In the Noctilux vs Summilux thread below there is much talk of the Noctilux's unique look or fingerprint. Anybody want to describe it's "fingerprint" to me?

-- Mf Zimicki (74023.1131@compuserve.com), May 02, 2002

Answers

fingerprint? it's the low contrast, double-line bokeh, coma ("swirling" images) on corners on out-of-focus areas, and light fall- off on corners at f/1.

now don't get me wrong...it's a wonderful glass...what's disturbing is that some users use it at f/1 because they CAN, not because they HAVE to...imagine...some noctilux images i see were captured at f/1 (at daylight!) even though it looks a lot better at wider apertures...

-- Dexter Legaspi (dalegaspi@hotmail.com), May 02, 2002.

wider than f1? canon's "dreamlens" maybe?

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), May 02, 2002.

The Noctilux fingerprint is a big fat greasy one on the huge exposed front element left by someone who hates to use UV filters.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), May 02, 2002.

Andrew, Andrew--!

-- Patrick (pg@patrickgarner.com), May 02, 2002.

It was not the fingerprint but rather its footprint that made me sold mine :-{

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), May 02, 2002.

Or rather elephant footprint! ;)

-- Karl Yik (karl.yik@dk.com), May 02, 2002.

Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Have seen big fingerprints that edged actually etched their way into the glass on a front element. It would be fun if I new someone in the police department who could run the print and see who the idiot was that left it there.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), May 02, 2002.

You might be interested in my review of this lens here.

-- Gary Voth (garyvot@vothphoto.com), May 03, 2002.

Oops. Looks like my link isn't working. Try this address: http://www.vothphoto.com/spotlight/articles/forgotten-lens.htm

Gary

-- Gary Voth (garyvot@vothphoto.com), May 03, 2002.

FWIW, here are a couple of the 1st pix I've taken w/my Noctilux, shot during last month's protests here in DC (Example #1 & Example #2), which give pretty good idea of the lens's "fingerprint."

-- Chris Chen (Wash., DC) (furcafe@NOSPAMcris.com), May 07, 2002.