Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1.0: I Surprise Myself!

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It isn't easy to manually focus a 50mm f/1.0; it is downright difficult to make one without significant optical trade-offs wide open. Still, I surprise myself: this is an interesting lens to use and own, the reward for mastery of it palpable.
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[@3BMEP]

As a couple of viewers have now pointed out (and I completely forgot) FujiFilm does make an autofocusing 50/1.0, although as an APS-C coverage lens, this is the full frame field of view and shallowest depth of field equivalent of a 75/1.5. Thanks, guys!

[@HaydenMcM1]

There is an AF full frame 50mm 1.0 lens, it's just no longer made, costs an arm and a leg and isn't the best quality by modern standards. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.0L USM.

[@3BMEP]

@@HaydenMcM1thanks for the correction! 🖖🏻

[@JorgLippmann]

If you want to impress your friends: Voigtländer is pronounced "Fogtlander", like folk-(t)-lander, with an open o. (But it's only a name. They are made by Cosina)

[@3BMEP]

Hah! Thanks for the heads-up. Like “fow-vay” for VW - I should have known!

[@bernym4047]

Another very common mispronunciation is in Adobe Photoshop many pronounce Guassian blur as though it's connected with a gauze filter when in fact it's named after the German mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss and thus the pronunciation should thus rhyme with 'house' and not 'paws'. 😀

[@1946gsp]

I have the Voigtlander 50/2.0 Lanthar APO. It’s all I need. I appreciate your advice (admonishment?) not to buy equipment without really analyzing why you need it and what it’s for. There are sooooo many gear-crazy people on FB who swoon over stuff they don’t and won’t ever need. Thanks for being the voice of reason.

[@3BMEP]

My pleasure. I own the same APO 50! 😊🙏🏻🖖🏻

[@DoctorSoftie]

This lens rules with the Techart autofocus adapter on the ZF.

[@baker2niner]

I really like using the Z version on the Zf. It’s more like shooting a 500 c/m than others. Great review!

[@Edwin--]

Thanks for the interesting review! I have always liked the Voigtlander Nokton and Apo-Lanthar series. The ones I have tried are all beautiful, with the 50mm f2 and 65mm f2 macro Apo-Lanthar and 40mm f1.2 Nokton being my favorites. The Apo-Lanthars have a more modern look, but very beautiful rich colours, and the Nokton's give more classic look. A welcome change from Sony's ultra sharp but a little clinical rendering from most of their lenses.

[@thedondeluxe6941]

I absolutely love this lens. Been using it since the launch on my M10 and M6, and to my surprise, it's relatively easy to nail focus with the rangeifnder, even on film with no peaking or magnification :-) There was one 50mm F1 auto focus lens that I'm aware of; the bonkers Canon EF one from the 90's. I want one of those!

[@PETERFRITZPHOTO]

Your work (behind and in front of the camera) is mesmerising.

[@3BMEP]

Peter, you are always a bright spot in the comments. Thanks so much! 😊🙏🏻🖖🏻

[@Skipsul]

Have been hoping for more reviews of this, now that there is a Sony version too. I love their 35 1.2 Nokton, it practically lives on my camera for all personal work.

[@giorgiobaruffifotografodim8047]

my go to lens! I own this lens and I use with my SL2-S when I need something "magic". I love it so much.

[@3BMEP]

👍🏼😊🖖🏻

[@martinsmyth5580]

Great review as usual thank you

[@3BMEP]

Thanks so much, Martin!

[@weiyang6417]

Voigtlander has so many good 50mm, I want them all! Happy with my F1.2.

[@MakersTeleMark]

The 1.2 with the film M is just perfect. This is a stunt lens.

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

Extremely fine assessment of a character lens. I have the Nokton 50 f1.2 which is imperfect but at the same time wonderful, and at 350g with a 52mm filter size is perfect on an M

[@3BMEP]

Perhaps a better set of trade offs?

[@jamescaldwell5]

I love shooting fast manual focus lenses wide open, and I use a Sigma Fp L. I own the Voigtlander 50mm f1 and love it, but the distortion of the bokeh in the corners bothers me. I find the much more affordable 7artisans 50mm f1.05 to be an interesting alternative, I have been using it much more often. BTW the manual focus assist on the Sigma Fp L is great. Quickly tap the view finder to chose what you want to focus on, then hit the button to zoom way in on the image and nail the focus.

