Micro 4/3 Nocticron Megatron Ultraman 42.5/1.2 OIS

Stan

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Location
California
Name
Stan
Despite the sense that the lens was sent to us by extraterrestrials (or at least named by them), the 42.5 f1.2, OIS, aperture ring is a big announcement. It's definitely pro spec, and the Leica Badge is likely indicative of a bokehlicious lens design.

I'm guessing it'll cost north of $1K US, so it's not likely to end up in my bag anytime soon. The Canon 85/1.2 is about $1900US. So throwing in an M43 discount, I'm going to guess a price around $1199.

The OIS is an interesting move. I didn't expect OIS in this lens, and it makes me wonder if video guys are also interested in this lens for run-and-gun. For stills, I can see it allowing one to keep ISO a stop or two lower for posed portraits, by cheating and using a slower shutter speed than 1/90th. So you get about 2 stops of more use compared to the 45/1.8. For some that's worth it. The added DOF control will also be useful as one gets into half-body or full-body portraits. I'd still prefer the 135mm on FF for such things, but the convenience of being able to use one system starts to weigh in.

I don't know when I'll ditch my Canon 5D3, but it's likely to be the last DSLR I buy.

Panasonic announces Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2 (again): Digital Photography Review

And I've thought of a new standardized test question:
Summilux is to Summicron, as Noctilux is to ___________.
 
For this kind of money I think I will just join the Olympus 45mm f1.8 club and save a bundle! The Oly 45mm has excellent reviews and the price is much closer to us low budget people. ;)
 
I love the name. Nocticron. Makes me think of a gigantic robot with glowing violet eyes, silhouetted against a vast white moon.

It's not quite on the want-list, though. I've got the new Voigtlander 42.5mm f0.95 on order, which has taken up the last bit of camera budget for this year. TBH, I ordered the Voigtlander because I ran into a very sticky situation at a gig a couple of months ago, where I had to shoot video in a very dark venue and could not use any lighting. I swore I'd never be caught out in a situation like that ever again, and a f0.95 lens set looked like the ticket.

The CV 42.5 is going to visually match the 25mm and 17.5mm I have coming, but with this announcement, I am thinking of backing out of it, or place the order on hold until I test how a lens at f1.2 performs in those lighting conditions. As much as 'serious' shooters poo-poo autofocus, I find one-touch AF to be incredibly convenient, and having OIS will be of great benefit when using the GH3, which has no in-body stabilization. While I would be using a monopod, tripod or chest rig with the CV 42.5, the Pana's OIS could conceivably work hand held, and produce better results even with a monopod or chest rig. The Pana-Leica is likely to be smaller and lighter than the CV as well.

On the other hand, there is no release date, and who knows when stock would actually hit the stores after that?
 
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