Thanks Charles. The portraits with the model are really great. The Nocti is very complementary. Same with the monks - I really like the first one, the full body vertical, as well as the monks seated at the table. Seems the Nocti and 24 Lux make a nice travel combo for your style.
Thanks Michael. Kids are fun to photograph in part because there isn't any self-consciousness at this age. They just do what they want. It will be interesting to see how lens availability is affected by whatever Leica announces in the next few weeks. I think a lot of photographers have realized that for many of the CSCs available now, that either native lens options are as good or better, or adapting M lenses result in considerable compromises from certain combinations, particularly when it comes to edge sharpness. And, naturally, many are very price conscious. It doesn't really make sense to spend $4000 on a 50 Lux ASPH when a $300-400 45mm f/1.8 will outclass it on a m43 sensor. Having used M lenses on APS-C for a bit, my realization was that at least Leica's M glass really is optimized for full frame coverage.
Some more, though different friends and different kids...
28 Cron 1/125 @ f/5.6 ISO: 320
And compare the above at f/5.6 to what you can get with the 21 Lux wide open - quite the difference. Of course if I had shot the 28 Cron wide open it too would provide a lot of separation at this distance, but still, I'm impressed with the 21 Lux by how much background information (context) is retained while providing separation. I think this was done at close to minimum focusing distance:
Ron, very nice images. Like almost all of them but prefer the rendering of the 21 Lux over the 28 Cron.
Would like to comment on the photos of the other users as well but am very busy currently. However, had about two hours yesterday morning to take some photos in Hamburg. Will post them once I have the post-processed and will take the time to give feedback on your photos, guys.
So here are some photos I took yesterday morning in Hamburg. Got up very early because I had to leave Hamburg at about 9 am. I was rewarded with a nice sunset and very pleasant light. Hamburg is such an exciting city, in particular for taking photos. I live in Munich and think the city is nice but in my view there is so much more to experience in Hamburg.
50 Noctilux (obviously stopped down):
50 Noctilux:
50 Noctilux:
24 Summilux (see the little patch on the ground? that's where I focused and started to jump to take this self-portrait):
I bought an M8.2 and a 50mm Summilux ASPH over the weekend (my first Leica camera & lens) and went to one of my favourite places in Hong Kong to try it out .. the Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Gardens.
Ron, sometimes its better to walk, ie more photo opportunities. Can't tell that you shot the 28Cron through the windows. Love that 28Cron set you posted. #2,3,4,7 are my favorites. Composition on 2&4 is great! Another excellent set with the sunset, somehow I like the 28Cron one best in terms of rendering. Magic dust in glass? The 2nd last set and last set with the kids are also excellent, on the first set, a bit of "Magnum-ish" framing to #1? 1,2, 5 & 7 are my favorites from this take. #3 is my favorite on the 2nd set.
Charles, very nice still life shots from Tainan. I like the mood and feel to those 2 shots with the Nocti. Those Bangkok monks and model portraits continue to impress, excellent work!
Jonas, good luck! Enjoyed your M8 pics. Maybe you'll be back sometime in the future.
Joanlvh, nice shot with the X2.
Michael, hope your M9 returns soon.
Joakim, #2 is excellent. Nice shot.
Seekuh, very nice set#1 and your portrait are my favorites. Isn't it risky to leave your M9 and 24Lux on a tripod and open road?
deang001, congrats on your M8. Nice set to start off with, the last shot is my favorite.
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Good to know that prices on the M9 are coming down, maybe a good time soon to get a backup body. I don't really "need" a M10 even-though there are issues with the M9. Although it would be nice to have the high ISO improvements, better buffer, etc but it depends on how much it cost, but then again, the M9 is still a very good camera especially shot at the lower ISOs. If the M10 has a CMos sensor, I speculate that the M9 will not be phased out - just yet, because Leica would still be using the same base sensor and body for the M Mono? The M Mono might be a different story for me... but I still have a hard time justifying those prices Leica charges.. but those B&W files are gorgeous.
