blakley Posted May 18, 2007 Share #1 Posted May 18, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Yesterday I posted this set of portraits to photo.net; I took the photos this week with the M8 and my 50/1.2 Noctilux (ASPH). The photos display the original Noct's distinctive image rendering very well. The photo.net audience reaction was the the photos all look "out of focus", which got me to thinking.... If you look at the "original" size copies of the photos on flickr you'll see that most of them are in fact in focus in a narrow range at the near eye or eyeglass frame, so (IMO) the criticism isn't strictly accurate. But the effect being criticized IS there - and I'm not quite sure what causes it. The attached photo best illustrates the effect; if you click here you'll be taken to the original size version on flickr (bandwidth warning: it's big). If you look closely you'll see what for lack of a better term I'll call haloes around the bridge of the subject's nose and around the hair at the top of his head. What I'm wondering is, what causes this effect? The 50/1.2's bokeh is very different from the modern Noct; I'd say it's "fuzzy" where the 50/1.0's bokeh is "swirly". So the effect could just be bokeh. But it also looks a little like coma to me - and I have no idea what the 50/1.2's coma correction is like. Or... is it the elusive Leica glow? I like this effect in portraits (though obviously not everyone agrees with me), and I'd like to understand it better. 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/24498-noct-5012-asph-on-m8-coma-bokeh-or-glow/?do=findComment&comment=258776'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 18, 2007 Posted May 18, 2007 Hi blakley, Take a look here Noct 50/1.2 (ASPH) on M8: coma, bokeh, or "glow"?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Efra1 Posted May 20, 2007 Share #2 Posted May 20, 2007 Same thing happen to me, but I´m shooting whit a R-D1 camera... As soon I get the camera back (is in ragefinder adjustements) I will make some shoot to show the Noctilux 1:2 bouquet effects... So I think it is a particular effect fron this lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted May 20, 2007 Share #3 Posted May 20, 2007 This looks very similar to what you get with the 80 Lux-R on a full-frame Canon. I suppose it is just a part of the mystery of this lens. If you don't like it, I will happily trade with you Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted May 20, 2007 Share #4 Posted May 20, 2007 Same thing happen to me, but I´m shooting whit a R-D1 camera...As soon I get the camera back (is in ragefinder adjustements) I will make some shoot to show the Noctilux 1:2 bouquet effects... So I think it is a particular effect fron this lens. Bob/Efrain, Have a look at this thread http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/24784-m8-focus-shifts-back-focus-2.html#post259613 You will see that I am having focusing/rangefinder alignment problems with my Noctilux f1.0 as well. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted May 20, 2007 Share #5 Posted May 20, 2007 Blakey, I had a quick look at your query and I think there is a characteristic of the lens that others are remarking on. I don't believe they are OOF. I have the same 'glow' or 'fuzz' with my current generation Noct but have only noticed it since using it on the M8. The wonderful M8 does seem to bring out heretofore hidden effects in both lenses and people. Its late here and I'm off to bed, but I will try to more closely examine your query and find some pics of mine to post and compare. Timetable permitting of course. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
valtof Posted May 20, 2007 Share #6 Posted May 20, 2007 Hi Bob, IMO what is "distinctive" in this shot is more that it's taken at 1/125s with a very heavy lens (and i really don't like the Noct for this). It's not OOF at all, it's only a bit "shaky". My Canon f1.2 50mm renders a very similar style of glow (halo) around the edges when used at full aperture. I love this effect even if for a portrait I usually stop it down to f:2 where it becomes nearly as sharp as a Summilux. That's always a temptation to use fast lenses at full aperture but not always a good idea. Your picture is a very very good portrait anyway. My two cents Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eoin Posted May 20, 2007 Share #7 Posted May 20, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Bob, I'm going to be rather blunt here, please don't take offense. But I've had a look at the majority of the people shots and I don't agree that they are in focus, yes perhaps the eyeglass frame is in focus but the depth of field does not permit the eye to be rendered. Same with the lady who has the hat on, the nose is sharp but not enough DOF to bring the eyes into focus. In general I'd have to say using such a narrow DOF does not work for portrait, when I look at your shots not even the forehead or eyebrow are in focus in most of the shots. Perhaps this is the look your trying to create, but don't be surprised when people say your portraits are not sharp, I'd say this was an exercise is selective focus, or an unrealistic attempt to take portraits at less than f/2.2. The others that are unsharp are due to camera shake, keep the shutter speed up. Sorry:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackal Posted May 20, 2007 Share #8 Posted May 20, 2007 some of those pics are in focus but most aren't too much subject movement or a moving camera being teh most likely culprits the halo you see is a function of the fast glass many many fast lenses exhibit this, especially the older ones take the Nikon 28mm 1.4, puts halo-like glow and non-image forming light all over the shop at 1.4., my pre-asph 35 lux, Noct-Nikkor, they all do this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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