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| The first 35mm Leica Noctilux lens is supposed to debut next week |
For photographers who worship at the altar of extreme aperture and legendary craftsmanship, the rumor mill has finally delivered concrete news. After whispers that began circulating in December, the highly anticipated Leica Noctilux-M 35mm f/1.2 ASPH. lens is now confirmed for an official unveiling later this month. According to a report from the trusted source LeicaRumors, the world will get its first proper look at this optical marvel on Thursday, January 29.
The announcement, however, comes with a figure that will make even seasoned Leica enthusiasts catch their breath: an expected retail price of €9,000 in Europe. In the world of premium photography gear, this is not just a price point; it’s a statement.
The Noctilux Legacy: Paying for the Name and the Night
To understand the €9,000 tag, one must first understand the Noctilux name. In Leica’s hallowed lineup, "Noctilux" signifies the pinnacle of fast, low-light performance and optical artistry, often accompanied by equally peak pricing. The new 35mm f/1.2, while breathtakingly expensive, actually sits at the more affordable end of the current Noctilux spectrum.
Consider this: the iconic Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH. carries an MSRP of €12,350, and the portrait-centric Noctilux-M 75mm f/1.25 ASPH. soars to €13,350. Only the reissued Noctilux-M 50mm f/1.2 ASPH., a design dating back to 1966, undercuts the new 35mm with a price of €7,900. Suddenly, the new lens’s position becomes slightly clearer—it’s a (relatively) accessible entry into the most exclusive club in rangefinder photography.
According to the detailed report on LeicaRumors, which also published a purported pre-release image, the lens stays true to its lineage. The photo suggests the classic, compact aluminum housing synonymous with M-lenses, adorned with the distinctive yellow markings. A notable design feature appears to be a permanently attached, twist-extendable lens hood—a detail that promises both practicality and a sleek profile.
The Justification: Can Leica Defend the Premium?
The inevitable question arises: what justifies such a monumental cost? Independent reviews will be the final arbiter of its optical performance, but Leica’s challenge is clear. It must compete not only with its own stellar but slower Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH., but also with brilliant third-party alternatives.
For M-mount shooters, the Voigtländer Nokton 35mm f/1.2 offers a compelling, vastly less expensive fast-aperture option. Stepping outside the rangefinder ecosystem, lenses like the Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (available from $1,579 on Amazon) deliver phenomenal image quality for a fraction of the price. However, this comparison isn't entirely apples-to-apples. These modern mirrorless lenses are often significantly larger and heavier, a trade-off that is simply not permissible for the Leica M system, where a bulky lens would obstruct the crucial optical viewfinder.
This is the heart of Leica's value proposition: engineering a lens that is both incredibly fast (f/1.2) and compact enough to maintain the sublime, tactile shooting experience of an M camera. It’s a feat of precision miniaturization and optical correction that few attempt and even fewer master.
The Verdict: A Trophy Lens for the Connoisseur
The upcoming Leica Noctilux-M 35mm f/1.2 ASPH. is not a lens for everyone. It is, by its very nature and price, a luxury object and a specialist tool. It’s designed for the photographer for whom the last stop of light, the most exquisite rendering of out-of-focus highlights (the famed "bokeh"), and the heft of solid metal and glass are worth a premium that transcends mere specification sheets.
When it launches on January 29, it won’t just be a new lens for sale; it will be a new benchmark for what’s possible in a compact, fast wide-angle for the rangefinder. The debate over its value will rage, but for those in its rarefied target market, the only question will be when they can place their order.
