Leica M9 with a Pair of Noktons

Sonnar Brian

Sonnar Brian

Product of the Fifties
Staff member
Local time
11:15 AM
Joined
Jan 12, 2004
Messages
19,659
At the Civil War Naval Museum in Columbus, Georgia

Life size mock-up of the CSS Albemarle.

50/1.1, Wide-Open, hand-held 1/25th.



with the 35/1.2 Nokton, wide-open, 1/25th.

 
The recovered wreckage of a Confederate Iron Clad.
50 Nokton, wide-open at F1.1


 
Last edited:
Fantastic color! Interesting to see that the 1.2/35 wide open clearly outperforms the 1.1/50. Well, I already have both the Noktons and now I only have to get the M9...
 
I hadn't realised the civil war extended to water bound weaponary ... fascinating!

I'd like to see more. :)

edit ... I meant to add: Isn't that 35mm f1.2 just a peach of a lens! :)
 
Last edited:
"In the day", users of rangefinders brought their camera bodies and super-speed lenses into a shop to have them set for each other. I did that with both of my Noktons, used 1 layer of 0.025mm thick copper tape to optimize for the M9. There is a difference in how film sits versus the flatness of a sensor.

This one is with the 50/1.1 Nokton, 1/8th second wide-open. ISO 640. The museum uses "subdued" lighting, as many of the original flags and other relics are sensitive to light. Unlimied photography is allowed on all but the original flags: for those, NO FLASH photography signs are posted. Great territory for fast lenses.



This museum is well worth a visit. Many original artifacts of an often forgotten chapter of the civil war. The sleek look of these 150 year old ships is amazing. This museum gives you a true sense of life onboard, through artifacts, writings, recreations, and films.
 
From one of the Prints done for the Museum.

The Iron Clad CSS Tennessee engaging the Union fleet.

Nokton 50mm at F1.1, 1/180s, ISO 320.



100% crop of above.



Hand-held. I also shot one stopped-down, but it was not as sharp because of the 1/60th second shutter speed.
 
Last edited:
Thanks Paul- this museum is not far from you. Make a fast recovery, and get here when you can. We had lunch at "Country's Barbeque" off Macon road after the visit.
 
Brian, your photographs with the 35 1.2 really make lust again for that wonderful lens.

I do have a version 1 35 Lux ASPH and like it for size, weight and reliability (I never had issues with focus shifting).
I much prefer the rendering of the f1 Noctilux and on shoots, where I often use these two lenses on different bodies together, I have to take big efforts in post processing the 35 ASPH images to my liking (they are very contrasty and sharp, looking very different in look from the f1 photos).

There is this new 35 1.2 Nokton sitting for some time in a shop near to me - should I?
I am also on a constant lookout for a pre ASPH Lux, but I am aware, that it would be too much of a comprise wide open for the lighter bulk and classic rendering, as I shoot the Lux mostly between f1.4 - f2.8.

Does the Nokton really give a considerable advantage in light collecting for it's very big size and weight over the Leica Summilux?
 
Brian, excellent work its like i'm there. I just acquired a 35 f/1.2 in chrome, i could only hope to achieve such nice results with my little m2.
 
Thanks to all for the compliments. This is a great Museum. Today we are headed to Museum at Ft Benning. It has the only Waco glider that I've seen, and we live near the Smithsonian.

The 35/1.2 Nokton is well worth having in your arsenal, especialy given the reasonable cost for an F1.2 Aspheric lens. Many here are waiting to see the first pictures from it. I'm sure Tom A will give us a first look.

My 35/1.2 is chrome as well. Yours should be perfect on the M2, mine needed a "tweek" for the M9. Took 5 minutes to put a sliver of copper tape on it.
 
Keith said:
I hadn't realised the civil war extended to water bound weaponary ...
Click to expand...

... weaponry which in turn reached as far as Australia. There is the interesting story of the Confederate raider CSS Shenandoah which docked in Melbourne in January,1865. When she set sail she left Australian waters with an additional 42 crew. ;)

CSS Shenandoah
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSS_Shenandoah

Brian, you really made that 35mm Nokton sing!
 
Brian, would you share your post-processing flow for these pics? As others have mentioned, the colors and contrast you're getting are very attractive.
 
Two Noktons

Two Noktons

Wonderful shots. They are both great lenses, and I am comparing them to the 35 and 50 Summilux ASPH FLEs. Amazing value and performance from CV. Not perfect, but considering their prices and IQ, they shine.
Rich
 
menos said:
Brian, your photographs with the 35 1.2 really make lust again for that wonderful lens.

I do have a version 1 35 Lux ASPH and like it for size, weight and reliability (I never had issues with focus shifting).
I much prefer the rendering of the f1 Noctilux and on shoots, where I often use these two lenses on different bodies together, I have to take big efforts in post processing the 35 ASPH images to my liking (they are very contrasty and sharp, looking very different in look from the f1 photos).

There is this new 35 1.2 Nokton sitting for some time in a shop near to me - should I?
I am also on a constant lookout for a pre ASPH Lux, but I am aware, that it would be too much of a comprise wide open for the lighter bulk and classic rendering, as I shoot the Lux mostly between f1.4 - f2.8.

Does the Nokton really give a considerable advantage in light collecting for it's very big size and weight over the Leica Summilux?
Click to expand...

I'd grab it. CV stopped making them months ago and they are not easy to find now (although Camera Quest listed them as in stock last time I checked at $1,199).
Rich
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom