ymc226 Posted March 19, 2012 Share #1 Posted March 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have the latest version of the Noctilux 1.0 which I bought in great condition from Classic Camera Connection. So far, I have used it wide open on a M9 mostly under 6 feet and noticed that the focal plane is very narrow. I feel that the images are "soft" but don't feel qualified to judge as this is my first digital camera, first time I am using color, and have not used any other version of the Noctilux. Another forum member has this on his website stating similar feelings. Specifically, he remarked that resolution suffers under 6 feet wide open and becomes better at more moderate distances. Own the Night Before I blame it on calibration of the lens, is this "normal" for the Noctilux F1 at close distances? For anyone who has the 0.95 version, is this also true? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 Hi ymc226, Take a look here Noctilux 1.0: Soft at close distances?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stunsworth Posted March 19, 2012 Share #2 Posted March 19, 2012 Depth of field at f1 and 1 metre is waffer thin. It's likely to be operator error. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindolfi Posted March 19, 2012 Share #3 Posted March 19, 2012 Before you think it is in the design, check the focus by focussing on a DOF test chart at 45 degrees at slightly further than 1 meter at f/1. You can google for "DOF test chart" and if necessay add a small vertical line in the part to focus on, so you can use it with the rangefinder patch. If the lens has some focus shift at f/1, you can compensate for it in tests, to see if your lens is better than you thought Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ymc226 Posted March 19, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted March 19, 2012 Depth of field at f1 and 1 metre is waffer thin. It's likely to be operator error. I hope so. Operator error I can deal with as it costs nothing :) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted March 19, 2012 Share #5 Posted March 19, 2012 Now days whenever I buy a used lens I send it to Leica NJ to check out and 6 bit code if possible. Why 6 bit code? Well, included in the 6 bit price is calibration/specs check-up and therefore peace of mind. I tell them it's for use on an M9. Thereafter if I have serious issues focusing the first thing that comes to mind is it's me instead of the lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ornello Posted March 19, 2012 Share #6 Posted March 19, 2012 High-speed lenses generally are somewhat softer close-up than at infinity. The faster the lens, the more pronounced the effect. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ymc226 Posted March 19, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted March 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Before you think it is in the design, check the focus by focussing on a DOF test chart at 45 degrees at slightly further than 1 meter at f/1. You can google for "DOF test chart" and if necessay add a small vertical line in the part to focus on, so you can use it with the rangefinder patch. If the lens has some focus shift at f/1, you can compensate for it in tests, to see if your lens is better than you thought How do I tell if I have a focus shift? Never had issues with focus on all of my film cameras so this is new to me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ornello Posted March 19, 2012 Share #8 Posted March 19, 2012 How do I tell if I have a focus shift? Never had issues with focus on all of my film cameras so this is new to me. I believe lenses and rangefinders are calibrated for wide-open. Focus shift would occur, if at all, as you stop down. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindolfi Posted March 19, 2012 Share #9 Posted March 19, 2012 How do I tell if I have a focus shift? Never had issues with focus on all of my film cameras so this is new to me. If you work from tripod and focus exactly on the focus patch of the chart with f/1 and the true focus in the resulting image is a bit closer or further away than the patch, the lens is not adjusted for f/1. Since the Noctilux50/1 also has focus shift (moving of the point of sharpest focus when changing aperture at the same distance with the same distance setting of the lens) you can do the test with different apertures (f/1, f1/4, f/2, f/2.8 and f/4 for instance) to find out how much this is. It is a matter of preference if you want the lens to be adjusted for f/1, or a compromise setting for about f/2.8. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ymc226 Posted March 19, 2012 Author Share #10 Posted March 19, 2012 If you work from tripod and focus exactly on the focus patch of the chart with f/1 and the true focus in the resulting image is a bit closer or further away than the patch, the lens is not adjusted for f/1. Since the Noctilux50/1 also has focus shift (moving of the point of sharpest focus when changing aperture at the same distance with the same distance setting of the lens) you can do the test with different apertures (f/1, f1/4, f/2, f/2.8 and f/4 for instance) to find out how much this is. It is a matter of preference if you want the lens to be adjusted for f/1, or a compromise setting for about f/2.8. Thank you very much. I will try this out tonight. Likely it's my eyesight (I'm only 46 and use a 1.25 or 1.4 eyepiece magnifier). Will try it