Keep the Summilux 1.4 ASPH or go for the Noctilux F1

[LeicaR10]

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Farnz,   I made the suggestion for the art director as someone who can give him some thought and guidance.  It is always good to have another person give their thoughts on what they "see" in ones images.  I have been a competition photography judge for 40+ years and have seen many photographers work improve with a fresh opinions.  That is all.  It appears you missed my last statement in my "PS" in my Post #59 where I warned him about mentors or others attempting to changing his photographic art, style or technique as it is as I wrote....It's always his art.  Good idea on the Instagram and as I wrote in my Post #55, I warned him to beware of trolls.  Last, I am certain Evikne appreciates the constructive advice and ideas like mine and yours here at the Forum as he wrote in his Post #54 that he didn't have anyone to help him with his photography or showed interest in his work.  r/ Mark

Edited August 17, 2018 by LeicaR10

[Guest]

I looked at the pictures and also agree that they are nice family type pictures, that would look nice in a coffee table type book to show to friends and relatives ...............but defiantly not something to show in a gallery like someone suggested

 

Neil

[otto.f]

I agree with Neil. Evikne’s photo’s are very nice to look at, composition, angle and sometimes light are well chosen, but not spectacularly unique. It struck me that Evikne’s partner is kind of averse to these photo’s which must be a pain in the ass; I mustn’t think of the idea that this would happen to me with my own wife and children.

But I don’t think it would be honest to compensate that pain by promising Evikne that he’s a genius in photography, that would lead to disappointments I’m afraid. I’m sorry but this clichee that certain lenses don’t make you a better photographer is nonsense. A lot of the charm of Evikne’s photo’s do stem from the character and genius of Leica lenses. It won’t take long before this selective focus and bokeh thing is incorporated in the iPhone, Huawei and iPhone X are already heading that way, and these kind of images will be made by parents all over the world.

So I’d say enjoy your photography, enjoy your equipment but stay with your feet on the ground

Edited August 18, 2018 by otto.f

[steamboat]

 

It was also surprising, because I don’t even call myself a photographer, just a passionate photography enthusiast. My wife don’t like my pictures, my parents don’t want to see them, and the rest of my family don’t even know what I am doing. And I have absolutely no friends to talk with about photography, except in this forum. But I thought that when I am paying for this Adobe Lightroom membership, I could try out the included web portfolio and upload some pictures. I will consider your suggestions as well. 

 

 

 

 

I looked at your galleries and your portfolio and you're doing some fine work. Work on your portfolio, perhaps post to instagram - just keep getting your work out there. 

BTW, I guarantee you that in ten years your wife is going to be begging you for the pictures you're taking today of your daughter. Your parents, too. And YES you are a photographer!

Good luck with your photography.

Edited August 19, 2018 by steamboat

[Guest]

I agree with Neil. Evikne’s photo’s are very nice to look at, composition, angle and sometimes light are well chosen, but not spectacularly unique. It struck me that Evikne’s partner is kind of averse to these photo’s which must be a pain in the ass; I mustn’t think of the idea that this would happen to me with my own wife and children.

But I don’t think it would be honest to compensate that pain by promising Evikne that he’s a genius in photography, that would lead to disappointments I’m afraid. I’m sorry but this clichee that certain lenses don’t make you a better photographer is nonsense. A lot of the charm of Evikne’s photo’s do stem from the character and genius of Leica lenses. It won’t take long before this selective focus and bokeh thing is incorporated in the iPhone, Huawei and iPhone X are already heading that way, and these kind of images will be made by parents all over the world.

So I’d say enjoy your photography, enjoy your equipment but stay with your feet on the ground

 

They would make a lovely coffee table book to share with family and friends but defiantly not with the general public in some sort of exabition or art gallery...............On this forum for critique is also great as you will hopefully get some proactive feedback.........

My own observation is that you need to practice and practice some more in nailing focus when shooting wide open as a lot of your pictures are out of focus, probably due to the shallow depth of field. Try shooting at f3 to 5.6 first to make sure you get sharp faces at least but ideally sharp eyes as this is the first thing that most photographers look at.

