Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH Review: Chasing the Noctilux Dream with the 1966 Noctilucent

Lens Review

Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH Review: Chasing the Noctilux Dream with the 1966 Noctilucent

March 15, 2025

In recent years, the landscape of lens makers has shifted dramatically, introducing a slew of new and relatively unknown brands such as Polar, Mandler, and Peace Lens Lab. These brands position themselves as replicators of Leica lenses. Among them, who truly delivers on their promises with the most finesse? Lacking deep technical knowledge in optics, I rely on my impressions and the diverse feedback I find online. From what I’ve gathered, Light Lens Lab stands out in this niche, creating several Leica replicas including the Elcan 50mm f/2, Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 V1 8 elements, and the lens I will talk about – the Light Lens Lab Noctilucent 1966 50mm f/1.2 ASPH, which features two machine-ground aspherical glass surfaces. After patiently waiting—having initially passed on its debut—I was swayed when Jim Fisher showcased some compelling shots on Fred Miranda forum, prompting me to finally give it a try.

Having used this lens for over a year, I find it’s not a general-purpose lens. Unlike the universally appealing Leica Summilux 50mm f/1.4 ASPH, this is not a lens I would carry daily. But what makes this replica so enticing, and why did Light Lens Lab choose to recreate it?

Get Latest Update!

Stay up to date with my latest videos, photos, and news updates by following me on Instagram and YouTube. And don’t forget to subscribe to my website’s pop-up form or bottom of the page for exclusive updates and news. Head over to @tahusa on Instagram, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and stay in the loop!

Hefty Price Tag of the Original - Leica Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 ASPH M

For newcomers to the Leica ecosystem, the Leica Summicron 35mm f/2 IV, known as the “King of Bokeh,” might be the first stop, but deeper exploration leads to the $30,000 50mm lens, sparking curiosity about its special qualities. When choosing Leica lenses, I often draw a line between 1) products that are merely rare versus 2) those that are both rare and exceptional. I place the original Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 in the former category. Its historical significance and craftsmanship during its era are admirable, yet having tried it, I found myself preferring the Noctilux 50mm f/1. This pioneering aspherical lens, with its high failure rate due to the hand-grinding of glass, was later replaced by the more reliable Noctilux 50mm f/1. The challenges they faced without modern computational tools were indeed remarkable.

Unlike the Leica Reissue - LLL Follows the Original Build

Light Lens Lab didn’t just attempt to replicate the Noctilux’s optics; they also mimicked its physical design, available in brass or aluminum. There are four versions: black aluminum (450g), black paint in brass, silver in brass (632g), and titanium (506g). I opted for the black paint in brass, and it truly feels like holding a brick—now I see why Leica never opted for full brass. The design is faithful to the original, down to the pointed edges on the focusing curl and overall construction. It includes a 2-stop ND filter, uses a more accessible 49mm filter unlike the original’s series VII, and comes with a gigantic vented lens hood that resembles the original more than the reissue does.

Bokeh - Annoying Onion Rings

The “onion ring” effect in the bokeh was initially off-putting. These rings occur when the machined grinding surfaces are not perfectly harmonised, similar to unevenly mowed grass creating visible layers or circles in the bokeh, particularly in highlighted areas. This effect becomes more pronounced when focusing at around 1m to 1.5m, especially at night. The bokeh is busy and swirly, akin to the original, and while some may appreciate its character, I find it excessive.

Colour and Performance

At wide apertures, the lens displays low to moderate contrast but struggles with flare control under strong lighting, casting an orange hue over images— an interesting effect but not always desirable. The lens softens at f/1.2, yet retains a hint of sharpness, suggesting modern glass and coatings are used to mimic vintage aesthetics (I could be wrong as LLL claimed they used the original glass). However, the colour tone leans towards cooler hues, and highlights are easily blown out at wide apertures, suited for those seeking high-contrast imagery.

I’ve tested this lens with various film stocks including Rollei Retro 400S, Reflx Lab 800 and Kodak Motion Picture films stocks like the 250D and 500T as well as on my Leica M10-P. It pairs best with black and white films, perhaps due to its design origins in the black and white era. For colour negatives, high-contrast options like Kodak Ektar 100 are recommended.

Comparing Reissue and Light Lens Lab

The reissued Leica Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 is notably sharper from f/2.8 onward, maintaining a modern lens look even at smaller apertures. Light Lens Lab’s version retains a vintage character even at f/8. Both lenses produce swirly bokeh, but the sharpness of the Light Lens Lab is superior and the focusing hit rate is much higher. The reissue tends to be softer and glowier at the focus point at f/1.2. Quick comparison you may refer to this post.

What to Expect?

It is swirly and heavy. This lens won’t appeal to everyone; its unique character and rendering might not suit all tastes. For enthusiasts of the Noctilux design and double gauss lenses, it’s worth trying, especially for those who can’t afford the original Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 Aspherical. Is it a good lens? That’s subjective. Technically, it falls short in terms of sharpness and flare resistance, but artistically, I’d rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars. It’s great for achieving a cinematic look at night, like in the movie “Civil War,” but its practical use is limited for me, sometimes failing to capture my envisioned shots. Perhaps it’s just the allure of chasing the original Noctilux.For those who haven’t experienced the original Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 ASPH, the Light Lens Lab version might seem quite impressive. However, for owners of the original, the differences are subtle—noticeable, but not drastic, and sometimes hard to articulate. If you’re seeking clinical quality or a modern aesthetic, this replica might not meet your expectations.

Just before my trip to Japan, I acquired two Peace Lens Lab 35mm f/1.4 steel rim replicas. Stay tuned for more updates!

All images have been resized to optimise webpage loading speed. For the highest resolution images, please refer to my Flickr account.

Gear & Photography Chat

Wherever you are, let's connect! Book a time with me for a casual GAS chat where we can swap stories and reviews. Struggling on what gear to buy next? You've got a friend in me!

Can't wait to chat