Leica Noctilux 50mm f1.2 | 2024 Review!

In this video: My short-term review of the Leica Noctilux-M 50mm F1.2 lens, a reissue of the legendary 1966 model. After spending a couple of weeks shooting with the iconic Leica Noctilux 50mm f1.2, I'm excited to share my insights and experiences. This might be the Vintage lens you've been looking for!
Showcasing Lens Performance: You'll see an extensive collection of images captured with the Leica Noctilux-M 50mm F1.2. These shots highlight the lens's unique characteristics, including its dreamlike bokeh, sharpness at various apertures, and overall image quality. Spoiler alert: Amazing, Vintage, and expensive :/
Lens Specs & Design: We'll explore the technical specifications of the Noctilux 50mm f1.2 and the heritage design of this modern interpretation of a classic lens. I'll talk about its build, handling, and how it balances on Leica M bodies.
Personal Experience: As someone who has owned and used this lens for the review, I'll share my personal take on what it's like to work with this piece of Leica's history. I'll discuss its performance in various shooting conditions and its distinctive rendering style.
Target Audience & Recommendation: Who is Leica Noctilux 50mm f1.2 lens for? In this video, I'll discuss the type of photographer who would benefit most from the Noctilux-M 50mm F1.2. Whether you're a portrait photographer, a street photography enthusiast, or a collector of vintage lenses, I'll help you determine if this lens is a good fit for your style.
Conclusion: Based on my short-term experience with the Leica Noctilux 50 f1.2, I'll give my honest opinion on whether I'd recommend the Leica Noctilux-M 50mm F1.2. Is it worth the investment? Does its performance live up to its legendary status?
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#LeicaNoctilux #LeicaNoctiluxreview #LeicaNoctilux50
📌 Disclaimer: This review is not sponsored. All opinions are my own, based on my personal experience with the lens.

[@GastonShutters]

What's your favorite vintage lens from any maker? 👇

[@N.Eutered]

Merry Christmas Gaston, and happy new years 🥳 Gotta be the Leitz Elmar 5cm f/2.8 in M mount - was lucky enough to get a newly CLA'ed copy, without any scratches on the glass elements. Ain't kidding, it's soo good I got the modern Elmar-M remake as my new EDC ✨📷 (Spoiler, the vintage version is actually better than the modern one, on digital sensors). But If you're looking for something non Leica, I'll highly recommend the Canon Serenar 50mm f/1.8, in LTM, especially the early all silver/chrome coated brass version. It's ridiculous good, even in a not so nice condition 😉

[@Metaldetectiontubeworldwide]

From the lenses i own , i realy love my Helios 44-2 58mm f2.0 because else i would say the lens you reviewed here, the noctilux Happy New year Gaston

[@GastonShutters]

@@Metaldetectiontubeworldwide owned a Helios and that lens has lots of this character for a fraction of the price. Not the same but different and awesome. I may review the Helios.

[@TheVFXbyArt]

A modern summilux with a black mist filter! 😂

[@daveandrews6384]

I thought the Elmar was an f2.8 lens 🤔

[@TheGunInstructor]

Impressive camera...Very Nice Photos!!! Thank You for the information and Review .

[@GastonShutters]

Thanks for watching!

[@EzequielCejas-t5s]

Luv the way u break it down for us💪🏼

[@GastonShutters]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@cryptofacts2009]

Great video like always ! 💪🏽

[@GastonShutters]

Appreciate it!!

[@streetphotography.globetro7744]

Must be sample variation, on mine aperture clicks are fine all the way from F1.2 to F 16.. fantastic review, thanks !!!!

[@GastonShutters]

Thanks for sharing and glad you enjoyed it

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

Very nice review. I have both of the older design Noctilux-M 50 mm lenses (f/1.0 and f/1.2j and the newest Summilux 50. They all render images differently. I hope to get several more Leica 50 mm M lenses over the next year (Noctilux f/0.95, non-apo- and apo-Summicron). The aperture clicks on my Noctilux-M 50 mm f/1.2 feel uniformly stiff. IIRC, swirly bokeh is caused by field curvature (a lens that doesn’t create a flat field). Also, spherical aberration alone refers to the inability of light at a given wavelength to not focus at the same point. Color fringing errors are referred to as chromatic aberration (lateral and longitudinal) and spherochromatism.

[@GastonShutters]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@jayespinal]

Great video Gaston, enjoyed the bit on history on the 50mm lens. Funny cause I just uploaded one on the 50mm vs the 35mm. Happy New Year!

