Lord Fluff Posted June 29, 2011 Share #1 Posted June 29, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Yeah, you got me - I'm not talking about avoiding flare here, or about good performance on backlit subjects - I'm asking about lenses that flare really badly, but really beautifully. Of course I don't want this effect all the time, but for some of the stuff I do it could work really well. I have to twist the arm of any of my Canon lenses to flare the way I want, and they put up a fight even then. Progress! Pah! I take it the pre-asph 35 lux is a contender......but which others? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 29, 2011 Posted June 29, 2011 Hi Lord Fluff, Take a look here Lenses with prettiest flare. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wattsy Posted June 29, 2011 Share #2 Posted June 29, 2011 In my experience (mainly with modern ASPH lenses) Leica lenses do not flare easily, but when they do it tends to result in big ugly red blobs, rainbow arcs or bands. I shoot a lot into the sun and the lenses I've owned which have been most susceptible to 'ugly' flare have been the 24 Elmarit ASPH (otherwise an outstanding lens) and the 35 Summicron ASPH. I think you are right to look at the older lenses for more attractive flare. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted June 29, 2011 Share #3 Posted June 29, 2011 I'm not sure what you mean by 'beautiful' flare. I've certainly had more shots ruined by flare than I've had enhanced by it. I can't really think of a type of flare that is beautiful. Maybe that's my problem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted June 29, 2011 Share #4 Posted June 29, 2011 Many older lenses flare and this can range from hard, very intrusive coloured elipses, through rainbow 'curtains, to overall contrast drops, with wider lenses usually producing flare more easily. Which you like will depend on your taste but FWIW I'd say early 35 'crons or the pre-asph 'lux are fun to play with and their flare characteristics are actually quite predictable in terms of when and how they flare. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Roberts Posted June 29, 2011 Share #5 Posted June 29, 2011 LOL--I just posted this elsewhere, but honestly, the 1.0 Noctilux has to be the all time best if you know what you're doing... The flare when you push this lens beyond reason is pretty great: expressionism & romance :: june 10 Otto Schulze likes it too http://www.ottoschulzephotographers.com/blog/leica/noctilux-f1 So it gets my vote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Fluff Posted June 29, 2011 Author Share #6 Posted June 29, 2011 Nice shot Jamie - and that stuff of Otto's is just barmy. Not sure I'm ready to drop £4000 on the old monster f1 just for flare, but thanks for sharing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Roberts Posted June 29, 2011 Share #7 Posted June 29, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Nice shot Jamie - and that stuff of Otto's is just barmy. Not sure I'm ready to drop £4000 on the old monster f1 just for flare, but thanks for sharing. Thanks very much! LOL of course the f1.0 Nocti is not "just for flare"--though it's pretty cool! But it really is a legendary lens for a good reason: it's a darn good 50mm lens on the M to f2 and after f4 (focus shift round 2.8 is a bit of a PITA), and it's low-light capability is really only matched (and bettered, really) by the new Noctilux. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Fluff Posted June 29, 2011 Author Share #8 Posted June 29, 2011 I just don't seem to get on with the Nocti - I don't think I'm manly enough to focus it in a hurry. I've only ever tried it briefly, but it's now so expensive I may have missed the boat. I certainly didn’t find it worth the extra over the Nokton 1.1, or even my pre-asph Lux. Does make me wonder how Otto got those effects - perhaps an assistant pointing a torch off-axis at the lens? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Roberts Posted July 2, 2011 Share #9 Posted July 2, 2011 I just don't seem to get on with the Nocti - I don't think I'm manly enough to focus it in a hurry. I've only ever tried it briefly, but it's now so expensive I may have missed the boat. I certainly didn’t find it worth the extra over the Nokton 1.1, or even my pre-asph Lux. Does make me wonder how Otto got those effects - perhaps an assistant pointing a torch off-axis at the lens? Don't think so--it's just the sun. When the Nocti "goes," it really "goes"--but it's gotta be open wider than f2 or so, otherwise the shape of the flare will change to something more normal. The Nocti is really fabulous in very low light. There's nothing like it for candle-lit receptions and stuff like that... the closest would be the 85 1.2L Canon but it's actually too contrasty without enough internal flare rejection at 1.2... if you know what I mean. It still hazes up in backlight--even candlelit backlight--and the Nocti doesn't (neither does the Mandler 80 R Lux, which is another really nice lens). I like the flare on the 35 Lux ASPH too... but it's *much* more controlled Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted July 2, 2011 Share #10 Posted July 2, 2011 \\I take it the pre-asph 35 lux is a contender......but which others? There's nothing like the 180 degree bubble flare from an offset light source (like a street light) with pre-asph Summilux 35mm. It just sucks so bad. