johnbuckley Posted October 24, 2007 Share #1 Posted October 24, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Last week, I went to a pumpkin patch with my M8 and Noctilux, and posted here a photo taken wide open of a pumpkin. I will state that I love the almost startling bokeh produced by the Noctilux, but some don't, as I found out. The discussion on this forum a few days later about the 35 Summicron pre-Asph as the ideal lens for rendering bokeh was, I thought, very compelling -- and the shots illustrated a creamy, soft bokeh that was far less startling, and yes, pleasing to my eye. So today I went back to the same pumpkin patch for some comparison shots. Now, the comparisons are not pumpkin to pumpkin, if you'll pardon the expression: someone must have wrestled away the pumpkin I shot with the Noctilux last week. But below, here's what you will see in order: Noctilux, 50 'Lux Asph at 1.4, 35 'Lux Asph at 1.4, and finally the same 35, but at f/2. I offer this simply as a means of illustrating the way these lenses draw and render OOF areas. It will be interesting to see people's preferences. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 24, 2007 Posted October 24, 2007 Hi johnbuckley, Take a look here Bokeh Comparisons - Nocti v. 50 Lux v. 35 Lux. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
johnbuckley Posted October 24, 2007 Author Share #2 Posted October 24, 2007 Nocti. 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/36495-bokeh-comparisons-nocti-v-50-lux-v-35-lux/?do=findComment&comment=384831'>More sharing options...
johnbuckley Posted October 24, 2007 Author Share #3 Posted October 24, 2007 50 Lux wide open. 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/36495-bokeh-comparisons-nocti-v-50-lux-v-35-lux/?do=findComment&comment=384833'>More sharing options...
johnbuckley Posted October 24, 2007 Author Share #4 Posted October 24, 2007 35 Lux wide open. 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/36495-bokeh-comparisons-nocti-v-50-lux-v-35-lux/?do=findComment&comment=384834'>More sharing options...
johnbuckley Posted October 24, 2007 Author Share #5 Posted October 24, 2007 Finally, the 35 Lux at f/2. 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/36495-bokeh-comparisons-nocti-v-50-lux-v-35-lux/?do=findComment&comment=384836'>More sharing options...
gareth_c Posted October 24, 2007 Share #6 Posted October 24, 2007 First I would like to say a big thanks for taking the time to do these. I love the noctilux and plan to get one soon but to my eye (and my taste) this is the kind of situation where the nocti struggles a little. OOF areas of linear detail can render a little ugly to my eye. I find it all a bit distracting to be honest. All the others are great examples and I really like the 35mm shots. Already have a 35 Summicron pre Asph though so can't justify another 35! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwalker649 Posted October 24, 2007 Share #7 Posted October 24, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I like the nocti first...35 lux second Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted October 24, 2007 Share #8 Posted October 24, 2007 Here the Nocti has a nice 3d look but the bokeh is just too distracting to my eye, i prefer the 75 lux in situations like this to the Nocti. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_S Posted October 24, 2007 Share #9 Posted October 24, 2007 Nocti first, 50Lux second. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
citrus Posted October 24, 2007 Share #10 Posted October 24, 2007 nocti - no 35 - my favorite others - indifferent my 0,,02c Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbuckley Posted October 24, 2007 Author Share #11 Posted October 24, 2007 There is a plasticity to the Noctilux that most people either love or hate. I like it, but I was actually stunned to find that the 35 Lux Asph produced what was, to me, the most visually appealing image. I think what bothers people about the Noctiliux is when you focus on something nearby, and there is a wall of color, so to speak, in the distance. That out of focus background becomes too jarring. That said, there are instances where it is really fun. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LichMD Posted October 25, 2007 Share #12 Posted October 25, 2007 To my eye, the Noct, beautiful sharpness on your in focus object, creamy bokeh in the background. Then the 35 Lux at 1.4 last the 50. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arif Posted October 25, 2007 Share #13 Posted October 25, 2007 For me, the Nocti gives a feeling of abstractness since my eye is not used/has not been trained to seeing many photographs like that. For me, the 35 Lux is more real and perhaps that is what makes it more pleasant. Thank you for posting, Arif Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted October 25, 2007 Share #14 Posted October 25, 2007 John, The flower & gate Nocti shots of the National Cathedral in your zenfolio should be Leica Nocti advertisement shots. Extreme OOF rendering but creamy with surprising edge definition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted October 25, 2007 Share #15 Posted October 25, 2007 Guy, I know you missed out on a 30% off Noctilux because of postmark confusion but I'm wondering whether you feel that things turned out for the best not getting one and maybe your heart wasn't in it. You know it's my least favourite lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted October 25, 2007 Share #16 Posted October 25, 2007 Mark reason I never fought the postmark issue was my heart was never tuned into it that much . Actually Jack and i have one and i did not even use it on our trip once. It's a lovely lens sometimes but it is a one horse pony too. I look at it as a prince and the frog analogy sometimes the images are awesome than others they just burp in your face. I can't warm up to not knowing exactly how it will handle a background . The 75 lux i know exactly what it will do. It's just me though and some folks love it and that is great for them. And i have actually taken some wonderful images with it but i can't count on it and that is what bugs me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbuckley Posted October 25, 2007 Author Share #17 Posted October 25, 2007 Graham - many thanks. There are some shots that really only could be done by the Nocti... And thank you to others who have commented. Cheers, JB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayerische Posted October 25, 2007 Share #18 Posted October 25, 2007 I like the Nocti image the most, but it's also the most artistic of them. The other two are just a pic of a pumpkin. Would have loved to see, pretty much the same angle taken with all the lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbuckley Posted October 25, 2007 Author Share #19 Posted October 25, 2007 It was muddy and wet and I didn't want to get down that low! (Plus, as we approach Halloween here in the States, the pumpkin patch gets picked clean...) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dspeltz Posted October 25, 2007 Share #20 Posted October 25, 2007 Nocti/50. Rest indifferent. However, that would change depending on subject. I think the Nocti pic for me is best is the composition more than the out of focus characteristics, so I agree with whoever said we need on subject photographed with various lenses. If I have time I will try as well. I also have the pre-asph 35mm discussed. I just need to find a good pumpkin (I have one in mind). David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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