[@GastonShutters]

Thanks for stopping by Jay. I'll check out your video and Happy 2024 !

[@riswanc]

Love this reissue lens

[@GastonShutters]

Yeah it’s a great lens

[@pnw_md]

My aperture ring does not slip. I would send it back to Leica for service as I'm sure it's still under warranty. Of course you would likely be looking at 4 months for service 😄 I really have been enjoying the 50mm 1.2 and I bought it over the others for the same reason as you- size/weight

[@GastonShutters]

I send my Lense for CLA to DAG. Two weeks max with my most recent service needs and not super expensive. I sent my Elmarit 28 to Leica and it was there for over 2 months 😂

[@soholingo]

Thanks for this. Appreciate the frankness.

[@GastonShutters]

My pleasure

[@forgottenamericana]

Great complete analysis and review. My Noctilux 1.2 reissue is very consistent in clicks and tension from 1.2-16….love mine my biggest complaint with vintage glass and remakes in minimum focus distance. 1m is too far away for my taste.

[@GastonShutters]

Thanks for sharing! Yeah. 1 meter MFD feels long. I wonder if they could’ve changed that in the re issue without changing optical formula.

[@ABarrera]

Another great video. Would love to see you compare the Nocti against the Voigtlander.

[@GastonShutters]

That could be the next video!

[@janpersson9100]

Nice review, I would say it render quite like the Nokton 50 1.1. Very vintage

[@GastonShutters]

Yeah. A bit too vintage at times.

[@emmanueltsI5]

Thanks for the video review! Perhaps one day a comparison with the Voigtländer Heliar 50 1.5 would be interesting too. The latter is a very interesting lens (character-wise) too, despite being „only“ 1.5

[@GastonShutters]

Glad you enjoyed it. Comparison coming soon! Make sure to Sub so you don’t miss it

[@sc1]

Super great video, appreciate your look at the Noctilux. Do you think it could, or should, replace my 50mm Summilux f/1.4, just in your personal opinion? And PLEASE tell me you are NOT wearing a Nautilus, (or else I will fall over in envy).

[@GastonShutters]

Glad you enjoyed it. Not at all this lens is very niche IMO the Summilux is a much versatile lens. And yes (Nautilus)

[@sc1]

@@GastonShutters Looks very cool and versatile. And the lens, too.

[@GastonShutters]

Hahah

[@sc1]

@@GastonShuttersHey, I just picked up my fourth Patek Philippe from the AD today. Not a Nautilus, but I still enjoy it. I’m still on the hunt for the AP Royal Oak, but that is looking less promising. I’ll try to visit AP House again this weekend.

[@GastonShutters]

Congrats man and good luck with the AP !

[@GillesQuennevilleGQ]

No you dont have a problem with the aperture ring Gaston. It is what we wish from all Leica lenses. It is a dream when it is so smooth to change aperture with only one finger.

[@GastonShutters]

I got it fixed by DAG and now my aperture stays in place for as long as I needed to be without being bumped. It works for me.

[@mauiflyingdress2178]

I think for the money, the Voigtlander 50mm 1.2 is a better value. IMO

[@GastonShutters]

Better value indeed. Also it has closer focus of 0.7M instead of 1m

[@bubuli]

what's with the cheap filter with this expensive lens?

[@GastonShutters]

It’s cheap but the glass is as good as expensive ones. It has zero impact on image quality. Specifically when we are talking about a lens with tons of uncorrected features. These UV filters have danced a lens already.

[@bubuli]

@@GastonShutters for most use cases, i agree. however, in my experience the cheap filters are prone to flare and gets dirty or fingerprints easily...so if i'm going to use a filter especially on an expensive lens i would not cheap out. YMMV.

[@GastonShutters]

Again I find no issues personally but I understand your point. Leica themselves make UV filters and have compare them with the same result. No affect in image quality.

[@FotosyMas.]

Sounds like a Chinese made lens with huge Leica price tag

[@GastonShutters]

Hahaha. 😂

[@MarttiSuomivuori]

Pictures matter. Put it next to Sony and Canon and show us what you are paying for.

[@GastonShutters]

While canon and Sony glass are superior in sharpness, MFD. I’m not shooting with Leicas to get a sterile perfect look. I guess it all comes down to choices and what suits each individual. Happy new year. 🎊🎈

[@slothsarecool]

you pay for a more enjoyable experience and better build quality, ALL digital cameras are great these days, the experience is really the main difference

[@GastonShutters]

Indeed