How much of the viewfinder does the Noctilux block?

[jamie drouin]

It has been often mentioned that the Noctilux blocks the lower right hand side of the

viewfinder, but am curious by how much? Can someone confirm how much is blocked

by the current (built-in hood) Noctilux using the following chart (three choices: 1, 2,

3, or somewhere in between):<br>

<br>

<img src="http://www.jamiedrouin.com/temp/noctilux_block.jpg"><br>

<br>

Thanks!

Jamie.

[jonas_yip1]

Somewhere between 2 and 3, closer to 3.

[henry_ting2]

I find if you worry too much about any VF blockage, it will bother you indefinitely regardless in practical usage whether it really matters. I'm used to the rangefinder view of visualization prior to how it will appear on film because I've been using the Leica M for the past 20 years. Having said all that, sometimes it still bothers me, not so much if I frame in "landscape" format, but rather in "portrait" format when the blockage is in the top right, and it becomes a real eye-sore. I overcame that problem by tilting the camera with the shutter-down position using my thumb to shoot. But then to me its not a natural shooting habit. So after 20 years of Leica experience, there are situations that still bothers me.

[jamie drouin]

just for further clarification: how much of the viewfinder is blocked with the lens set

to 1m?

[dan_brown4]

None, if you shoot with both eyes open.

[kelly_flanigan1]

Here I use the Noct @F1.0 in dark situations where any blockage is not bothersome. I NEVER even thought or heard of "this problem" after a decades Noct usage; until I got on Photo.net. At 1 meter; the DOF is zilch; maybe +/-1cm. I rarely even use the Noct in this region; and wonder why posters comment "that the Noct wont focus to 0.7m"; as being a problem. Even abit weirder; many comment it is a problem; that have never used the lens before. The biggest problem at 1 meter and F1.0 is finding what slim part one wants in focus; and not moving the lens away/towards before the exposure.

[kelly_flanigan1]

Jamie; My M3 and Noct 1.0 58mm filter size model blocks about your #2 example; with a between #1/#2 for total blockage. The blockage transision area is not totally a black and white issue; ones eye sees the blockage as an out of focus area; which sort of appears like your example between the 2 to 3 ring. At the close focus 1 meter postion; the lens block is more forward; and the block is increased; maybe about 1/2 of your zones. If ones eye is in the top left part of the viewfinder; abit more can be seen; in the bottom right corner. Hope this helps some.

[kelly_flanigan1]

Hopefully; others with the other larger filter size Noct 1.0; and other M bodies will add their comments on what they see as blockage. My opinions are without glasses; which I dont have.

[clayh]

Jamie:

I've been shooting the Noctilux a lot lately. I use a M6TTL, and at 1m, with the hood

extended, the edge of the hood actually just touches the lower right corner of the

rangefinder patch. That said, it is one cool lens. Just make sure and keep it at f/1 or f1.2. I

use it like a Velostigmat soft focus lens on an 8x10.

 

Clay

[james_.1]

Kelly- good point regarding minimum focusing distance. Wide open is the way to use it most of the time.

[art__]

Jamie,

 

Love your work and what you do with 50mm. Hope you get the lens so I can see your vision / interpretation of the nocti.

 

Cheers.

[kelly_flanigan1]

To All; my comments about "viewfinder blockage" are without the hood; which I rarely ever use.

[jamie drouin]

Thanks to all for your comments. It's a bit tough judging all this stuff without actually

having one of these lenses to look at locally. The Nocti has fascinated me for some

time, but always held back due to (among other things, like cost) the frame blockage

and minimum distance: two factors that play heavily in my workflow.

 

Best, Jamie.

[mikep1]

On the earlier Noct - with the removeable hood AND WITH THE HOOD REMOVED, it obstructs per #1 or slightly less. With the hood mounted the edge of the hood intrudes to around #3 but since it has cutouts, the practical "obstruction" is #2.

[mitch_zeissler]

With the MP 0.85 viewfinder and the circular hood that I use in place, my late model 60mm Noct blocks about the same as example 3. With the hood completely removed, it covers the same as example 1. When close focused using the hood, it's more than example 3. However, I use a 50mm CV accessory viewfinder for framing anything that isn't close focused, and the problem goes away.