f0.8!! Voigtlander Super Nokton 29mm is brighter than human eyes!

[@Biosynchro]

I hope that they keep making lenses like this. Not because I would use them (in fact I dont like them at all) but because some people would use them. The more diversity in lenses that a system has, the more users it can attract.

[@nindoninshu]

agreed, we need more unique lenses to keep MFT alive (i'm a young MFT user and i see all the people my age and even practically everyone under 50 is so obsessed with full frame and medium format)

[@daviddornblaser4512]

Thank you very much for this video! I have been a huge fanboy of m4/3 Voigtlanders for a long time. I started to buy them when there were few lens options for video. I was influenced by a photographer who lived outside of Pittsburgh and took wonderful city and landscape photos with m4/3 Voigtlanders, often spending hours in a position when the light was perfect. I own four Voigtlanders, including the beautiful 29, which I have used a lot this year. My everyday and short trip bag holds a G9ii and two Voigtlanders. Highly recommended; pick your favorite FL and try one! These lenses are an important reason I am still in the m4/3 ecosystem. Thanks again for the video.

[@daviddornblaser4512]

Post-script: While the 29 is very expensive, the 17.5 and 25 are the same price or cheaper than the Oly/OMS PRO 17 and 25, which I long ago sold off.

[@raksh9]

The Voigtlanders and Olympus f1.2 Pro lenses have different uses. The Olympus lenses give the option of autofocus where desired, and a very clean and sharp look. The Voigtlanders allow shooting in even darker conditions, and have a visual character that may or may not be appropriate, depending on the situation.

[@daviddornblaser4512]

@@raksh9 Yes, of course, they are different lenses, which is the point of RED35's video. I was pointing out that other Voigtlander lenses are not as expensive as the 29 and using the Olympus PRO as a comparison in price.

[@Bunnyisms]

I've had this lens for just about three years now, and it's one of the reasons why I got a Micro 4/3 body in addition to my Nikon FX format bodies. I've used it on my E-PL8 and my E-M1X and just enjoy the look I get out of it. I rarely shoot it wide open, but the look is something whether it's stopped down or wide open. It's very distinct. After I got this lens I nixed my plan to get the Olympus 25mm f1.2 Pro even though I really enjoy my Olympus 17mm f1.2 Pro. Most days I shoot this at f2.8 or f4. I feel as though the character does not change so drastically even wide open. Some of my vintage Nikon primes have a totally different look wide open compared to when they are stopped down. I feel that the consistency is really helpful because I can get a similar feel even when the lens is wide open. It really is quite a special lens, and it's quite interesting just how sharp it is wide open. A lot of my fast lenses just don't get that sharp wide open

[@ElMundoDuro]

I have the 60mm Voigtlander F0.95 and it is an amazing lens. It can produce a very shallow depth of field, even on MFT cameras. It also has an amazing look for black and white photography.

[@richardwalker4518]

That is the first review I've seen of that lens, thanks for putting it together, quite interesting!

[@liselottepulver2819]

That one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6LIYYuHpptpeKc has the probably most epic intro to all lens reviews on youtube.

[@AbrahamLatchin]

That’s a lens I would love to try! Your images seem the reason it exists. Not everyone wants multiple formats, so having options that broaden the envelope of shooting in the format you own is a very good thing. Great review!

[@musa7606]

With a small camera, hold the camera by the lens. I'm not sure why many photographers haven't figured this out. They keep going on about how the camera is front heavy with X lens or what not... Take your left hand, put it under the lens, maybe with the body on the heel of you palm. Done.

[@nindoninshu]

Thank you for making this video, I was actually looking for videos on this last month and was shocked to be unable to find many, best thing I found was some random site where a guy took some images with it in comparison to some canon lens and the chromatic aberration seemed far worse in the nokton

[@scottchiang7616]

My hat comes off for dad vlogging with kids walking on both sides.

[@Red35Photography]

I am glad you stayed until the end of the video! Cheers mate!

[@WhoIsSerafin]

Wow! $1800 for that beast at Adorama! I'd love to try one.

