Jump to content

HELP with 50 f1.Noctilux


steve70

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Since I just got the M9 I decided to byte the bullet, based on all of the favorable comments on this board, and yesterday trade my beautiful 50 f2 for a used 50mm f1 Noctilux Canadian.

Playing with it this AM I noticed that at max. apperature, f1, the lens vignets like crazy! The Second sets of photos I took at f4, and even there, there is just a slight vignetting on the edges.

I did set the lens detection on manual for the 50 f1 and got the vignetting, set it on auto, same thing. I removed the B&W fileter, same result.

 

Now here's the curious thing, I have an old non Ai Nikkor 50 f1.2 with a Leica M adapter and decided to try that as well, and got the same thing.

Is this an issue with the camera or is it the lens/camera combo?

 

Can any one shed light on this? Do I need to return this lens?

 

Thanks

Link to post
Share on other sites

Since I just got the M9 I decided to byte the bullet, based on all of the favorable comments on this board, and yesterday trade my beautiful 50 f2 for a used 50mm f1 Noctilux Canadian.

Playing with it this AM I noticed that at max. apperature, f1, the lens vignets like crazy! The Second sets of photos I took at f4, and even there, there is just a slight vignetting on the edges.

I did set the lens detection on manual for the 50 f1 and got the vignetting, set it on auto, same thing. I removed the B&W fileter, same result.

 

Now here's the curious thing, I have an old non Ai Nikkor 50 f1.2 with a Leica M adapter and decided to try that as well, and got the same thing.

Is this an issue with the camera or is it the lens/camera combo?

 

Can any one shed light on this? Do I need to return this lens?

 

Thanks

 

Pretty well all fast lenses vignette wide open. Partly it is physics since the light drops off quickly with angle of view, at Cos4 of the angle. On top of this there is vignetting designed into every fast lens to reduce aberrations. On the Noctilux only the centre is absolutely at f1, the effective aperture reduces with angle of view. It is easy to see for yourself, if you look into the lens with the aperture set at f1 then move your eye (or the lens!) so that you are looking through the lens at an angle you can see that the whole aperture, which is f1, is no longer completely visible.

This is normal, I believe the lens has about 3 stops of vignetting at the edge.

Link to post
Share on other sites

That's the nature of these lens. I also have the Nikkor 50mm f1.2 and yes, it vignettes visibly at wide open. But you can use it to good effect once you get used to it. ;-)

 

And like you, I also have a used Noct f/1, but there's no sign of the M9 where I live.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Phew!,

Thanks guys, that's a releef!, I thought I had a bad lens and or a bad M9 camera.

I just tried a few more quick shots with the 28-35-50 tri lemar, and no vignetting on the 50. Also tried my new 35 f1.4 ASPH and also got vignetting at f1.4.

So I guess that you guys are correct.

I guess that when I was shooting film my fastest lens was an f2 and never really noticed vignetting.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I use the F1.0 Noctilux on the M9. I'm assuming your lens is 6 bit coded. The reason I ask is because I believe Leica do not apply such a strong in camera correction for vignetting with the F1.0 Noctilux as they do for other lenses. The reason being the vignetting is a characteristic of the lens and used by many for artistic purposes so they didn't want to remove that characteristic of the lens. In addition the Noctilux is often used in low light with a high ISO setting where noise can be prevalent so a 2-3 stop push in the corners would give unacceptable noise.

 

Bob.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Steve,

 

here you find the vignetting of the lens as described by Leica in the spec sheets.

 

Have fun with your new Canadian toy!

 

Best

Holger

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Thanks guys,

I was actually playing with it a bit more today, and the vigneting is actually not that objectionable. I used to do a lot of photojurnalism work and worked mostly with 28mm and 35mm lenses on old M2's and M3's and the occasional M4. So vignatting was expected and actually desirable, it focused the eye on the subject.

Never did much use a 50mm.

Going to take it tonight to my favorite watering hole and see how well it performs in low light at ISO 1600. Will try my new 35 f1.4 Summilux ASPH as well.

I have a few photos up on the Leica LFI Gallery. If you serch under "Stefano 63" you should see 3 or 4 pics.

I am still trying to get a handle on this "digital age". Just got a new iMac as well, and boy, coming form an IBM type it sure is a learning curve!

Link to post
Share on other sites

I am still trying to get a handle on this "digital age". Just got a new iMac as well, and boy, coming form an IBM type it sure is a learning curve!

 

You will go fast! Enjoy and do not worry too much. You have a hard-to-beat setup!

Link to post
Share on other sites

The Noct F1 vignettes up through F4 on the M9. The new Noct has SLIGHT vignetting at .95 and just about gone by 1.4. But, the F1 version has some serious MOJO. The new version is all about perfection and sharpness, but I am testing it out now. I have both old and new and will be shooting them in NYC next week. Can't wait!

 

But I love my F1 version. Fantastic lens. For those interested, I just put up a quick-n-dirty side by side on my site and will have a pretty big full review up in a week or two.

 

You have a great setup, and once you get used to that mac you will never go back to windows. Trust me.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Im surprised you didn't know about the vignetting of the Noctilux 50 1.0 before you got one for your self. The way the Noctilux "draws" is a big part of the appeal, at least to me. And besides its kind of what it's know for. I tested my 50 1.0 version on the M9 and it was great. I still like it better on film because I still have no M9:p. Congratulation on your new gear.

 

Gregory

 

SmugMug Photo & Video Sharing. You look better here.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Aye, I actually very much enjoy the vignetting on the old Noctilux. It provides much of the signature of that lens - and one of the delights of the M9 is that you get that signature look back (versus the M8). Like Steve says, the classic Noct has some major mojo!

 

Post some pics from that watering hole...

Link to post
Share on other sites

Steve, I like your reviews read most of the Leica ones and GF1. The Noctilux vs Nokton was interesting too. I would have to get to try atleast a few shots with a Noctilux and go home and sleep on that one for a few days. 6,000 MAYBE 10,000 scary for me. But what a lens it is, fantastic.

Cheers Jan

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks guys,

I was actually playing a bit more with the 50 f1 last night in my favorite watering hole at ISO 1600. Nice lens!.

This AM I was taking photos of an abondoned house not far from where I live and tried some pics at f 1, 1.4 and the vignetting is indeed quite pleasing.

Once I figure out my new iMac I will post a few of them.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...