Noctilux 1.2/50mm chrome prototype

The Noctilux 1.2/50mm was the world’s first serially produced 35mm lens to incorporate aspherical elements. Leitz Wetzlar optical designers Helmut Marx and Paul Sindel were responsible for its optical computation. Professor Helmut Marx used an Elliott 402F computer to assist in the design process and significantly reduce the time required for ray tracing.
When the lens was introduced in 1966, it represented the pinnacle of lens design and technological achievement. It is virtually free of spherical aberration and coma while delivering exceptionally high contrast. However, fifty years ago—even for Leitz—manufacturing such a lens posed a considerable challenge. This is reflected in its original price: it cost nearly twice as much as the Leica M4 camera body. In 1976, the lens was succeeded by the 50mm Noctilux f/1, which used new optical glass that allowed for a design without aspherical elements. This made it less expensive and far less labour-intensive to produce than its predecessor.
Over its ten-year production span, only around 1,800 units of the 50mm Noctilux f/1.2 were made—approximately one lens per business day. The Noctilux f/1.2 is rightfully considered a legend in the technical evolution of Leica lenses. It is highly coveted by collectors and remains a favorite among many photographers.
In this auction, we are pleased to offer the "white unicorn" of Leica M lenses: the original chrome prototype of the Noctilux f/1.2. The lens is in excellent cosmetic condition, with only minimal internal haze. Prototype no. 0000663 was previously sold in our 41st auction in November 2022. This is an exceptionally rare opportunity for Leica collectors.