Noctilux

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A Leica M8 with a Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/1 lens. Leica M8 viewfinder digital camera with extremely fast lens Noctilux-M 50 mm f1.0 (edited, white background).jpg
A Leica M8 with a Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/1 lens.
Optical Diagram of Leica Noctilux 50mm f/0.95 ASPH lens. Optical diagram Leica Noctilux 50mm f0.95 asph.svg
Optical Diagram of Leica Noctilux 50mm f/0.95 ASPH lens.
detailed view Leica Noctilux-M lens 50 mm f1.0 for Leica M cameras, extremely fast due to large entry opening.jpg
detailed view

The name Noctilux is used by Leica to designate their camera lenses with the widest maximum aperture. Lenses with that name have been in production since 1966. So far all Noctilux lenses have been made for the Leica M mount.

Contents

History

The name Noctilux is a combination of Nocti, which is derived from the word nocturnal, while Lux is Latin for light. [1] [2]

Description

The Noctilux lenses have the largest maximum apertures in the Leica range. With various models having f-numbers of f/0.95 or f/1.0 or f/1.2 or f/1.25 as its maximum aperture. It is also the heaviest of all of Leica's M lenses. [1]

Market position

The Noctilux is the most expensive lens in the Leica lens range. [1] It is followed by the Summilux.

List of Noctilux lenses

For the Leica M mount
NameFocal lengthYearf-numberFilter sizeWeight
Noctilux 50 mm f/1.250 mm1966 – 1975f/1.249 mm470 – 515 grams
Noctilux-M 50 mm f/1 [3] 50 mm1976 – 2008f/1.060 mm584 grams
Noctilux-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH. [4] 50 mm2008 – presentf/0.9560 mm700 grams
Noctilux-M 75 mm f/1.25 ASPH. [5] [6] 75 mm2017 – presentf/1.2567 mm1055 grams
Noctilux-M 50 mm f/1.2 ASPH [7] 50 mm2021–presentf/1.249 mm405 grams

References

  1. 1 2 3 Taylor, David (2014). Leica M Typ 240 Expanded Guide. United Kingdom: Ammonite Press. ISBN   978-1781450390.
  2. "Leica Noctilux 50mm Lens History". LEICA REVIEW. 2017-10-03. Retrieved 2020-01-03.
  3. "LEICA 50mm f/1 NOCTILUX (1976-2008)". www.kenrockwell.com. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
  4. "Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH. // M-Lenses // Leica M-System // Photography - Leica Camera AG". us.leica-camera.com. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
  5. "Noctilux-M-75-f-1,25-ASPH // M-Lenses // Leica M-System // Photography - Leica Camera AG". us.leica-camera.com. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
  6. "Leica Noctilux-M 75mm F1.25 ASPH: Digital Photography Review". www.dpreview.com. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
  7. "Noctilux-M 50 f/1.2 ASPH // M-Lenses // Leica M-System // Photography - Leica Camera AG". us.leica-camera.com. Retrieved 2021-02-02.