the panasonic… and the panasonic has $200 off…
So both your numbers and mine support my comment that the Olympus is cheaper, has a wider range and performs very similarly (as to which is better, well that is a coin toss).
However your snide comment about the Olympus lens… well just shows your colours really.
The part Panny got wrong is the price!
Street price will probably hit the $1300 range in a few months and eventually settle in around the same price as the 35-100 lens.
and that info is based on WHAT?, exactly??????
Since it is really a F1.6 lens…should be around $900 🙂
I could see $1200 being more realistic, all things considered.
No, it’s a T1.6 lens. You think every other lens manufacturer magically allows light to pass through completely unimpeded?
It’s another Marketing scam, from the photo scam specialists. Are you surprised?
Doubtful. It will stay at $1600 for a while. There will be special discounts fairly soon and some may last for a bit but the suggested retail price will remain.
Lenses generally hold their value over time. It may fall a bit, but it’s not like camera bodies or computers.
This makes me feel REALLY good about my Oly 75 purchase. The only thing this PL lens seems to add is more background blur, but I have enough of that.
It adds also a wider aperture, and shorter minimal focus distance. A bit (not that much though) faster AF. Moreover, 85mm and 150mm are not the same thing at all.
If Olympus would make an 85mm (equiv) .. similar to the Pany I would buy it. No aperture ring, no IS, metal construction, f/1.2 (actual..not T1.6), and keep it under $1000…I would buy it and so would a LOT of others. With no aperture ring, no IS and no payment to Leica…I bet they could make that happen at the right price! ( lens hood additional…of course…LOL!). Olympus camera owners would buy it.
Next lenses from Olympus will be the wide angle 7-14 f2.8 (I’ll get it) and 40-150mm f2.8 (not interested in that), so at the moment and until next year, nothing similar will come from Olympus. The only alternatives are the MZuiko 45mm f1.8 and Voigty 42.5mm. I’d like a comparision with this, rather than with the 75mm.
oh…yes..I agree with you completely…you cannot compare the Nocticron to the Oly 75mm. Completely different places…I own the 75mm (my most bokehlicious MFT lens, but will not own the Nocticron for all the reasons I mentioned above…but it is a good lens to have available in the system. If I REALLY need bokeh I get out my 5DIII, & 85L and get at it…MFT can’t get there…and if you have that I cannot see spending $1600 on the Nocti (I am fighting the G.A.S. here …LOL)……even if it is small relative it doesn’t deliver what I can get out of the FF combo.
Although this lens is great, I’d rather pick up a Canon 6D and the 85mm 1.8. I also had some fun with the 40mm Canon recently. Renders very similarly to the 20mm Panasonic, and fits nicely in a satchel bag.
Hmm. Nocti not up on camera size yet. http://camerasize.com/compact/#482.346,380.345,380.222,ha,t
If you truly need an 85mm equiv at that price or if you just want it, ok….but if you have the extra room to work with the Oly 150mm equiv for $600 less, it’s a no-brainer to buy the Oly 75mm. As an enthusiast, I find it extremely difficult to speed that much on a single focal length lens. Now, if it were a 24mm to 200mm equiv with constant f/2.8 aperture at that price, that’s another story…because that would be the only lens I’d ever need to buy 😉
I’d still pick the 75mm 1.8 over this anyday. Wait, scratch that. Mabye a better comparison is the 42.5mm Voigtlander .95. Hands down I would take that over this. HANDS DOWN!!!
I’m finding AF on the Nocticron to be faster than the 75mm on my EM5. I love both lenses.
There are several things that can not be scored, and those are important characteristics of each lens.
such as the sharpness, the higher sharpness doesn’t mean that lens is always better than the other lenses. It’s sometimes too sharp in someone feeling, and an image is like a fake image, not real and looks unnatural. Whereas, the lens that is less sharp (in the numerical result like this, but it’s still sharp), provide more natural feeling on the real image.
The contrast, color and tone are also important.
Therefore, I think It’s difficult to say which one is better? It depends on users like us.