with my other lenses as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpalme Posted March 19, 2012 Share #11 Posted March 19, 2012 My first M9 had to be returned as the rangefinder was off. So it's possible it could be one or the other. Many people send in their lenses and camera to get the lenses adjusted to that particular camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted March 19, 2012 Share #12 Posted March 19, 2012 Many people send in their lenses and camera to get the lenses adjusted to that particular camera. No, again we have had this before and it needs to be knocked on the head. Leica adjust both the body and the lenses to their own individual standards. They do not adjust a lens to work with a particular body, nor a body to work with a particular lens Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted March 20, 2012 Share #13 Posted March 20, 2012 Leica tolerances are such that extreme misalignment is highly unlikely (e.g. calibrating lens and body together). This is more for mass-produced consumer slop from Canikon. Naturally, your body and lens both need to be in spec. Namely the rangefinder mechanism. Your shooting technique also needs to be in check, and your eyesight either good - or compensated for by way of magnifier or Walter RX Eyepiece, etc. The f/1 version of the Noctilux is not generally known for its sharpness wide open even under the best of circumstances. I don't know that I'd call it "soft" but I certainly wouldn't call it "sharp" either. Finally, keep in mind that at f/1, the DoF is ridiculously thin - especially at closer ranges. Case in point. My M9 is going on two years old now and it's been around. Just bought a spanky-new Nocti (0.95) and use a Walter RX Eyepiece to correct for my vision, which includes astigmatism. Lo and behold - the combination focuses perfectly and where I intend. No fuss, no trouble. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ymc226 Posted March 20, 2012 Author Share #14 Posted March 20, 2012 Thanks Double Negative, My pictures wide open are in focus but the DOF as described is ridiculously thin; thus the "soft" pictures If I didn't find that out on this forum, I would swear there was a problem. My 0.95 Noctilux will arrive tommorow. The dealer I'm working with got 2 in at the same time. I'll compare this weekend using th DOF charts just to make sure they are in calibration before I start using them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted March 20, 2012 Share #15 Posted March 20, 2012 Read Mr Puts !!!! They all are. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yst Posted March 20, 2012 Share #16 Posted March 20, 2012 According to the Leica Lenses Depth-of-field table for 50mm lenses (please see screenshot attached below), it is between "0.99~1.01" : 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/175220-noctilux-10-soft-at-close-distances/?do=findComment&comment=1959744'>More sharing options...
Prosophos Posted March 21, 2012 Share #17 Posted March 21, 2012 ... I feel that the images are "soft"... ... resolution suffers under 6 feet wide open and becomes better at more moderate distances... ... is this "normal" for the Noctilux F1 at close distances? For anyone who has the 0.95 version, is this also true? Yes, the Noctilux F1 is relatively, and noticeably, soft at close distances. No, the 0.95 version does not behave this way. Peter. P r o s o p h o s Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted March 21, 2012 Share #18 Posted March 21, 2012 ... and if necessay add a small vertical line in the part to focus on, so you can use it with the rangefinder patch.... Or simply rotate the camera to vertical ('portrait'), as one would when confronted with a horizontal focus line in the real world. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted March 21, 2012 Share #19 Posted March 21, 2012 Yes, the Noctilux F1 is relatively, and noticeably, soft at close distances. No, the 0.95 version does not behave this way. Peter. P r o s o p h o s ????? Erwin on 0.95: 'The floating element improves the close up performance, but one should not expect wonders form this feature. Stopping down is still required when best image quality is required'. Having taken 100's of photos at 1m to adjust my M9's rangefinder to work perfectly with my 0.95, I can emphatically confirm this. It IS 'soft', but that does not detract from the pleasing quality of the images.... The 0.95 pushes lens technology to extremes to get high performance at this aperture, but using it as a close up lens wide open is not what it was designed for...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosophos Posted March 21, 2012 Share #20 Posted March 21, 2012 ????? Erwin on 0.95: 'The floating element improves the close up performance, but one should not expect wonders form this feature. Stopping down is still required when best image quality is required'. Having taken 100's of photos at 1m to adjust my M9's rangefinder to work perfectly with my 0.95, I can emphatically confirm this. It IS 'soft', but that does not detract from the pleasing quality of the images.... The 0.95 pushes lens technology to extremes to get high performance at this aperture, but using it as a close up lens wide open is not what it was designed for...... No need for the "?????". Read my statement carefully please... Peter. P r o s o p h o s Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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