Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/09/28
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I'll weigh in with my Noctilux opinions and experiences. I've owned one for close to 10 years. I use it almost exclusively with black and white film, so I can't comment on it's properties for color rendition. Mine is the version previous to the current one, same optical construction, but with the detachable hood (which I prefer). It's big and heavy (by rangefinder standards) and yes, it does block a portion of the viewfinder. For me the bottom line is that the Noctilux will consistently allow you to take pictures that you cannot take with any other lens. No matter what the lighting conditions, you can always use a slower film or a higher shutter speed than with any other lens. Once you get the hang of it, you can really exploit the limited depth of field to highlight exactly what you want in the picture. That said, I also find that my failure rate is much higher with the Noctilux. Focus becomes critical and often a matter of chance. I take at least twice as many shots when I use the Noctilux. Of course, this is when I'm shooting at f1.0-1.4, and I seldom use the lens at any other apertures. The lens does vignette a bit, but I've never found that to be a problem. In low light situations, you're usually shooting with your subject in the cetner (or thereabouts) and darkness in the corners anyway. It is not a lens for the feint of heart. It requires practice and will produce a lot of shots you're not happy with. But when it works, you'll be rewarded with shots that could not have been obtained any other way. It's not the lens I use the most, but it's probably the lens I'd hang onto above all others. Bryan - ----- Original Message ----- From: <Krechtz@aol.com> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2000 7:55 AM Subject: Re: [Leica] Noctiluces - was 35mm f.2 Summicron ASPH vs 35mm f1.4 Summilux ASPH > In a message dated 9/27/00 11:34:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time, > apbbeijing@yahoo.com writes: > > << The 1.0 Noctilux is really terrific but does not match the focussing cams > of > all my Ms (even those that work fine with more demanding lenses, for > focussing accuracy, such as the 135 or 90/2): still a mystery to me why some > lenses work perfectly with some cameras and not with others and there is > little consistency. >> > > I just re-read Erwin's evaluation of the f/1, at the site posted yesterday by > one of our more helpful members. He mentions significant focus shift and a > "slower" ratio in the focus of the lens, requiring 9/4, or over twice, the > focusing collar movement needed with the Summicron-M, for the same cam > movement. Finally, he finds that the lens is at its best recording very fine > details at f/1-2.8, with fine grain film, in low light, at distances of from > 2 to 6 meters. Otherwise, the Summicron-M is likely to equal or surpass the > Noctilux. > Your question, should you choose to answer, is whether your experience is > consistent with Erwin's. Better yet, practical advice would be most welcome > to those of us using or contemplating purchase of the Noctilux. > Many thanks. > > Joe Sobel >