Justifying the 0.95 Noctilux

[ashwinrao1]

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To Leicashot, you may want to check with Ken Hansen in NYC, from whom I purchased mine when no one else had it. You can find his email easily via Steve Huff's site

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[leicashot]

To Leicashot, you may want to check with Ken Hansen in NYC, from whom I purchased mine when no one else had it. You can find his email easily via Steve Huff's site

 

Thanks, in fact I just got one today, in my own backyard after emailing everyone worldwide!!!

 

I did try Ken, actually he was one of my first tries. Was shooting it tonight, first some shots of Justin Beiber then an old couple at the gas station with their car they bought new in 1966. Unfortunately I encountered A LOT of purple fringing, all over highlights. I'm not going to post pictures for fer of member attacking me, but I can tell you it was considerable under high contrast lighting. Somewhat disappointing, but damn this lens is sharp at 0.95, feels similar in sharpness to the 50/1.4 ASPH at f/1.4. Also, for some reason there are reviewers (who shall not be named) stating that this lens still holds some of the qualities and signature of the previous model. That couldn't be further from the truth. They have nothing in common and share no characteristics at all in signature as this is a modern update, a faster Lux ASPH, put simply. Please no flaming.

[kidigital]

Leicashot, I'd have to agree with your statement about the lens having a look that is quite different from the previous Noctilux. Your analysis is spot on with your statement that it is quite sharp at f0.95. And, you are not alone in seeing purple fringing when shooting against bright light sources.

 

At first, I missed the look I was able to get with the older Noctilux but personally am now glad I made the switch. With the sharpness of the newer version wide open, I know that I'm always going to get the shot. And that's quite remarkable considering that it's f0.95. Over time, I've become more careful in thinking through what I'm shooting to try to reduce the fringing ... it's unavoidable with such a fast lens and the limitations of digital sensors at this time. If all else fails, some of the those shots that display the worst fringing become black and whites.

[leicashot]

Leicashot, I'd have to agree with your statement about the lens having a look that is quite different from the previous Noctilux. Your analysis is spot on with your statement that it is quite sharp at f0.95. And, you are not alone in seeing purple fringing when shooting against bright light sources.

 

At first, I missed the look I was able to get with the older Noctilux but personally am now glad I made the switch. With the sharpness of the newer version wide open, I know that I'm always going to get the shot. And that's quite remarkable considering that it's f0.95. Over time, I've become more careful in thinking through what I'm shooting to try to reduce the fringing ... it's unavoidable with such a fast lens and the limitations of digital sensors at this time. If all else fails, some of the those shots that display the worst fringing become black and whites.

 

yeah these days I'm feeling more black and white myself anyway so I guess I can live with it's quirks which I knew about before buying anyway. I guess the old Noct look is something I loved about the Noct in the past but also could well be the reason I sold it 3 times too. It feels like a special effect lens at times and seemed more bulky with hoods on than this new version which is definitely a bit easier to focus too, though not as easy as some would have you believe. It wasn't an everyday, multi-purpose lens and it's signature makes that very clear. I have previously owned 2 copies of the 50 Lux ASPH and although I loved the lens for it's perfection, size and image qualities, it lacks any distinctive signature as it's transition from sharp to soft is perfect, too perfect. For me I wanted the ability to make the transition more abrupt, like other lenses i've used (Konica 50/1.2 comes to mind) but without the odd bokeh effects that distort the definition of background subjects (too much). The 0.95 is the ONLY lens I've ever seen corrected to do this, while maintaining maximum isolation. This is my new everyday lens, and as much as I bought it for using wide open, I need to be strict and not overuse the max aperture when an image is best stopped down. This is a temptation thats difficult to resist, but I must try.

[kidigital]

Not overusing it at f0.95 is really difficult ... good luck with that.

 

Interestingly enough, having had the lens for close to six months now, I find that I do stop the lens down without thinking about it. But only just a click or two if I'm trying to include a whole face or specific object in the zone of focus. I do wish the lens had a closest focus of .7 meters versus 1 meter.

 

I really enjoy shooting people and events where I can use the lens wide open at medium distances. Many times that might include using an ND filter. The sharp focus and abrupt drop-off provides a unique look that is similar to the look you see from medium and large format.

 

Kurt

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[ldhrads]

To Ashwin,

Did you get rid of your Canon 0.95 when you got this?

 

I did..

[leicashot]

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Not overusing it at f0.95 is really difficult ... good luck with that.

 

Interestingly enough, having had the lens for close to six months now, I find that I do stop the lens down without thinking about it. But only just a click or two if I'm trying to include a whole face or specific object in the zone of focus. I do wish the lens had a closest focus of .7 meters versus 1 meter.

 

I really enjoy shooting people and events where I can use the lens wide open at medium distances. Many times that might include using an ND filter. The sharp focus and abrupt drop-off provides a unique look that is similar to the look you see from medium and large format.

 

Kurt

 

Kurt, do you remove your UV filter when using the ND, or just stack?

[kidigital]

Kurt, do you remove your UV filter when using the ND, or just stack?

 

I haven't tried stacking them as I can't get past the feeling that it represents too many barriers ... warranted or unwarranted. Mostly, I'm just using the ND filter or none at all.

 

I have found, though, that I'm liking what I get with my ND filter more and more as it creates a unique look in daylight with added vignetting, etc.

[leicashot]

I haven't tried stacking them as I can't get past the feeling that it represents too many barriers ... warranted or unwarranted. Mostly, I'm just using the ND filter or none at all.

 

I have found, though, that I'm liking what I get with my ND filter more and more as it creates a unique look in daylight with added vignetting, etc.

 

Do you have the 3 stop version? I think that should be enough for me as I don't tend to shoot in harsh sunlight

[kidigital]

Here's a link to the filter I'm using: B+W 60mm #103 Neutral Density (ND) 0.9 Filter 65073073 - B&H

 

It seems so inexpensive ... after the purchase of the lens. I've found the 3-stop version to be sufficient except in the brightest of midday light. In those instances, I'm comfortable adjusting exposure in post processing.

 

I don't even use my camera bag anymore. I just leave the house with the M9 and Noctilux and a spare battery, card and ND filter in my pocket. It's quite liberating.

[leicashot]

Guys, my Noct 0.95 is registering the wrong information in the EXIF data, usually between 1.2 and 1.4. I know it's never 100% accurate but is anyone getting 0.95 in their EXIF data?

[kidigital]

I don't believe that I've ever recorded a shot with the new noct that shows up at f0.95 ... and that's with the latest firmware and the firmware before that. Without an electronic confirmation between the lens and the camera, the camera just provides a best estimate. To add to the confusion, take a look at the EXIF reading when you place an ND filter on the lens and shoot wide open. I've had a few people mistakenly claim that wide-open shots I've shown them have been stopped down to make the f0.95 look more sharp ... those are some of the same people who also claim that they can get the same look with their Canon 50/1.8, film, etc.

[mah]

Noctilux night shot:

 

Waterloo Bridge at night | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

Regards