Based on feedback and comments from some earlier posts, I decided to do another comparison test. This one relates performance criteria of lens weight and filter use when handholding the "M". Before I go any further, let me state that I realize this type of test is very subjective at best, as it is unique to my personal shooting style. Therefore one should not draw too many conclusions from it without performing similar tests for themselves, but I hope you find it interesting nonetheless. So, for whatever it’s worth to you, here it is...

My technique: When faced with very slow shutter-speed situations, I carefully brace the camera by locking my elbows into my sides, and firmly holding the camera against my face with my normal camera grip; left hand supporting the bottom of the camera and the lens, right hand supporting the side of the camera and shutter release. My feet are shoulder-width apart, and I take and hold a half-breath before gently rolling my trigger finger over the release button. I have found over the years that I can get acceptably sharp shots at improbably slow shutter speeds with this technique. I expect many others use a similar technique.

The results: The weight of the Noctilux did seem to improve handhold-ability at very slow speeds. I got reasonably sharp results even at 1/4 of a second about 50 percent of the time. (By reasonably sharp, I mean they looked like they would enlarge to 8X10, and pass muster by most viewers.) This result surprised me, as I expected to have the images all but useless at 1/8th or below. With the Summicron, I had almost the same hit rate at 1/8th, and a little better at 1/15th; so I’ll declare a one and one half stop advantage for the Noctilux. I also compared degradation when filters were used. The answer for me was no difference noted when the speeds are below 1/125th of a second with my 35mm lens.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), March 10, 2001

Answers

You may want to try out my slow shutter speed technique: With the camera hanging from my left shoulder I have the strap (standard Leica) shortened to the point where when I bring the camera to my face it is a tight squeeze. Make the strap tight enough so that you are pulling the body AWAY from your face instead of the common technique of holding the camera tight against the face. By this techique you are actually creating a tripod with your shoulder, face and strap. Let me know how it works. Steve

-- Steve LeHuray (icommag@toad.net), March 11, 2001.

Have any scans to give some idea of how sharp?

-- Jeff Spirer (jeff@spirer.com), March 11, 2001.

Jeff:

At present, I do not own a scanner. Digital is not really my bag. I have played around with a Nikon 990 and Epson stylus Photo 870, and it's "okay", but I prefer silver. However, I was going to buy an Epson 1640 this month to experiment further with, and to allow me to post some of my silver transpanacies or prints, but was informed Friday that Epson has made some breakthrough, and will be marketing an updated version as the 1680. So now I wait another month... I'll be happy to scan and post a sample then.

Regards, Jack

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), March 11, 2001.