[@pragmaticfilmmaking]

The Voigtlanders are what have kept me committed to MFT for video, and I’m just waiting for a good deal to complete the set. I currently own all except the super nokton and 60mm, and I absolutely love them. Shooting wide open has never given me any problems or complaints!

[@lucastoppa2840]

Thanks for the video, it's really well done! To me this lens has only 2 problems: (1) no electronic contacts (and I don't understand why, all the other Voigtlander for Sony/Fuji/Nikon have them), and (2) is not weather sealed. I have been using this lens for more than a year now, and I used it for a couple of paid family sessions (together with the 60mm f/0.95). What can I say? Just looking at the pictures in Lightroom, they have a different, specific, look, and the difference is really big when comparing black&white pictures from this lens and the Olympus 25mm f/1.2. Mine, at f/0.8 seems like as sharp as the 25 f/1.2 (the 60mm is basically similar, but that's much bigger :D). In the end, this year I am going to add the 10.5mm f/0.95, so I'll have a full set (for wide angle shots I still use the Olympus 17mm). It is as you say: a very special lens, and I really hope Voigtlander will continue to make such lenses, they are just amazing, and the focusing (even with the EVF of an M1.2, is most of the time precise). ps. I have printed a portrait at f/0.8 80x60cm on a canvas, and it looks amazing, but I agree at f/1.0 it gets sharper.

[@orange-you-later]

This is cool, and it would be interesting to compare against the Metabones XL Speedbooster and Canon 50mm f/1.2, since I think it works out to a similar f/stop and focal length, and there are used copies around for the budget conscious!

[@LE_GRATIN]

this specific m4/3 fast lense will give you FAR better results than canon EF 50 f/1.2 + Speedbooster, you can trust me. big, big gap (at least full open) between the two solutions

[@video-carl]

love the enthusiasm. this is quite a mft-niche

[@elsapooh8175]

At the beginning of the year, I switched to full frame, but I could not get over the breakup with 0.8, and quickly returned to mft with om-1. In my opinion, this is the best camera-lens combination. I also managed to get 14-35 and 35-100 2.0, and the first one became my main lens, but voight will forever hold a special place in my heart. Compared to the old 25mm 0.95, it can't even be called an upgrade. This lens is of a completely different level.

[@maheshg212]

Different focal lengths but I till remember loving pictures from your Laowa Argus 18mm f0.95 review...

[@sbeckmesser]

I wish there had been shots specifically demonstrating the bokeh characteristics at various f-stops. And comparing bokeh behavior to a similar focal-length fast lens, such as the Sigma 30mm f1.4 or the Oly 25mm f/1.2 or especially the considerably less expensive and more widely available Laowa 25mm f0.95 which is only 1/3 stop slower. A demonstration of the thinness of depth of field at various portrait distances at f0.8 would have been helpful too. My Laowa 25mm has to be stopped down to get a complete head in focus, depending on subject distance of course.

[@laurentyarp514]

Impressive camera store. If ever I go to Japan this should be a touristic visit :)

[@plaidchameleon25]

That looks like a killer lens. BTW, when you come to Japan next year, will you do a meet and greet with fans/subscribers and maybe a short photowalk/tour? Asking for a friend.

[@tobiasdavid3096]

I tried this one and the 60mm f0.95 . I loved them both and were really a joy to focus with the OM-1 EVF, but can‘t afford neither at the moment. 😢

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Very good video Jimmy! I can feel your excitement with this special lens and also the excitement when doing camera shopping in Japan😂 I agree with your not so optimistic feeling about this lens, if anyone wants one esp brand new, they really should buy it now. Enjoy your 2025 Japan trip! Japan is addictive 😂

[@Red35Photography]

Thanks Richard, indeed Japan is addictive and I think it's a place I will go back many times.

[@ulfjonsson2122]

Great video and images.

[@SummersSnaps]

You can get the IBELUX 40/.85, which is APS-C, but I think Kipon supply one in M43 mount. It is also 'affordable' alternative.

