An Essay on Leica's Near Simultaneous Release of the 50 Nocti f/1.2 + the 35 APO

[johnbuckley]

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I think it's meaningful that, in 2021, Leica released in the span of a few weeks two lenses that are almost the antithesis of one another. The 50mm Noctilux f/1.2 ASPH is beguiling, in no small part, because of its imperfections. The 35 APO Summicron is stunning, in part, because of how it takes advantage of modern sensors. One is a throwback. The other a new reference. But they were both released by the same company just a few weeks apart. What gives?

In the piece linked here, I argue that Leica's brain trust understands the modern dilemma faced by many photographers: we like the advantages that come with digital capture and processing, and the incredible, high-megapixel sensors available, and so we want amazingly precise lenses. At the same time, we often scuff up our images in post-processing to make them more "film like." Leica, a company owned and run by photographers, gets this paradox, which is why they would, in almost the same breath, release one lens that's like a beat-up pair of classic Levis, and another lens that's like a $1000 pair of raw selvedge denim.

I hope you enjoy this and -- famous last words -- welcome people's opinions on this thesis.

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[Guest]

To me its two grossly overpriced lenses and anyway the company is totally unable to get them to the stores to sell!! 

Comedy hour.