[Leica] A brief personal review of the Nokton 50mm f1.1 and a couple of pictures

[mark at whitedogs.co.uk (Mark Pope)]

Josef said...
<quote>
Is there such a thing as "too critical?"  The new tools let us all raise
our game a little.
</quote>

I think so - the ability to pixel peep is both a blessing and a curse IMHO.

I'm just in the process of printing off the last dozen or so prints that 
made up my 2009 PAW.  Several of them were originally 'rejects' because 
they didn't appear sharp enough or had other perceived "flaws".  I was 
being overly critical -  I think it's a mindset that is engendered by 
using Leica products - the hype about optical perfection seeps into your 
subconscious and can have a detrimental effect if like me, you can 
become a bit obsessive.

Now I've processed them and printed them, shots that would have 
otherwise gone in the bit-bucket are making me go "wow! - why did I 
reject that?"  The technical was getting in the way of the aesthetic and 
to be honest, spoiling my enjoyment of photography.  If I'm going to 
make one resolution this year (if it's not too late), it is not to be 
too hard on myself and to try and recognise when things are 'good 
enough' and when the law of diminishing returns is about to be broken 
(again).

Damn...I think I've just talked myself out of an M9 :-)






Mark Pope,
Swindon, Wilts
UK

Homepage               http://www.monomagic.co.uk
Blog                   http://www.monomagic.co.uk/blog
Picture a week (2009)  http://www.monomagic.co.uk/index.php?gallery=paw/2009
                (2008) 
http://www.monomagic.co.uk/index.php?gallery=paw/2008


Josef Brugger wrote:
> If there is play in the Zeiss 1.1, that's a manufacturing issue   I 
> think the refinements in autofocus are maybe more to blame than digital 
> for people becoming more critical.  Bodies with 55 focus points and good 
> programming make us all look very accurate, and of course, being able to 
> see the photo enlarged on a screen makes it much easier for the average 
> punter to see their work enlarged, instead of squinting at a drugstore 
> 4x6 and saying "I'm sure that'd be good as an 8x10."
> 
> Using a 50/1.1 or an 85/1.4 or a 180/2.8 wide open is always going to be 
> tough because of thin depth of focus. Many times I've seen someone focus 
> a 35/1.4 on a point they figure is the right distance and then swing to 
> capture their subject.  If it's six inches off, or they're shooting at 
> an angle, they will miss focus but it's a fault of technique, not 
> manufacture. If you call up the videos of Saint HCB on YouTube, you'll 
> notice a lot of bodily contortions to move the camera back and forth 
> slightly to make focus, instead of twiddling the ring.
> 
> 
> Josef Brugger
> 
> 
> Mark Pope wrote:
>> Ernie,
>>
>> thanks.  The play on the Zeiss is an odd phenomenon.  I wonder why 
>> that happens?
>> I have read a few complaints about problems with focus, but I'm not 
>> sure how many posters have actually used the lens in anger.  Moreover, 
>> I think too few people actually expect instant success nowadays and so 
>> if they don't get it without putting in a little effort, they blame 
>> the equipment.
>> Your point about bracketing the focus is well-made.  Any problems with 
>> my images are much more likely to be a problem with me now that I'm 
>> approaching 50 and need varifocal spectacles!
>>
>> A couple of months ago, I discussed the issue of focusing the lens 
>> accurately with Frank Dernie when we met for lunch.  We agreed that 
>> when using the lens wide-open, just the act of recomposing after 
>> focusing is probably enough to affect the critical focus (say when 
>> focusing on a person's eye).  Add a touch of subject movement and a 
>> little photographer movement and you have instant focus shift!
>>
>> I also think that digital has made many of us (myself included) far 
>> too critical - it's easy to reject a shot after having decided that 
>> it's not critically sharp when viewed at 100% on a monitor when in 
>> fact if it was  printed, the result would probably be plenty good 
>> enough to pass muster.
>>
>>
>>
>> Mark Pope,
>> Swindon, Wilts
>> UK
>>
> 
> 
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