[@3BMEP]

Thanks for sharing!

[@RobertFalconer1967]

Waiting for the Z mount version of this lens for my Zf. Should make for a spectacular low light combo, particularly combined with the Zf's new manual focusing aids. This combo were made for each other for street and travel work. And the beauty is you can still stop it down to f/8 and use the scale to zone focus whenever you want. It really is a dual-purpose optic.

[@MB-dq2gz]

True, I usually drop it to F/11 outdoors when the sun is up and leave it at Infinity for the most part.

[@louiscyphre2555]

one of the best lenses ever made.

[@peterherth7379]

I deliberated long about this lens since it was announced. Having the 50 M Summilux, I definitely don't need it, but I am so glad that I finally got it some months ago. While, as you showed, it certainly isn't perfect, it is far better than it should be, if you compare it to the Leica Noctilux. I am using it on my M10 and have very good results focussing it with the rangefinder. Though my eyes are not the best either. Shooting a 50/1.0 is a bit like driving a Ferrari. You don't do that because you want the best and most comfortable car, but because it is special. For proper portraits, I would like more DOF, but it is just great at creating great pictures with a special mood. By the way, if you haven't done so, check out the Voigtländer Heliar 50/3.5. It is a fun lens and has really great colors. And it shows that with a great lens, even the "slow" 3.5 is fast enough in most situations.

[@3BMEP]

Thanks for the recce!

[@kcjazzlark]

I had the Sony mount version of this lens for a short time and used it on an A1 and A7R V. With the large, high resolution viewfinders on those cameras, I actually found it fairly easy to focus the lens accurately at f/1.0. I agree the lens was sharp in the center wide open. By f/1.8 it was a very good lens overall. But there are many 50mm lenses which are good at f/1.8. You buy this lens because you want/need (mostly want) to use it at f/1.0. And there I was unhappy with the heavy chromatic aberration and low contrast.

[@3BMEP]

I understand. 😊🖖🏻

[@thankyouforhearingme]

Thanks!

[@3BMEP]

🙏🏻😊🖖🏻🎉

[@LightDive]

For awareness, there is the Fujifilm XF 50mm f/1.0 that is an autofocus lens. So same light gathering, though a bit deeper DOF with APS-C. $1,500

[@streetphotography.globetro7744]

In the end it's all a matter of practice, you don't need to use the best EVF in the world to focus with exotic glass, I use a Canon dream lens on my M11 Monochrom and day by day I get more images in focus on subjects walking towards me. Thanks for the video, greetings from Madrid.

[@3BMEP]

Hola Madrid!

[@drthompson65]

Sometimes imperfect is perfect, hold that thought! I remember how everyone would seek out the old Soviet Block knock off Leica glass. They were so "unique" they were good!

[@bernym4047]

I just happened across your channel. Querky, amusing but interesting content. I bought a Nokton 0.95 MFT used for a silly price and I love it. The ultra short DoF can be difficult to deal with. I have just bought zerene stacker and am going to try out burst mode shooting whilst slighly moving the manual focus. Watch this space 😀 Liked & subcribed. Thank you. ================================== Update: Today I tested the burst mode with Zerene Stacker and it works very well. The subject was still life but I hand held the camera. I managed to extend the DoF by about an inch whilst shooting at a distance of about 8 inches at full aperture .

[@thebitterfig9903]

I wish there were a few more lenses like the Sigma 65. Going a bit longer in focal length can pay dividends in shallow DOF, particularly on crop sensors where there can be a bit more of an uphill climb. I'm a Fuji shooter, and something like a 40mm or 42mm gains at least half a stop over a 33mm. Micro 43 users can get the excellent Sigma 30/1.4, and gain essentially a full stop over a native 25mm f/1.7.

