The name Noctilux is used by Leica to designate their camera lenses with the widest maximum aperture. Lenses with that name have been in production since 1966. So far all Noctilux lenses have been made for the Leica M mount.
The name Noctilux is a combination of Nocti, which is derived from the word nocturnal, while Lux is Latin for light.[1] [2]
The Noctilux lenses have the largest maximum apertures in the Leica range. With various models having f-numbers of f/0.95 or f/1.0 or f/1.2 or f/1.25 as its maximum aperture. It is also the heaviest of all of Leica's lenses.[1]
The Noctilux is the most expensive lens in the Leica lens range.[1] It is followed by the Summilux.
| Name | Focal length | Year | f-number | Filter size | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noctilux 50 mm | 50 mm | 1966 – 1975 | 49 mm | 470 – 515 grams | |
| Noctilux-M 50 mm [3] | 50 mm | 1976 – 2008 | 60 mm | 584 grams | |
| Noctilux-M 50 mm ASPH.[4] | 50 mm | 2008 – present | 60 mm | 700 grams | |
| Noctilux-M 75 mm ASPH.[5] [6] | 75 mm | 2017 – present | 67 mm | 1055 grams | |
| Noctilux-M 50 mm ASPH[7] | 50 mm | 2021–present | 49 mm | 405 grams | |