PS.anyway, I don’t think the CA of leica 42.5mm is that bad, based on several real images that I’ve downloaded from flickr and do some pixel peeping on my computer. I don’t know what are those numbers really mean, but quite sure there is something wrong.
I agree …sometimes lenses are too sharp
Since the sharpness and micro-contrast comes from the lens itself, it is only a good thing to have it available. If it is too much, most software can easily take down micro contrast and sharpness.
it’s different. difficult to say but it’s not the same.
I don’t get it.
It has more distortion, more vignetting, more chr. aberration than the Oly 75mm. Resolution is the same. Transmission is 1/2 a stop better, but it’s almost a stop worse than then specs say (compared to less than 1/2 stop “optimism” from Olympus).
Yet it scores higher.
Not to mention what it costs…
I guess dxolab is like the reviews on dpreview.com: while the tests are informative, the conclusions (final scores) are worthless.
DxO numbers… If I have to guess, it I’d say it has to to with the respective max aperture of both lenses.
” Leica model is sharper at f1.2 than the 45mm at f1.8 and is noticeably superior at f2.8 across the field. ”
Comparing to the 75mm makes little sense as these are completely different focal lengths.
Better build quality than any other m43 lens
Built in OIS
Faster Aperture
Sharper at 1.2 than the the 45 is at 1.8
Bokeh is more pleasing than any Olympus lens
Convenient Aperture ring selection
More shallow DoF than the 45. (but not by that much, depending on placement etc)
(Granted Aperture Ring and OIS is only useful for us Panasonic shooters.)
For me personally, the most important feature (since I have a Panasonic camera), is the low-light capabilities, where the OIS + faster aperture gives me roughly 4 stops extra when shooting fairly static objects/people in low light.
” Leica model is sharper at f1.2 than the 45mm at f1.8 and is noticeably superior at f2.8 across the field. ”
I couldn’t agree more.
when the olympus 45mm/F1.8 was just released, I was so disappointed when I saw its image quality at 1.8, noticeably too soft.
Someone may like it, but not me. It’s not my type.
PS. anyway, 45mm/1.8 is not expensive.
So if it was expensive it would be OK?
????
you may misunderstand what i wanna say in the last line.
I mean 45mm/1.8 image quality doesn’t so good but it’s cheap (affordable). so, this is a good thing.
Yes, I know. But you left the door open so I just had to put my foot in.
Misunderstood? We don’t really care,so don’t bother explaining.
hahaha if you don’t really care. why did you leave comment here??
Full name…you are daft?
The Olympus 45mm is VERY sharp at f/1.8.
http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1443/cat/all
My copy is extremely sharp. What you get for your money with the Olympus is what MFT is all about. The Leica thing (especially for an Olympus camera body owner) is an over-priced bauble.
>> Transmission is 1/2 a stop better, but it’s almost a stop worse than
then specs say (compared to less than 1/2 stop “optimism” from Olympus). <<
It's not worse than the specs say and the Oly also doesn't suffer from optimism. F-Stop and T-Stop are simply two different properties.
It’s crap, don’t worry and keep the good money.
Nice – if only price was around $1000 – but it has builtin IS which the others do not –
Perfection (for me) would be an aperture ring that clicks and de-clicks with a switch, has the manual focus clutch like the Olympus, has more depth of field markings than the Fujis (more like Leica or old school lenses), and is weather sealed. I don’t understand how these pro lenses are not weather sealed. Seems like a checkbox that would help justify the premium prices
Is this lens not expensive enough?
🙂 Yeah, this lens is both large and pricey. Some people (many) will be better served by the excellent Olympus 1.8, which is significantly smaller, lighter and less expensive, all of which are a strong part of the M43 ethos.
