philipus Posted May 1, 2012 Share #21 Posted May 1, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Actually I think you could have shot all of these with the Summilux asph and you would not have been able to see the difference. As always, it is the indian, not the arrow... Jaap put words to the exact thought that entered my mind when I saw the photos, as nice as they are. I'd let the Noctilux go unless I weren't short of cash. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 1, 2012 Posted May 1, 2012 Hi philipus, Take a look here Sometimes I think about selling my Noctilux 0.95. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted May 1, 2012 Share #22 Posted May 1, 2012 Nice photos, but I've said before, I really don't know why Leica bother to put a diaphragm in the Noctilux. What's the point in paying all that money for an f0.95 lens to use it at f4. It should be kept for and used only for situations where the maximum aperture is required or desired. Then again, I'm also of the school of thought that says if something works for you, no matter if it's illogical, then stick with it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpalme Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share #23 Posted May 1, 2012 These were all shot at 0.95. There are times you need to stop down. When you are too close for instance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spydrxx Posted May 1, 2012 Share #24 Posted May 1, 2012 For years I drooled over the holy grail, the "Noctilux", it held such esteem, mystical powers, and potential capabilities. When I finally acquired one (f1.0 not 0.95) about 12 years ago I was ecstatic; it came as a bargain after years of negotiating for the "ultimate" lens. Then I used it for 2 years....unfortunately either it was too much for me, or I couldn't quite grasp the depth of its nuances, or something.... Anyway, I finally determined that it wasn't the lens for me and I decided to sell it about 3 years ago. Much to my surprise I got almost 5x what I paid for it. Now that is a wonderful lens! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted May 1, 2012 Share #25 Posted May 1, 2012 These were all shot at 0.95. There are times you need to stop down. When you are too close for instance. May I suggest you change the captions on DPrev then ? Still, I am convinced you would get images as interesting with a Summilux. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpalme Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share #26 Posted May 1, 2012 Are you talking about all the exif data? That stuff comes up automatically. I think pretty much all Leica aperture data like that is inaccurate. I'll look into it though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted May 2, 2012 Share #27 Posted May 2, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Are you talking about all the exif data? That stuff comes up automatically. I think pretty much all Leica aperture data like that is inaccurate. I'll look into it though. I don't think I've ever had 0.95 come up on the EXIF data ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidigital Posted May 2, 2012 Share #28 Posted May 2, 2012 It'd probably be wise to seek out the advice of those who've actually owned the lens and decided to keep it or sell it. Those individuals might have some insight as to their decision-making rationale. You can then avoid the biases of those who dismiss it as a one-trick pony or those who are blinded by their acquisition aspiration. And yes, exif from the M9 only reads an approximation of aperture. It never shows .95 as the value. It can be confusing for new Noctilux users and those who continually try to point out that their shots have been stopped down. There are a few threads on it here on the LUF buried under countless 'entertaining' debates by wise Leica elders. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted May 2, 2012 Share #29 Posted May 2, 2012 It'd probably be wise to seek out the advice of those who've actually owned the lens and decided to keep it or sell it. Those individuals might have some insight as to their decision-making rationale. You can then avoid the biases of those who dismiss it as a one-trick pony or those who are blinded by their acquisition aspiration. I've owned and sold the F0.95 without subsequent regret. I was able to scratch an itch and turn a profit at the same time. In truth I'm not a great fan of the wide-open look (as in Brian's photos above) so it was no great surprise to me to be a little underwhelmed by the lens. That said, the lens has a nice look at around F1.7 or so (especially in black and white) and I actually rather liked it as a general purpose 50mm lens. I think it is more ergonomic to use and focus than the 50mm Summilux. However, what I didn't like about the lens was the minimum focussing distance of 1m - that extra 30cm you get with the Summicron and Summilux can make a lot of difference - nor am I convinced that the lens is that great at F0.95. It is certainly sharp at that aperture but it does come with lots of CA and 'glow'. All told, I personally felt that there are better ways to spend £7k and happily sold the lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted May 2, 2012 Share #30 Posted May 2, 2012 However, what I didn't like about the lens was the minimum focussing distance of 1m - that extra 30cm you get with the Summicron and Summilux can make a lot of difference I think this is a good observation. While my comment may not be entirely on point, the shorter minimum distance was one of the reasons I got a 50 asph, having previously only had the 50 pre-asph LTM, which has 1m min. distance. Everyone's style of photography is different, of course, but the extra 30cm means that I bring the asph with me much more often than I do the LTM. It really makes the asph much more versatile in doors. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted May 2, 2012 Share #31 Posted May 2, 2012 I don't think I will ever want to sell my Noctilix 0.95 It's the most remarkable lens I've ever owned. I love the mix of high performance lens when used at normal apertures and then completely artistic and impressionistic characteristics when shoot wide open.Yet it is not exaggerated like the Noctilux f1 which i find a little too much. I love the retrained swirly bokeh and super smooth gradation. I bought a B+W 6 stop ND for use in full sun and I absolutely love using it like this. The colour and contrast of the lens is beautiful. I often gasp when I view the images on my large monitors. The perfect lens? for me, almost, yes. I do wish for closer focusing distance. My Canon 1.2L focusses very close. It certainly a most usable and unique tool. