Leica expected to unveil a brand-new, particularly fast Noctilux lens as early as this month

According to earlier rumors, the Leica Noctilux-M 1.2/35 ASPH. was supposed to be released last July. While that didn't happen, LeicaRumors recently learned that the launch is allegedly planned for this month, meaning sometime in the next few weeks. Both the firmware of Leica cameras and the Leica Photos iPhone app have contained references to this new lens for months.

Featuring a maximum aperture of f/1.2, the new Noctilux would be the fastest 35mm lens Leica has ever offered. Currently, the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux is Leica's fastest option, but competitors have been offering faster 35mm lenses with the Leica M mount for years. For example, the Voigtländer Nokton 35mm reaches an aperture of f/1.2, and the Zenitar M 35mm even reaches f/1.0. Since Leica has priced the 35 mm Summilux at 5,900 euros, it can be assumed that the 35 mm Noctilux will be significantly more expensive than the aforementioned competitors.

Leica justifies this higher price not only with superior image quality, but also with more compact dimensions and lighter weight. As the photo from LeicaRumors embedded below shows, the 35mm Noctilux is hardly larger than the Summilux. By comparison, the Leica Summilux-M 1.4/35 ASPH. is 46mm long with a diameter of 58mm and weighs 338 grams. The Voigtländer Nokton measures 52 x 62mm and weighs 300 grams, while the Zenitar tips the scales at a hefty 740 grams.