Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/01/08
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Jim: A lot of people get a Noctilux with unrealistic expectations. There are always trade offs. In the case of the Noctilux, it can be very limited depth of field at closer distances. It also vignettes at f1. It is however, the best f1 lens in the world. In your case, if the people are more than a few meters away, the depth of field should be fine at f1. If you are expecting tight head and shoulder shots, expect a lot to be out of focus. At the close working distance, the Noctilux probably has less than an inch of depth of field. It is so shallow that you can have the iris of the eye in focus, but the eyebrow and a lot of the rest of the face will be out of focus. Arne Helme's PAW from last week shows the distances at which the Noctilux shines, particularly the main image. http://helme.stelvio.nl/paw2002/paw01.html My own page has a few of the closer Noctilux images. The Cigar shot shows the limited depth of field. The Baby shot shows how the lens really shines at f1 and a little further away than the close focus limit. The Paris shot shows how with a f1 lens, you can shoot 200 speed slide film even at night. http://home.istar.ca/~robsteve/photography/Noctilux.htm Regards, Robert At 01:41 PM 1/8/2002 -0800, Jim Norris wrote: >I have noticed that there are a number of used Noctilux lenses for sale, >often they are in very good condition. So I was wondering why are people >selling them; is it because the lens did not meet their expectations? - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html