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted May 2, 2012 Share #32 Posted May 2, 2012 Everyone's style of photography is different, of course, but the extra 30cm means that I bring the asph with me much more often than I do the LTM. It really makes the asph much more versatile in doors. Yes, the 30cm difference in minimum focussing distance equates to a difference in maximum reproduction ratio of 1:17 (Noctilux) and 1:11.3 (Summilux & Summicron). The Noctilux at 1m is roughly similar to a 35mm at 0.7m in reproduction ratio terms (albeit with a different looking perspective). You could argue that it's better not to get too close with a 50mm (portraits showing unflattering noses, etc.) but I prefer to have the flexibility to get in a bit closer than 1m allows. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzo Posted May 2, 2012 Share #33 Posted May 2, 2012 Not sure if it is just me but, viewing images taken with both the Nocti and that other 'Magic' lens especially, disturb/hurt my vision! Maybe, not all of the time but most. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted May 2, 2012 Share #34 Posted May 2, 2012 Not sure if it is just me but, viewing images taken with both the Nocti and that other 'Magic' lens especially, disturb/hurt my vision! Maybe, not all of the time but most. There is a tendency to use it wide open all the time and I agree it's annoying when used in this way. It's style over substance and relying on gear to create something. It often imposes too much on the image and spoils it. But sometimes, when the image suits, there's really nothing like it. For my work, I usually shoot a story of 8-10 images. One image in 8 can lend a great deal of depth to a story. I use it in the sense of impressionism. To sample a feeling, an impression of a scene rather than illustrate it's entirety. It works for me. It's unique and my clients recognise that. It keeps them coming back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzo Posted May 2, 2012 Share #35 Posted May 2, 2012 ... ... It often imposes too much on the image and spoils it. But sometimes, when the image suits, ... Personally, there's nothing like a smooth transition from the subject against the background. The very abrubt OOF DOF from the POF, just doesn't do it for me. As I said, not sure if it is just me or not. It really disturbs and hurts my vision. How can I put it?! It is way too much for my liking. ... But, that's just me, most probably. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted May 2, 2012 Share #36 Posted May 2, 2012 Personally, there's nothing like a smooth transition from the subject against the background.The very abrubt OOF DOF from the POF, just doesn't do it for me. As I said, not sure if it is just me or not. It really disturbs and hurts my vision. How can I put it?! It is way too much for my liking. ... But, that's just me, most probably. Yes I appreciate your sentiments entirely. It really needs to be used with care, consideration and discretion. For me, having the tool on hand is of quite considerable value. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Roberts Posted May 2, 2012 Share #37 Posted May 2, 2012 May I suggest you change the captions on DPrev then ? Still, I am convinced you would get images as interesting with a Summilux. Well, you can get as "interesting" images with a Summicron. Or a good 50 1.8. Or a cell phone cam. But they won't be the same. Really, lenses are like paintbrushes. While it's true someone really good could mimic what a Nocti does at 0.95 or f1 with a 50 1.4 Summilux ASPH at 1.4, the light, positioning/framing, and resulting "focal strength" (a better way of discussing the relationship between out of focus and in focus areas IMO)--all these things are going to be different. What the Nocti 1.0 or Nocti .95 do from wide open to 2.0 just isn't the same as the Summilux ASPH. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nic Posted May 2, 2012 Share #38 Posted May 2, 2012 What the Nocti 1.0 or Nocti .95 do from wide open to 2.0 just isn't the same as the Summilux ASPH. Yes - and this is the reason I use both! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michali Posted May 2, 2012 Share #39 Posted May 2, 2012 I can fully appreciate the "agonising" over whether to keep the lens or sell it. I purchased a Noctilux last week, my dealer managed to get me a new one within 24 hours of ordering. I've been requested to do a project for a client and the decision to spend the money was made a little easier by the fact that the Noctilux formed part of the budget that I presented to him. There's a particular look that he's after in the images that he wants me to shoot. For the past week it's been the only lens that I've had on my camera- ND filters and all. The Noctilux will continue to be "glued" on to the camera for the next few weeks,as I'm learning to use it and deal with its particular characteristics. Despite its size I must say everything is so perfect about how it handles, the silky smoothness of the focusing and aperture rings and the build quality is really quite outstanding. Based on my limited experience with it so far, I fully agree that it has a different signature to the 50mm Summilux ASPH. Moving beyond the scope of this project, I'm quite sure that the Noctilux will see limited use compared to my 50mm Summilux ASPH and I'm sure that I'll also be "agonising" about whether to keep or sell it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpalme Posted May 2, 2012 Author Share #40 Posted May 2, 2012 My aperture ring seems to move a little too easy. Sometimes I knock it out of place accidentally. Anyone have the same? As far as OOF areas. I love it. It's a personal preference. My Dad likes everything in focus. He also does not like modern art. Nothing wrong with that. Photography is an art and we all try to shoot the way we prefer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.