Noctilust Solved ...

Honus

Honus

carpe diem
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with a Summilux ASPH.

I appreciate the discussion from my previous Noctilust thread, in particular those that told me to quit whining and buy one. 😱 Well, I bought Ray's (harmsr) 50mm ASPH. Let me explain...

I love both low light and shallow DOF. Reviewing the last 10 rolls of film that I shot, about 40% of the exposures were at f2.0 (using Summicrons - wide open). The ability to capture beautiful light in low light (I hope this makes sense to somebody) is my raison d'etre in photography.

The Noctilux had always been my gold standard. However, I was blown away earlier this year by this image:

http://www.leica-camera.com/discus_e/messages/11/187614.html

The drawing of the light, contrast and bokeh sent shivers down my spine. Nevertheless, I still stalked the Noctilux.

Then, Ray (harmsr) presented his DR, 50 ASPH comparison. I was convinced that #2 was the DR, because the DR is a fantastic lens with sweet bokeh. Seeing that the ASPH lens was capable of such sublime OOF was another eye opener.

Then Jorge started posting pictures of his kids that had amazing sharpness, but not clinical in any way. The color palette is beautiful, I thought, but I shoot primarily in black and white. I know that the Nocti can deliver the b&w goods...

Searching for black and white examples, I found this image:

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=116685309&size=o

Now I'm convinced. The ASPH lux has both a beautiful fingerprint and amazing sharpness that can shine in b&w photography.

I'm a tad over budget 😱 , but somehow I will find a way to explain all of this to my wife.

Robert
 
Congrats, good light and good luck (with the explaination at least... had that issue today, myself, but at a bit lower level: only an elderly Canon FTb-N & 50/1.4 SSC for it 🙂 )

William
 
Robert,

I'm glad it is going to a good home. The 50 Lux ASPH is my favorite lens also and I'm still going to have one. It is just that mine now matches my chrome MP3. (The chrome LHSA version)

I really do think that you will love its' unique combination of sharpness, contrast, texture, and bokeh.

Best,

Ray
 
You did due dilligence in your shopping and selection, Robert, so I expect you'll continue to be pleased with this choice. From examples and comments I too have been drawn to the 35mm and 50mm Summilux-Asph lenses, though I don't know if they'll ever come my way. Good luck and good shooting!
 
A wise choice IMHO. The Noctilux is a wonderful lens; a specialized lens nonetheless. The Summilux 50 Asph. will cater for all needs. Good light Robert, please post results.
 
Congrats on acquiring the 50 ASPH. It's a much more usable lens than the Noctilux and I can't think of a better way to cure the noctilust! Happy shooting.
 
Honus, I am glad your "noctilust" has been satisfied... mine, however, was reawakened by your initial thread... although I can appreciate the course yours took and understand your succesful resolution, I am not sure mine will not reappear after the purchase of an alternative (it hasn't in the past) no matter how well thought-out your justification was presented. I love my 75 'lux and I could actually see using something the size of the noc, however, and while I love the night-light quality of those lenses, I do not like the size and weight of either (the beginning of the justification for a 50 'lux asph). I am giving myself the weekend to think this through... my only concern is that I may very well slake the noctilust with the purchase of another lens (50 'lux asph) and have the noctilust reawakened at some later date. True GAS issues... and you guys are my only support group. Kinda like throwing fuel on a fire! Keep up the good work.
 
You bought a 1500 GBP lens based on 200k images you saw on the web????

Nocti or Summilux, both are great lenses, but I can't believe that you made your decision this way.

Steve
 
I've Noctilust, as well (f1 is sooo cool), but it seems with most Noctilux shots that I see, it's all about the Noctilux, and the characteristics of the Noctilux. It seems it's less about how good the shot is, and how skillful the the photographer. The Noctilux seems to turn average shots into masterpieces. Don't get me wrong, there are some skillfully seen and captured Noctilux shots, for sure (I've seen them) but the majority of shots I see are average shots, in minimal light, with great bokeh, and that incredible Nocti-look. Deep pockets can truly make one an artist.

Disclaimer: This is really just a thought from a fellow luster, and not meant to be a knock on anyone directly.
 
C'mon guys, this stuff is entirely subjective... what you like is what you like, and any justification you use to self-authorize your purchase will/must work for you. As far as the photos Honus used to justify his purchase, they did it for him and he told you what he saw. You didn't see it... some say "tomato", some say "tomato" (accents inaccessible), but they worked for him. I appreciate the different perspective and the methodology he discussed in making his choice.
 
MP/CLE said:
C'mon guys, this stuff is entirely subjective... what you like is what you like, and any justification you use to self-authorize your purchase will/must work for you. As far as the photos Honus used to justify his purchase, they did it for him and he told you what he saw. You didn't see it... some say "tomato", some say "tomato" (accents inaccessible), but they worked for him. I appreciate the different perspective and the methodology he discussed in making his choice.
Click to expand...


I agree. I've made many lens purchases based on 300K images I've seen here and in the gallery.


🙂
 
RayPA said:
I agree. I've made many lens purchases based on 300K images I've seen here and in the gallery.


🙂
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've done that and even made some purchases based on the pure (perceived) beauty of the lens with nice things said about it... pathetic, I know, but (self) justified at the time... although I must say that I have not been disappointed in my purchases. I have, however, been disappointed in my ability to make proper use of my purchases on occasion, which is a whole other category of psychosis.

I still am not making headway in quelling the noctilust...
 
sunsworth said:
You bought a 1500 GBP lens based on 200k images you saw on the web????

Nocti or Summilux, both are great lenses, but I can't believe that you made your decision this way.

Steve
Click to expand...

Steve,

I paid much less than 1500 GBP, and yes I think you can make pretty damn good evaluations of 200K images. Were talking 35mm format here, not 4x5. I certainly did not make a decision solely on the examples I provided, but I used them to help illustrate photographic qualities that I admire.

Here is an image that I have always admired, and it is only 92K:

http://www.leica-camera.com/discus_e/messages/11/6104.html

I contend that an A3 print of that image is going to look spectacular on my wall. If I am wrong, I would appreciate your advice on the error of my ways.

Cheers,

Robert
 
Robert, an A3 of that photo would look tremendous, but you really can't tell that from a 640 pixel image. There is no fine detail for a start, at that size there can't be.

Steve
 
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