Leica’s Fastest Aspherical Lens

The Noctilux-M 50 f/0.95 ASPH. opens a window to a world beyond the reach of the naked eye. It pushes the envelope of what is physically possible, capturing light beyond the reach of the human eye. Forms dissolve into light, transitions blur into emotions. Nothing is ordinary, expression is everywhere. This M-Lens is made for those who do not merely document, but actively shape. For images that show more than meets the eye.

Photo: Amy Su
Photo: Vichirasuk Meteevorakulkij
Photo: Peter Karbe
Photo: Hobby Izaki

The shallow depth of field made possible by the high lens speed – combined with incomparable color rendering, rich contrast, and exceptional detail – gives rise to images with truly unique aesthetics.

Peter Karbe, Leica Camera AG

Leica Noctilux-M 50 f/0.95 ASPH.

A Short History
The name NOCTILUX comes from the Latin words NOCTU and LUX – night and light.

Noctilux history - an old image of building a lense

The Leica Noctilux-M 50 f/0.95 ASPH. is far more than just a lens – it is an invitation to rethink light. The name has stood for creative freedom in low-light conditions ever since 1966, when the first Leica Noctilux was introduced. The first Noctilux 50 f/1.2 made an impression right from the start with its revolutionary lens speed and two aspherical lenses: A technological masterpiece that added a new dimension to taking photographs at night.

The Noctilux-M 50 f/1.0 followed in 1976, setting new standards in available light photography by using special highly refractive glass. Photographers were able to take razor-sharp, high-contrast, and natural pictures even with the aperture wide open. The Noctilux became the first choice for those pursuing authentic imagery.

With the Leica Noctilux-M 50 f/0.95 ASPH., introduced at the photokina trade fair in Cologne in 2008, this development reached its zenith. The fusion of cutting-edge optical technology, meticulously manufactured aspherical lenses, floating elements, and glass with anomalous partial dispersion unlocks a new level of photography performance – one that remains unparalleled even at wide apertures. The ultra-soft bokeh, extremely shallow depth of field, and amazing lens speed enable exceptional visual expressiveness.

Photographers like Bruce Gilden, Mary Ellen Mark and Ralph Gibson have crafted oeuvres that bring emotions to life with Leica lenses like the Noctilux. The Noctilux-M 50 f/0.95 ASPH. upholds this tradition. With its super fast speed, this lens is designed for those who seek to tell stories with light, precision, and character.

The Noctilux-M 50 f/0.95 ASPH. is an icon of optics. It exemplifies creative freedom and the particularly powerful imagery made possible by the Leica M-System like virtually no other lens. With eight lens elements in five groups, including an aspherical lens as well as elements with anomalous partial dispersion, it was built for top precision at maximum lens speeds. The unusual aperture of f/0.95 not only enables photography in very low light conditions but also isolates the subject in an exquisitely soft bokeh and with a distinctive focal gradient. Its optical correction ensures exceptional image quality, rendering colors and contrasts with natural fidelity despite the extreme lens speed.