Noctilux - just bought one..

[SteveRD1]

My 1st opinion upon opening the box was that it was not as large as everyone made it out to be. 2nd opinion after lifting it out of the box was that it is a brick. Heavy for an M lens for sure. I used to shoot with a Canon 85 1.2L which was larger and heavier so this did not bother me. I am also hanging on to my 50 summicron instead of selling it.

I have shot two rolls through it. One color, one B&W.

1st opinions on quality. The Canon 85 1.2L is sharper, much sharper even at F1.2. But with the Noct it's not really about the sharpness. It's strong point is the way it renders the OOF backgrounds which is the creamiest and most unusual I have seen in any lens. The close focus distance is not close at all so no tight shots with this guy, but again, I knew this going in. I do feel it is over-priced new - $3800 for a 50??? The color shots look nicer than the B&W. It seems mostly all of my B&W shots appear very very soft (ISO 400 shot with an 8X ND) - For the price of this lens one could buy a 50 ASPH and a used 75 Lux which would make a much better pair. 50 ASPH for all around lens and the 75 for portraits.

I've been wanting this Noctilux for 2 years and even though it has major drawbacks (price being #1) I still really like it for what it excels at. Low light, shallow DOF portraits using color film (portra 160 works nice). Ill use this lens with color film, and my cron with B&W and probably will not be able to afford any new lenses for at least a year but that's OK.

Here are a few of the shots from my 1st two rolls....

 

[SteveRD1]

few more

few more

few more...

 

[Jerevan]

Nice ones! I like the Zippys beer bar shot. I am no good at putting the focus in the right place, but with very shallow DoF you really need to hold still when you've focused your shot. Just a slight downward pointing will wreck the DoF, giving a soft-looking photo. The softness can also be coming from the fact that wide-open, even if the focus is exactly where you want it, the DoF is so small that even then it overall looks soft (except in the exact spot where you put your focus).

I have only experienced this myself using f1.4 lenses wide open, so f1.0 could be a real nightmare. Which is probably why many people give up on their Nocts, I suppose.

 

[peter_n]

Nice! Which version did you get?

 

[SteveRD1]

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks for the comments. Yea, I think I found out what it is that is making many of my shots appear soft. WHen I focus, then recompose, my slight movement causes the focus to be off a bit. I just processed a roll I shot using a tripod and test subjects and the lens is focusing spot on. Just my technique 🙂

I do really love the lens though, and will be keeping it.

 

[clarence]

I have only experienced this myself using f1.4 lenses wide open, so f1.0 could be a real nightmare. Which is probably why many people give up on their Nocts, I suppose.

This is one reason why I am looking for the CV Nokton 40 / 1.4 rather than the 50. The shorter focal length allows for more depth of field at 1.4.

Clarence

 

[telenous]

Lovely photos Steve, thanks for sharing.

Photos taken with a Noctilux have a unique signature and so do yours above. I find eye-popping the ability of the lens to completely separate the subject from its surroundings. Perhaps a little eerie too, as this results in a kind of image that the human eye is not accustomed too. I think you 're right, sharpness is not at all the issue here. Mood is - and the Noctilux is doing mood like no other lens I have seen.

Enjoy your new lens!

 

[matt fury]

I got to play with a Noctilux last night, and the first thing I said was that it wasn't as large as everyone makes it out to be. I thought it handled pretty well.

 

[Magus]

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