Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/10/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Dan, (sorry I haven't replied to your earlier post yet). You're right of course, the optimum aperture is never going to be at the extremes. The reason I'm sort of fixed on this wide-open bit at the moment, is that I bought it specifically with this in mind. I had the vision of what I wanted of close-up intimate portraits where there was a very shallow area of focus. Of course, with eyes sharp and end-of-nose out, then this type of shot isn't going to be the everyday use. I have seen examples of the 75 and 50 Noctilux wide open in low-light that to me, really show the difference of Leica glass and where the look of the image excites me because of the (am I allowed to mention) 'bokeh' elements. I've been sent some nice shots from people and rarely are they wide open. Last night I shot a roll at 1.4 and around 50 or 60. Actually used the Leica mini tri-pod, but as the shots were of my four year-old daughter who moves quite a bit, we'll see what develops. Without doubt, the best use of this lens will be stopped down a bit, and I guess to have a great low aperture at around 2.8, then it has to be a 1.4 to start with. I'm just keen to know what my parameters are, and then gravitate to how I work best with the lens, and how it works best for me. I'll also take Steve's advice and give it a go with all sorts of situations to see what its all about. I know I sound a bit flakey on the whole thing at the moment, but as I previously said, I actually dragged the bag out to sell this redundant kit, and am literally only now starting to use it again after a long spell and am just going through the thought process of it all. Hopefully all the dots will connect back up soon. :-) Cheers, Matt. On 08/10/2004, at 6:56, Dan C wrote: > As I mentioned earlier, I use this lens at f2.8. I don't think I have > ever > used it for a keeper at anything wider. Maybe this is sacreligious > (sp?), > but I just like the look of the lens at 2.8, I don't really care about > shooting it where the DOF is 2cm, and everything in the background is a > complete mess.