[@ddsdss256]

A bought a Mitakon Speedmaster 25mm f/0.95 (MFT, so 50mm EFL) instead of the Voigt equivalent as the latter is much larger/heavier (although better built). Both are "fully manual" (neither have contacts so no EXIF). I've not used the Voigt but I believe it has aperture detents (the Mitakon does not, so you never know exactly the f-stop, except presumably at the end points, but this is an advantage for video and in any case, who cares?). The Mitakon is more than sharp enough edge-to-edge at all apertures and has a "classic" (dare I say "Leica-esque") look and even with the razor-thin DoF wide open (I'm not a big fan of razor-thin DoF, but there are times when it can work), it's easy to focus (motorless helps), especially with focus peaking (one of the greatest features a camera can have for those of us with "well-used" eyes, but I also toggle it off in certain situations). I will say that the Mitakon can exhibit some of the "character" you describe (not appreciated by me either) if a strong light source is in or near the frame. If it isn't evident by now, I recommend that you take a look at Mitakon's "FF" 50mm f/0.95, as some may find it a reasonable (especially regarding price--it's less than half the price of the Voigt) alternative to the others you've mentioned (available in multiple mounts including Leica M and L). Re "manual focus assist," that sounds a lot like one of my favorite features of the Lumix G9 (I and II), and one I use regularly.

[@davidbiddlecombe8602]

I have the Z version and use it on my Zf, mainly for portraits and it has a surprisingly high hit rate use the unique Zf eye detection (in manual focus) and 100% punch in. CA is however real.

[@3BMEP]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Bolton115]

Fuji 50mm f1.0 autofocus lens has entered the chat.

[@davidthefat]

If you like the 65mm Sigma, I recommend the Voigtlander APO Lanthar 65mm f2. It’s such a wonderful lens despite being manual focus.

[@3BMEP]

I’ve heard good things about it!

[@MB-dq2gz]

The voigtlander 75mm F/1.5 comes out in a coupl weeks for the Z mount it would be cool if you could review that lens as well. Although i already know im buying it soon as it is available 😅

[@jeltevangeest252]

Just a small question about manual focussing with the Nikon zf: my subject and/or myself does move in between focussing at 100% and pressing the shutter. Any advice? Thank you.

[@wolfgangwhyte5571]

I love this lens! Bought one for my Nikon Z7ii; liked it so much, I grabbed the RF version for my Canon R5 as well!

[@3BMEP]

Thanks for sharing! 😊🖖🏻

[@wolfgangwhyte5571]

@@3BMEP Not a lotta lenses I've liked so much I bought 'em twice, but this was one. Haven't tried it on a Zf, but the R5's manual focus assist kicks the Z7ii's assist directly in the tuchus ;)

[@Bayonet1809]

The Canon RF and Sony E versions, with their knurled focus rings, look so much nicer than the Leica M and Nikon Z versions, and their scalloped ones imo. But then I just love knurling.

[@3BMEP]

@@wolfgangwhyte5571Please tell me more about the R5’s MF assists!

[@wolfgangwhyte5571]

@@3BMEP You can set if up for eye/face/subject tracking (or just choose spot, peaking, or whatever), then it displays these three little icons that move nearer one another till they eventually line up and you're green and good to go. The Z7ii just gives you white box/green box, with no indication for how close you are to "in-focus"; it's either yes or no and I invariably overthrow then roll back (whereas the R5's icons give you the "close/closer/got it!" feel so you don't overthrow focus on the first try). Remember old SLR's where you had to line up two planes, and when they touched, that was solid focus? Same sort of idea, but icons instead of planes. And it even works nice with soft focus or pro-mist filters. At my age, the machine is more accurate than my eye, and the R5's assist setup is more tactile (for me, at least). But if the Zf has a better setup than the Z7ii, I'll have to check that out. Of course, the coming Z6iii might make this a moot point...

[@AdamMuise]

This 50mm f/1.0 and the Leica APO 50mm (or Voigtlander APO 50mm) make for a really good light carry street combo for the Leica Monochrom or Nikon Zf. Sometimes the night shooting needs the f/1

[@mark35806]

the nikon Z version used on the Zf is relatively easy to focus, I love it!

[@3BMEP]

Enjoy!