But to me, having utra high end *options* like the Panasonic 1.2, and the similarly large, heavy and premium priced Voigtlander lenses, is a good thing. I’d love to see some massive f/0.85 or wider lenses push the envelope if someone could pull off Zeiss Otus or Sigma art lens IQ — size be damned, as long as more portable options continue to exist.
as i remember, the panasonic team said they wanna make 42.5mm F1.0 at first. However, the lens will be larger and they think it’s too big for the M4/3 system. (and of course it will be more expensive)
Sounds like the Voigtländer Nokton 42.5mm would be the lens to go for.
I did and couldn’t be happier.
I just ordered a Voigtlander 25mm f 0.95. Just wondering if you have any comments about this Voigtlander. I’m also considering the Voigtlander 17.5mm.
Is that the 25mm version II with the stepless aperture?
The 25mm is a prefect all-around lens. The 17.5mm I use more for street and interior shooting, but is very flexible.
They’re both pretty amazing lenses, with such beautiful rendering. Their low light abilities open so many possibilities! They’re such a pleasure to use, they just beg you to go out and shoot! I can’t imagine not having both… t
The only negative is that you’ll probably end up wanting a Voigty 42.5mm, too.
I re-read the listing and don’t know how to tell if my Voigtlander 25 is the version 1 or 2. I bought it “new in box” for $764. THAT must be the reason I got mine for such a reasonable price. It might be “New Old Stock” . . . . don’t know yet I should receive it this week.
That’s probably the original. Version II has the front ring that allows you to switch between stepped and stepless apertures, just like the 17.5mm and 42.5mm. Unless you shoot a lot of video, it’s really not necessary.
I do shoot video and bought this lens for shooting video on my GH3.
I’ll definitely watch for that when I order the Voigty 17.5mm.
Has anyone tried the $99 “speed booster” clones on eBay yet? I’ve not seen a really in depth feature on them yet online. They’ve beaten Metabones to the punch with a Canon EF mount to M43 adapter. The Canon 1.8 primes (28, 50, 85) are great value, great quality lenses that are not too big to mount on an EM1 and could be pretty interesting, if this gadget provides good IQ.
I’ve been astonished at how little IQ is affected using my $99 FD reducer and an M42 adapter with my Takumar 50mm/1.4. Almost always if the image is really soft at f/1.0, it’s because I missed focus, and at f1.4 (boosted f2) it’s just fine. There is always going to be some dreaminess with ultra fast lenses, but for $200 total investment, it’s way better than it has any right to be.
Thanks! I’m going to try it out
I posted the other day about a clone FD unit I got from Fatul on ebay it may be an RJ.. I did a small infinity adjustment but that’s all. Using a 35mm Flektogon 2.4 and Pancolar 50/1.8 (yes, also a FD/m42 adapter) it seems to be quite good. Absolutely no distortion. The Pancolar gives a very shallow DOF as it is now 1.2 and is quite sharp at the lens setting of 1.8 It improves on the same shot when at 2.8 and best at f5.6 The Flektogon is now a 50mm 1.8 in use and shows the same characteristics.
I have put up 3 sequences from f1.8 to f22 on flickr here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54912595@N02/sets/72157644135956464/
or
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54912595@N02/with/13906394982/
There is some light fall off in the corners but the brush/gradient/circle tools in ACDSee P7 fix that at about 1/2 to 1 stop exposure boost.
When the image is of a flat object (in my case a paling fence, to show knots and distortion) some loss of sharpness is evident in the corners and as noted above no distortion that is visible when a grid is overlaid.
If shooting real things a subject would tend to be central (or the focus spot) and the sides be in the distance or foreground on a different plane. So sharpness fall off which is minor anyway does not matter.
Then there is the fact that it is smaller than a normal adapter.
I’m just waiting to see the numbers on the GH4…i’d imagine even better results.
But can you trust DXO scores?
One thing I noted is this. They seem to be quite consistent in giving higher scores to more expensive products.
I don’t trust their software because of these ratings.
