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johnbuckley · 07/12/08, 10:22 PM

In the LFI that just arrived in my mailbox, there's a pretty terrific piece on a pair of Dutch brothers who use the Noctilux to shoot fashion photography. It's interesting because while a couple of photographs have that patented Nocti bokeh, several of the pictures are razor sharp, or at least certain planes are sharp. The photography of the model's faces, though, tends to be spot on in focus and sharpness, with blurring as you get further from the eyes. In these guys' hands, the Nocti works, but it draws me to two conclusions.

1.) Perhaps I need to get my Nocti to Solms, because even allowing for backfocus, I could never get something that sharp when wide open.

2) I suspect many of the images are shot at 2.8, where the Nocti takes on a different, more traditional characteristic. That said, they could probably get most of what they need with the Summilux, and not have to strain their arms lifting an M8 and Nocti...

For those who have seen the article, does the Noctilux seem to perform them as it does for you? If the answer is yes, and at 1.0, then darn, I'm going to have to get this backfocus thing dealt with...

johnbuckley · 07/12/08, 10:33 PM

There's are two other possibilities. 1) They use a tripod. (Don't think so.) 2) They have younger eyes, and can focus better. Ah, now that's a possibility... and something the Solms hospital can't correct...

Tina Manley · 07/12/08, 11:30 PM

I used to get very sharp photos using the Noctilux and film. It was my favorite lens. I haven't been able to get the same sharpness with the M8 and Noctilux. I even sent them both to Solms to be matched and I still can't focus it right. It could be my old eyes, too,

, but the 75/1.4 works fine and is super sharp with the M8. I need to practice more but when I couldn't get sharp photos after sending it to Solms, I just gave up. Hope you have better luck!

Tina
Tina Manley- powered by SmugMug

stunsworth · 07/12/08, 11:39 PM

I think a lot has to do with a combination of old eyes and the fact that digital reveals flaws that we didn't see with film. After saying that I'd always ask people to judge a lens from prints and not by looking at 100% magnification views in Photoshop. Revisiting many of my film shots reveals that compared to a Tri-X the M8 is a far superior device in terms of resolution., but yet the old Tri-X negatives still look very good when they're printed.

Yet after all that I've just sold my Noctilux. Perhaps I was sucked into the quest for higher resolution - I'm not so sure, but whatever the reason I'd hardly used my Noctilux since buying the M8. The fact that I just about got twice what I paid for the lens in 2002 helps to soften the blow.

jaapv · 07/12/08, 11:47 PM

That was not the first Noctilux-M8 article. Nenad Bojic was featured some time ago.
Have a look at this thread on GetDPI too:

Noctilux Rocks... (literally - concert pics here!) - The GetDPI Workshop Forums

andybarton · 07/13/08, 12:00 AM

Jaap

Only one of those shots that you have linked to has that true "only with a Nocti" feeling as far as I am concerned.

Tina Manley · 07/13/08, 01:00 AM

Noctilux and film are a perfect match and I may go back to using my M7 and film just to use the Noctilux. Most of the photos from this one on are made with the Noctilux:

Weldi Brooks photo - Tina Manley photos at pbase.com

I agree, Steve, that it's probably a combination of old eyes and digital showing up more than film. So, just for the Noctilux, it will be film.

Tina
Tina Manley- powered by SmugMug

jaapv · 07/13/08, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andybarton

Jaap

Only one of those shots that you have linked to has that true "only with a Nocti" feeling as far as I am concerned.

Just a link, Andy... #3 and #6 I would say for the Noctilux look.

erl · 07/13/08, 01:08 AM

Go here,
Divisions of photography
to see the intro(2nd) page of my website where I have done a short (?) review of the M8 + Noctilux. Nothing more than my 'Love Affair' of the combo wherin I present about 20 pics done with it.

Briefly, my combo was sent back to Solms (actually twice) and returned in what I consider perfect focus. OOF shots are now my fault, I believe.

It is my most used combo when shooting for myself.

Edit: I should add, perhaps unneccesarily, that 99% of my shots were @ f1.0, otherwise, why use this lens!

offshore · 07/13/08, 02:14 AM

Back focusing issues aside try a RF eyepiece magnifier, there is an inexpensive one sold on eBay that magnifies 1.25X and will make focusing much easier.

mboerma · 07/13/08, 07:29 AM

Here's a link to (some of) the photo's used in the LFI article in higher resolution:

Dutch House of Photography

I think they just shot *a lot* of photo's with the noctilux at F1, use focus bracketing. They use professional models which are used to stand completely still.

johnbuckley · 07/13/08, 11:34 AM

Thank you for linking to their site. Yes, those are the shots. And they are, I believe, quite wonderful. But seeing them: the perfection in focus (as compared to what I know I can do) can't be explained by younger eyes, I guess. If these are shot at f/1.0, then I think I do need to get my Nocti, which I adore, better calibrated with my M8. It's not just me! There's a little bit of a focus issue.

rdubois · 07/13/08, 11:46 AM

[quote=Tina Manley;604565]Noctilux and film are a perfect match and I may go back to using my M7 and film just to use the Noctilux. Most of the photos from this one on are made with the Noctilux:

Tina,

Your photographs are inspirational; not just those posted here today but also from your smugsmug galleries.

