Unlike many camera lens lines, Leica’s lenses are group into categories under well known trademarked names. Mention the word Noctilux, and a Leica shooter will immediately know that you’re referring to a f/1 lens that’s geared towards shooting in low-light environments.
Photographer Thorsten Overgaard has been working on a definitions page that explains the origins of the various terms — the explanations go beyond what the terms refer to, and include why they were given those names.
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Canon started quite a fad back in 2010 by handing out novelty lens mugs at the Vancouver Olympic games. Within two years, it seems like everyone is making and selling lens-shaped coffee mugs now. If you thought Leica had stayed out of the craze, think again. Leica Rumors spotted the pen and coffee cup above being sold on eBay last week. The luxury Caran d’Ache pen carries the familiar red dot, while the cup features Noctilux lens markings.
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San Diego-based photographer Robert Benson had a curious problem a while back. He had a $6,500 Leica Noctilux 50mm f/1 lens, but no camera to use it on. Not being able to afford the Leica M9 at the time (and unsure if he wanted to ever buy one), he decided to make massive modifications to his Canon 5D Mark II so that it would accept any Leica M lens without needing an adapter. The frankencamera above is what emerged from the brand-change operation.
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When Matthew Harrison (aka The Leica Guy) got married recently, he was given the awesome gift of a f/.95 Noctilux ring:
As is tradition, the bride and groom exchanged gifts prior to the wedding. While Matthew purchased Emily the watch that she had always wanted. Emily commissioned a custom ring for Matthew’s shooting hand (as opposed to for his wedding band). This one of a kind band has the depth of field scale from his favorite lens, the .95 Noctilux. On the sides, the ring features both Matthew’s name and The Leica Guy moniker on one side, and the Lens information including name, filter size, and serial number on the other. [#]
You can find the website of the jeweler who made the ring here.
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Shortly after startup lens maker Noktor went out of business, a company called SLR Magic decided to acquire the brand and continue the Noktor project. Now, the company is planning on launching a 50mm f/0.95 “HyperPrime” lens for the Leica M mount. It’ll be a 6-bit coded lens that’s significantly cheaper than the Noctilux lenses offered by Leica.
(via Steve Huff Photos)
