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Leica's new, fast Noctilux goes a little wider
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| Product photos: Mitchell Clark |
Leica has announced the Noctilux M 35mm F1.2 Asph., the latest entry in its famed series of fast primes, and the first one to offer a wide-angle focal length. Since their introduction in 1966, Noctilux lenses have traditionally been 50mm, though the company added a 75mm option in 2017.
The lens is made up of 10 elements in five groups, and the company says it was made possible by the latest iteration of its in-house "Precision Glass Molding" process. Leica says this allowed it to obtain "an unprecedented degree of geometric freedom and surface precision" when molding the lens's three aspherical elements, with tolerances as tight as three nanometers per millimeter of diameter. It has a minimum focusing distance of 0.5m (19.7").
As is standard for Leica M lenses, the Noctilux 35mm F1.2 is a manual focus design, with an etched distance scale on the barrel. It also features an aperture ring and an integrated lens hood, which rotates to extend out or to stow away. It can also accept 49mm threaded filters. It has an all-metal build and weighs 416g (14.7oz). Despite its heft, it's quite compact at 50mm (~2") long.
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The lens is an interesting offering from Leica in 2026. Even almost 20 years after its introduction, major manufacturers don't seem to be all that interested in competing with the Noctilux 50mm F0.95, so it's still a relatively unusual offering in the market*. But while the mechanical simplicity of the manual focus-only 35mm version makes it unmatched in compactness and weight, it's not a particularly singular offering. There are several modern, autofocusing 35mm F1.2 lenses available on the market from the likes of Sigma, Nikon and Viltrox, and several (shockingly cheap) manual focus offerings from the usual suspects.
That's not to say that people looking at the Noctilux would necessarily be interested in those options, just that it's not the kind of statement piece we typically associate with its nameplate. Still, it's an undeniable piece of craftwork, and it's hard to complain about the images it produces, at least in the samples we were able to take with it.
The Noctilux M 35mm F1.2 Asph. is available starting today at a retail price of $9650. That's a 50% premium over the Summilux 35mm F1.4, actually placing it on the lower end of what brands usually charge for that particular 1/3 stop difference.
* - There are several manual focus, 50mm F0.95 lenses from brands like TTArtisan, 7Artisans, Brightin Star and others, and, of course, there's the Nikkor Noct, but you can't get something that fast for modern mounts from Canon, Sony, Sigma, etc.
Sample Gallery
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Press release:
New: The Leica Noctilux-M 35 f/1.2 ASPH.
Leica Camera AG presents the first Noctilux M-Lens with a focal length of 35 mm
Teaneck, January 29th, 2026 – Since first being introduced in 1966, the name “Noctilux” has represented the pinnacle of optical craftsmanship at Leica. The name is made up of the Latin words “noctu” and “lux”, meaning “night” and “light”, and refers to the exceptional speed of this lens series. With a maximum aperture of up to f/0.95, Noctilux lenses are considered to be the epitome of optical development, opening up creative possibilities beyond the ordinary. They deliver images with an unrivaled visual aesthetic. With the new Noctilux-M 35 f/1.2 ASPH., Leica Camera AG is presenting the first Noctilux M-Lens in the company’s history to feature a 35 mm focal length.
Like all Noctilux lenses, the latest addition to the family impresses with its exceptional speed and superior imaging performance. The new, compact Noctilux-M 35 f/1.2 ASPH. produces clear, high-contrast images characterized by a distinctive look. The shallow depth of field at a wide aperture, precisely separates subject and space, creating a velvety soft bokeh and lending images tangible depth as well as a cinematic atmosphere. Stopping down the aperture allows you to selectively increase the depth of field. A floating element within the complex optical construction ensures consistent performance across the entire focusing range, from the close focus distance to infinity.
Up until now, the unique offering of Noctilux glass has been leveraged exclusively for 50 and 75 mm focal lengths. The new Noctilux-M 35 f/1.2 ASPH. now makes the revered Noctilux quality available for the versatile 35 mm focal length for the very first time. The perfect combination of a wide aperture and natural perspective makes it ideal for outstanding portrait, reportage, available-light, and street photography. Subjects are clearly in focus thanks to precise separation, while retaining their context thanks to harmonious transitions to the background.
This new lens is the first Noctilux to feature an extended close focus distance down to 50 cm. When used with the new Leica M EV1 and its high-resolution integrated electronic viewfinder, focusing is particularly convenient across the entire focusing range. M-Cameras with a rangefinder can focus to a distance of 70 cm via the optical viewfinder. In the close-up range of 70–50 cm, focusing is carried out via Live View on the rear LCD panel or the Visoflex viewfinder. The large focusing angle of the Noctilux-M 35 supports this, thereby enabling precise and sensitive work.
The new Leica Noctilux-M 35 f/1.2 ASPH. has been optimized for M-Cameras with high-resolution image sensors, in addition to having been completely redesigned and handcrafted in Wetzlar. Decades of experience and state-of-the-art production technologies have gone into its development, including processing of special glass materials and aspherical lens elements manufactured in Wetzlar using innovative Precision Glass Molding (PGM) technology, which shapes lenses in a highly precise process, achieving exceptional quality standards. The optical design comprises ten lenses in five groups, including three aspherical lenses. A floating element ensures consistent imaging performance over the entire focusing range. The integrated lens hood reduces glare and reflections, ensuring high contrast and brilliant color rendering, even with backlighting. Measuring just 1.9 inches in length, with a diameter of 2.5 inches, and weighing only 14.6 ounces, the new lens also impresses with its remarkably compact size.
The Leica Noctilux-M 35 f/1.2 ASPH. will be available worldwide as of January 29th, 2026, from Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store, and authorized dealers. The retail price is $9,650.00
Leica Noctilux M 35mm F1.2 ASPH. specifications:
| Principal specifications | |
|---|---|
| Lens type | Prime lens |
| Max Format size | 35mm FF |
| Focal length | 35 mm |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Lens mount | Leica M |
| Aperture | |
| Maximum aperture | F1.2 |
| Minimum aperture | F16 |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 11 |
| Optics | |
| Elements | 10 |
| Groups | 5 |
| Special elements / coatings | Three aspherical |
| Focus | |
| Minimum focus | 0.50 m (19.69″) |
| Autofocus | No |
| Full time manual | Yes |
| Focus method | Internal |
| Distance scale | Yes |
| DoF scale | Yes |
| Physical | |
| Weight | 416 g (0.92 lb) |
| Diameter | 65 mm (2.56″) |
| Length | 50 mm (1.97″) |
| Materials | Metal |
| Colour | Black |
| Filter thread | 49 mm |
| Hood supplied | Yes |
| Tripod collar | No |