Have you any examples of Noctilux and M8?

Dubois

Michael Tyler · 07/13/08, 05:21 PM

John, those fashion images are extremely post-processed (and well done at that). But viewing them at web resolution, with all the PS trickery, it makes me assume they've gone through some punishing rounds of sharpening and high-pass filters to get that crisp sparkle. My young-ish eyes (I can focus a 90 cron at f/2) were able to focus an Nocti with no problem. The sharpest point in the frame was right where I intended it, no back focus, and yet it didn't appear as sharp as the Dutch photos, and I assume that if you viewed prints of those Dutch photos you'd see the Nocti flaws become more apparent.

Tina Manley · 07/13/08, 05:50 PM

Thanks, Dubois. I don't have many M8/Noctilux photos posted because most of mine miss the focus

Here's one, though:

Belly Dancer, II photo - Tina Manley photos at pbase.com

Converted to B&W.

Tina
Tina Manley- powered by SmugMug

Shootist · 07/13/08, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tina Manley

Thanks, Dubois. I don't have many M8/Noctilux photos posted because most of mine miss the focus

Here's one, though:

Belly Dancer, II photo - Tina Manley photos at pbase.com

Converted to B&W.

Tina
Tina Manley- powered by SmugMug

Tina wouldn't that photo be better titled Boy in amazement? Whatever.
May I ask why you maintain 2 different photo sites?
I have a hard enough time maintaining and updating my one site.
Ed Chatlos (Shootist)'s photos- powered by SmugMug

tom0511 · 07/13/08, 06:25 PM

John,
my Noctilux went to Solms twice, the second time together with my M8 and my 35/1.4asph as well as the 75 and 50 Summilux lenses for calibration.
In my case I could still not focus the Nocti reliable. It has nothing to do with my eyes, but more with focus shift and also with the fact that the fault seemed to be slightly different at different distances.
Also digital sensors seem to show it more clearly, if the focus is not spot on.
I sold it and rather use my 50asph or the Zeis 50/1.5.

Tina Manley · 07/13/08, 06:27 PM

Hi, Ed. Actually, I have more than two

One for friends and colleagues to discuss photos, one for travel blogs, one to sell photos myself, one to sell photos through an agency, one that's free so I've left my portfolio up there, etc. I've tried to consolidate them all into the SmugMug site but it's not as easy for people to leave comments there and I like to have the interaction of comments so, for the time being, I have at least five

Tina
Tina Manley- powered by SmugMug

rdubois · 07/13/08, 06:48 PM

[quote=Tina Manley;605007]Thanks, Dubois. I don't have many M8/Noctilux photos posted because most of mine miss the focus

Here's one, though:

Delightful and enchanting

Dubois

ammitsboel · 07/13/08, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mboerma

Here's a link to (some of) the photo's used in the LFI article in higher resolution:

Dutch House of Photography

I think they just shot *a lot* of photo's with the noctilux at F1, use focus bracketing. They use professional models which are used to stand completely still.

Hmm... this is f****** great!
Is it film?

07/12/08, 10:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
johnbuckley Erfahrener Benutzer Join Date: 12/05/03 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 372	M8 and Noctilux As Seen In LFI In the LFI that just arrived in my mailbox, there's a pretty terrific piece on a pair of Dutch brothers who use the Noctilux to shoot fashion photography. It's interesting because while a couple of photographs have that patented Nocti bokeh, several of the pictures are razor sharp, or at least certain planes are sharp. The photography of the model's faces, though, tends to be spot on in focus and sharpness, with blurring as you get further from the eyes. In these guys' hands, the Nocti works, but it draws me to two conclusions. 1.) Perhaps I need to get my Nocti to Solms, because even allowing for backfocus, I could never get something that sharp when wide open. 2) I suspect many of the images are shot at 2.8, where the Nocti takes on a different, more traditional characteristic. That said, they could probably get most of what they need with the Summilux, and not have to strain their arms lifting an M8 and Nocti... For those who have seen the article, does the Noctilux seem to perform them as it does for you? If the answer is yes, and at 1.0, then darn, I'm going to have to get this backfocus thing dealt with... __________________ http://johnbuckley100.zenfolio.com/ http://johnbuckley100.wordpress.com/

