Leica M and Noctilux
Just couldn't resist. Went to the carnival with my Leica M (240) and Noctilux. The f1.0 isn't as needed as in the film days when I purchased my Noctilux but I just love that look that it has been known for for all of these years. Today we can just crank up the iso to get the shutter speed required for the shot. But I still like the glow that it gives off and since shooting at night the vignette goes with the subject matter. Focusing is just a matter of persistence. I tried Live View and Focus Peaking a few times and it does seem to help. The shot of the people on the ride in the air was focus peaking. I have no idea how I got the shot with the ride spinning around. Since the rides travels on the same track I just focused as the chairs went by and after a few revolutions took a few shots. The f1.0 aperture really didn't matter much except for one stop higher shutter speed or one stop slower iso. Walking around with such a small package makes shooting this kind of snap shooting more enjoyable. A Noctilux is huge by Leica standards but my outfit was not much larger than the small DSLR's that I saw people had hanging around their necks. For this kind of shooting it's just my camera and lens and battery in my pocket. No need to carry more equipment or even a bag. The camera has the standard neck strap on it but I wrap the strap around my wrist. Never around my shoulder or neck. Partly for security but mostly so that the camera is always ready. Having the camera ready in my hand gives my more confidence that I will get the shot. As far as performance goes test shots are not given for this lens. It is not very sharp, vignetting is very noticeable wide open and there is that glow. Although sharpness increases and aberrations lessen when stopping down, I don't feel that a Noctilux is a 50mm replacement. I think of it as an extra tool in my bag. I also own a 50mm Summicron for times when a normal field of view is what I want. I don't mind carrying two 50mm lenses.
