Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/02/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Larry, I don't have the Noctilux, but I have shot with M6 and 35mm Summilux at 1/4 s and got the SHARP pictures. It depends how you hold the camera (using the elbows and body as a tripod). With M6 it goes easy. Chris Larry Kopitnik wrote: > > The discussion recently of the Noctilux has made me wonder at how slow > a > shutter speed those of you who use it can RELIABLY get a sharp > hand-held > shot. > > For example -- and I currently shoot Nikon, so forgive me, but that's > the > only frame of reference I can provide -- I know I can shoot a 50 mm > f/1.4 > lens on an FM2 at 1/30 second and I can count on a sharp photo of a > still > subject. And I know that at 1/15 second or 1/8 second I may well get > some > sharp frames, but I'd better take a bunch of shots because most will > suffer > from shake. 1/30 is my RELIABLE low speed limit with that lens. > > At some point the weight of the lens, I assume, makes a difference in > hand-holdability. Another Nikon example (again, sorry): I once > considered a > 200 mm f/2 Nikkor to be able to capture lower light telephoto shots. > But > that lens is nearly the size and weight of a 300 f/2.8 and I found > that, > when hand held, I needed to use a faster shutter speed compared to a > 180 > f/2.8. All I'd have gained was shallower depth of field (unimportant > to > me), a whole lot of weight, and a much smaller bank account. > > And my 85 mm f/1.4D Nikkor, which I can reliably hand hold at 1/60 > second, > actually weighs less than the Noctilux (though, I'm sure, the Noctilux > is > better built). > > So, I'm curious at what what point the size and weight of the lens > might > negate the advantages of a larger aperture. Could a photographer, for > instance, reliably handhold a 35 Summilux ASPH in the same light > levels as > a Noctilux? > > Ted, Tina, anyone who uses a Noctilux, at how slow a shutter speed can > you > reliably hand hold it? > > Thanks! > Larry