Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/10/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> Wow. 3 stops. Is this very noticeable on your average photo? Does it > look like vignetting? The Noctilux is a very special lens, you can use it under very dim light and it works very well but you have to understand that the vignetting is there. Yes, it has a lot of vignetting, if you print your B&W you can control it up to some extend. If you are shooting colors or chrome at wide apertures then forget about controlling the vignetting and learn to live with it. With my Noctilux I learn that the upper left corner has more vignetting than the right side, so I'm extremely aware of that fact when doing my composition. The upper corners shows the vignetting and up to the point where they are black. Erwin was right in his comments, you will see the difference up to three stops. But don't be discourage by these facts, that is the nature of the beast. The quality of the image and the use of an extremely plane of focus selection that you have available with that lens is unique. There is a unique quality to the images that you produce with the Noctilux. I suggest that you shoot a couple of rolls under different light conditions and with different backgrounds and become familiar with the characteristics of the lens and your type of photography before you buy the lens. You can find a friend that has a Noctilux or probably you can rent one from Lens & Repro or FotoCare in N.Y.C.. Good luck!