07/12/08, 10:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnbuckley Erfahrener Benutzer Join Date: 12/05/03 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 372	Re: M8 and Noctilux As Seen In LFI There's are two other possibilities. 1) They use a tripod. (Don't think so.) 2) They have younger eyes, and can focus better. Ah, now that's a possibility... and something the Solms hospital can't correct... __________________ http://johnbuckley100.zenfolio.com/ http://johnbuckley100.wordpress.com/

07/12/08, 11:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tina Manley Benutzer Join Date: 01/03/08 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 56	Re: M8 and Noctilux As Seen In LFI I used to get very sharp photos using the Noctilux and film. It was my favorite lens. I haven't been able to get the same sharpness with the M8 and Noctilux. I even sent them both to Solms to be matched and I still can't focus it right. It could be my old eyes, too, , but the 75/1.4 works fine and is super sharp with the M8. I need to practice more but when I couldn't get sharp photos after sending it to Solms, I just gave up. Hope you have better luck! Tina Tina Manley- powered by SmugMug

07/12/08, 11:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
stunsworth Erfahrener Benutzer Join Date: 09/30/02 Location: Manchester Posts: 7,742	Re: M8 and Noctilux As Seen In LFI I think a lot has to do with a combination of old eyes and the fact that digital reveals flaws that we didn't see with film. After saying that I'd always ask people to judge a lens from prints and not by looking at 100% magnification views in Photoshop. Revisiting many of my film shots reveals that compared to a Tri-X the M8 is a far superior device in terms of resolution., but yet the old Tri-X negatives still look very good when they're printed. Yet after all that I've just sold my Noctilux. Perhaps I was sucked into the quest for higher resolution - I'm not so sure, but whatever the reason I'd hardly used my Noctilux since buying the M8. The fact that I just about got twice what I paid for the lens in 2002 helps to soften the blow. __________________ Steve Website - www.steveunsworth.co.uk Picture a week - http://www.steveunsworth.co.uk/PAW_blog/?page_id=9

07/12/08, 11:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
jaapv Erfahrener Benutzer Join Date: 09/14/04 Location: Hellevoetsluis, Netherlands Posts: 6,040	Re: M8 and Noctilux As Seen In LFI That was not the first Noctilux-M8 article. Nenad Bojic was featured some time ago. Have a look at this thread on GetDPI too: Noctilux Rocks... (literally - concert pics here!) - The GetDPI Workshop Forums __________________ Jaap WWW.JAAPVPHOTOGRAPHY.EU Skype: JAAPVPHOTOGRAPHY Last edited by jaapv : 07/12/08 at 11:50 PM.

07/13/08, 12:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
andybarton Moderator Join Date: 06/21/06 Location: Airstrip 1 - 53:17:00N 03:04:00W Posts: 7,547	Re: M8 and Noctilux As Seen In LFI Jaap Only one of those shots that you have linked to has that true "only with a Nocti" feeling as far as I am concerned. __________________ Cheers, Andy ___________________________ 2008 Spring Collection now released

07/13/08, 01:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tina Manley Benutzer Join Date: 01/03/08 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 56	Re: M8 and Noctilux As Seen In LFI Noctilux and film are a perfect match and I may go back to using my M7 and film just to use the Noctilux. Most of the photos from this one on are made with the Noctilux: Weldi Brooks photo - Tina Manley photos at pbase.com I agree, Steve, that it's probably a combination of old eyes and digital showing up more than film. So, just for the Noctilux, it will be film. Tina Tina Manley- powered by SmugMug

07/13/08, 01:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
erl Moderator Join Date: 08/16/03 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,139	Re: M8 and Noctilux As Seen In LFI Go here, Divisions of photography to see the intro(2nd) page of my website where I have done a short (?) review of the M8 + Noctilux. Nothing more than my 'Love Affair' of the combo wherin I present about 20 pics done with it. Briefly, my combo was sent back to Solms (actually twice) and returned in what I consider perfect focus. OOF shots are now my fault, I believe. It is my most used combo when shooting for myself. Edit: I should add, perhaps unneccesarily, that 99% of my shots were @ f1.0, otherwise, why use this lens! __________________ Cheers, Erl Inventor of the StreetShooter for Leica M's Currently available at www.showplace.com.au/Streetshooter.html

07/13/08, 02:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
offshore Erfahrener Benutzer Join Date: 04/30/08 Location: Rohnert Park Posts: 233	Re: M8 and Noctilux As Seen In LFI Back focusing issues aside try a RF eyepiece magnifier, there is an inexpensive one sold on eBay that magnifies 1.25X and will make focusing much easier.

