Noctilux Challenge

[dspeltz]

Would anyone care to undertake a Noctilux challenge with me. The challenge is to use this lens ONLY at f/1.0 and critique what we have done for purposes of improving the use of this lens at full open. Say a 90 day challenge through March 31.

Last night, on New Year's eve First Night, I challenged myself and it was difficult. Using the M8 which gives quick feedback, I photographed under minimal street lights, very dark restaurants, people moving, all at f 1/0. It was hard to say the least. Focus is hard, lighting strange and mixed.

For those interested, perhaps someone could advise how to do this logistically on RFF.

 

[Ororaro]

Would anyone care to undertake a Noctilux challenge with me. The challenge is to use this lens ONLY at f/1.0 and critique what we have done for purposes of improving the use of this lens at full open. Say a 90 day challenge through March 31.

Last night, on New Year's eve First Night, I challenged myself and it was difficult. Using the M8 which gives quick feedback, I photographed under minimal street lights, very dark restaurants, people moving, all at f 1/0. It was hard to say the least. Focus is hard, lighting strange and mixed.

For those interested, perhaps someone could advise how to do this logistically on RFF.

You are talking about talent and vision.

 

[Olsen]

I should very much like to participate, but I don't have a M8 or other RF digital body. I have a Leica Noctilux, though, - and a Canon 1Ds II with a 50 mm 1,0L - a combo I think work better since there is no crop. Could I participate with the this combo?

 

[dspeltz]

For sure! Lets see who else is interested?

 

[Peter55]

85mm f/1.2

85mm f/1.2

Well my M5 and 50mm Summilux f/1.4 are perhaps not to close to a Noct. f/1.0,
I too have an Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II, but my fastest lens is the 85mm f/1.2.

To learn to use it I did keep it on the camera for a few months. Shooting at
f/1.2 is difficult in Portraiture, and even candids that's for sure.

Well I'm interested in your challange, can I also paticapate, and use the Canon 1Ds and 85 f/1.2?

 

[dspeltz]

Well my M5 and 50mm Summilux f/1.4 are perhaps not to close to a Noct. f/1.0,
I too have an Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II, but my fastest lens is the 85mm f/1.2.

To learn to use it I did keep it on the camera for a few months. Shooting at
f/1.2 is difficult in Portraiture, and even candids that's for sure.

Well I'm interested in your challange, can I also paticapate, and use the Canon 1Ds and 85 f/1.2?

That would be good!. There are also 1.2 Nocs. It will be interesting to see if the 1.2 presents the same level of challenge. Lets give it another day and then get going.

 

[Ponsoldt]

R-d1/mp

R-d1/mp

I have a noctilux and an mp and a r-d1. How do you want to handle the posts? With the crop factor the r-d1will be close to the mkII with the 85mm

 

[dspeltz]

I think the Critique Forum is to restrictive. Here are some ideas, and please amend them since I have not done this before on this forum.

1. Objective is to improve both our technical as well as artistic skills using our lenses wide open, not to exceed 1.2 and only using RF.

2. Post (using thumbnails and attachments?) as many photos as you feel appropriate for the learning process.

3. When posting, indicate why you posted it, and if there are any issues about it you like or do not like (self critique).

4. Do not critique anothers work without having posted your own.

5. Divide the assignment into categories including

Portraits
Cityscapes
Landscapes
Objects

Anyhow, that is a start. Please critique this approach and then we can modify and start. I suggest we run through March 31 unless it dies out. I do not know how to keep non-participants from posting their opinions but maybe that is OK.

David

 

[dspeltz]

I'm not sure if anyone is still interested in the Noctilux Challenge but I have started to post some pictures I took using f/1 only at www.flickr.com/photos/dspeltz.

All were taken in extreme low light. It has taken me a while to figure this lens out given the extremely thin DOF. Not so hard in distance photography but a real challenge when the subject is inches away.

 

[Olsen]

This is taken with my 1Ds II - EF 50 mm 1,0 - at aparture 1,0 - 1/25 - hand held (supported to a hand rail) at 400ASA. I have sharpened it a bit in PS, but have no way of getting rid of the AC which is 'cosing about in the tree tops'.

A late August (2005) afternoon at the small island, Malmøya, just outside Oslo, showing a small grocery store that lives off the boat people having their boats docked at the island.

I tried to catch the dusk atmosfare, - hand held. At 100% in PS motion unsharpness is evident due to my handhelding at 1/25, but I have - sort of - covered it up here by sharpening and not blowing it up too much.

 

[Ororaro]

Here's one of mine shot at f1.0 a few days ago...

 

[dspeltz]

i like that one. These lenses lend a surreal quality to the image, if that is what you want, and maybe don't want. Here is another. This was taken at f/1.0 at a 30th of a second ISO 1250. I think this lens like black and white alot.

I asked Leica when my lens was made. It is a 1982 version. I have no idea if the later models were improved.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dspeltz/379759133/

 

[SolaresLarrave]

It's nice to see there are people who know what the challenges of this lens are, and are willing to experiment. I've learned a lot just looking at these images... and I want to look at more. Thanks for posting! 🙂

 

[Ororaro]

These are from this past week.

I have lots more, especially with the Nikkor Noct. Just love this lens...

 

[dspeltz]

Frank Howard Mosher, writer, at the premier of "Disappearances" at the BrattleTheater, Cambridge MA 2007 Feb 02. Noctilux f/1.0 ISO 1250 1/15 sec

 

[dspeltz]

Waitng for Godot (sorry, "Disappearances") at the Brattle Theater. Noctilux f/1.0 1/30 sec ISO 1250.

 

[dspeltz]

Jay Craven, Director of "Disapperances" at its world premier, Brattle Theater, Cambridge, Ma 2 Feb 2007. Noctilux f/1.0 1/15 sec ISO 1250

www.flickr.com/photos/dspeltz

 

[colinh]

NB23, love those shots - especially the first one.

I don't have a noctilux 🙁 but maybe I can emulate the effect by not focussing on anything and shooting at 1/8 s. 🙂

colin

 

[dspeltz]

This is taken with my 1Ds II - EF 50 mm 1,0 - at aparture 1,0 - 1/25 - hand held (supported to a hand rail) at 400ASA. I have sharpened it a bit in PS, but have no way of getting rid of the AC which is 'cosing about in the tree tops'.

A late August (2005) afternoon at the small island, Malmøya, just outside Oslo, showing a small grocery store that lives off the boat people having their boats docked at the island.

I tried to catch the dusk atmosfare, - hand held. At 100% in PS motion unsharpness is evident due to my handhelding at 1/25, but I have - sort of - covered it up here by sharpening and not blowing it up too much.

Is the vignetting in the right hand top corner the lens?

 

[furcafe]

It appears you focused on the woman on the left rather than Mr. Craven.

Jay Craven, Director of "Disapperances" at its world premier, Brattle Theater, Cambridge, Ma 2 Feb 2007. Noctilux f/1.0 1/15 sec ISO 1250

www.flickr.com/photos/dspeltz