A sharp picture and be cropped into a good composition, an out of focus picture will always be an out of focus picture

Good Luck

 

Neil

Edited August 20, 2018 by Guest

[evikne]

My own observation is that you need to practice and practice some more in nailing focus when shooting wide open as a lot of your pictures are out of focus, probably due to the shallow depth of field. Try shooting at f3 to 5.6 first to make sure you get sharp faces at least but ideally sharp eyes as this is the first thing that most photographers look at.

 

I am sorry, but I can’t take your last comments seriously. If I stopped down the aperture I would ruin my photographic style, where extreme bokeh is one of the main ingredients. My intention is not to look like «everybody else». And I would like to see another person who can focus better at f/1.0 with a rangefinder (no EVF) on moving subjects – and sometimes two things in focus at the same time. 

 

But this thread wasn’t about me. So it would be fine if we could soon return to the original theme.

[Jeff S]

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A sharp picture and be cropped into a good composition, an out of focus picture will always be an out of focus picture

 

A good teacher might instead note that anyone can learn to focus; it’s knowing where to stand and where and when to point the camera that’s vital.

 

I would also strongly disagree that the forum is a good place for candid critique.

 

Jeff

[budjames]

I own both the Summilux 50 and the Noctilux 50 f0.95 (latest version).

 

After using them both for a few months, I find that the Noctilux sits home most often because it is a beast of a lens. The Summilux is much smaller and lighter and has become part of my travel kit which includes the Summicron 35 and 75 and Super Elmar 18. These four lenses and two black M10 bodies fit very nicely in my well used Hadley Pro bag.

 

The Noctilux is a very special lens, but owning it is not realistic for many because of the ridiculously high cost. I got a great deal on a mint condition used one from Ken Hansen. I saved a few thousand dollars over the cost of a new one, and my copy looks brand new. I was even able to register it as new with Leica for a complete factory warranty.

 

For those who are Nocti-curious, you can rent one for a few days to give it a try. Warning, the 0.95 delivers bokeh crack which is instantly addictive.

 

Now I have to buy a 60mm ND filter to be able to use the maximum aperture in daylight.

 

Regards,

Bud James

 

Please check out my fine art and travel photography at www.budjames.photography or on Instagram at www.instagram.com/budjamesphoto.

[ZHNL]

50mm summilux ASPH is the peak of any Leica M lens upto now. It is THE best M lens that keep me stay with the system without regret. It has perfect balance on size, weight and performance. 

 

It has one of smoothest/best bokeh of 50mm lens, and stop down to f5.6 it can be as sharp as any lens out there. It has about the same shallow dof at 0.7M as Noct at 1M. It has right  balance of sharpness and spherical aberration at f1.4 at close distance to keep in focus having definition and at the same time render perfect skin for portrait. and it has good color correction that better than most fast 50mm prime lens out there other than a few true APO design.  

 

It is a perfect photography tool. For M system, any other 50mm lens should be only considered an add on in additional to it. Some may prefer summicron or APO summicron size or Noct for character, but none as versatile as 50lux ASPH IMHO.  

 

It has its share of problem, but very few, there is some field curvature at mid zone before f2.8 and I don't like shoot it at f2 or f2.8 because aperture blade are not rounded and bokeh will not be smoother once close one or two stop. (usually bokeh improve with a few stop with other fast glass) However, I don't need to do it given its performance at f1.4 is so good. Highly recommended.

[Guest]

 If I stopped down the aperture I would ruin my photographic style, where extreme bokeh is one of the main ingredients. My intention is not to look like «everybody else». 

 

And I would like to see another person who can focus better at f/1.0 with a rangefinder (no EVF) on moving subjects – and sometimes two things in focus at the same time. 

 

 

 

You mean extreme bouquet like this:

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!