[@chinitopinoy1726]

I heard that lens is really soft though at 0.85. The 0.8 on the Nokton 29mm is way sharper in my opinion.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

The number of times I’ve messaged them about trying out this lens haha

[@sweden_ove2074]

Very interesting lens. I believe its not for me, even though its tempting. But I dont do portrait photographing any more, and no filming. So I love the idea, but I will have to follow my path in new lenses. Next will be a super tele zoom. Maybe the 150-600. But fascinating lens

[@drethelin]

I like this lens a lot for low light shooting. If it came with autofocus I'd love it, even if that made it way bigger.

[@Durio_zibethinus]

Your kids already that big? I...I feel so old already 😅 They're looks healthy though, hope happiness always be there on your family 😁

[@4mooncheese]

That lens looks bigger than the Pen-F. Would love to try it on mine.

[@chinitopinoy1726]

That looks pretty darn sharp to me at 0.8!

[@Red35Photography]

Because it is sharp, for a f0.8. I've seen plenty worst f1 or f0.95 lenses these days.

[@BrentODell]

I have considered renting this lens JUST to make a review, there are so few out there. I'm afraid I'd want to keep it through 😂

[@zachbenson9548]

Why did I watch this? I moved to the mtns this last year and I've been considering the 100-400 but this is the one lens I'd rather spend the money on. Brain says 100-400 but the heart says 29.

[@Biosynchro]

Here is how I would approach it: there are some photos you can only take with a 400mm lens, but there are no photos that need the 29mm f/0.8.

[@nindoninshu]

@@Biosynchro but then it's an even different story if we include video 🤔

[@Biosynchro]

@@nindoninshu Possibly... Although it obviously depends on what the subject is and how you want to shoot it. In my world, I want infinite DOF for wide angle lenses and a gentle rolloff for longer lenses.

[@nindoninshu]

@@Biosynchro for sure, not a lens that can "do it all" but I think for example, night vlogging (though you'll probably need a vlog stick) this would be a really good lens and provide a unique irreplaceable character for talking head videos, etc. but there's obviously no way we can solve the issue of letting in more light without decreasing the depth of field, unless the sensor size is increased 😔 so for "regular" shots then yeah it probably won't be the most cost effective lens

[@tscott6843]

The song?

[@Wildridefilms]

Is chromatic aberration only problematic on Olympus cameras or even on Lumix cameras? From what I've heard, Olympus have UV block coatings in their lenses, whereas Panasonic have UV block coatings on the sensor stack. So you see more purple fringing with Lumix/Sigma/PannyLeica lenses on Olympus cameras than with Panasonic cameras.

[@BlaxkNobility]

I like the top you are wearing where did you got it from.

[@radiozelaza]

I've heard Homelander has eyes brighter than human eyes

[@CypherAod]

It's a lovely looking lens but I picked up a Fujifilm 50mm f/1.0 for £700 used so the value proposition is just all kinds of weird to me.

[@LT20354]

I think Panasonic and OM System should provide at least one of this kind with AF support.

[@777hdn]

I'm not convinced this really is the right lens for stills, it's maybe more for video and video is not for me ;-). But I've never used such a manual lens on my OM-D MFT, so can anybody tell me how it feels? E.g. focus is manual, but do I have to do anything on the camera after putting it on my OM-D? What about the MF assistant? It doesn't kick in when I turn the focus ring I guess. But focus peaking still works when activated manually, right? And what about the manual aperture? Is the diaphragma directly closing when turning the ring? If yes, what does this to the viewfinder image, especially in darker settings? And then exposure: A and P mode should give me automatic shutter speeds, right? But in S mode it should work like using it with manual exposure, but is there still a difference when using M mode? My experience tells me that there will be a different viewfinder experience with the camera set to M,. right? So I'm a bit sceptical if I have to adapt my way of shooting each time I put this on my camera so much that I can't really get the benefits of the lens work for me.

[@dexon555]

What is the country of manufacturing for that lens?

