Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F1.2 Review | 4K

Photographer Dustin Abbott shares a review of the Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F1.2 lens for Sony FE. | Read the text review: | Visit the Image Gallery: bit.ly/Nokton40ig | Purchase the Voigtländer 40mm F1.2 @ B&H Photo: bhpho.to/3bJ985A | Amazon: amzn.to/3bCsJ7l | Ebay bit.ly/Nokton40mm
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Keywords: Voigtlander, Voigtländer, Nokton, 40mm f1.2, Voigtlander 40mm Review, Voigtlander 40mm f1.2, Review, Dustin Abbott, Voigtlander 40mm f/1.2 Nokton, Voigtländer 40mm, Voigtländer 40mm, FE, Sony, a7R3, a7RIII, Sample Images, Video Test, KZbin, Comparison, Sharpness, Video, Zeiss, Sony a7RIII, Sony A7RIV, Sony a7R IV, Sony a9, Hands On, Video Test, Portrait, Video, Sharpness, Real World, Comparison

[@jamesmlodynia8757]

I just got one for a Nikon Z6Ii and ZF and on the ZF it complements the camera perfectly, it is easy to focus, the throw is short and the focus point turns from red to green when focus is acquired. Size of the lens is perfect for the ZF.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's a nice pairing.

[@etismyname]

Got this lens myself. Probably the best lens I have ever owned. Light, amazing flexibility and great optic (of cause with the joy of manual focus too). Even better than the 50apo imo. Good to see you reviewing one, I have no doubt you will love the lens

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thanks for sharing

[@dylan.leslie]

whenever I'm looking towards buying a new lens I just pray there's a Dustin Abbott review on it :) (I was looking for the 35mm 1.2 Voitländer but this definitely did the job)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad it helped.

[@Zobeid]

I’ve been wanting one of these for a long time, and I looked at every review I could find. Out of them all, I think this review best describes the character and the results that I’m getting from this lovely lens. You compared with Zeiss, which I have no experience with, but it does remind me of my vintage Takumars - right down to the pattern of the scalloped focusing ring. Incidentally, I have also been using an adapted Konica Hexanon AR 40mm F1.8 prior to getting the Voigtländer. The Konica is far cheaper, weights about half pound less (even including the adapter), and provides generally quite good images. Obviously it’s not as refined as the modern Voigtländer, not as fast aperture, doesn’t have the electronic communication with the camera body, however I did get some good use out of it.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm glad my review captured the "essence" of the lens.

[@bluetsunami]

Used Contax/Yashica lenses are a goldmine of quirky lenses that convey a lot of character. They won't be as contrasty as a modern lens due to lens coating and glass element advancements but some are well worth the price. Great entry place for Zeiss glass. Love my C/Y 50 1.4 Planar.

[@delpierro0815]

I used the lens mostly at F1.7 where I found the compromise between sharpness and look was best. Due to that I bought the Samyang 45 1.8 and sold the Voigtländer since the look is very similar, it has autofocus and it's much cheaper and lighter. Nevertheless, nice lens with an interesting character.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Fair enough. I think the Samyang Af 45mm is a really underrated lens.

[@kamilside6795]

How about the 5mm difference? Can you even feel it? I'm thinking about both of those lenses.

[@omrichetti]

I've been eyeing this lens for sometime. I'm glad you finally did a review on some of the Voigtlander lenses. Another interesting lens is the Voigtlander 40mm f2.8, not many reviews on it (aside from Steve Huff). It would be nice to see one of your reviews on that lens

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I did a review of their 40mm F2 years ago. I can't promise when I'll have access to another Voigtlander lens for review...my access is limited.

[@EddySawaya8637]

Hello Dustin, I can see that this lens along with the 50mm F1 Nokton and 75mm F1.5 Nokton are available for Canon RF mount. Do you think that you would be able to review those? The 40mm is indeed not cheap but indeed much cheaper than the 50mm F1.2 Canon equivalent, which nakes it interesting. Thanks.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Voigtlander's Canadian distributor did reach out to me, but they have never followed up with loaners. So, for now, the answer is no.

[@arsulaksono881]

I agree with your review, the "special sauce" made me hoooked to Voigts, got the 40/1.2 E and 15/4.5 III E, will probably acquire one of the APO Lanthars, not sure yet the 65 or the 110 for product / food photography ... .whats your opinion ?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I like the 65mm better for food, myself. I find the longer focal lengths can be harder to get the right angle

[@davidkerr2355]

Did you ever reviewed the Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm f/1.4? Eyeing this lens to fit on Canon EOS R. I am not a professional photographer and my question might sound silly...are you aware if the focus indicator would operate? Thanks for all your super professional reviews.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I don't think I have. I did cover the 40mm F2 back years ago. The focus guide should work due to the lens having electronic contacts.

