tony31664880056

As an aside, I switched from Leica to Swarovski several years ago, and there is a

remarkable difference in customer service. I have twice dropped a pair of EL series

Swarovskis, and both times received them back from repair in less than 10 days with NO

CHARGE. Leica will charge will charge a relative fortune, unless their policy has

changed dramatically.

And as a further aside, the EL series are the finest binoculars I have ever used, both in

terms of low-light capabilities, and ergonomics.

Regards,

Tony C.

Hi Daniel,

I use the CV 15mm on M8, and am quite happy with it. Of course it will be different on your camera as you have no sensor crop, but you can see an example by following this link:

http://mtanga.com/singleimage4.htm

Regards,

Tony C.

Although I haven't used it much, I like it as well on my M8. Here's an example from NYC:

<center><img src="http://mtanga.com/cv4.jpg"></center>

Regards,

Tony C.

It is my favorite lens. Yes, it is bigger and heavier than most rangefinder lenses, but if you have ever used fast glass on an SLR, it is nothing to worry about. Yes, the depth of field is extremely shallow, but that is, coupled with its remarkable bokeh, exactly what makes the Noctilux so special. It is also a bit soft wide-open, but I like that aspect as well.

Simply put, it has a unique way of drawing an image, which many people ? myself included ? love. Here are a few examples:

http://mtanga.com/singleimage7.htm

http://mtanga.com/singleimage9.htm

http://mtanga.com/singleimage10.htm

http://mtanga.com/singleimage11.htm

Regards,

Tony C.

While I don't believe that the I Noctilux must be used in low light in order to produce unique and pleasing results, I do personally prefer to highlight the narrow depth of field.

Follow this link for an example of what I mean:

http://mtanga.com/singleimage7.htm

Regards,

Tony C.

Noctilux

I've recently acquired a Konica M-Hexanon 50mm 1.2, and it does come close to the Noctilux in certain respects. I like the Konica thus far, but it was a limited edition, and is therefore hard to find and becoming increasingly expensive.

Here's an example...

<center><img src="http://mtanga.com/barn7.jpg"></center>

<center><img src="http://mtanga.com/cv4.jpg"></center>

(Thanks Michael!!)

I love the M8 for portraits. Here's one of my 87 year-old father, taken with a Noctilux wide-

open:

http://mtanga.com/singleimage7.htm

Regards,

Tony C.

To echo what others have said, the cv 15mm is an excellent lens, and respresents tremendous value. Here's an example:

http://mtanga.com/singleimage4.htm

Also, in response to an earlier poster's concerns about filters, there is a man named John Milch who has designed, and sells superb adapters for the 12mm and 15mm CV lenses. Just go to the Leica Forum and do a search:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/

Regards,

Tony C.

Hi Harry,

I won't claim to be an expert, as I'm far from one. However, while I think that understand the distinction you are trying to make, it still seems to me that you will not be able to accurately gauge the performance of your M8, or individual lenses, unless the infinity adjustment is properly made. In other words, if the infinity adjustment is off, then back-focus issues are likely to distort your images relative to the focus screen seen through the viewfinder.

Regards,

Tony C.

Infinity adjustment is both crucial, and fairly easy to accomplish on the M8. Here's a thread which includes photos on how to adjust:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/13933-new-backfocus-thread-solution.html

One final note, though. I strongly recommend that you choose a far away point of reference in order to adjust most accurately. In other words, use a star at night, rather than something which is (for example) 100 ft. away, as it will calibrate more accurately.

Regards,

Tony C.

Sorry to hear bout your problems, Guy.

I don't doubt that there are some M8s, and some lenses out there which have focus problems. But like Neil, my M8 performs very well with a variety of lenses, including a Noctilux, 35mm Summilux, 15mm CV, 21mm Biogon, and 75mm Summicron.

Now, I should add that I did initially need adjust my M8 to infinity in order to achieve the right focus with my lenses. I suspect that a good number of M8s are not perfectly adjusted at the factory, and therefore many users have focus problems (at least initially). In any case, it is crucial that the M8 be properly adjusted to infinity before one can begin to judge the characteristics of individual lenses.

Regards,

Tony C.

Which version do you have? I have a fairly new Summilux 35 ASPH, and it is tight and smooth. I would not characterize it as a normal characteristic, and if yours is new, I'd return it or send it in for repair.

Regards,

Tony C.

Here's the (long) original thread, which is still active:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41649

Yes. It has been thoroughly discussed on other forums. The designer (Tim) has made a prototype, but it has not yet gone into production. It's really a superb design, and given his skill level and dedication, I have no doubt that it will be produced.

Regards,

Tony C.

As old world artisans become harder to find, I find that capturing

images of them � or as in this case, their tools � gains significance.

Regards,

Tony C.<div></div>

Vinay,

No one is suggesting that you are foolish to wait for the bugs to be worked out. But it is foolish of you to sneer at those who have been early adaptors. I, and many others, have had absolutely no problems with the M8, other than the IR issue.

Tony C.

Nice try, Vinay, but hiding behind the "personal attack" canard won't work. Your attacks have clearly been about more than Leica's handling of the M8 issues; they have been about the camera's shortcomings.

It's not simply a matter that the M8 "is capable of high image quality", as you put it, but that it is, by a wide margin, the best digital rangefinder ever built, and, again ? just in case you haven't been paying attention ? is capable of producing exceptional quality images.

There are many pros using the M8, and their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Those pros, and many amateurs, myself included, are quite willing to accept the very trade-offs (e.g. IR filters for color work) which you find to be wildly unacceptable. By now, everyone knows that you consider the whole M8 project to a fiasco, so why on earth do you bother to continue posting?

The reason that your posts provoke sharp responses is that you are, for the most part, repeating your own very subjective views, and they are views which are at odds with the vast majority of those who actually own the camera. And, frankly, the views of those who have actually used the camera intrinsically carry more weight.

Regards,

Tony C.

Vinay: How, exactly, do you expect anyone to take anything that say seriously when you come out with the following?

"Sometimes I liken Leica to an aging actor or singer or athlete who instead of retiring on top, stays in the game until they become a laughable self-parody, and then attempts one last serious comeback to thunderous applause. Not for the performance, which is pitiful, but out of respect for what they used to be."

The best digital rangefinder ever (warts and all), obviously capable of producing fantastic images, which ,some pros suggest, compare favorably with medium-format, and you characterize it as "pitiful".

Your opinion, in this case, is the only thing which is truly laughable.

Regards,

Tony C.

Noctilux threads pop up fairly regularly on the various forums, and, given the recent price increase, are currently getting a lot of play. Some of the questions being asked are quite reasonable, as are some of the answers. What I fail to understand is the point of those who dogmatically assert that one shouldn't consider the lens because of it's limitations.

It is true that:

a) it is a relatively heavy lens (though not so much to those used to SLRs)

b) it is a very expensive lens (especially after the price increase)

c) it is lens which has a very narrow DOF, so accurate focussing is a challenge

d) for many applications, other 50mm Leica lenses are sensible alternatives

At the same time, however, the Noctilux is a remarkably unique lens which allows hand-held shooting in low light, and, to my eye (and many others) paints a beautiful image, as some of the photos on this very thread demonstrate.

So, if one can afford the price, and if one values the unique abilities of the Noctilux highly enough, then it's limitations are (or will be) rendered insignificant. It's really that simple.

Regards,

Tony C.