In article <4euk81$jtv@gol2.gol.com>, tanovic@gol.com says...

>My question is are the 1.0 settings on these lenses (I will include the
>Leica Noctilux 50/1.0) really at all useful? I mean isn't the
>depth-of-field so minute when wide open as make the choice of >composition and subject matter incredibly restricted?

No, the DOF difference between f1 and f1.4 at the same focus
distance is not great (or the DOF difference between any two
adjacent apertures, at the same focus distance, if you want
to check it out and your camera has a DOF preview capability).
When not shooting close-up, there is sufficient DOF with
50mm lenses for most purposes, even at very wide apertures.
Unfortunately, the limiting factor for using wide apertures
is not DOF, but poor optical image quality.
Hope This Helps