Leica Noctilux M 1.2/35 ASPH. price leaks, compact full-frame lens to launch shortly

As early as December, rumors claimed that the Leica Noctilux-M 1.2/35 ASPH. would be officially unveiled in January. LeicaRumors has now learned that the launch is scheduled for Thursday, January 29. The lens is expected to retail for €9,000 in Europe. While this price is extremely high compared to similar lenses from other manufacturers, Leica’s other Noctilux lenses cost even more.

The Noctilux-M 0.95/50 ASPH. has an official MSRP of €12,350, while the Noctilux-M 1.25/75 ASPH. costs as much as €13,350. Only the new version of the Noctilux-M 1.2/50 ASPH., which originally launched in 1966, is sold for a lower price of €7,900. The photo embedded below purportedly shows the lens ahead of its official release. Apparently, the 35mm Noctilux sports the typical Leica design, including a relatively compact aluminum housing, yellow markings and a lens hood that is permanently attached to the lens and can be extended with a twisting motion.

We’ll have to wait for indepdentent review to find out if Leica can actually justify the very high price point. Leica has to compete with significantly less expensive lenses, such as the Voigtländer Nokton 35mm f/1.2 and the slightly slower Leica Summilux-M 1.4/35 ASPH. Lenses for other camera systems, such as the Sigma Art 35mm f/1.2 DG II (from $1,579 on Amazon), sometimes offer excellent image quality at a much lower price, but they are also considerably larger than the Leica Noctilux. This is not an option for the Leica M system, as a lens of that size would block the optical viewfinder.