is the f1.1 worth it?

i've been shooting night photography with an F3.4 lens! :) and a 50mm Summicron.

I have found it a little more challenging than using an F1.1 lens, for sure, but being able to reliably scale focus for fast shooting outweighs razor-thin DOF for me. having to focus would result in missed photos a lot of time... just rock those slow speeds and hold on steady (pushing film also helps, naturally).
 
cnphoto said:
i've been shooting night photography with an F3.4 lens! :) and a 50mm Summicron.

I have found it a little more challenging than using an F1.1 lens, for sure, but being able to reliably scale focus for fast shooting outweighs razor-thin DOF for me. having to focus would result in missed photos a lot of time... just rock those slow speeds and hold on steady (pushing film also helps, naturally).
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not sure you can compare a 1.1 aperture to a 3.4 for night unless you're using as tripod. Of course it all depends in 'how' low light we're talking about. In absolute low light, there is no comparison for achieving sharp steady results, that is.
 
leicashot said:
not sure you can compare a 1.1 aperture to a 3.4 for night unless you're using as tripod. Of course it all depends in 'how' low light we're talking about. In absolute low light, there is no comparison for achieving sharp steady results, that is.
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shooting the streets at night i very rarely find I need to go below 1/15th with Tri-X pushed 3 stops at F3.4... YMMV. for me, being able to simply raise the camera and click the shutter outweighs being able to use 1/125th at F1.1 but having to focus manually to get what i want in focus.
 
cnphoto said:
shooting the streets at night i very rarely find I need to go below 1/15th with Tri-X pushed 3 stops at F3.4... YMMV. for me, being able to simply raise the camera and click the shutter outweighs being able to use 1/125th at F1.1 but having to focus manually to get what i want in focus.
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It depends on what you are trying to acheive. I has used a old Zeiss 6x9 folder for night shooting that had a 10.5cm f3.5 lens that I had to scale focus.

But if you want to shoot Efke 25, this will not work! Which is what I am doing of late and the Nokton 50/1.1 is worth its weight in emulsion.

There is no substitute for a big aperture when shooting in the dark, you can fudge with pushing film or using a wide-angle lens, but there just times you need to shoot at 1/60sec to capture the world after dark.

I do like your street photos of Sydney with the Super-Angulon. Liked the 'Subway Series'.
 
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P. Lynn Miller said:
It depends on what you are trying to acheive. I has used a old Zeiss 6x9 folder for night shooting that had a 10.5cm f3.5 lens that I had to scale focus.

But if you want to shoot Efke 25, this will not work! Which is what I am doing of late and the Nokton 50/1.1 is worth its weight in emulsion.

There is no substitute for a big aperture when shooting in the dark, you can fudge with pushing film or using a wide-angle lens, but there just times you need to shoot at 1/60sec to capture the world after dark.

I do like your street photos of Sydney with the Super-Angulon. Liked the 'Subway Series'.
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thank you, and i agree to a point. defintiely (hence the YMMV) for me, my setup is perfect.

if i had the spare change i might grab a Nokton F1.1 because i already have a rigid Summicron, but knowing me it would be too large and I would just sell it, plus having to accurately focus every signgle photo would just be a PITA - AND i'm making pictures i like with what I have, so for me my setup is best :)

I would encourage the OP to think long and hard about what he will be shooting with this lens and if it fits, sometimes the true fit for your style can be a surprise! I sold a pre-Asph Summilux to get the Super Angulon, essentially, and had longed for a 50mm F1.4 pre-Asph as well, but went with a Summicron - I just can't get over how much fun i'm having shooting with the SA F3.4 and Summicron to even think of getting anything else.
 
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Craig,

If you have found a set-up that works for you, then stick to it until it stops working.

Sometimes it takes a bit of trial-n-error to find what works and what does not.

So is the f1.1 worth it... it is for me, but is not for you. As for the OP, I reckon he probably knows better than anyone else.
 
I've already made up my mind. Now i am just enjoying your talk :)
I am going for a 50mm f2 for starters and if i really need the 1.1 then i will go for it.
At the moment i am not working as a photographer, that is why i sold my digital equipment and bought the camera of my dreams. (leica M6 TTL) and I'm practicing photography as a hobby, finally.
That doesn't qualify for a lens that expensive the same period that i got the camera body and the CV 35mm f1.4

I am really thankful of your posts and everything. I think i am going to have a good time in this forum :)
 
bizarrius said:
I've already made up my mind. Now i am just enjoying your talk :)
I am going for a 50mm f2 for starters and if i really need the 1.1 then i will go for it.
At the moment i am not working as a photographer, that is why i sold my digital equipment and bought the camera of my dreams. (leica M6 TTL) and I'm practicing photography as a hobby, finally.
That doesn't qualify for a lens that expensive the same period that i got the camera body and the CV 35mm f1.4

I am really thankful of your posts and everything. I think i am going to have a good time in this forum :)
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With your attitude, you probably will. Good luck! And thanks for letting us know your choice.

Cheers,

R.
 
oops keyboard trouble1 to carry on---print a 12" x 8" photo and discard all but the central
8" x 6hat " which in effect is what happens with a smaller sensor, how is the DOF changed?
 
@ mad mike:
Oh please, not again. Go to any DSLR forum for hours of reading fun on this one.

Short answer: You are exactly half right. In your scenario, DOF does not change. But then, nobody uses a sensor with a crop factor in the way you have described.
 
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It's a matter of definition, Mike. Normally DOF is defined for a given print size and viewing distance, meaning, to measure DOF, in your example you would have to enlarge after cropping, changing DOF in the process. Lot's of threads and discussions on the subject, also on RFF. Basic geometrical formulas clashing with peoples subjective experience, so there is a bit of sensitivity around the subject ....
 
The one thing we can all agree is that when you get the Camera bug we can't have enough equipment, I have tons of stuff and have become more of a collector rather than a photographer, I just love shooting with different cameras and formats, if you have the money do it! it's nice to have the toys and to be able to use them, you will reach a point where you will evaluate your gear, talent, time to shoot and hopefully you will balance all of them. I'm still working on it.
 
bump!
I went to the shop today (I'm saying the shop because there is only one shop that has M mount stuff) and as i was looking for a 50mm lens and what they have available here was the CV Nokton 50mm f1.1 looking at me with his sad eyes and huge glass.
So i bought him.
Ha! take that spontaneousness! Even if there is no such word.
 
it doesn't change

it doesn't change

This is why you can use your Leica lenses from the 1960s DOF scale on your M8 or M9 and get exactly the same DOF.

Give it a try!

mad mike said:
oops keyboard trouble1 to carry on---print a 12" x 8" photo and discard all but the central
8" x 6hat " which in effect is what happens with a smaller sensor, how is the DOF changed?
Click to expand...
 
bizarrius said:
bump!
I went to the shop today (I'm saying the shop because there is only one shop that has M mount stuff) and as i was looking for a 50mm lens and what they have available here was the CV Nokton 50mm f1.1 looking at me with his sad eyes and huge glass.
So i bought him.
Ha! take that spontaneousness! Even if there is no such word.
Click to expand...

OK Biz, you know "The Rule". If you come on here bragging about getting new gear (especially lenses) you gotta show the pics made with em! :cool:

edit: nice blog - bookmarked for later consumption
 
Be sure i will post when i develop my next roll!
There is nothing i like doing more than bragging about my pictures besides bragging about gear :D

Thanks for your comments also!
 
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