[@peterebel7899]

The RF version of the Nokton 50mm 1.0 joined my R5 bayonet several months ago: To say it short, all other lenses went unemployed since! This experience made me hurry up to get the Nokton 40mm 1.2, wich is by far more versatile as every day lens, a dream of experience with this lens. Some weeks ago the RF Nokton 75mm 1.5 was announced: Who is surprised me standing in the row of preorders? Come on, there are plenty "interchangeable lenses", some even "close to perfect", but there are Noktons 🙂

[@3BMEP]

:😉

[@TheTensecondz]

If one already has a techart Sony adapter, then this becomes an auto-focusing lens. I use the techart adapter with my TTArtisan 50mm f0.95 and get reliable real-time auto focusing. Also techart adapter will turn this lens to macro lens as well. Additionally with Sony 60 mega pexel camera, this lens becomes a zoom lens with croppability. Hard to get all these flexibilities with Sony native E mount lenses.

[@wheresrunnicles236]

Great review. Would love to see you look at more Voigtlander lenses. This one isn’t for me though, I’m happy with my 1.2 Nokton. Not sure the extra price and weight is worth it. 1.2 is already sometimes too thin DOF…

[@peterebel7899]

take the 40mm 1.2 take the 75mm 1.5

[@thomaspunchur3627]

I broke down and picked one up for those times I want to take my time and work a little harder. That's part of my game at times, I can't explain why but it's fact. Oh, and the day after lens arrived I ordered a 1.4 magnifier for my M10......isn't senior citizen eyesight grand?!!!

[@3BMEP]

Hah! I should do that!

[@JimEmbury]

Thank you. Could you lay out all the 50 ish mm lenses you have in a video?

[@3BMEP]

Beyond what I mention (and show ) in the video, we own and use Leica Summicron-M 50/2 5th gen; Voigtländer APO Lanthar 50/2; Sigma 45/2.8 and 65/2; LUMIX 50/1.8 S; Sony 50/1.4 G-Master; Canon FL 50/1.8 and FD 50/1.4. We own but don’t use 1938 Leica Collapsible Summar 50/2 and Zeiss Planar 80/2.8.

[@manojchandramishra906]

How does it compare with the other two VM f1.1 and f1.2 lenses? Has anyone compared. I find the VM 1.2 excellent coupled with M246.

[@filibertkraxner305]

Excellent review, Hugh! I love the idea of this 50/1.0, but realistically I'd be much better off with an autofocus workhorse that produces a lot of keepers. Still, for personal work, it would be fun to see what images I could find at, say, medium distances. Not a very sensible reason to buy a lens, but who wants to be sensible anyway?

[@3BMEP]

I understand. 😊🙏🏻🖖🏻

[@Arturborzecki]

4:27 - love that pause after Siri

[@3BMEP]

😎

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

Voigtländer is certainly making some interesting lenses. Thank you for the heads up on this one. It would be good to know precisely how this lens compares to all of the Leica Noctilux-M fast fifties (f/0.95, 1.0, and 1.2) on the same modern camera (M11, SL2, or SL3). I have the latter two lenses and the new Leica Summilux-M 50 (they are all markedly different).

[@3BMEP]

If I’d had them to test, John… 😎

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

@@3BMEP I could send you the Leica 50 f/1.0 and f/1.2 lenses.

[@Bayonet1809]

@@johnkasianowicz6536 Check out Fred Miranda's review for those comparisons. Or don't if you would prefer not to be disappointed with what you have.

[@3BMEP]

@@johnkasianowicz6536Let’s talk second half of June - I’m underwater until then!

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

@@3BMEP Ok. I’ll be back from Europe the first week of July. Please contact me offline.

[@Bayonet1809]

Fred Miranda tested this against the Leica f/0.95 Noctilux (and the f/1 Noctilux too) and the Voigtlander was significantly sharper and contrastier. I recommend one take a look at his review too, as it reveals more of the compromises CV had to make (field curvature, optical vignetting), in addition to the LoCA shown here. Voigtlander's own 50mm f/1.2 Nokton is a good alternative too.

[@3BMEP]

Great referral, thanks!😊 🖖🏻

[@chirsd666]

I own the 50/1.2 Nokton also, on my 61MP Sony. it's a stellar optic, right up there with the 50mm APO and 50/1.2 GM.

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

It’d be surprising if the Voigtländer Nokton 50 mm f/1.0 was truly sharper at the center than the Leica Noctilux-M 50 mm f/0.95. I used the latter and it was quite sharp when I nailed focus properly (the lens is very expensive and hefty). In contrast, I have a Leica Noctilux-M 50 mm f/1.0 v.4, and it’s definitely a character lens.

