Leica Noctilux 50mm f/1.0 Review

In this video, we review the legendary Leica Noctilux f/1 which was produced and sold between 1976 and 2008. The name consists of nocti which is derived from nocturnal and lux which is Latin for light. So obviously this is the perfect lens to shoot at night and other low-light situations.

The Leica Noctilux was first introduced in 1966 and came with a widest aperture of f/1.2 initially. It was the world’s first production aspherical camera lens. And yet, Canon had released its much faster 50mm f/0.95 five years earlier. This is also why Leica emphasized the aspherical element in the promotion of the lens.

The Noctilux was updated in 1976 to an f/1 version which saw three iterations between then and 2008. All versions come with a 60mm filter size and weigh 584 grams. Most importantly, this version does not have an aspherical lens in it. Our version here is Type 2 and was probably produced in 1982.

Leica updated the Noctilux in 2008 with the f/0.95 ASPH. version which weighs 700g and comes with the same 60mm filter size.

Our f/1 version consists of 7 elements in 6 groups. Elements 2 and 5 are made of “magic Leitz glass Nr. 900402” (Ken Rockwell), which has an index of refraction of 1.9005. The Noctilux comes with 10 aperture blades that smoothly click into place and create beautiful out of focus areas.

Gear used:
Leica MP
Leica Noctilux 50mm f/1.0

Films used:
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 800
Ilford Delta Pan F 50
Ilford Delta 3200

Developed with the Filmomat:
https://www.filmomat.eu

Scanned with a Pakon F235 plus.

If you'd like to get in touch or see some early behind the scenes footage, find me on Instagram:   / analog_insights