Consider this:
Instead of this Panasonic Leica 42.5mm 1/1.2, you can buy all of these:
– Olympus 45mm f/1.8
– Sigma 60mm f/2.8
– Olympus 75mm f/1.8
and have the option of choosing the best lens for the shoot. The actual IQ in terms of sharpness, aberrations, distortions are much less important as these are all great performers, much less important than having the right FL, size, bokeh. And if you should be unlucky to drop the lens, there would still be two others waiting for you to use.
none of these help me much in taking stabilized footage on gh3, arguably the best prosumer cam for video, or help me gain another stop + 3-4 more from ois when I want that low light picture.
For you and for taking video using GH3, the Panasonic lens is better due to the need for OIS on the lens. But if video is so important, maybe GH4 or a Blackmagic will also work very well with this or with a cine lens. I was talking considerations in the context of still photo taking.
Funny how posters are upset that a Vacuum maker has the best M43 lens out and are trying to defend a lens that doesn’t even have the same focal length, as being better, or a better value…
HILARIOUS.
Question. Does the aperture rattles on an Olympus cams like the 25 or 20 does?
Voilà the really idiotic approach © Leica: put as much glass as it’s possible in a so-called high quality lens.
Result: T1.6 for an f1.2 lens! Simply cannot believe this in the era of digital lens correction…
Another marketing scam, one more reason not to buy the Nocticrap, or any of those puny.sensored products.
Ah, one of those “size does matter” types. Full frame is the real marketing scam. Hey guys, come over here and spend thousands more on resolution you’ll never use. Look at how awesome these pics look on facebook. Good thing I have my full frame camera for that. My camera can shoot at 6400 ISO, which is great since I don’t know how to use flash properly. All of that extra shallow depth of filed is real useful too. This way you don’t have to think about composition and visual content….just blur the shit out of everything.
I have spent thousands less than M43 and have far superior quality, thanks to FF. Sure, it’s a little bulkier (not much if you take equivalent lenses), but I am no nancy.
It’s nice to hear different opinions tho…
Alright, I’ll give a real answer. You can build either system up at any price point now- especially if you are willing to purchase used. M43 has plenty of affordable lenses and bodies. Using adaptors? This opens up a whole new world of cheap possibilities. Full frame- same thing. There are plenty of fast high quality primes if legacy glass is factored into the equation.
Far superior quality? I just can’t agree- not since I use both systems and have observed the differences with my own two eyes. Most people can’t even pic out the difference between two pics if you put them side by side. If print is your thing and you operate in that top 5% margin of extreme cases then maybe.
Actually FF and m4/3 goes well together. I have both and especially with the shorter focal lengths FF has more DOF control. Also FF doesn’t have to be super large, heavy and expensive.
Take a 6D plus some non L primes like 35/2.0IS, 40/2.8, 50/1.4, 85/1.8. Depending on what you shoot, you can get away without breaking the bank. I shoot mainly portraits and need only 35/50/85mm on a 5D2. For anything else I use an E-P5 and some light primes.
High ISO capabilities are great. Even when you know how to use flash, sometimes you are glad you have the choice whether to use it or not.
I own both as well and I agree with you. 6D is an excellent camera even though I shoot Sony. it doesn’t have to be large, heavy or bulky. 6D when it came out was one of the smallest FF at the time. The Sony A99 is one of the lightest. I might buy the A7S 12.2MP Sony mirrorless if it really is the new champ in terms of ISO and DR. I really want to shoot LF slide film though. To many systems and not enough time- we’re living in the golden age of photography.
All you nay sayer are a bunch of tards that get not enough love from yo mommies! You often contradict yourself in your own statement “I don’t need this, this is useless but this I would have buy because this or that”. You go in regression state “mighty enpowered childish” syndrom. Panasonic is not your mom and won’t change your draps dirty pee peed. Nocticron is a lens. And it’s made for photography, so stop whining and go kill yourself. Or just take picture and talk about meaning things. Your momas would be proud of you.
Your on the wrong site. Go back to pinholecameras.com. Panasonic is like the sexy MILF next door. You can’t handle the MILFness. Bye….
And *you* say other People have Problems? LOL
BTW: the Noctifun is a toy. You are a kid, so enjoy it.