Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/04/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Ara- Let me jump in and again make an ass of myself! I won't even hesitate because the thread has brought up the Noctilux. I had the opportunity to try it, and even my wife was impressed with the images- she asked, "How much is it?'- I simply said-"A lot! about $2000...." She didn't blink, and replied, "we'll have to save up and get one...." She was looking at the images I took from her POV as a scrapbooking enthusiast, a snapshooter, but the effect of the lens a immediately apparent to what we on the LUG constantly call the 'Great Unwashed" The lens is in a class all by itself when it comes to taking photographs in low light. My personal feeling that when a lens can make well exposed images in light too dim for me to focus effectively, even with a rangefinder, then it impresses me! The performance when stopped down is no worse than the Summicron, in my estimation, but then I like the Elmar and Summarit- and since I use ISO 400 film a lot, resiolution questions seem almost moot. The only downside to the lens, aside from the price from the amateur's standpoint, is its size. Granted, it is quite a chuck of glass- I've seen more glass in a full set of champagne flutes (worthy items to compare it with). It is a bit heavy, but in the situations where you really need it, you won't need another lens, so the total weight of the kit is reasonable! For the pro, like Ted, who is quite an enthusiast, it is a must have no doubt about it lens- I would say that with a 35 Lux, a 75 Lux and the 50 Nocti, he would be ready for about 99% of image opportunities, sports action shots notwithstanding. If you have the wherewithal, and a significant other who is the least bit discerning, you should consider it. The main advantage of the Leica is that it is quiet, light, relatively vibration free and given to slow shutter speeds, and is famous for making those hard to get, made in dim out of the way places, and with results that seem to make folks say, "Wow!" The Nocti is a perfect complement- Just my opinion. Dan - ----- Original Message ----- From: "ara ayer" <araayer@yahoo.com> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2001 11:20 PM Subject: Re: [Leica] Low Light Lens Dilemma: 35 Lux or Noctilux? > AMEN! > > ara > --- Ted Grant <tedgrant@home.com> wrote: > > ara ayer wrote: > > > > > but I'm concerned its just an "art" lens and not > > something one can rely on > > to bring home images consistently and > > competently.<<<<< > > > > ara, > > The lens is only as good as your ability to use it. > > If it doesn't come home > > with magnificent results then you've failed to use > > it properly! > > > > The Noctilux is nothing more than a cold piece of > > glass and metal and you're > > the one who makes it work to capture consistent > > images, if it doesn't guess > > who everyone will point their finger at! ;-) Sure as > > hell wont be the lens! > > > > >>>My limited experience with the NOC game me great > > > images - that were unlike any pictures I've ever > > taken > > > - but my experience (2 rolls) was brief and I > > don't > > > know if the NOC an even performer in the long haul > > > (like the 35mm ASH LUX).<<<<<<< > > > > Well two rolls of film aren't going to tell you a > > hell of lot and as far as > > being an even performer for the long haul I've used > > mine since it arrived on > > the scene in Canada early 70's and it's been used > > all over the world on > > working assignments and never failed me and gave me > > images where those > > without it would've failed. > > > > >>>>>> Tell me NOC shooters...do you consistently > > reach for > > > your f/1 buddy when the sun goes down/lights > > dim...or > > > are you stoking your Summicrons w/ high speed film > > or > > > slipping on a LUX?<<<<<<< > > > > heck why wait till the sun goes down, I use mine as > > my everyday working 50mm > > lens! it's a work horse for me and I rarely go > > anywhere without it on an M6 > > with a RapidWinder and grip.. > > > > >>>>>>> I'm afraid the NOC is so specialized - it'll > > become as > > > functional as my Nikon fish-eye...nice every once > > and > > > a while - but not my first choice for the > > job.<<<<<< > > > > I can't understand why you think it'll sit around on > > the shelf like a > > fish-eye, as they are two completely different tools > > of the trade. > > > > I do believe you said most of what you'll be > > shooting was on the street at > > night and in bars, jazz clubs or whatever and if you > > are sincere about that > > kind of local, then why the humming and questioning > > when you know what the > > answer is! > > > > The Noctilux, get it, use it and stop beating your > > head against the wall. If > > you don't like it, sell it and you'll probably be > > money ahead!. > > > > ted > > Ted Grant Photography Limited > > www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant > > > > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. > http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ >