Leica is celebrating 60 years of the Noctilux this year. The lens family began at Photokina in 1966 with a 50mm f/1.2 built to capture light at night. A new 240-page hardcover, titled Noctilux: The Anniversary Book, traces how that idea grew into a family of lenses. It goes on sale on 27 November.
The first Noctilux
The book concentrates mostly on the lenses themselves. Each one is presented with product photographs, historical context and example images. The original Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 used two aspherical element surfaces in series production, which Leica says was a first among lens makers worldwide. Fewer than 2,000 were made, each one by hand.
Its successor, developed by Dr Walter Mandler in Midland, Ontario, Canada, did without aspherical surfaces entirely. Seven classically polished elements and one special glass were enough to reach f/1.
The f/1 barrier
The Noctilux 50mm f/0.95 ASPH then broke the f/1 barrier, a line that had seemed unreachable. The Noctilux 75mm f/1.25 ASPH brought the 75mm focal length into the series for the first time, and it is calibrated for portrait work.
The final chapter covers the Noctilux 35mm f/1.2, the first Noctilux at that focal length.
Behind the research
Further chapters follow aspheric technology from its beginnings to present-day production. Peter Karbe, Senior Managing Expert in Optics at Leica, covers the history of aspheric lenses. Dietmar Stuible, Head of Optics Development since 2021, explains what he calls the mechanical intelligence of M-lenses.
Stuible describes each Noctilux as a technological milestone, taking lens development to a new level. The interviews combine specialist knowledge with personal perspectives.
Photographs and reference
Six photographers contribute photo essays across the pages: Ana María Arévalo Gosen, Alisa Martynova, Jason Roman, François Rousseau, Paolo Roversi and Satoru Watanabe. Their work shows how versatile the lenses are in use. A gallery of special editions and one-of-a-kind lenses adds a further look at the family’s history.
The hardcover runs to 240 pages with 195 images, at 200 × 260mm, and comes in German and English editions with silver binding and foil stamping. The appendix holds an index of every M-lens, along with the special Noctilux models and portraits of key figures in Leica optics development.
Launch and price
The launch takes place on 27 November 2026 in Wetzlar, during the Leitz Photographica Auction. On the eve of the auction, Leica opens an exhibition called “60 Years of Noctilux” in its foyer, showing five past and current Noctilux lenses alongside photographic material.
From 27 November the book is available from Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store, specialist retailers and the LFI Online Store. The recommended retail price is £50 or €60 including VAT.
Further reading
| Macfilos Articles | Other Links |
|---|---|
| First Review: Why the Leica Noctilux-M 35 f/1.2 ASPH matters – Macfilos on the 35mm Noctilux | Leica Noctilux overview – Leica’s own overview of the lens family |
| Leica Noctilux: The old light gobbler turns fifty – Macfilos on the Noctilux from 2016 | Leica Camera AG – The company’s main site |
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