Do You Have a Focus Shift With Your Noctilux

[x-ray]

Do you have a focus shift when stopping down your Noctilux. I'm considering selling my asph summilux and purchasing the f1 Noctilux. I originally had the 50 1.2 in the 70's and used the f1 for a couple of years in the 70's but just don't remember a focus shift with the f1.

Tell me if your f1 has a shift and how bad if you have it.

Thanks!!!

 

[furcafe]

There's definitely a focus shift in the f/1 Noctilux when stopped down, particularly noticeable in the f/2-f/4 range. It's well-documented & isn't exactly a secret (e.g., Puts's article http://www.imx.nl/photosite/leica/mseries/testm/M10-50.html). How it will affect your shooting will obviously depend on the apertures you plan to use, distance to subject, etc. I normally use my Noctilux wide-open &/or in situations where absolute focus accuracy isn't necessary, e.g., available darkness nightlife & performance shooting, so it hasn't been a big problem in actual use. My favorite lenses, my vintage Sonnars, display the same behavior (apparently the modern ZM Sonnar does the same thing), so I guess I'm used to it. I can easily see & replicate the focus shift on both the Noctilux & the Sonnars when "pixel-peeping" w/an M8.

 

[john_s]

I had one, and tested another. Both the same. Perfect focus at f1. Using TechPan, tripod etc, when stopping down they both showed very obvious shift to the rear, not made up for by the increased depth of field. Hand held with 400 film it wasn't really noticeable except that the depth of field gained by stopping down is all behind the focused point.

Incidentally, my testing was done at subject distance of about 2.8metre, and it seems lots of lenses of f1.4 have focus shifts too at this sort of subject distance.

Also, the light falloff is quite noticeable at f1. But in the centre of the image at f1 sharpness is very impressive. On balance, I regret having sold it. I think f1.4 lenses are a lot easier to handle because of their size and weight.

 

[peter_n]

I've used my Noctilux at apertures f1-f8 and haven't noticed a problem. Mine is an E58 size and was CLA'd and calibrated with my 0.85 M7 by DAG.

 

[photogdave]

Check out the leica-user forum and you'll see all kinds of complaining about focus shift of this and other fast lenses on their M8s. Some seem to believe it's real focus shift and just a fact of the design while other want to believe it's a "calibration" issue with their lenses and/or cameras.
Don't seem to see many complaints from film shooters though!

 

[Ororaro]

Mine doesn't show a shift, it's so sharp at f1 and I love it. Obviously my favorite lens, with the summarit-M 5cm and Noct Nikkor.

 

[dandp]

I've had my Noctilux for several years - E60 version, removable hood - and haven't noticed any problems.