Leica Noctilux Canadian vs German

[dg79]

Hello Everyone,

I was wondering if there is any difference between a Noctilux made in Germany vs Canada? I'm semi-new to this and debating if i should purchase a candian leica lense?

thanks in advance.

Dan

[MichaelHarris]

Dan it's my understanding they are the same. I have a Summicron from Canada and it's a great lens. Go Canadian and save some money. Let the "fondlers" have the German stuff.

[dandp]

I am almost positive that all Noctiluxes are Canadian made. The first version - the 50/1.2 asph may NOT be...but I am not sure.

[dg79]

Hi dandp,

i'm not sure if thats true. My friend has a Noctilux Lense f1.0 that is German made.

thanks for your thoughts!

[dandp]

Is it an older variation? Seriously - try and get a photo of it to post, because this is a question that comes up fairly frequently and almost anything I've read on the Noct points to Elcan Canadian production. Any that I've seen - new or used have been stamped "Made In Canada." I've been looking for solid evidence pointing to German manufacture at some point...simply because I love the lens and am fascinated by it.

[foto_fool]

Welcome Dan! If you want to have some fun go post this question on LUG.

FWIW it is my understanding that the Canadian factory produced all the mil spec glass for Leitz. I have read speculation that this meant even closer manufacturing tolerances and tighter QC than at the German factories.

A while back I owned two used examples of the 75mm Summilux - one Canadian and one German. The German lens had a tiny tiny tiny speck in the glass while the Canadian lens was flawless. Focus and aperture ring feel - identical. Images - identical. The Canadian lens was so nice cosmetically that it is the one I sold.

IMHO if someone wants less dollars for a Noctilux because it is Canadian, take the deal.

- John

[dandp]

I tend to avoid the LUG for the most part...lol.

AFAIK - there should be nothing to worry about with a Noctilux made in Canada as opposed to one that was made in Germany. I may have simply seen some NOS lenses that hit the shelves before production changed to Germany....and if any Noct owners on this forum have one that says made in Germany - please chime in!

[dg79]

thanks everyone for your thoughts.

I have decided to get it. My friend has a German one, and i'll have the Canadian one. Next time we are in town together, we will be sure to take the identical picture to see if there is any difference whatsoever and i'll be sure to post the pictures for others to review.

[peter_n]

I think the (collectible) f1.2 was made in Germany, the f1.0 that most of us use was/is made in Canada.

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00EHDB

[agianelo]

Info at this site:

http://www.leicagallery.com/noctilux.htm

[dg79]

update, upon further exploration, and thanks to the help from others here, i have now realized that you are correct. They are all mainly made in canada with some very few exceptions. (and my friends is canadian as well)

thanks for your help!

[Tom A]

The Noctilux f1 glass has always been made in Canada. Some years ago the former Elcan plant in Midland decided that they did not want to continue with the production of the barrels and assembly ( it is a very small production - a couple of 100 lenses/year). Now the glass is shipped to Solms and the lenses are assembled there.
Since the 60's, most of the M-lenses were Canadian designs and manufacture. Dr Mandler, one of the premium lens designers of all time worked in Midland. He designed more than 40 of the Leica M and R lenses, some of which still are considered the best of the bunch (Summicron 35, Noctilux, Summilux 75, Summicron 90 Apo-Asph, 100 Apo-Elmarit R, 180 Apo-Telyt R just to name few).
Often lenses were designed and assembled in Canada without the rear focussing mount and shipped to Germany for the rear mount -which was duly engraved "Made in Germany". This was a way to avoid import duty on finished lenses, which was considerably higher on these rather than on "Parts".
There was a reason why in the 60's and 70's most promo shots of M4/M5's always showed the camera with a Summilux 50 f1,4 - it was the only lens that had "Wetzlar" on the front ring!

[foto_fool]

Tom A - Thanks once again for providing the authoritative voice.
- John