[@neutrinissimo5118]

I've been waiting for this one! Just because I'm curious, not that I'd actually buy it, love my silver gelatin emulsions too much to do that =P

[@Red35Photography]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@jackymo820]

heavy heavy

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

This definitely feels like one of those companies that is resting on their laurels and doesn’t really work with creators or send out copies for review to pretty much anyone especially for the smaller formats like micro 4/3

[@SMGJohn]

LOL, a very bright lens but not very many samples of it in pitch darkness, looks like I will have the only video on that. However unironically its an expensive lens that a camera store sent me to review, I compare it to a Canon 50mm F1.2 on a metabones XL x0.64 speedbooster, in my findings, its just as bright but the Super Nokton is less sharp wide open, its manual focus only of course, its slightly wider, the Canon is effectively a 64mm F0.77 while the Voigtlander is a 58mm F0.8. For price of the speedbooster and Canon 50mm on the used market, you pay quarter the price of a brand new Super Nokton lens, and you gain autofocus, sharper images and you can use the lens on more systems, the Canon makes more sense, weight wise its Canon 697g versus Super Nokton at 703g, thats the Canon with the Speedbooster, they weight the same but the Canon is a lot more front heavy duo to the massive front element, the Canon is also shorter but wider. Voigtlander at half its asking price would make a lot more sense, but its difficult to recommend such a lens.

[@palmerino1965]

Con la mia Panasonic G9, il citato Metabones 0,64x ed un bellissimo Zuiko Om 55mm f:1,2... ottengo un 35mm f:0,8 (sulla carta f:0,77 in realtà, siamo lì) e mi piace arrivare ad un reale corto medio tele, ottimo nei ritratti. Tra l'altro, ho uno zoom Tamron 28-75mm f:2,8 attacco Eos, e l'adattatore riesce a trasmettere i valori reali al corpo macchina e quindi posso usare in automatico la stabilizzazione, volendo; diventa un versatile e super luminoso 18-48mm f:1,8. Peccato che l'autofocus non è preciso e lo uso senza problemi in manuale. Grazie al Metabones, quasi ripristino l'angolo di campo delle ottiche nate per il full-frame.

[@SMGJohn]

@@palmerino1965 The correct mathematical value for speedbooster conversion is: Focal length * 2 (crop) * 0,64 (speedbooster) = (55mm * 2) * 0,64 = 70,4mm But yes, its cheaper to use speedbooster, your Olympus lens is much cheaper than even the Canon!

[@palmerino1965]

70,4mm è la focale rapportata al full-frame. La reale focale usata sul micro 4/3 è: 55 x 0,64 = 35,2. In pratica, ogni focale nata per il 35mm o full-frame, invece di subire una moltiplicazione 2x viene ridotta ad un fattore di 1,28 aumentando la qualità e la luminosità di ben 1 stop ed 1/3

[@SMGJohn]

@@palmerino1965 Metabones has a white paper on this called: _"The Speed Booster - a New Type of Optical Attachement for_ _Increasing the Speed of Photographic Lenses"_

[@liselottepulver2819]

With the XL x0.64 one is limited to a rather small set of cameras, not including all Olympus cameras but the E-PL7 and PEN-F. The normal speed booster provides "only" x0.71 magnification. You would need a little brighter lens to match f/0.8. (about f/1.13)

[@alexmaccape8411]

Nice lens, no doubt about that, but it goes against the whole idea of mft, which is supposed to be small size. I can just use 50mm f1.2 or 1.4 with full frame, and get also autofocus.

[@_systemd]

Once u want a good quality fast wide angle or portrait mft lenses u may as well go FF. U ll get cheaper smaller and AF-capable lenses . Something like Nikon 50afd beats all those f0.95s plus ads autofocus for fractional cost. It's a sad situation. Frustrated me as an mft owner to the point of going full frame . And saving lots of money. And getting a much higher IQ.

[@ifzarik]

nice!

