Using The 75mm Noctilux In The Street

[johnbuckley]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

My favorite focal length for street photography is 35mm, though I like 50mm shooting for street portraits.  I went yesterday to a favorite annual event, using the SL instead of an M because I wanted to see how shooting the 75mm Noctilux might work.  The Funk Parade in Washington, D.C. is a wonderful event -- bands take over a crowded street for a fun and boozy fair, culminating in a parade. At first I shot wide, but then decided to see how the Noctilux might work.  I started out using an ND filter, but quickly switched to no filter, utilizing the electronic shutter so I could shoot at 1/8000th of a second, or even faster, I think. I'm still not used to that long focal length for shooting like this, but with the SL, focus was incredibly fast and I learned I could actually use it at an outdoor event.  Below, then, is a first attempt at using the 75 Noctilux in this manner.

 

https://tulipfrenzy.com/2018/05/13/the-2018-d-c-funk-parade/

[Gobert]

Looking at the results, in some occassions I think it’s the ideal focal length, but in other occasions a 35 or 50 would have been better.

I myself don’t like to apply a longer focal length than 50 mm in the street, safe for special circumstances when keeping distance is obliged.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Simon]

Great shots. Can’t deny the quality of the lens!