Leica noctilux m 50mm f 1 2 asph vs leica summilux m 50mm f 1 4 asph?

Both are 50mm manual-focus primes for full-frame Leica M bodies, and both fit the same long list of M cameras. The difference is the aperture. The Noctilux-M 50mm f/1.2 ASPH is a remake of the 1966 original and gives you a stop more light and shallower focus. The Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH is the more sensible everyday choice, and it's easier to live with at f/1.4 than f/1.2.

If you shoot mostly in dim light or want that very thin plane of focus, I'd pick the Noctilux. For general use, I'd go with the Summilux ASPH. If you're considering the non-ASPH version, its 2025 remake page notes it's softer wide open.

Written by Claude from this site's pages.