Leica Noctilux 50 1.2 Review. The Ultimate Character Lens? 1966 and 2021 Versions.

[@asamcqueen3513]

I got on the waitlist the day of the announcement and didn't get my copy until June, I imagine the back-order situation is worse now than it was then. It's an absolute joy to shoot with, and I find myself reaching for it more often than my f0.95. I've got all of Leica's re-release "vintage" lenses, and they're all a lot of fun.

[@rodrigodepierola]

That black and white image of the cat walking towards you is amazing. And I don't like neither cats nor b/w

[@YetundeInherited1]

Love me a Leica and absolutely this is an amazing lens. Definitely try the 90mm Noctilux too. The Bokeh is absolutely out of this world 👌💯😍

[@HiFiHuff]

No such thing as a 90 Noctilux, but I did review the 90 Summilux f/1.5 Here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpm5qaitatulmMk

[@hfvhf987]

Cool, i didn't know Seal was into photography.

[@MyNorthAmetican40]

This is what sets your videos apart, thanks

[@NorCal-yeti]

Hear Hear or here here?

[@MyNorthAmetican40]

@@NorCal-yeti here

[@HH-fr8xb]

@@NorCal-yeti hear hear

[@7Redbugs]

Hi! What about the Light Lens Lab version?

[@boyfermi]

i love this lens......words cant describe the beautiful bokeh

[@artyfhartie2269]

$69,999 for a camera lens is not that expensive. I once paid $70,000 for one.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I can’t tell if this is a joke or not

[@jumbodog5955]

Helios lenses has a similar swirly bokeh

[@vinylisland6386]

The Canon 50mm f1.2 LTM is really lovely, if you get a decent copy.

[@My-Opinion-Doesnt-Matter]

My 58mm Helios have the same look, and it's $10.

[@megnatarnorth2879]

For sure, looking at the photos, they might as well be from Helios-44

[@kevinhan721]

Great review! Btw, I currently own 50mm Summilux F1.4 asph, and I'm thinking this 50mm Noctilux F1.2 asph. Is it somewhat redundant? How are they different, and would you recommend it? Or which other "character lens" would you recommend? (I currently own 28mm Summicron and 50mm Summilux) Thank you!

[@crispin8888]

Very interesting and enjoyable, as always. You could be a public speaker.

[@gerardferry3958]

wonder what your opinion is of the cheap lenses 0.95 compared to this

[@photoipster]

I watched most of your vlogs when you were doing photo stuff in Phoenix and recently started enjoying your audio reviews. My wife and I are thinking of moving to the country, in this crazy world we live in today, and curious how your relocation has impacted your photography. I shoot people more than landscape and wonder how a move will impact my shooting…

[@eh1333]

Is this 1800 limited production?

[@tamilhoward9708]

would you consider the Voigtlander 58mm f1.4 nikon mount a character lens? Use it on my Leica with an adapter.

[@srkgv]

Great review. How does it compare to the Zeiss 50 Sonnar "re-issue"?

[@RickMentore]

Do the magic of the older lens do as well with landscape images? The character of these lenses uniquely enhances portrait but how dose it affect landscape photography?

[@kyolookinfo1925]

For that price get a Mandler f1 which is better in every aspect. To many photographers even better rendering than the modern f0.95 This one here is for collectors in my opinion. However nice review as usual

[@admiralkhalifaalqubaisi3770]

I use the 0.95 at night - its front heavy - usually i use Elmarit 2.8 28m 0r sumi 35 m

[@JFish-xj8oj]

Here’s a little secret a lot of folks may not be aware of… but the Version 1 (1959-1960) 50mm Summilux is the exact same lens schema as the Nocti f/1. Not entirely relevant to the 1.2 with its aspherical elements, but the lens arrangement being what it is the original 50 Lux has a very very similar out of focus rendering and performance as a Noct. I get the impression many folks aren’t aware of this as that first version Summilux was only made for 2 years and is somewhat uncommon now so I suspect a lot of folks have never used it and only read the reviews of it saying it’s basically a 50 1.5 Summarit. This isn’t entirely true since the late version 1’s used the same coatings as early version 2 Summilux’s and thus the lens is actually somewhat of a unicorn. Just a thought for anyone wanting a Leica character lens like this that is still within grasp, the V1 Summilux is still rather affordable

[@jaimeduncan6167]

There is also software driven lens design. Eventually a convergent of design and look will arrive unless the companies decide to mixed up a little. Great review.

[@DannyChau7]

For those who wants this kind of look, you can now achieve it easily with the 7Artisan 50mm 1.1. Sadly, people only BELIEVED that only EXPENSIVE lenses are better, that is far from truth as very few people can ever tell the difference with these cheaper modern lenses from China.

[@Brooklyncameraclub]

Thats not the point. A Timex can tell the same time as a Rolex too!

[@xiayu6665]

I am fortunately had this lens since it release ,this is a really beautiful recreation of the original,I agree

[@highlander200107]

Yeaaaaaaaah, I look at what this lens performs like, and I look at my bank account, and weep. This is a lens that I will have to acquire one day.

[@Nafregamisrocanob]

Canon produced both a 50 1.2 and 50 .95 (screw mount) both were attention getters but lacked contrast and sharpness wide open. Stanley Kubrick used the .95 in Barry Lyndon to shoot a candle light scene but the lens was nothing but a collectors dream. Cannot understand those who are willing to drop so much $$$$ for a lens when a 1.4 will do the job just as well- don’t tell me “the look” because no one can tell the difference unless they’re told.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

NOPE !! The 50mm F0.7 Kubrick used on Barry Lyndon was a Zeiss Planar that was made for NASA for use on the Moon, and was converted by Kubrick's lens & camera tech to fit on his favored Mitchell BNC 35mm camera. It absolutely Was NOT a Canon.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

You can read more details on that on the "Shot On What" site,... as YT deleted the link to the movie's page.

[@Brooklyncameraclub]

I traded in my noctilux in for a summilux and never looked back.

[@johndoane7200]

Had one back in t’ day, shot it on a M-4, It was quirky, I traded a Summilux for it from a guy that just wanted something normal:) one of those special “Birthday Party Lenses” definitely not like t’ FSU sonnar, er et. al, It was in A league of it’s own, though, with a lot of sample variation, no two were a like. I kept it in a brown paper bag, some Dude stole it while I was pumping gas, probably clue less as to what it was.

[@nastynate838]

the rarity and pedigree behind the name is really what this lens of a fortune . my Speedmaster 50mm .095 will outshine this lens no question . for $69 grand , that’s waaayyy too much for any lens in my opinion. i’m curious as to actually buys this lens

[@thomastuorto9929]

AH, just get a lens baby for $500-700. LOL , just joking. Amazing what these products go for. I remember HD played the supply & demand for a while & people were doing the same thing as they do with limited manufactured cars, etc. For the people who have to have one.

[@Traveljournalist]

$69k is cheap. In 10 years , this lens is gonna worth $120k.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

TBH,... I'd happily take a Pentax 50 1.2 over the Leica, which looks little better then a horrid Helios.

[@harrison00xXx]

I cant take you serious at all since you believe in talking to spirits with a radio....

[@ezragonzalez8936]

leica the camera for pretentious collectors not photographers!

[@spearmintmenthe1162]

The old 1.2 is far more superior than reissue