 

Sorry but a lot of your pictures look like this .........not as extreme but the main subject is OOF

 

You have many very nice pictures but like I mentioned before you also have many OOF pictures that are not sharp.............Delete them and just keep the sharp ones

 

Your last statement about "And I would like to see another person who can focus better at f/1.0 with a rangefinder (no EVF) on moving subjects – and sometimes two things in focus at the same time"    thats my whole point...............sorry but they are not in focus.

 

Neil 

 

 

[Guest]

 

I would also strongly disagree that the forum is a good place for candid critique.

 

Jeff

 

Are you kidding you do it all the time :)  

 

Neil

[farnz]

You mean extreme bouquet like this:

Neils-Photography-06082018_Phuket_0046.jpg

 

Sorry but a lot of your pictures look like this .........not as extreme but the main subject is OOF

 

You have many very nice pictures but like I mentioned before you also have many OOF pictures that are not sharp.............Delete them and just keep the sharp ones

 

Your last statement about "And I would like to see another person who can focus better at f/1.0 with a rangefinder (no EVF) on moving subjects – and sometimes two things in focus at the same time"    thats my whole point...............sorry but they are not in focus.

 

Neil 

 

Neil,

 

You must be looking at a different set of pictures to me because the subjects in Evikne's pictures don't look out of focus to me and I agree with him about it being difficult to nail focus on moving subjects wide open with a Noctilux.

 

Many of his pictures are taken with the f/1.0 Noctilux, which is well-known for not being pleasantly soft and not as bitingly sharp wide open in the plane of focus as the 0.95 Noctilux asph - but that, the f/1.0's warm pastel colours, and its subtle vignette are part of the magic that many of those of us who use it love about it.  

 

I can only speak for myself but bitingly sharp pictures aren't always what I'm looking for.  When I am looking for it I have the 50/1.4 Summilux asph that delivers in a similar way to the 0.95 Noctilux.  Different 'brushes' for different needs.

 

Pete.

[Jeff S]

Are you kidding you do it all the time :)

 

No, I do not. You’re still bothered I guess that I mentioned overexposure a time or two. And once complimented your SL work as being more ‘free’ than your S pics. Hardly an attempt at real critique.

 

Around here, ‘nice pic’ or similar covers 90% of members’ commentary, if any.

 

Jeff

Edited August 20, 2018 by Jeff S

[Exodies]

Around here pictures are for looking at not writing about. Isn’t that how it should be?

[otto.f]

A good teacher might instead note that anyone can learn to focus; it’s knowing where to stand and where and when to point the camera that’s vital.

I would also strongly disagree that the forum is a good place for candid critique.

Jeff

The forum isn’t a good place for unrealistic praise either

[Guest]

Around here pictures are for looking at not writing about. Isn’t that how it should be?

okay got it I will shut up

Neil

[otto.f]

50mm summilux ASPH is the peak of any Leica M lens upto now. It is THE best M lens that keep me stay with the system without regret. It has perfect balance on size, weight and performance. 

 

It has one of smoothest/best bokeh of 50mm lens, ...

These are controversial statements and are in its intensity not subscribed by a lot of forum members. It’s for instance not at all true that it balances very well on an M body, on contrary, the body always falls forward. The Summilux 50 asph is a good lens

[Guest]

These are controversial statements and are in its intensity not subscribed by a lot of forum members. It’s for instance not at all true that it balances very well on an M body, on contrary, the body always falls forward. The Summilux 50 asph is a good lens

Absolutely the M10 will fall over with the Noctilux 0.59 attached...... It doesn't fall over without the Noctilux on but it takes nice pictures with the Naughtylux on.

Neil

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!

[Jeff S]

The forum isn’t a good place for unrealistic praise either

I use the term ‘critique’ in its broad sense, which is by no means limited to negative commentary, but includes positive assessment (beyond the superficial ‘nice pic’).

 

Jeff

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[otto.f]

Absolutely the M10 will fall over with the Noctilux 0.59 attached...... It doesn't fall over without the Noctilux on but it takes nice pictures with the Naughtylux on.

Neil

With the Noctilux it’s less irritant because its a lot thicker