james.liam
Well-known
Probably as it does for cars and their authentic replicas. Take the Shelby Cobra; the original holds its historic value and often sits in a collector's garage or museum whilst the replicas are actually used.
Noctilux M 50mm f/1.2 ASPH *Heritage*
- Thread starter keytarjunkie
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Replies 78
- Views 6K
Probably as it does for cars and their authentic replicas. Take the Shelby Cobra; the original holds its historic value and often sits in a collector's garage or museum whilst the replicas are actually used.
Timmyjoe
Veteran
I've never been in the market for a Noctilux (or I should say I've never been able to afford a Noctilux), but I thought I remember reading somewhere that the f1.2 version was not the best optical quality of the three (?) versions made. Thought the f1.2 was superseded by the f1.0 and then the f0.95. If the f1.2 was the lowest optically of the three, wonder why they're coming out with a super expensive replica of that. I'm sure I'll never understand Leica's reasoning on anything.
Best,
-Tim
Best,
-Tim
Waus
Well-known
@Timmyjoe: For the original version the asph element(s?) were hand-ground, could only be done by a few people at Leica. There was a lot of loss and a lot of sample variations.
I suspect that with this new version, the asph elements will be molded with high precision.
I'm a lot more interested in the also rumored, upcoming Summaron 35mm...
I suspect that with this new version, the asph elements will be molded with high precision.
I'm a lot more interested in the also rumored, upcoming Summaron 35mm...
robert blu
quiet photographer
around 7.000 EUR in Italy, less than expected but still out of my budget !
oldwino
Well-known
I am sure that this lens will end up being the best Noctilux ever...But, for that money you could buy a CV 50/1.2 AND a gently used M10 AND have money left over to buy all the cappuccinos you will photograph (all beautifully rendered with super duper creamy bokeh).
james.liam
Well-known
No. It will perform with all the weaknesses and character of the circa-1966 original.
jarski
Veteran
Leica did heritage lenses of 28 and 90 recently, both also very expensive. so guess this fits well in the middle.
Miles.
Beamsplitter
Cheaper than I thought it'd be.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Like this?
Here some pictures taken with the original lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/talega...7718046719576/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/talega...7718046719576/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/talega...7718046719576/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/talega...7718046719576/
Erik.
james.liam
Well-known
I don't see why not. Very 'atmospheric' images. That's why you'd buy that lens in the first place.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
I know that the maker of those pictures sold the lens quickly afterwards.
Historically it is a great lens, the first aspheric lens for photography.
Erik.
james.liam
Well-known
Probably paid off his home mortgage with the receipts from the sale.
Mackinaw
Think Different
- Local time
- 2:47 PM
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2005
- Messages
- 4,703
I remember reading about the original 50/1.2 Noctilux in Modern Photography back in the 70's and thinking, what the hell is an aspheric lens?
Jim B.
james.liam
Well-known
deleted....
Erik van Straten
Veteran
In fact Leica had problems in making a fast 50mm in the early years. In the 1930's they had the Xenon 50mm f/1.5 for the Leica, but that lens was designed and made by Taylor, Taylor and Hobson in England. However, the Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f/1.5 for the Contax was a much better lens. After the war they had the Summarit 50mm f/1.5, but that was only a coated version of the Xenon, also made by TTH. The first Summilux 50mm f/1.4 in 1959 was an extremely good lens, but that lens too was made under patents by TTH, so Leitz had to pay TTH for every Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v1 they sold. Finally they came up with their own design, the Summilux 50mm 1.4 v2 (from serial nr. 1844001). It was a weak lens with lots of distortion and a problematic rear group due to tensions in the sealant surfaces. So they had to come up with something NEW. That was the Noctilux 50mm f/1.2, in 1966.
Erik.
Erik.
Ricoh
Well-known
The average individual would need to sell a kidney to fund one of these.
agfa100
Well-known
Hindsight, back in 1972 when I purchased my M-5 body on Dealer Special it ran me 327.50 and the Leica Rep. at the time told me I needed to buy a Noctilux and if my memory holds on Dealer Special it was 354.00. He said they were making so few it would be a instant classic. I already had a 50mm Summilux V2 and said why, as I was really happy with that lens that I still have it along with the M5. Dealer Special was when you worked for a dealer and wanted to buy a body or lens you got it for 50% off MSRP. On the bodies they put you name on the camera and you had to sign a paper you would not sell it used for 2 years. How I wished I would have bought one.
^^ That was a good way to buy, sorta made up a bit for the low pay! As a store employee in the mid-60s I took advantage of that to buy Pentax gear and a Beseler 23C setup. I wasn't into RF cameras at the time but I did borrow various gear for familiarization.
Freakscene
Obscure member
My father, now retired, was an optical engineer. I found a copy of a 1971 Popular Photography magazine at my parent’s house at Christmas. There was an article in it describing Canon’s latest 50mm FD lens with an aspherical element. In the page margin was a large note written in bold letters: “REJECTION RATE!??” Before mould and polish processes were developed, hand profiling of aspherical elements was slow, difficult and error prone. Luckily, things progress.
I am sure the new Noctilux reissue will be very nice.
Marty
Erik van Straten
Veteran
The price for an original Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 is about $40.000. I'm curious if the price for these will drop now there is a new Noctilux 50mm f/1.2.
Erik.
Erik.
Similar threads
- Article
