The Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical lens represents something truly unique in the lens world, as it's currently the only full frame 40mm f/1.2 optic available anywhere. For anyone seeking that perfect middle ground between the versatility of a 35mm and the slightly tighter framing of a 50mm, this manual focus lens promises an intriguing combination of ultra-wide aperture and compact size.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this comprehensive video review puts the Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical lens through its paces on a 45-megapixel Nikon Z7 to reveal both its strengths and significant weaknesses. Frost examines the lens' gorgeous all-metal construction, which weighs just 420 grams and features beautifully smooth focus and aperture rings with precise tactile feedback. The build quality impresses throughout, though you won't find weather-sealing around the mount. What becomes immediately apparent during testing is that this lens suffers from substantial focus breathing, meaning your field of view changes noticeably as you adjust focus from infinity to close distances.
The optical performance tells a more complex story that potential buyers need to understand before investing in the lens. At its maximum f/1.2 aperture, the lens delivers only acceptable sharpness in the center with low contrast and some ghosting on high-contrast edges. You'll need to stop down to f/2 before achieving truly sharp results, which somewhat defeats the purpose of paying for that ultra-wide aperture. The corners remain soft until f/2.8, and the lens exhibits very strong vignetting at wide apertures that doesn't fully clear until f/4. Frost also discovers significant issues with flare resistance and coma aberrations that persist through the wider apertures.
Key Specs
- Focal Length: 40mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.2
- Minimum Aperture: f/22
- Optical Design: 8 elements in 6 groups
- Aperture Blades: 10 straight blades
- Minimum Focus Distance: 11.8" (30cm) on most mounts
- Filter Size: 58mm
- Weight: 11.1 oz (315g)
- Manual focus and aperture control only
Despite these technical limitations, the lens still manages to produce attractive images even wide open, and its unique focal length and aperture combination offer creative possibilities you simply can't get elsewhere. The manual focus experience proves pleasant once you adapt to it, and the compact size makes it far more practical than typical f/1.2 optics. Frost's testing reveals that stopping down to f/2.8 transforms this lens into an impressively sharp performer. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Frost.
A great lens. Used to use it with my Leica M Type 240 and now use it adapted to my GFX 100S. There is a vignette in lower light, but I love the way it renders and image.
I haven’t watched this video yet, getting ready to .
But what I do know about this lens from owning it is it’s gorgeous rendering from wide open up to and including f/2.0 . I’ve used the M mount version on my Nikon Z9 for live music. I’ve carried it and a Nikkor 55mm f/1.2 shooting live music events.
My manual “focus kit” for the Z9 when I shoot live music has been this : Voightlander 15mm f/4.5 , Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 or f/1.5 ? , Nikkor N 28mm f/2.0, Nikkor O 35mm f/2.0. Voigtlander 40mm f/1.2, Nikkor 55 mm f/1.2 , Voigtlander 65mm f/2.0 , Voigtlander 75mm f/2.0 macro , Voigtlander 75mm f/1.5 , Leica 90mm (non apo) f/2.0 , Nikkor 135mm f/2.0 or the f/2.8 then the Nikkor 180 mm f/2.8 . I also have the Nikkor 105 f/2.5 but it’s rarely been used .
I mix and match these pieces of glass depending upon the show im shooting or the “look” I want .
The glass that has that classic wide open looks and rendering are the Nikkor O 35mm f/2.0 . This is an insanely great rendering lens and is way sharper than people realize.
The Voigtlander 40mm f/1.2 , Nikkor 55mm f/1.2 , Voigtlander 75mm f/1.5 , Leica 90mm f/2.0 Summicron non apo , the Nikkor 135 f/2.0 and the 2.8 then the Nikkor 180 f/2.8 .
These are all the softened beautiful rendering portrait style pieces of glass that can make a singer songwriter look so cool .
#NikonZ9 #Nikkorglass
I've owned this lens in E mount since 2019 and it's my main lens. I personally don't like clinical lens tests, especially on a lens like this which simply wont be sharp at it's widest aperture. It's a lens designed to have character, not do well at clinical tests.