75 Noctilux on film

[Silver Fresco]

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I wasn’t too sure about this lens until I read the Street Silhouettes review (Part 2) where Horatio showed some portrait examples taken with an M6 and Fuji 800. The results were certainly different to those taken with the M10 and SL and were enough to pique my interest. Unfortunately, there were next to none other examples using film out there, so when the opportunity came up to try the 75 Noct at one of the local HK dealers I frequent, I thought why not give it a go?

After a test roll, I decided to take the plunge. The lens had only been used a few times before the owner decided to sell it which meant, with a trade in, the Noct became reasonably affordable.

I might be going out on a limb here, but I’m wondering if Mr. Karbe didn’t secretly design a film lens? It’s rendering on film, while in some ways similar to the 0.95, seems to be a bit of a throw back to some of my favourite Mandler lenses (with a modern twist). Anyway, regardless, I’m not complaining.

I’m still finding my way around the lens. It is challenging to use. It’s heavy, but you get used to it and it can be focused on an M. In short, if you can focus a 0.95, then you can focus this. Obviously, it’s not a lens where you can shotgun things, but with practice it will become easier.

The photos here are nothing to rave about; I’m still trying to work my way around the lens, so apologies for the gratuitous bokeh and blur shots (the exposures are a little wonky; my M7 is in lock down in Wetzlar and my MP has some Tri-X in it which I didn’t want to change, so these were taken using a Hexar and Kodak Ultramax  400).

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