Any worthy substitute for M7 + Noctilux?

[papasnap]

Oh yes - a definite vote here for the 35mm f1.2 nokton. Amazing performer, excellent price, great build, great ergonomics. Especially if you want to buy new rather than used - a ZI plus 1.2 Nokton offers terrific bang for buck. It's as much camera as you'd ever need, really.

Mounted on either my M6 TTL (tragically lost a couple of weeks ago) or Zeiss Ikon, it's a dream for low light!

in bangkok, shot on M6 TTL 0.58x

in sydney, shot on Zeiss Ikon

 

[kevin m]

The long baseline is easier because the secondary (patch) image moves more in relation to the main image. This is because the longer baseline means more angular change for the pivoting mirror/prism. This really makes focusing faster and more precise.

Thanks, Doug. I figured there was some logic to it...🙂

 

[Tim N Calif]

Back with some pics

Back with some pics

I've been out of town for a few weeks, and returned w/ surprise to see more lively comments, with recent praise for the Z Ikon + Nokton (impressive). I'll have to consider that set up, along with the Hex RF.

I took the comments here and decided to try my exisitng gear before dropping more $$ on a faster lens - but that may happen yet. (Yes, a 1.2 would be just fine.) In the meantime, I tried my hand at some low light shots in dance halls with the Hex AF and also tried my M3 but discovered the M shutter was not firing accurately, so that went to Pro Camera for CLA. Hope to get that M back soon, and try it again. (But I have to confess that focusing the M3 in very dim light on a moving subject, is a challenge.) For now, I have with the M + DR 50mm/2, and the Hex AF fixed 35mm/2.

Here are the results, and just bear in mind that I'm doing this for fun; I'm not a pro.

With the Hex AF and 1600 Neopan, but a stationary subject:

Same, Hex AF, 1600 Neopan; getting some blur here:

Same combo here. This was actually very dim lighting, so the exposure seems ok, but considerable blur

This was "cheating" a bit b/c the overhead lights were on full for a performance; as I normally would prefer shooting in dim lighting.

This is the only shot with the M3 that turned out okay (discovered later shutter speeds were off)

With the Hexar Af + Fuji 1600 Natural

Again the Hex AF + Fuji 1600

A funky floor shot, with the Hexar placed low, Fuji 1600

Hexar AF + Fuji 800 Superia (lots of grain here it seems)

Same, Hexar Af + Fuji 800 Superia

With this one, I tried to capture the mood of the ladies watching the floor while waiting for an invitation onto the dance floor. But too much grain for my taste.

 

[b.espahbod]

40 1.4 Nokton on CLE

 

[Tim N Calif]

Another dim light shot

Another dim light shot

For whatever it's worth, here's another shot with the Hexar AF (1600 Fuji), in the typical dim lighting I find. Here, considerable grain and minimal details in shadows. Maybe a faster lens would help?

 

[johnastovall]

A Canon 50/0.95 converted to M-mount or a Canon 50/1.2 with an adapter.

For light meter Gossen Luna Pro F with variable angle head.

 

[Merelyok]

A vote for the Zeiss Ikon + Nokton 35mm 1.2.

They go together very well, and it handles like a dream.

The Ikon's large VF means that only a little of the frameline get's blocked by the lens.