Leica finally made a 35mm Noctilux it's a dreamy compact M-series lens for street photographers, with a shocking price tag

Date:
Thu, 29 Jan 2026 14:02:02 +0000

Description:
Pushing the limits of luxury, the highly anticipated Leica Noctilux-M 35mm f/1.2 ASPH costs $9,650 / 7,700.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Leica's first M-series 35mm Noctilux lens, with a maximum f/1.2 aperture It joins the 50mm f/0.95 and 75mm f/1.25 as a trio of supreme low light lenses It's globally available at launch, costing $9,650 / 7,700 (Australia pricing TBC)

Noctilux lenses are legendary, ever since Leica unveiled its first a full sixty years ago a 50mm f/1.2 lens in 1966 a lens which will set you back around $50,000 / 30,000, if you can find one, or you can pick up Light Lens Lab's homage for much less.

They are supreme performers, especially in low light, and the clue to those skills is in the name; Noctliux is derived from the Latin words 'noctu' and 'lux', which simply mean 'night' and light'.

What makes Noctilux lenses so special? Their big apertures and light
gathering capabilities. And for those with the cash to splash, a longstanding gap in the range has just been filled that of the 35mm focal length.

The new Leica Noctilux-M 35 f/1.2 ASPH lens follows the modern 50mm f/0.95
and 75mm f/1.25 optics, delivering the widest aperture of any Leica lens at this moderate wide focal length.

It's packaged in a particularly compact body that's just 50.2mm in length smaller than its 50mm and 75mm stablemates and tips the scales at 14.7oz/416g.

It's a premium pick for low light photography, with a price tag to match a whopping $9,650 / 7,700. But judging by the clamor I've seen on Leica forums, it's a lens that many Leica fans have been wanting for some time, and have their wallets ready for. Image 1 of 4 Leica Noctilux-M 35 f/1.2 ASPH lens alongside the 50mm and 75mm ASPH Leica Noctilux lenses (Image credit: Leica) Image 2 of 4 (Image credit: Leica) Image 3 of 4 (Image credit: Leica) Image 4 of 4 (Image credit: Leica) A dreamy combination for night photography

There's an increasing number of f/1.2 prime lenses for various camera systems
such as the recently announced Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 LAB which I'm currently using for my Nikon camera but none as compact as Leica's new Noctilux-M 35mm f/1.2 ASPH.

Fitted to an M-series body, such as the M11 or the recent M-EV1, you have a discreet pairing that is set to be a hit with street photographers, at least those who can afford the premium price tag.

Not only will the Noctilux-M 35mm f/1.2 ASPH be a supreme performer in low light thanks to its light gathering capabilities, but it has the ability to create a very shallow depth of field, for dreamy scenes. It'll also enable faster shutter speeds, so movement in low light can be frozen with clarity.

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/cameras/camera-lenses/leica-finally-made-a-35mm-noct ilux-its-a-dreamy-compact-m-series-lens-for-street-photographers-with-a-shocki ng-price-tag


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