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Roberts Posted July 3, 2011 Share #11 Posted July 3, 2011 There's nothing like the 180 degree bubble flare from an offset light source (like a street light) with pre-asph Summilux 35mm. It just sucks so bad. I actually think the pre-ASPH 21 Elmarit is even worse In a kinda good way, actually (and kinda bad... it doesn't really handle backlight either). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerard Posted July 3, 2011 Share #12 Posted July 3, 2011 I popped into my garden this afternoon to provoke flare from my 75 lux for you. Forgot to remove the UV/IR, but you'll get a good idea what it's like. This was at f2. 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 Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/155609-lenses-with-prettiest-flare/?do=findComment&comment=1722587'>More sharing options...
UliWer Posted July 3, 2011 Share #13 Posted July 3, 2011 Not sure, whether you could call this pretty - though the 1.9/7.3cm Hektor might be a flaring candidate: 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 Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/155609-lenses-with-prettiest-flare/?do=findComment&comment=1722661'>More sharing options...
aesop Posted July 4, 2011 Share #14 Posted July 4, 2011 ...great shots, folks. My main problem with this thread is that to my knowledge, there is no known method of correctly generating, predicting and controlling the flare with lens X on an M. For the record, I favour creative flare and have had varying degrees of success in its application but, I have to admit that my approach has been rather hit-and-miss. I would therefore welcome any technical input on how to use it creatively in M photography. Repeated and successfully, that is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Fluff Posted July 4, 2011 Author Share #15 Posted July 4, 2011 +1 I don't think it's ever going to be totally predictable on any camera which isn't a through-the-lens system. I have SLR lenses I can force to flare, but you have to really get the angle right, and of course being able to see what you're doing is a *big* help. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvaliquette Posted July 4, 2011 Share #16 Posted July 4, 2011 I agree that this is an effect that is best pursued with a SLR. The 21mm f4.0 Super-Angulon R does have a "nice flare" that is generally predictable and relatively easy to control. I don't have any examples ready at hand to show, though. Guy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted July 4, 2011 Share #17 Posted July 4, 2011 Hi If you want more flare any single coated lens will help. The 40 and 35m CV f/1.4 SC, are modern lenses with tendancy to preasph Lux and type I cron signatures (respectively). The Canon LTM lenses from '50 to '70, the Leitz lenses from same period. The J12 LTM does nice iris images. The Hologon with cente filter ditto. Any SC lenses will flatten the highlights and fill the shadows, very useful for M8 or M9 with specular highlights. Noel P.S.The pre 1980 (i.e. SC) pre asph 35mm lux is the king of flare.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintotto Posted July 4, 2011 Share #18 Posted July 4, 2011 LORD FLUFF - no way mate, nobody is pointing no torches at my lens. that's nothing but shooting the nocti into the sun. nothing more. nothing in post. its just what that lens does. its what makes it so special. cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintotto Posted July 4, 2011 Share #19 Posted July 4, 2011 oh and lens flare for me on the M9 with the Noctilux f1 is absolutely predictable! I know exactly when and how it will flair. Another unique feature of the nocti for me! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aesop Posted July 4, 2011 Share #20 Posted July 4, 2011 oh and lens flare for me on the M9 with the Noctilux f1 is absolutely predictable! I know exactly when and how it will flair. Another unique feature of the nocti for me! ...fair enough, then, saintotto - please feel free to educate us at your soonest convenience. And no, I do not own a Noctilux (but I do know a couple of folks who do). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.