Leica 50mm f1 Noctilux | Thumbprints & Signatures

Today on Thumbprints & Signatures; a series that highlights the unique visual signature of Leica lenses, new and old, we are featuring the Leica 50mm f1 Noctilux-M. Manufactured between 1975-2008 the f/1 Noctilux underwent several changes over its 30+ year production run, both optically and cosmetically. This iteration of the Noctilux in particular is the last version before the creation of its successor, the Leica f/0.95 Noctilux. Due to early production challenges with aspherical lens surfaces, Leitz was forced to find a new solution. The answer was the famous Leitz glass ‘900430’. This type of glass allowed renowned optical lens designer, Dr. Walter Mandler, to make two major and critical adjustments; add half of a stop of light to the lens’ maximum aperture and create the lens with spherical surfaces for all elements to render photographs as to how he envisioned.
The 50mm f/1.0 was Leica’s fastest lens that performed exceptionally well at maximum aperture, resulting in subjects being sharp and in focus, against smooth and dream-like out-of-focus background areas. Even with subjects further away from the photographer, there is a clear separation between the subject and the background, in both daylight and at night when shooting wide open. The lens requires a great deal of practice and skill in focusing wide open with the subsequent photographs being produced providing incredible impact.