Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/11/01
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I must confess with all the hullaballoo over the Noctilux I was rather expecting something about the size of a football and weighing at least ten pounds. Much to my delight the Noctilux is smaller than the Nikon 85/1.4 AF-D and about the same weight. Mine has the separate shade and viewfinder obstruction is minimal – keeping in mind that viewfinder obstruction has never been an issue for me as I am not that bright and do not notice it in practice YMMV. The other interesting thing is that, while f/1 is two stops more than f/2, it is not the end all and be all. I was photographing by street lamp and using f/1 and 1/8 with 400 ISO film. If it is dark, you will have to push your film period. It may be king of the night but only if it is a rather well lit night :-) What the Noctilux does give you is the opportunity to use selective focus techniques normally associated with long lenses, not normal lenses. It is simply amazing what this lens can throw out of focus. I like the 50 point of view and may find this a useful feature. The Leica gods give and the Leica gods take away. The 1 meter close focusing limit is very noticeable to me as I have always used short focal length lenses and have become used to 0.7m. I now find myself backing into walls a bit more than I would like. This will be the key issue for me. If I am unable to adapt, I will probably switch to the latest 50/1.4 or 75/1.4. The usual inability of Leica to design a clip on lens cap that actually stays on is also ably displayed by this lens. I do not use hoods or filters but I cap the lens between shots (a bit Brickian I admit). All too often with a camera slung over my back, I hear the "sproung" of the cap unclipping followed closely by it clattering to the ground. I have found this with my 21A, 35A, 90AA and now the 50/1 too. Why does Leica have the cap so much bigger in diameter than the lens? A bit silly if you ask me... - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html