New Nokton: compensating for something!?

los said:
...probably at f2.8 (cause i can't stand the softness around the sides when they're wide open) and 1/8 sec or slower. fuji superia xtra 400...
Click to expand...

I like that shot for its light and colours, but it's funny: it seems to be two shots 'fased' together? Window frame from the left half stops in mid air, theres a thin vertical line running there, but the whoozy guy in the background almost lines up (that's to say, his two better halves do 🙂 )

Frame transport error in the camera, or scanning error?
 
RichC said:
Why this feeding frenzy over the Voigtlander f1.1 lens (or the Noctilux, for that matter)? Compensating for something? Oneupmanship?

What practical advantages does it have over an f1.4 lens, which will generally be cheaper, smaller, perform better, and be plenty fast enough for low light?

I hear cries of "It's a special-purpose lens, for night shooting or shallow depth of field". Yeah, right...!

The f1.1 lens has about a one stop advantage, so you can shoot at a faster shutter speed - big difference <rolls eyes>! Let's be really generous and say that you can reliably and consistently hand hold a 50mm lens at 1/30 s: the f1.1 increases what would've been 1/15 s on an f1.4 lens to your "safe" speed of 1/30 s. So, only in the single circumstance when the exposure is 1/30 s @ f1.1 will you gain an advantage - and how often will that occur...? If there was a two-stop difference, that would be worthwhile - but there isn't...

Instead, brace yourself, breathe properly, use faster film or a higher ISO ... or even a tripod/monopod. Monopod too awkward - try a "string pod": http://www.xs4all.nl/~wiskerke/artikelen/string.html.

Also, night or low-light photography often needs shorter exposures than expected, since the subject (e.g. a singer in a nightclub) is usually significantly brighter than the surroundings - and you should be exposing for the subject if you wish to retain the ambience and emotion. In other words, your bright subject doesn't need f1.1 light-gathering power.

And let's not forget depth of field. Consider subjects at 5, 10 and 20 feet - f1.1 lens gives DOFs of 2, 8.5 and 35 inches, compared with 3, 12 and 50 inches for an f1.4 lens (all for 35mm film). What does that tell us? First, both lenses have DOFs that are so shallow that difference between them pales into insignificance. Secondly, the wide-open DOF is so narrow as to prevent photography unless your subject happens to lie on a single plane! In other words, for most photographs you'll need to stop down, defeating the point of using this fast lens.

I don't even want to think about the narrowness of the DOF on the Leica M8!

The same arguments apply to the Noctilux.

So, Noctilux users, show us the photos that couldn't have been taken with a slower lens... Prospective Nokton f1.1 owners, tell me about those shots you'll be taking that no other lens can capture...
Click to expand...

You are absolutely right. I really mean it. But I still want one. You could call it bragging rights, but I'm not much of a bragger. It's just a thrill to be on the cutting edge. Will it make my photography better? Of course not! Will I be able (with my M2) to focus it consistently? Almost certainly not.

It just don't have to maken sense... my Leica M2 was very cheap as far as Leicas go, but it would easily pay for all of my 6 F-mount analogue Nikons + some glass.
 
GAS is a weird thing ..... the need for speed in this format does not really excite me. On the other hand, I just ordered a 2.8/ 178mm lens for a 4X5 camera that I don't even own yet! I also am working on a 4X5 Polaroid 900/110A conversion to 4X5, it's the same melody (GAS) just with different lyrics.

When I shoot things, they don't die, I don't spend obscene amounts on large chunks of American metal with two wheels just so I can wear a leather vest and chaps. I don't like the ocean. Therefore, my hobby takes me into the esoteric ranges of optics.

Luckily I still have a job, and can buy both my toys and my kids toys!

Dave
 
RichardB said:
This Thread is a perfect example of negativism in a Forum. Usually this sort of thing starts with an answer to a Post about a certain piece of gear or methodology. In this case, it is the original Post that starts the negative frenzy. This is usually called 'Trolling' when the original Poster knows that making a controversial statement will excite responses.
What difference does it make if one wants to use a Nocton or other piece of gear to you? The discussion should really be about the piece of gear when objective information is in hand and not of subjective conclusions or beliefs.
Posts such as

"Most people I've found who obsess over constantly shooting wide-open and/or having fast lenses as their go to lenses usually take crap photos."

and

"Why are pictures taken with high speed lenses often boring?
Because they mostly bought by people who just satisfy there gas"

are meaningless subjective beliefs.
Too many Posters have gotton used to the anominity of the Internet and feel free to Post statements that they would not say in public face to face with another individual in a discussion.
Frankly I am sorry I started to read this Thread and my attention to this Forum is going to be quite less in the future if maybe non-existant.

What I am interested in is the performance and build of the Nocton 1.1 in comparison to the 0.95 Noctilux so I can make an informed decision about which to purchase.