07/13/08, 07:29 AM	#11 (permalink)
mboerma Erfahrener Benutzer Join Date: 09/20/03 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 113	Re: M8 and Noctilux As Seen In LFI Here's a link to (some of) the photo's used in the LFI article in higher resolution: Dutch House of Photography I think they just shot a lot of photo's with the noctilux at F1, use focus bracketing. They use professional models which are used to stand completely still. __________________ Maarten Boerma Portfolio MaartenBoermaPhotography Weblog SoulPixels

07/13/08, 11:34 AM	#12 (permalink)
johnbuckley Erfahrener Benutzer Join Date: 12/05/03 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 372	Re: M8 and Noctilux As Seen In LFI Thank you for linking to their site. Yes, those are the shots. And they are, I believe, quite wonderful. But seeing them: the perfection in focus (as compared to what I know I can do) can't be explained by younger eyes, I guess. If these are shot at f/1.0, then I think I do need to get my Nocti, which I adore, better calibrated with my M8. It's not just me! There's a little bit of a focus issue. __________________ http://johnbuckley100.zenfolio.com/ http://johnbuckley100.wordpress.com/

07/13/08, 11:46 AM	#13 (permalink)
rdubois Benutzer Join Date: 01/07/08 Posts: 44	Re: M8 and Noctilux As Seen In LFI [quote=Tina Manley;604565]Noctilux and film are a perfect match and I may go back to using my M7 and film just to use the Noctilux. Most of the photos from this one on are made with the Noctilux: Tina, Your photographs are inspirational; not just those posted here today but also from your smugsmug galleries. Have you any examples of Noctilux and M8? Dubois

07/13/08, 05:21 PM	#14 (permalink)
Michael Tyler Benutzer Join Date: 02/29/08 Posts: 41	Re: M8 and Noctilux As Seen In LFI John, those fashion images are extremely post-processed (and well done at that). But viewing them at web resolution, with all the PS trickery, it makes me assume they've gone through some punishing rounds of sharpening and high-pass filters to get that crisp sparkle. My young-ish eyes (I can focus a 90 cron at f/2) were able to focus an Nocti with no problem. The sharpest point in the frame was right where I intended it, no back focus, and yet it didn't appear as sharp as the Dutch photos, and I assume that if you viewed prints of those Dutch photos you'd see the Nocti flaws become more apparent.

07/13/08, 05:50 PM	#15 (permalink)
Tina Manley Benutzer Join Date: 01/03/08 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 56	Re: M8 and Noctilux As Seen In LFI Thanks, Dubois. I don't have many M8/Noctilux photos posted because most of mine miss the focus Here's one, though: Belly Dancer, II photo - Tina Manley photos at pbase.com Converted to B&W. Tina Tina Manley- powered by SmugMug

07/13/08, 06:25 PM	#17 (permalink)
tom0511 Erfahrener Benutzer Join Date: 09/15/06 Posts: 1,021	Re: M8 and Noctilux As Seen In LFI John, my Noctilux went to Solms twice, the second time together with my M8 and my 35/1.4asph as well as the 75 and 50 Summilux lenses for calibration. In my case I could still not focus the Nocti reliable. It has nothing to do with my eyes, but more with focus shift and also with the fact that the fault seemed to be slightly different at different distances. Also digital sensors seem to show it more clearly, if the focus is not spot on. I sold it and rather use my 50asph or the Zeis 50/1.5.

Thread Tools

07/13/08, 06:27 PM	#18 (permalink)
Tina Manley Benutzer Join Date: 01/03/08 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 56	Re: M8 and Noctilux As Seen In LFI Hi, Ed. Actually, I have more than two One for friends and colleagues to discuss photos, one for travel blogs, one to sell photos myself, one to sell photos through an agency, one that's free so I've left my portfolio up there, etc. I've tried to consolidate them all into the SmugMug site but it's not as easy for people to leave comments there and I like to have the interaction of comments so, for the time being, I have at least five Tina Tina Manley- powered by SmugMug Last edited by Tina Manley : 07/13/08 at 06:38 PM.

07/13/08, 06:48 PM	#19 (permalink)
rdubois Benutzer Join Date: 01/07/08 Posts: 44	Re: M8 and Noctilux As Seen In LFI [quote=Tina Manley;605007]Thanks, Dubois. I don't have many M8/Noctilux photos posted because most of mine miss the focus Here's one, though: Delightful and enchanting Dubois