[@Sweethomemovers]

Great Content

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thank you!

[@williaminbody205]

Nice lens, I own the 50mm f1.2, and the 21mm F1.4...I haven’t filled the 35mm slot yet in my kit but the Zeiss disagon 35mm is on the list...not sure where 40mm would fill a kit unless you were to have only one lens. It seems like a stranded focal length. Great review.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

On paper, I would agree, but 40mm is actually a surprisingly fantastic focal length in everyday use. 45mm is also fantastic.

[@williaminbody205]

Dustin Abbott I agree, I see 40/45mm focal length as a first lens that splits the 35/50mm old standard argument for the perfect walk around lens. It’s a difficult buy once you’ve already gone either 35 or 50 first.

[@logancharles6644]

Beautiful review, but I found myself distracted by your camera strap! What is it?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Peak Design Slide Lite is what I use: bhpho.to/2RCh6W0

[@soholingo]

How does this compare to the 35/1.4 GM?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I personally like the GM better. It's much sharper at larger apertures, has autofocus, weather sealing, etc..., has better magnification and close up performance, and has similarly nice bokeh. Voigtlander probably has a slightly color advantage (Voigt color is always fabulous).

[@soholingo]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Thanks Dustin! I appreciate the feedback.

[@TwlShooter]

Have you tested the voigtlander 58mm f1.4 F mount?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I don't test F mount in general, so no, I haven't.

[@xpynuker]

Can you do the same for the Voigtlander 50mm f/1.2? :D thanks Dustin

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It looks like I'll take a look at the 50mm F2 APO next.

[@weikiatteo2232]

Hi Dustin, great review as always! I saw an interesting new lens from samyang and found that you have already uploaded the image gallery on your website. Will you be uploading a video review soon (perhaps before May)?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hi there! I'm scheduled to start releasing my content on the AF75mm on the 4th of May.

[@davidroth7138]

Helpful! Thank you.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

You're welcome!

[@-fragile-]

Will it work with my leica m5?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm not up on Leica enough to know. Just see if the lens is available in the mount of your camera.

[@-fragile-]

@@DustinAbbottTWI well it is the m mount, but I won't be able to use any of the electronic features of the lens. Is the electronic part essential for operation?

[@---us7qf]

Would love to see a comparison between this and the Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2 (summicron) CF lens. I think the Zeiss Batis 40mm will win out in terms of sharpness and micro-contrast. Thank you for the review Dustin.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Unfortunately I don't have either lens on hand, so I won't be able to do that comparison.

[@zenjitsuman]

I had an Nikon 50mm f1.2 that was similar to this lens, at 2.0 super sharp great contrast, maybe better wide open. But your paying to use it wide open and not at F2, snf this fast lens is heavier than a cheaper slower lens

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That’s the challenge. I think you have to like the more “dreamy” look, because otherwise you end up shooting at smaller apertures, which, as you say, defeats the purpose of owning a lens with such a large aperture.

[@wolper2155]

Hi Dustin. Great Video like ever. The Price in Germany is 1099€. Greetings from Germany.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's pretty expensive!

[@warayutsingnoo3571]

Thanks for great review as always, any chance to review Voigtlander 35mmF1.2 version iii on Sony?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I really don't know if/when that will happen. I have limited access to Voigtlander lenses, unfortunately.

[@jarosawzon4272]

I stopped buying Voigtlander lenses because in Poland, and even in Europe, there is no way to repair such a lens if something bad happens. And this is exactly what happened to me. I have an expensive broken lens and I am helpless.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That is definitely frustrating.

[@AR-vf7vg]

BAD shortissimo focus-throw in my opinion at the distance where it counts.(I'm soooo astouned no single review I came across pics on that one. Seems so obvious to me.) But I agree on everything else. Two lenses in one :-) . Should also have two-fold aperture-blade properties (like... I forgot..) : Rounded until f2(round highlights), than only strait (sunstar effects). Superb also it's small size. (With good colors wide opoen too (though I often dont use the colors). I could not resist to the Sigma (EYE)-AF f1.2 DG DN though (37mm-ish), and I'm glad I didnt. It's a strange "dilemma"..

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I would have covered it if I agree, but I don't. I found the focus throw to be fine for the lens.

[@stjepanjina]

It's a shame you don't do Nikon reviews, I believe it would get pretty much in the audience because it's still one of the most popular producers!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Sorry mate, I only have so much time, and it would require investing thousands of dollars to purchase Nikon bodies to test on...and I don't have time, money, nor inclination to take that step. I'm booked up months in advance as it is :)