A walk in nature with the Leica Noctilux 50mm F0.95 – Practice in Serenity

Introduction

Despite being released 16 years ago in 2008, the Noctilux-M 50mm ƒ0.95 is still the fastest lens in Leica’s M-mount, and for those who believe they deserve so, this is the sole unique choice for the thinnest possible depth of field within the Leica-M world.

My in-depth review of the Noctilux-M 50mm ƒ0.95 is here.

The Leica Noctilux-M 50mm ƒ0.95 polarises in people’s view of it, but it is a lens most aspiring Leica-M users hopes to own.

Though a lens most will associate with portraiture, the Leica Noctilux-M 50mm ƒ0.95 is still a 50mm focal length lens at the end of the day. And it is my personal wish to show how it can work beyond the usual purposes of portraiture, and thus, here I am with a walk in nature at the Singapore Botanic Gardens with it.

The Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a verdant retreat with over 160 years of history. Established in 1859, it originally served as a colonial garden to cultivate crops of economic value, such as rubber, which played a pivotal role in Southeast Asia’s economy.

Over the decades, the Singapore Botanic Gardens evolved into a hub for botanical research, conservation, and recreation for the public, going through multiple evolutions over the years as part of Singapore’s master plan of building a garden city.

Today, it spans a respectable 82 hectares, housing diverse ecosystems from the impressive-looking monitor lizard to many fauna and flora spread across multiple smaller sections, including the iconic National Orchid Garden and Swan Lake.

The Botanic Gardens, in its own way, showcases Singapore’s commitment to green spaces and preserving its rich biodiversity.

The Singapore Botanic Gardens boasts an estimated 4.5 million visitors yearly, primarily after it was awarded the honour of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, and it is common to see even groups of visitors going about their pet meetups or yoga routines.

Using the Leica Noctilux-M 50mm ƒ0.95

It is common knowledge that the Leica Noctilux-M 50mm ƒ0.95 is a masterpiece of engineering within the Leica-M ecosystem, renowned for its unparalleled speed and artistic rendering. I value this lens because of its ability to create a dreamy, shallow depth of field, perfect for isolating subjects against beautifully blurred backgrounds.

On a nature photo walk, this lens excels at capturing life-like details like dewdrops on petals or the texture of tree bark, all with its own character.

The manual focus, though challenging, offers precise control, rewarding photographers with crisp, high-quality images.

Its robust build ensures durability, but its weight may require some getting used to during extended shoots.

And, of course, there will always be some who conclude the lens is hardly usable wide open on a rangefinder, to which my answer is likely to be: “Have you actually given yourself practice in using the lens and rangefinder?”

All these sights are the results of the hard work of a dedicated team of full-time professionals who maintain the garden grounds daily.

Closing

As the sun goes higher and the time moving towards noon, the soft morning light starts to retreat together with the resident fauna and visitors, it was time to pack, taking only the sights and memories of this serene green sanctuary in highly urbanised Singapore.

I will be back again.

Thank you for reading.

Disclaimers:

1. I photographed all the product photos here. I believe any reviewer with pride should produce their own product photos.

2. All images were shot with the Leica M10-R, and the Noctilux-M 50mm ƒ0.95.

3. This review is not sponsored.

4. I do not do affiliate purchase links to keep myself neutral. I write as a passion and a hobby, and I appreciate that photography brands are kind enough to respect and work with me.

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