rirakuma Posted April 22, 2014 Share #81 Posted April 22, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) I could've taken this pic with other 50s and it would be fine with any of them but I do believe that nocti has a unique rendering style. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 22, 2014 Posted April 22, 2014 Hi rirakuma, Take a look here NoctiLUST. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest Marc G. Posted April 23, 2014 Share #82 Posted April 23, 2014 I could've taken this pic with other 50s and it would be fine with any of them but I do believe that nocti has a unique rendering style. It looks more like a large aperture telephoto lens shot to me. 300/2.8-ish Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rirakuma Posted April 23, 2014 Share #83 Posted April 23, 2014 It looks more like a large aperture telephoto lens shot to me. 300/2.8-ish I can assure you it was taken with the nocti EDIT: This is another one taken moments after, the vortex bokeh is more apparent in this pic Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted April 23, 2014 Share #84 Posted April 23, 2014 It looks more like a large aperture telephoto lens shot to me. 300/2.8-ish I can understand your comment, but as a long time Nocti user I can vouch for the look of that image. Clearly rirakuma is also skilled in handling the lens. Not everyone can achieve such results without some practice. That 'look' is exactly what make the lens desirable to so many. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Marc G. Posted April 23, 2014 Share #85 Posted April 23, 2014 Should clarify myself.. I wasnt doubting your information. Rather I was suggesting that the look-and-feel of the picture would lead to the impression that an exotic bokeh machine was used. Well, it kinda was. But a different one than one would think, due to subject separation Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rirakuma Posted April 23, 2014 Share #86 Posted April 23, 2014 Should clarify myself.. I wasnt doubting your information. Rather I was suggesting that the look-and-feel of the picture would lead to the impression that an exotic bokeh machine was used. Well, it kinda was. But a different one than one would think, due to subject separation Sorry Marc I wasn't sure what you meant before but i took no offense with your comment and I hope you felt the same with mine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Lord Posted April 23, 2014 Share #87 Posted April 23, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Rirakuma: Is that f1 or the 0.95 version? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rirakuma Posted April 23, 2014 Share #88 Posted April 23, 2014 Rirakuma: Is that f1 or the 0.95 version? its the v4 f1 nocti Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Lord Posted April 23, 2014 Share #89 Posted April 23, 2014 Thanks. Nailed the sometimes elusive sharpness. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted April 23, 2014 Share #90 Posted April 23, 2014 Rirakuma, great stuff. You're not helping me trying to convince myself I don't need the f1 as well though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rirakuma Posted April 23, 2014 Share #91 Posted April 23, 2014 Rirakuma, great stuff. You're not helping me trying to convince myself I don't need the f1 as well though. I have the same lust for the 0.95 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted April 23, 2014 Share #92 Posted April 23, 2014 I hear ya. I hope the next M has two sensors so you can shoot two separate lenses at the same time too. Buying both is one thing, deciding which to use at which time is a whole other. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGodParticle/Hari Posted April 23, 2014 Share #93 Posted April 23, 2014 I hear ya. I hope the next M has two sensors so you can shoot two separate lenses at the same time too. That's precisely why I bought both ... They're two very different creatures and bear no resemblance except for the legendary Noctilux name Going back to some f1 v4 shots, this lens likes "enhancing reality" https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8360/8292838754_8de94ae0f6_b.jpg https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8339/8280989604_84639bb2b6_b.jpg But can also be very flattering for portraits thanks to it's soft tones Like the notes of a very special whiskey https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8467/8086156795_88ace0217c_b.jpg https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8213/8355460022_0da2807c6c_b.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbl Posted April 24, 2014 Share #94 Posted April 24, 2014 Nice work! I’m glad I’m not the only one who has more than one Noctilux. I think this is about where I confess to owning all three. I had hoped Oskar’s ghost would show up if I united all three, but, sadly, no :-(. My opinions of them at this point: the f/0.95 is the “best” lens in the pure sense of sharpness and overall image quality; the f/1 has the best character and the f/1.2 I’m still getting to know. They’re all great though! And yes, I have problems… -jbl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick De Marco Posted April 27, 2014 Author Share #95 Posted April 27, 2014 So I have had the Noctilux the lust of which started of this thread for about 10 days now - whilst on holiday mostly in Italy. I have used it well, keeping it on the M (typ 240) and keeping it f1 (or sometime f1.4) for 95% of shots to get used to it. I am pleased with the results. More pleased than I expected. Although it has also been more difficult than I expected to use it to its best effect. I have been doing a small project (Caffe con Leica) photographing the most beautiful cafes I found in Vienna, then Rome and southern Italy, reportage style but, whilst in Italy at least, virtually all at f1 with the Nocti. The subject certainly lends itself to the style, but accurate focussing