[@karellen00]

It's a very cool lens, but being equivalent to a 58 mm f/1.6 it puts it in an weird position given its cost, for not much more money you can probably get a full frame body and a 50/1.4. And at that point you can get other normal lenses that would require extreme designs for an equivalent on micro 4/3. To justify this kind of lens in my opinion you must be in some kind of a niche that really needs micro 4/3. Don't get me wrong, I am more than happy that such a cool lens even exist (even if not for me), but I am just trying to explain the lack of interest from the market.

[@pragmaticfilmmaking]

On the BGH1, it’s more like a 52mm f/1.4. To put it into perspective, the Leica 50mm f/2 Summicron-M lens costs £2,400.

[@karellen00]

@@pragmaticfilmmaking Does the BGH1 have a different size sensor? In any case whatever you compare with Leica will seem like a bargain 😆

[@pragmaticfilmmaking]

@@karellen00 Yes, it’s a 1.8x crop. The Leica lens prices are crazy, but the Voigtlanders are considered the alternatives to Leica. That’s the context you need to view them in.

[@karellen00]

@@pragmaticfilmmaking I know, I have two Voigtlander lenses that I simply love! I am not criticizing Voigtlander, but the concept: If to get a certain effect you have to make a lens that costs as much as a lens for a different format and a camera with that sensor we can't be surprised that it's not popular. The camera you mentioned is one of the niches this lens works on, a cinema camera where a full frame equivalent probably costs much much more

[@dans.8198]

Exactly. Not sure why people still invest in 4/3 lenses today, as larger sensors and their lenses are very affordable and provide overall better performance.

[@cameraprepper7938]

To be "compared" to fx the Nokton 50mm 1.0 full frame Lens it should have an aperture of 0.58 ! But it will not be the same because a 29mm has more depth of field.

[@SilverHalides]

This would compare to the “light gathering capability” of a 58mm f/1.6 lens on a full frame camera, if I understand correctly?

[@ff-fotoschule]

Thanks for spreading the word about this lens. made a german review more than 3 years ago about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/goikhK2lpaupepI

[@bartoszpajak2285]

Great lens, however a 1.4/50 on a full frame will still give you the same or more for less money, with autofocus, …. I think, if one is after shallow depth of field, m4/3 is simply the wrong system.

[@ezragonzalez8936]

just scored one for $650!!!!

[@Red35Photography]

Wow!! Bargain!

[@dans.8198]

1:58 It’s not that surprising. This lens makes sense only for a niche of a niche (i.e. videographers absolutely desperate for low light performance).

[@Maddin1313]

f0.7 Super Duper Nokton f0.6 Super Duper Mega Nokton

[@mihaidavid359]

2:53 So the focus ring is ...shitty not smooth 💁‍♂

[@ВалентинАракчеев-б7д]

Hi Jimmy! No matter how much you praise this 0.8!! Voigtlander Super Nokton 29mm. This photo lens "destroys" the whole concept of micro 4/3, both in weight and size, not to mention the price - it's not worth it.

[@nindoninshu]

I see this as a very good video lens, maybe not as much for casual photography but on a video camera body like a GH5 or something this does the opposite of destroys the concept of MFT, it comes closer to solving an issue that previously allowed full framers to laugh at us... we are pushing the possibilities in depth of field and low light for micro four thirds and that should always be applauded because innovations in those areas are necessary if we want this system to keep growing

[@ВалентинАракчеев-б7д]

@@nindoninshu Probably your opinion and point of view have to exist. But there are many different lenses, for example Samyang - from Korea, which are more compact and more productive. And then, just when shooting video, excessive blurriness of the background of the object is not always suitable.

[@nindoninshu]

​@@ВалентинАракчеев-б7д i don't necessarily disagree, but i still think it's good that they're trying, ya know? it would be sad if they never released it knowing that they would face this kind of criticism... i fully support companies that push the boundaries, and this is the only company that truly did that in regards to the f stop also, in video a very good use case for f/0.8 is night time vlogging or recording late night street performers, and if not that, you still have the ability focus to infinity and have the background plane in focus so in practice it's not so limiting to use f/0.8 in video, it's more limiting with photography I'd say so is the lens perfect? no, and it's pretty expensive for sure, but it successfully broke a perceived boundary in the MFT scene and has a unique character that isn't by any means bad or low quality, so they get an A in my book :) if they released for example an f/2 lens with the same quality difference when compared to some other higher end f/2 lens, I bet people wouldn't be complaining, they are only doing so because the lens tried to do something out of the ordinary and didn't "nail" it, but if it was just some f/2 lens with nothing super special and an adjusted price to account for that a lot less people would complain, I feel

