Noctilux Challenge

[Biggles]

I'm not sure if anyone is still interested in the Noctilux Challenge...

As a spectator, definitely. This lens is clearly capable of some very creepy (creepy in a good way) street photography. Please show me more.

 

[Ororaro]

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

The first shot is in focus. But the movement caused by shooting at 1/30th is responsible for the out of focus look.

Besides, I don't really care for perfect focus if an image is strong enough to stand on its own. Here is a Noct Nikkor example. I take the chance of posting it here because I believe it is close enough to the Noctilux.

 

[dspeltz]

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

Your are correct. My wife. But even so, it was so dark (it does not look that dark but it was really dark) focus was a questionable --- any way I honestly cannot focus in the dark so I use the numbered guide on the lens when I cannot see. And there was about 1 second to get the photo since there was so many people moving in and out of the scene. That is the challenge. But I like it (is there a right or wrong in this one...maybe not).

Also, if you knew my wife you would know she is really focused, and if you have seen a Jay Craven movie, it is surreal and focus is not what he is about. He would probably say he looks too focused.

That is why this is called the Noctilux Challenge.

 

[dspeltz]

The first shot is in focus. But the movement caused by shooting at 1/30th is responsible for the out of focus look.

Besides, I don't really care for perfect focus if an image is strong enough to stand on its own. Here is a Noct Nikkor example. I take the chance of posting it here because I believe it is close enough to the Noctilux.

This might meet the criteria of no focus no need:

 

[SteveRD1]

All Noct shots...

All Noct shots...

Here are a few...

 

[SteveRD1]

and a few more....

and a few more....

few more. All on MP, scanned on Bikon coolscan 5000

 

[colinh]

The first shot is in focus. But the movement caused by shooting at 1/30th is responsible for the out of focus look.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply there was anything wrong with the photo. As I said, I really like it.

Used noctilux, 2400 EUR. *sigh*

colin

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[ChrisN]

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

...

David

Can I play? I have a Canon 50/1.2, and have just loaded the P with 200 asa color negative film, another challenge for me (low-light colour). I also have a Pentax (SLR) 50/1.2 I can contribute some images with - I know that lens is a real challenge to use for portaiture, as the depth of field at 1.2 is so narrow at close-focus range. These lenses are not in quite the same class as the Noctilux, but the challenge of using them well is the same.

 

[dspeltz]

Can I play? I have a Canon 50/1.2, and have just loaded the P with 200 asa color negative film, another challenge for me (low-light colour). I also have a Pentax (SLR) 50/1.2 I can contribute some images with - I know that lens is a real challenge to use for portaiture, as the depth of field at 1.2 is so narrow at close-focus range. These lenses are not in quite the same class as the Noctilux, but the challenge of using them well is the same.

Go for it!

 

[dspeltz]

few more. All on MP, scanned on Bikon coolscan 5000

The lens makes your dog 3D! I like Hungry Man.

 

[furcafe]

Thanks for the explanation. I wasn't really trying to criticize your photo (I can certainly understand why you wanted to get the wife in focus ), just a little confused as to why Mr. Craven wasn't the chosen point of focus when it appeared (to me @ least) that you were posting the photo as a photo of him (as opposed to "this is my wife w/Jay Craven).

I have to confess I'm not familiar w/Jay Craven's oeuvre. I'm more familiar w/the works of Wes Craven (no relation AFAIK).

For me, the key to using the Noctilux is to treat it as a short telephoto that happens to have a "normal" FoV (I know wide angle afficionados already consider 50mm to be a short tele), since the DoF @ f/1 is close to what you get w/a 90/2 or 85/2 wide open (& a bit more than you get w/the 75/1.4 Summilux) @ similar distances.

Focusing in the dark can be a big challenge (& happens to be the primary reason why I use M Leicas). I will often initially focus on more visible objects & outlines that I know are roughly along the same focus plane as my subject (e.g., someone's nose rather than their eyes) & then adjust accordingly.

Your are correct. My wife. But even so, it was so dark (it does not look that dark but it was really dark) focus was a questionable --- any way I honestly cannot focus in the dark so I use the numbered guide on the lens when I cannot see. And there was about 1 second to get the photo since there was so many people moving in and out of the scene. That is the challenge. But I like it (is there a right or wrong in this one...maybe not).

Also, if you knew my wife you would know she is really focused, and if you have seen a Jay Craven movie, it is surreal and focus is not what he is about. He would probably say he looks too focused.

That is why this is called the Noctilux Challenge.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Canon 50mm F0.95, wide-open on the Canon 7.

 

[rodneyAB]

These are from this past week.

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

Hey Ned, i'm trying to think thru this...if your shooting at f 1.0, and with slow shutter, what ISO do you set for?....or, what time of day? this recent set seems like daylight to me....maybe DIM daylight?....rodney

 

[Pherdinand]

Sure, if you send me a Noctilux I will be critiquing all night and shooting all day

 

[Ororaro]

I was using a slow film. Iso 25... Shutter speeds vary from 1/30 to 1/125. Since the M4-P has no meter, I follow my gut feeling and close the aperture some, when I see the light has changed or I have moved. The shots we're daylight but it's cold winter and the evenings are early (as early as 4-5Pm). It is dim daylight.

This was at Iso 25 or 50 (can't remember) at f1.0 @ 1/8th second. But you already saw the pic

 

[fgianni]

Can I play as well? Cant justify getting a noctilux right now, but got a summilux 75 with even shallower DOF (and even more so with the R-D1)

 

[ChrisN]

OK, the Canon 50/1.2 shots are still on the roll, but here are some Pentax SLR lens (K 50/1.2) shots, wide open, to add to the comparison.

The subject is a centrepiece decoration on the dining room table. In this shot it is bathed in early-morning light from an easterly window. I was hoping to catch some of the quality of that light, and show the interesting mix of gemetry; rectangular objects portraying diagonals leading to the light.

I should shoot this again from different angles, in lower light, and perhaps light the candles.

 

[sleepyhead]

Sure, if you send me a Noctilux I will be critiquing all night and shooting all day

OR, shooting all NIGHT and critiquing all day...

 

[fgianni]

Ok, Summilux 75 2nd with R-D1 wide open, tell me what U think!