Key Takeaways
1. Leica has introduced the 35 mm f/1.2 Noctilux-M lens, marking the first wide-angle addition to its Noctilux series.
2. The new lens design is similar to the 35 mm f/1.4 Summilux, with increased dimensions and weight for better light sensitivity.
3. It features a complex construction with ten elements, including three aspherical elements and a floating element for improved close-up image quality.
4. Performance-wise, the Noctilux lens is sharper at full aperture than the Summilux f/1.4, but has noticeable vignetting and moderate distortion.
5. The 35 mm f/1.2 Noctilux-M is priced at $9,650, making it one of the more expensive options compared to its counterparts.
Since 1966, when the 50 mm f/1.2 Leica Noctilux lens was introduced, Leica has been known for its fast lenses in the Noctilux series. The company is now unveiling a third addition to its lineup, joining the 50 mm f/0.95 and the 75 mm f/1.25 Noctilux lenses: the 35 mm f/1.2 Noctilux-M. This marks the first instance of Leica providing a wide-angle lens in the Noctilux range.
Design and Dimensions
The new lens design bears a strong similarity to the 35 mm f/1.4 Summilux. With a length of 50.2 mm and a diameter of 64.6 mm, it is a touch larger, and the filter thread diameter has increased from 46 to 49 mm. Additionally, the weight has risen by 23% to 14.7 oz. This extra weight could be considered a minor trade-off for a lens that allows for half a stop faster exposure, or 50% more sensitivity to light.
Construction Quality
The heft comes from its intricate design, which consists of ten elements arranged in five groups, including three aspherical elements and a floating element. This floating element is specifically intended to maintain high image quality, even when focusing on subjects at close range. The Noctilux has a minimum focusing distance of 0.5 meters, which is an improvement over the 0.7 meters found in the Leica M system.
Performance Insights
According to Leica’s MTF curves, the latest Noctilux lens is considerably sharper at full aperture compared to the Summilux at f/1.4. Although the edges of the image never achieve complete sharpness, especially when stopped down, the Leica APO-Summicron-M 35 mm f/2.0 is a superior option when faster speeds aren’t required. Distortion is moderate; however, vignetting is pronounced, with around three stops, which is common for fast Leica M lenses, as a more compact design is prioritized to prevent interference with the rangefinder. This lens is produced in Germany, with production tolerances reported to be less than 3 nm per millimeter.
The Leica Noctilux-M 1.2/35 ASPH. is currently available through Leica’s official online store and authorized dealers at a suggested retail price of $9,650. For context, the 35 mm f/1.4 Leica Summilux-M retails for $6,415, while the 35 mm f/2 APO-Summicron is priced at $9,090.
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