[@Bayonet1809]

@@johnkasianowicz6536 If you disbelieve me you are free to look at the review I referenced to verify my claims.

[@Pablomache]

Elephant in the room here would be the $1k cheaper TTArtisan 50mm F0.95 ASPH

[@holyjesus8603]

I bought my Sony A7 used for a bargain and for most portraits „on location“ the Nikkor S 1,2/55 is my favorite ! For my experience at 2,8 it is my sharpest Nikon lens I ever tested and it renders beautiful. There a plenty of fish in the sea so why spend so much money ?

[@user-kc7gd7ux6r]

Another great video! But i would argue there is no point comparing it with f1.2 with autofocus because modern day cameras can nall the focus on the eye every time but using manual focus one is not able to have the consistency and speed.

[@3BMEP]

That is precisely the point. 😊🖖🏻

[@nobodyinteresting9967]

You should take a look at Laowas f0.95 that lens has some caracter as well and is even cheaper...

[@ansgarbook712]

the chromatic aberations drove me nuts, the NOKTON 1.2 is much better (for me)

[@3BMEP]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@gilgabo]

Or get the VC 50/1 and use on a ZF body and Techart M-Z autofocus adapter. Works great…..

[@yuidfbse]

Get the Sony mount version, throw in a TechArt Leica M to E Autofocus adapter, and voilá you have a fully fledged AF version of this lens.

[@Bayonet1809]

How would you mount an E-mount lens on a M-mount adapter? Presumably you mean get the VM version? If so then I would caution that wisdom, firstly because the lens is rather heavy and would stress the autofocus adapter's motor, and secondly because CV optimises the different mount lenses for their respective filter stacks, so the VM version has worse field curvature and astigmatism when adapted on Sony cameras.

[@yuidfbse]

@Bayonet1809 The M lens goes into an E mount sony body via an AF adapter, not the other way around.

[@Bayonet1809]

@@yuidfbse I know that, it was you who mistakenly wrote about the Sony version being used on an M-mount adapter.

[@game2572]

Didn’t canon have a 50mm F1.0 in the film days

[@classic.cameras]

Me. I bought a used 7Artisans 50mm f1.05 for about $200. Its fun, ok image quality and cheap. Otherwise I just use my Sigma 50mm f1.4

[@3BMEP]

Thanks for sharing!

[@mikelyon5595]

Very dramatic images!

[@3BMEP]

Wanted to see what I could do with it. 😊🖖🏻

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

Fujifilms 50 f1 is an AF lens

[@gumdocga]

Thanks for the video. And, hold that thought…… Great hair!

[@3BMEP]

Hah!

[@carlseibert9015]

Shoooooot. You don't need AI to retouch that flare spot. Gimme about one minute and whatever megre bio-intelligence I can bring to bear and that thing is gone. Of course the next one might land where it won't grow back (Men in Black reference for those who didn't see the movie. )

[@3BMEP]

Yep.

[@davidkipperman5218]

You sound very conflicted on this review! 🤔

[@3BMEP]

I am! 😊🖖🏻

[@JennyDarukat]

Man I'd love to try out one of these, but they're not exactly abundant in stock here in Stockholm 🫣 If I at all extrapolate my experience with my other Cosina-made lenses (Voigtländer 40 1.2 & Zeiss ZF Planar 50 1.4), I could easily see it be worth the money -- assuming you're the right kind of person with deep enough pockets, obviously 🤪 I'll go and be happy with what I have, which to be fair is also quite something. Best wishes and greetings from my end of the pond as always, Hugh!

[@3BMEP]

So nice to see you here again, Jenny! 😊🖖🏻

[@martinsmyth5580]

Fujifilm have a 50mm f1.0 autofocus lens

[@3BMEP]

You are SO right! I forgot about it completely, my bad! My only counterpoint: because it’s an APS-C lens, it is the full frame field of view and shallowest depth of field equivalent of a 75/1.5; not a 50/1.0; and 85/1.4’s are common. Bottom line, though, thanks for pointing this out! It amplifies the essential point I made with the 65/2: there are multiple paths to shallow. 😊🙏🏻🖖🏻

[@Bayonet1809]

But designing it would have been easier because of its narrower field of view and smaller image circle.