The Chap Olympiad and 50mm Noctilux by Roy James Shakespeare
The Noctilux f0.95 is a bitch of a lens to use, top heavy, cumbersome, ugly, and a little bit of a monster to control. Discipline and patience is needed to tame this beast, with love and nurturing. I like to shoot directly into the sun and prefer also to use the EVF in a ninety-degree position. Looking down as like a Rolleiflex or a Hasselblad which I used to own. The Leica and this lens is more balanced I find. The point of view less threatening and I like to exercise my back. People are probably wondering what the hell is he doing looking at the floor all the time. For moving action though I prefer the traditional rangefinder. It is much faster and as accurate of course.
Here at this event in Bloomsbury, London, On a glorious summers day. The Chap Olympiad was quite hysterical. The constant banter and prolific innuendo’s from the compare were a delight to listen to. The events were thoroughly entertaining. The light was sublime, through the canopy of the Plane Trees in Bedford Square. Reminiscent in a way to the light of an impressionist painting by Renoir or Degas. An English tea party with everyone dressed to perfection, including oneself I might say. Here is a brief taste of the event a feel for the atmosphere. The first four images are shot with the 35mm f1.4. I then decided to change to the 50mm and stuck with it. The Noctilux is a lens that takes a lot of getting used to. You have to be prepared to be disappointed with the first results. I was very much so four years ago. I thought OMG what I have done. Spent the kid’s inheritance, no not really. Then after time and carefully understanding of how this little baby works. Magic can happen with an eye for a little detail. I wish everyone dressed like this every day, wouldn’t it be so cool.
Thank you for reading!
I enclose another link to The Tweed Run and equally exhilarating event all shot with the Noctilux round my neck as we cycled the 12 mile route through London in April.
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