[@OronOfMontreal]

The glass on this lens has much too small a diameter to be an F 0.8, or even a 1.2, for that matter. The aperture ring is a fake, with fake numbers printed on it. Just look at how narrow the lens body is. An F 0.8 should have a HUGE radius.

[@Red35Photography]

This is a Micro Four Thirds lens, designed from ground up to suit the smaller sensor. You can roughly say that full frame sensor is 4x the size of a micro four thirds sensor and the rear element of the lens has to be 4x the size (if keeping the distance between the glass and sensor surface). The front element will be equally bigger, how big, then it's down to the design. Don't forget that lens design can make something smaller than needed but at a cost (balance between size/portability/cost). You can 'bend' lights within the barrels. But to summarise this, it will be much bigger if it's a full frame lens, but it isn't. Look at other 0.95 for micro four thirds (not APS-C or full frame again), they are also not much bigger.

[@andersistbesser]

1800 is just too much for a none autofocus lense. the image is very nice tough

[@raksh9]

Why does a lens need autofocus to justify a high price? Wait til you learn about Arri/Zeiss cine lenses like Master Primes or Ultra Primes.

[@LE_GRATIN]

if you do a list for maybe, 50 lenses ever product around "ultra fast aperture corner" : there is no ONE with autofocus. ( i talk about top of the top listing since one century) and you know why? Because mecanical gear tightness about focusing is a key feature for that work, and autofocus don't give you that. maybe in future, but not now. Facts..

[@andersistbesser]

@@LE_GRATIN it is still too expensive and useless for my work. I use olympus pro lenses. 1.2 is not 0.8 but i dont need more anyway. I have great image quality AND autofocus.

[@dans.8198]

@@LE_GRATINThe Canon EF 50 f/1.0 is autofocus and was released in 1989.

[@LE_GRATIN]

@dans.8198 i know that, but i don't put these optic on my list. I love canon but only the bests.

[@wotreplays8896]

I feel like you only recommend this lens because one can feel special about having it. For most of us out there a 1.2 with autofocus makes wonders at probably half the price, by the way there isn't thar much difference from f0.95 to f0.8 if someone wants to try a manual focus lens for mft

[@nindoninshu]

a half stop more light can make a difference especially for low light video, also we gotta take all the most shallow depth of field we can get on the MFT system... we shouldn't be complaining that there are companies developing abnormally fast lenses for MFT with these considerations in mind

[@Trevellian]

@@nindoninshu Yes, it would be great to see some low light video with this lens.

[@nindoninshu]

@@Trevellian indeed

[@dans.8198]

@@nindoninshu It’s less than half a stop. And in any case, if you want low light, you better invest in a better, bigger sensor than a 4/3. Paying that much for a super expensive lens to offset a camera problem does not make any sense.

[@nindoninshu]

​@@dans.8198 is it really? or something like .48 of a stop (close enough really...) switching to a bigger sensor comes with its own set of issues, which is why micro four thirds still exists in the first place in fact, micro four thirds (other than one inch sensor) cameras probably make the most sense to have such wide open aperture lenses because larger sensors will have such an insanely shallow depth of field it would still pretty much be unusable or highly "gimmick" status, while this is actually usable on M43... think about this: on a Galaxy S10 the camera lens is a 4mm focal length, which would be absolutely absurd in any real camera setup, even MFT, but this is just something that has to be engineered for that sensor. it's no use saying "just use a different camera that doesn't need 4mm focal lengths" because we could literally say the same about full frame from a medium format or large format perspective... we could capture a virtually infinite amount of more light if we just increase the sensor size and glass size, but at what cost? not always a cost or tradeoff someone is looking to make