Carefully adapted in line with modern lens design, the Leica Noctilux-M 50 f/1.2 ASPH. marks the return of one of the most famous lenses made for the Leica M-System. The reasons for the enduring appeal of this iconic lens have been its speed (which is impressive even today), elaborately constructed aspherical lens elements, and high rendition quality with a unique aesthetic at open aperture. The original Noctilux 50 f/1.2 was produced from 1966 to 1975 at a volume of 1757 units.

A street light in the dark, the rear lights of a car, a child’s face in candlelight, a performer in the spotlight – depicted with an authentic and natural clarity: images captured with a Noctilux are characterised by an unmistakable bokeh, and an almost impressionist aesthetic. Photographers the world over use this exceptional tool to master visual and creative challenges, and tell fascinating stories of darkness and light.

In 1966, the Noctilux 50 f/1.2 astounded expo visitors and the trade press with its positively revolutionary optical attributes. The lens offered a maximum aperture that was enormous by the standards of the time, in conjunction with an exceptional optical performance. This was partly due to the fact that the Noctilux was the world’s first serially produced lens to feature two aspherical elements. Their purpose was to reduce spherical aberration at maximum aperture and improve rendition quality. To re-issue this iconic lens, the original calculation and construction were only minimally changed, and carefully adapted to the glass types and production methods available today.

The Noctilux 50 f/1.2 was one of the first serially produced Leica lenses to feature a black finish. In the course of the transition phase of moving from silver to black-paint lenses, Leica made a very small number of Noctilux 50 f/1.2 prototypes with a silver finish. Today, they count among the most coveted and highly priced M lenses that there are. As a homage to the ultra-rare Noctilux in silver, Leica is also releasing a special edition of the Noctilux-M 50 f/1.2 ASPH. with a silver chrome finish. Its packaging has been designed to emulate the original box of 1966. The lens barrel is made of brass, rather than aluminium. Instead of the customary LEICA engraving, the front ring is marked with the letters LEITZ WETZLAR – just like the original Noctilux 50 f/1.2.

Only 100 units of the special-edition model will be available worldwide.