I agree with almost everyone else who has positive impressions of the RX100, my jaws dropped when I loaded the pics into LR4 the first time. My jaws just dropped again after I finishing my first 13x19 print using the jpegs. Really impressed and I dare to confidently show prints shot on the RX100 next to the M9 at this size and it will be hard for many to tell them apart at lower ISOs (probably apart from the regular FM'ers who pixel peep ). If only it had a slot for an optical VF....
I like them all. Great images! rscheffler wrote:
Thanks Charles. The portraits with the model are really great. The Nocti is very complementary. Same with the monks - I really like the first one, the full body vertical, as well as the monks seated at the table. Seems the Nocti and 24 Lux make a nice travel combo for your style.
Thanks Michael. Kids are fun to photograph in part because there isn't any self-consciousness at this age. They just do what they want. It will be interesting to see how lens availability is affected by whatever Leica announces in the next few weeks. I think a lot of photographers have realized that for many of the CSCs available now, that either native lens options are as good or better, or adapting M lenses result in considerable compromises from certain combinations, particularly when it comes to edge sharpness. And, naturally, many are very price conscious. It doesn't really make sense to spend $4000 on a 50 Lux ASPH when a $300-400 45mm f/1.8 will outclass it on a m43 sensor. Having used M lenses on APS-C for a bit, my realization was that at least Leica's M glass really is optimized for full frame coverage.
And compare the above at f/5.6 to what you can get with the 21 Lux wide open - quite the difference. Of course if I had shot the 28 Cron wide open it too would provide a lot of separation at this distance, but still, I'm impressed with the 21 Lux by how much background information (context) is retained while providing separation. I think this was done at close to minimum focusing distance: ...Show more →
Thank you Ron, Joakim and Joe
Ron, great examples of the separation with the 21 Lux!!! Just love that second shot Very nice set.
Joakim, really like #2
Hilmar, really nice set! Love #1, and just how the Nocti can render beautifully when stopped down
deang001, congrats on your M8 and 50 Lux The last shot is my fav
Joe, excellent composition and B&W conversion!!! Who needs the M-M?
Paul, really like the shot of the dragon fly!
Joe, that shot of the Tokyo train is really well timed ... nice conversion too. The train staff over there are always immaculate ... actually everything is
Charles, your images wit the 50 Summilux is what made my decision to go for this lens. Not sure I can use it as well as you though ... very nice work. Is the Bangkok image taken around the corner from the Grand Palace?
Paul .. nice shot of the dragon fly
Few more from the weekend ... 50 Summilux & M8.2 ....
@ Charles:
The very last portrait is absolutely awesome. Love how the Noctilux renders. So smooth and sharp at the same time. How did you get to know the model?
The first picture on page 552 #17 is sooo nice. Love the colors and the composition.
Do you find it hard to focus the Nocti when (the eyes of) the subject are not in the middle of the frame?
@ Joe88:
I got up very early and there was almost no traffic when I placed my tripod on the open road.
@ Ron:
I like the photos very much that you take of friends and their kids. The two photos on page 553 #12 are also stunning.
Some pages earlier you asked if someone could recommend a light tripod. I've got the Benro C0690T - C069m8 Travel Angel Carbon tripod which is relatively light. In consideration of its weight the tripod is sturdy I find. I use a Markins ballhead called Emille which is a fine piece, too. I guess the Gitzos are even better than the Benro tripods (the Benros are supposed to be a copy of the Gitzos) but they are also more expensive.
Answer to your question on page 550 #1:
Yes, I absolutely agree that the 24 Lux renders beautifully when stopped down to about f8.0 and when opened up to f1.4. I also prefer shooting the lens at these f stops.
@ Paul Yi:
I love the way you process the Summilux 50 images. Always a pleasure to watch your photos.
@ AshNZ:
Great stitches, so sharp.
@ najibs:
Like your photos on page 551.
@ Gary Clannan:
The third photo on p 551 #14 is very well composed. Awesome!