Leica 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux-M Manual Focus Lens (11822)

by Leica

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00009XW3A
• Item model number: 11822
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 2, 2004

Product Description

The Noctilux transmits light more effectively than even the human eye, and as the world s first production f/1.0 lens for 35 mm photography, it represents a landmark in the history of photography. Its outstanding contrast sensitively differentiates subtle colors and its precise resolution displays the finest of textures, even in highly unfavorable light. Maximum correction for aberrations such as coma means that it delivers virtually bleed-free reproduction of point light sources. This lens opens up to photographers a unique and fascinating pictorial language. It is not only outstandingly well suited to shooting in dim light, but also for night shots without flash. The light from a candle is sufficient to produce outstanding results. Specific image areas can be highlighted by means of its very shallow depth of field at full aperture. In the soft-focus zones, this causes outlines to dissolve into an almost abstract aesthetic of shapes and colors.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fastest 50mm Lens Available for Leica M-mount rangefinder cameras, August 31, 2006

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Leica 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux-M Manual Focus Lens (11822) (Electronics)

The Leica 50mm f1 Noctilux is not only one of the two fastest 35mm lenses currently in production (The other one is the 50mm f1 Canon EOS lens.), but it is truly one of the specialist Leica lenses which have earned much praise from diehard Leica fans, fine art photographers and photojournalists. This lens truly shines wide open at f1, where its relatively lower contrast will yield lovely, almost pastel-like, out-of-focus blurs. For those interested in doing available low-light photography at the slowest possible speed, this venerable lens will open some interesting artistic vistas for a photographer who has a M-mount rangefinder camera such as the Leica M series, Konica Hexar, Voigtlander Bessa series, and last, but not least, the relatively new Zeiss Ikon. I have not had the need to use the Noctilux, but have seen wonderful work done with this lens, which is used frequently to photograph musicians performing in dimly-lit, smoke-filled rooms. Unless you have the burning desire and need to do a lot of low-light available light photography with a 35mm M-mount rangefinder camera, then don't purchase this lens, but instead, think of acquiring Leica's venerable 50mm Summicron, its superb 50mm ASPH Summilux, or the Carl Zeiss ZM 50mm Planar lenses.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The only lens when there's no light and you need the picture, November 11, 2006

By 

Mark W. Bohrer "Technology Writer & Documenta... (Saratoga, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Leica 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux-M Manual Focus Lens (11822) (Electronics)

I own three Leica 50mm lenses. The Noctilux is the one I use for weddings and commercial indoor work without flash or studio lights.

Pictures from this lens lack the sparkle of those from more recent Leica designs, but in a poorly-lit room with ISO 800 film, there's no other alternative if you have to get the picture without flash.

My lens is a first-version 50mm f/1, 11 821, but the optical formula hasn't changed since Walter Mandler designed it in 1976. Stopped down to f/1.2, the vignetting wide-open reduces a little.

The lens makes great images stopped down further, too, but it's a real boat anchor to carry. If you don't need the f/1 speed, the 50mm f/1.4 Summilux is much lighter and smaller. I use the second version - it's optically excellent. They're available used for less than $1000 if you hunt around a bit.

Another reviewer cites Canon's EF 50mm f/1, but this lens has been discontinued. Even used, it can fetch over $5000.

Canon will release the new EF 50mm f/1.2 in late 2006. For fast 50mm lenses, it and the Noctilux are your only choices.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a must have for leica, October 1, 2010

By 

Mehran Farahmand - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Leica 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux-M Manual Focus Lens (11822) (Electronics)

Very good and versatile lens. I have a couple of leica 50mm lenses, and this one is the only one I care about.
If you are going to fork out so much money, you might as well get the latest and greatest version .95mm.

Great for low light photography. No flash needed. Does Leica even make a flash? :)

Beautiful images, quality.

Why not a 5 star then? I reserved the 5 star for my beloved 21mm lens.