was a challenge, especially when subjects are moving quickly. Happily, enough of the photos came out well that I can use them. I don't want to post the photos yet as I'm going to try and put them together as a series/book first, but will post a couple of others I took this morning, since back in London, whilst testing the lens more. But first a question to seasoned Nocti users I did some tripod tests with the lens in Italy and at times became certain the lens missed the focus point in the RF by a small amount, ie it sometimes appeared to focus an inch or so behind what I thought I had focussed on; and also it did not seem to focus on infinity in the RF, but did in practice (if that makes sense). On other occasions though it seemed to focus OK. I phone Leica Vienna where I bought the lens and they told me that on the digital M I can never guarantee precise focussing with the RF patch as the sensor is to sensitive - you have to use live view to get absolutely accurate focussing, so it's not worth sending the lens off for adjustment. Do others share this view? I prefer to use RF focussing when working fast, but notice only about 50-60% of my shots hit focus - I assume because of my error and or because the subject moves. When I have time I use live view and then can be sure to hit focus. Anyway, back to my two this morning. With the first, of Ripon, taken with the T240, I used the EVF instead of Live View for the first time (didn't have the EVF with me in Italy as had not planned to buy a new lens). I find this an even better way to accurately focus with the Nocti and quicker than live view as I can hold the camera up to my eye. I think this will be my preferred manner on the T240 in further. Next I tried the Nocti on my Sony A7R but with the Voigtlander close up adapter. That allowed me to close focus on my lovely black M3 at about 0.5M. It works but the in focus area is, perhaps not surprisingly, even smaller. It's easy to focus with the Sony EVF though so I might use this set up for closer shots in further (I wonder whether a close up adapter will be developed for the Leica T in future....). The next thing to do, of course, it try the Nocti on the M3 to benefit from the much larger magnification vf. I'm looking forward to that... 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/225225-noctilust/?do=findComment&comment=2577331'>More sharing options...
jbl Posted April 27, 2014 Share #96 Posted April 27, 2014 Hi Nick, I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying the lens :-). In terms of recommendations, to me, the 1.4x magnifier is an absolute must for digital. I have shot the f/0.95 Noctilux on an M3, but that was with Tri-X and I don’t think it’s fair to compare a Tri-X scan to 100% viewing on the M240 or the MM. I don’t wear glasses and still, I find I get a much higher success rate with the 1.4x magnifier. The other thing you have to sort of get comfortable with is you’re going to miss. You’re dealing with such a small range of focus, you’re going to miss. There’s just no way around it, at least in my experience. Most of my usage though is chasing my 18-month-old daughter around, but still, I miss. When you hit it, it’s magic, though. Also, keep in mind that the f/1 version wide open isn’t a sharp lens per se. It’s a great lens, but it’s not a sharp lens. Again, in my experience. Here are three 100% crops using all three Noctiluxes. This isn’t a super fair example because the f/1.2 version is at a much higher shutter speed at a lower ISO on the M240. The f/0.95 version is on the MM, but at ISO 3200. But, this is “real world” experience and I actually had a hard time finding a f/0.95 photo that was super sharp. Hah! Part of it is most of the use cases for these lenses is low light. Low light = high ISO = slow shutter speeds = soft, to say nothing of depth of field. Also, the MM-f/0.95 version is of a different kid, so the eyes are different. Anyway, on the off chance that this is interesting… -jbl 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/225225-noctilust/?do=findComment&comment=2577479'>More sharing options...
farnz Posted April 27, 2014 Share #97 Posted April 27, 2014 Nick, Lovely shot of Ripon and I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying your Noctilux - I had a suspicion you might. In my experience Leica Vienna's advice is not correct. I had no difficulty nailing focus with my Noctilux on my M9-P but when I first got my M I struggled and it really irritated me. I took both to Solms during the One Challenge in Wetzlar for RF adjustment and when I got them back the Noctilux sings like a Lark again and I have no trouble nailing focus at f/1 again. I wouldn't consider using the EVF with the Noctilux because it would take so much longer to focus than with the RF owing to faffing around with magnification and focus peaking. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted April 27, 2014 Share #98 Posted April 27, 2014 This thread reminds me of some of the images I get with my 180/2 Summicron R wide open. Not got a Nocti yet, but I’m definitely lusting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick De Marco Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share #99 Posted April 28, 2014 Thanks - Luckily I have a 1.4 x magnifier (just didn't have it with me in Italy). I will use it next time with the nocti on the M. Also will try it out on the M3. Then decide whether I need an adjustment. But so far, no regrets - I'm loving the Nocti. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted April 28, 2014 Share #100 Posted April 28, 2014 Ok, if I am truly lusting, which one do I get? It has to be useable on a M9 as well as my film bodies. If I get it right, the F1 has a more classical rendition, but has more focus shift. The 0.95 is slightly sharper and more “modern looking” in its rendition and has less focus shift. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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