Noctilux 50/1.2 AA replica

[MaZo]

That's what they posted on Instagram, looks like another LLL replica is coming

 

[raid]

More lenses available to choose from!
Additional factors to consider besides the cost.
Why are there suddenly so many ultra fast 50mm lenses on the market while digital cameras are better handling high ISO settings?
These replica lenses and the non replica lenses will not increase in value over the years.
Is the 50/1.2 a true replica of the corresponding Leica lens?
How will it compare with the CV 50/1.2?

I am curious.

 

[MaZo]

With LLL 2/35 they kind of re-create original glass as I understand, but how about "handmade" aspherical surfaces of the Noctilux? Too little details so far to be sure.

 

[Nitroplait]

Nobody else thinks that the revival of these ultrafast heavy lenses is getting old?

 

[astrosecret]

do they even have a way to order lenses, like a web store or something?

 

[keytarjunkie]

do they even have a way to order lenses, like a web store or something?

The first time we did a Light Lens Lab order on RFF it didn't go so well 🙂 maybe you missed the drama...hopefully they have improved that area of their business.

 

[David Murphy]

The more high performance lenses in rangefinder mounts the better as far as I'm concerned, especially if the prices are so competitive. This era of Chinese made lenses is starting to remind me of the era of mostly good Japanese SLR lenses (and a few rangefinder lenses) exported from the 1960's through about the 1980's. Some were very unique, useful, and desirable, even to this day.

 

[james.liam]

That's what they posted on Instagram, looks like another LLL replica is coming

More "wonderful news" of the latest PRC knockoffs. Heaven forfend they'd create something original.

Hey MaZo, do you work for the mysterious Mr Zhou?

 

[MaZo]

More "wonderful news" of the latest PRC knockoffs. Heaven forfend they'd create something original.

Hey MaZo, do you work for the mysterious Mr Zhou?

No I don't. I'm just sharing information about the lens that can be discussed here. Or trashed by you for that matter. That's what this forum is about for me.

 

[Rob-F]

With LLL 2/35 they kind of re-create original glass as I understand, but how about "handmade" aspherical surfaces of the Noctilux? Too little details so far to be sure.

This is a good point. Hand grinding the aspheres proved too tricky for Leica; is LLL even going to attempt it? Or will they try a pressed glass method?

 

[David Murphy]

That's what they posted on Instagram, looks like another LLL replica is coming

Thanks very much for letting us know about this interesting new lens.

 

[David Murphy]

This is a good point. Hand grinding the aspheres proved too tricky for Leica; is LLL even going to attempt it? Or will they try a pressed glass method?

Aspherical lens manufacturing and test capability has advanced considerably since the early 1960's. One cannot "press" a precision lens optic, which is what this will have.

 

[x-ray]

I owned one of the original Noctilux 1.2’s back in the early 70’s not long after they came out. Consider the Leica 50’s out at the time. I’m not up on the Summilux 50 and never owned one but did own the v3 black Wetzlar 50 Summicron and Elmar 2.8. Also consider who Leica was competing with and who their customers were.

Leica was competing with Nikon, the F and F2 and Canon and their F1. Leica was struggling to retain their pro base especially with photo journalists.

Leica, Nikon and Canon had reps that regularly called on their retail stores and called on their professional customers. When the Noctilux came out the rep had one along with comparison photos taken with the Noctilux, Summilux and Summicron. The images were shot at night and at maximum aperture. The images were identical scenes and included a street light and other light sources as well as areas of shadows with detail.

It was obvious what the Noctilux was designed for. Around the light sources there was a distinct ball of flare with the Summilux with noticeably less around the Summicron and very little around the Noctilux. Shadows were improved also due to reduced flare veiling detail. The Noctilux was as its name implies, designed for night photography where f1.2 to f4 would be the aperture range most often used.

In daily use I found the lens performed best from f1.2 to f4 and suffered below that. Resolution wasn’t on par with my Summicron and suffered below f4. I wound up trading it because it wasn’t a great lens for general use and I wasn’t doing much night photography anymore.

 

[Rob-F]

Aspherical lens manufacturing and test capability has advanced considerably since the early 1960's. One cannot "press" a precision lens optic, which is what this will have.

The Leica "ASPH" lenses (rather than "aspherical') are made with pressed aspheres, according to Leica. The reason for the "ASPH" name is to distinguish them from the ground ones, as used in the 35mm Aspherical Summilux.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

...
Why are there suddenly so many ultra fast 50mm lenses on the market while digital cameras are better handling high ISO settings?
...
I am curious.

Easy and obvious.

Bokeh provides content. I use my 50ties wide open and really missing my Canon 50L EF.
With c19 isolation it became even more easy and obvious.

 

[cboy]

https://photorumors.com/2022/06/14/...m-f-2-ltm-speed-panchro-50mm-f-2-35mm-finder/

 

[james.liam]

No I don't. I'm just sharing information about the lens that can be discussed here. Or trashed by you for that matter. That's what this forum is about for me.

Since when is a question, "a trashing"? LLL has regularly abused this site as a platform for free promotion, using aliases and front people to create a buzz. A general obscurity and dishonesty surrounds their enterprise--unsubstantiated claims of leaded glass, now ?hand-ground aspherical for this new imitation; go try and get a repair on a faulty new item, better yet, go find the "Maker" and ask a question. Seeing It again raises legitimate questions.

I will take you at your word that you are not part of that.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Leica has already "revived" this lens. Barrel design notwithstanding, unless the LLL optical formula is completely reworked compared to the original 50mm AA f/1.2, they could/should find themselves in a legal battle over patent rights.

Besides, unless the LLL lens turns out to be really cheap, I believe the CV 50mm f/1.2 is likely a better bet on all counts.

 

[raid]

Easy and obvious.

Bokeh provides content. I use my 50ties wide open and really missing my Canon 50L EF.
With c19 isolation it became even more easy and obvious.

Yes, this is true. The bokeh can be be special as if it is a painting.

 

[james.liam]

Leica has already "revived" this lens. Barrel design notwithstanding, unless the LLL optical formula is completely reworked compared to the original 50mm AA f/1.2, they could/should find themselves in a legal battle over patent rights..

Enterprises in the PRC could give a rat’s ass about patent rights. Besides, they are too small an operation for Leica to bother blocking the sales outside mainland China.