This discussion has provided nothing usefull. -Dick
Click to expand...
I guess each of us have different reasons to come to a forum. You have stated yours but your judgement about "trolling" and "anonymity" could just add to the negativism that you seem to despise yourself.
Debating (which was the antique goal of a forum) is not only about politically correct or MTF charts. If you do not get what you are looking for in such a thread, move one and read another one (there are several ones on the new CV1.1) but don't critizice the intial poster for expressing his opinion and open a debate which others (like me) might find funny, sarcastic, controversial, stupid, ... many members, many personalities, don't expect everybody to adapt to your world.
As for hiding behind an avatar, next time show up to a RFF meeting like the one we just had in Barcelona ... not only you will meet many friendly members but you will also realize people are not afraid to voice their opinions, be them controversial. 😉
 
Last edited:
Yeah, saying people with big cars compensating for god know what is like saying, god why can't I afford that Benz and that guy can! He must be compensating for you know what!? Well, we are all photog here, and if fast lens would have been compact and cheap, everyone would shoot them! That nokton will satify those who are searching for that medium format bokeh (even surpassing the bokeh amount) and that with the advantages of 35mm!
 
There can always be too little light right up until absolute darkness. When each photographer decides they don't care to push it anymore is their own business, but it's really rather presumptuous to declare that your personal cut-off should somehow matter to other people.
Click to expand...

Yes I agree, I never understand why some cant come to terms with that fact that their situation and needs can and do differ from person to person. However the stirrer in me is enjoying the thread as it gives the fast lens lovers an earful for a change! As a CLE user I prefer more compact but slightly slower lenses and am usually the one lectured how rangefinders are only about fast lenses, its fun that the shoe is on the other foot this time! Hopefully they will be more understanding to those that dont want or need large fast lenses when the next time a not so fast compact lens get released LOL.

Mind you I think this lens will be a winner, the price is right and its just want alot of people were calling for in the last "what we wish for" thread. This is a limited anniversary lens though, if you want one I wouldn't hesitate too long to put your money down.
 
Jungle Jim said:
Hello Brian! Nice shots!! Your daughter Nicky is certainly growing up to be a lovely young lady. Were the photos made with a Canon 1.2 LTM?

Best Wishes.
Click to expand...

Thankyou! The picture of Nikki is with a 1953 J-3, the others are with a Wartime Sonnar 5cm F1.5 "T" in LTM. I love the Sonnar Look. All shots are wide-open. The shot of the "Lady in Red with a RED camera" is Kodacolor 800, the others are Kodacolor 400.

I'll post some with the 50/1.2.
 
Low-Light. Canon 50/0.95 on the Canon 7, Hand-Held, Wide-open at 1/4th, Kodacolor 400

picture.php


picture.php


From an exhibit at the Air and Space Museum, some dimly lit panels as you come into the room. Flash would not work on these.
 
Canon 50/1.2 on the Bessa R2, wide-open, ~1/8th, Kodacolor 800

picture.php


Wide-Open and slower speeds. It was Dimly lit in this Tavern.

(Slow-Speed, he just would not hold his arm still- sorry...)

picture.php


picture.php


The "Single-Candle" shot, 1/4th and Wide-Open

picture.php
 
Last edited:
clayne said:
Most people I've found who obsess over constantly shooting wide-open and/or having fast lenses as their go to lenses usually take crap photos.
Click to expand...

Interesting, but off point. Just because lots of photogs obsess over fast lenses and don't know how to use them, that doesn't mean there isn't a place for fast lenses in this world.
I spent many hours today photographing a group of monks in a dimly-lit monastery. I often found myself thinking how nice it would be to have a lens that opens up to 1.2 or better.
But for me, it will probably be the the 35/1.2 rather than the 50/1.1.
 
Canon 50/1.2 Wide-Open in Jamestown, light from the single Window behind Subject. Fireplace in room providing the smoke. Kodacolor 400.

picture.php


Open Door providing light.

picture.php



Not bad for a $90 lens made out of two parts lenses.
 
Last edited:
So, I have to ask myself. With a Canon 50/0.95 and a Canon 50/1.2, Do I really need this new lens... Gotta think of something to compensate for. I do have a bunch of 58mm filters for my Kodak Retina lenses.
 
That's it! Those single-coated optics have more internal reflections!

picture.php


You never know when someone will use an Electric Light Bulb!
 
Oh. Forgot a BOKEH Shot. I don't always use a FAST lens just because it is dark.

Canon 50/1.2 wide-open, at 1/1000th.

picture.php


J-3.

picture.php
 
Thought of a good reason to buy this lens.

Just to post another dozen shots to this thread.

So everyone that buys this lens: The challenge is on: Post a dozen shots to this thread.

I am going to wait and order the lens after it's been out a bit. I do have some fast glass to use in the meantime, and someone else needs one more than me.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom