VOIGTLANDER NOKTON 50/1,0
If you hang out with the rangefinder crowd long enough, you'll soon start to hear hushed whispers about the legendary, fabled, and otherwise storied Noctilux. That is, a series of Leica lenses with extremely fast maximum apertures. The designation "Noctilux" has been given to several different optics with apertures as fast as f/0.95 and as slow as f/1.25. To date there have been five:
Noctilux 50 mm f/1.2 50 mm 1966 – 1975 f/1.2 49 mm 470 – 515 grams
Noctilux-M 50 mm f/1 50 mm 1976 – 2008 f/1.0 60 mm 584 grams
Noctilux-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH 50 mm 2008 – present f/0.9560 mm 700 grams
Noctilux-M 75 mm f/1.25 ASPH 75 mm 2017 – present f/1.25 67 mm 1055 grams
Noctilux-M 50 mm f/1.2 ASPH 50 mm 2021–present f/1.2 49 mm 405 grams
"Dreamy, soft, painterly, glowing when shot fully open," say some users. "Poor sharpness and over the top chromatic aberration which if it wasn't a Leica would be panned," translate other not-so-users. The rhetoric is naturally magnified because of the price differential. As of this writing the Leica Noctilux 50/0.95 costs $12,995 USD, and most simply can't afford a lens costing that amount. Voigtlander has spotted an opportunity and unleashed the Nokton 50mm f1 ASPH at a much cheaper price point of $1,799 - cheaper, but not cheap. I would be remiss if I didn't also point out that this is Voigtlander's most expensive lens to date. It has already proved a success with pre-orders and orders coming in at a much higher rate than anticipated.
Specifications
Focal length: 50mm
Lens configurations: 9 lens elements in 7 optical groups
Angle of view: 47.8°
Number of aperture blades: 12
Minimal focus distance (MFD): 0.9m
Maximum diameter x total length: φ73,6×55mm
Filter size: φ62mm
Weight: 482 grams
Lens hood: Included (screw-in, reversible)
Initial Impressions
Initial fears were about being able to accomplish critical focus using the rangefinder at maximum aperture. I am pleased to say that I was able to do so on both my M10M and M11. It wasn't necessary to use the EVF although of course that's always an option. You are probably going to have trouble doing so in low-contrast conditions, meaning you need to either use the EVF or get a Visoflex. If your subject is static you should be fine with the rangefinder, but any movement and it's back to the EVF.
The build quality is impressive, with the focus being smooth and well dampened. The aperture ring is also of excellent quality, with authoritative clicks which don't change too easily. Size-wise the lens does block a fair chunk of the frame in the rangefinder, but not to the point of being difficult. The black-paint version is pleasing to the eye but the paint is perhaps a bit quick to wear off. I've only had the lens a few months and it has worn off in several areas. The filter ring is black instead of chrome like on my Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 35/2 and 50/2. I prefer it as it is less reflective - Voigtlander is struggling a bit to get a standardised look for their lenses.
My initial frames were mostly taken at f/1 (why else do you buy this lens?) attempting to get that amazing contrast, resolution, and sharpness of the subject combined with bokeh that obliterates background/foreground. I didn't always succeed, but this is most likely due to my inexperience with a lens like this. Colour pictures taken during my preferred lowlight and against the sun settings demonstrated a great deal of axial chromatic aberration, and purple fringing generally. The floating system works well, eliminating most spherical aberration and even at f/1 subjects continue to have excellent contrast and detail. There is a tiny bit of pin cushion, but I wouldn't have noticed it without reading some of the super technical/pixel peeper reviews. It is easily corrected with software(if you even notice it).
From Fred Miranda's review: "Pronounced outwards field curvature may cause unevenness in the rendering when shooting wide open." Other reviews generally agree that this lens is better than the current version of the Leica Noctilux 50/0,95, but shouldn't come as a surprise as that lens design dates from 2008, whereas the Voigtlander is brand new in 2022. I haven't had the chance to compare it myself (the only chance I get to use the super-rare/expensive Leica lenses is on Leica Akademie seminars, and I am generally trying the lenses that I think will best suit my photography - side note - I had a go on the Noctilux 75/1,25 and it was mind-blowing. Update - I now own a Noctilux and a long term comparison is forthcoming.). The important bit is that there isn't any disagreement over which lens is sharper shot wide open. The Voigtlander is not only cheaper but better in just about every area of expectations from a modern hyper-corrected lens with the exception of chromatic aberration which the Leica seems to control better with less purple fringing - maybe. I have not, however, seen a side to side comparison by a skilled photographer which convinces me that one is truly better than the other in practice. I've skimmed through a lot of websites in search of prime examples, and it is difficult to find much of quality comparisons. Even on the LFI website there isn't much to be found of the Noctilux shot wide open. I suspect, as these things usually go, that the aforementioned skilled photographer will make exceptional photos no matter what tools they are given. Back to the lens.
It vignettes quite a bit and there is some flare when shooting with the sun just out of the picture - you'll want to use the hood in those situations unless there is some compelling reason not to. Sunstars (12 points from a 12-bladed aperture) are best at f/8 - f/11, with definition starting at f/2.8, the lens does quite well shooting straight into the sun in terms of ghost/flare).
The close focus isn't great at 0.9m - it is occasionally annoying, but all the Noctiluxes have close focused at 1.0m so this is actually better. Other reviews say that the closest distance is more like 0.95m. Get out the tape measure, I'm not sure which is correct.
The bokeh is magnificent, after all you bought this lens for its out of focus rendering and not merely to gain an extra stop or two of speed, nicht wahr? The sample photos are mostly shot at f1. All successful, even though two are on the soft side because of just missed focus.
At 482 grams this is at the heavy end for a rangefinder lens, but it balances well enough on the M10M, but not so well on the lighter black-paint version of the M11. It’s wonderful on the SL-2. Speaking of black-paint, Voigtlander, can we mention again about the paint on your lenses? It brasses too quickly - I think I would actually prefer that it not wear off at all. I barely had it a week and the paint was wearing off and I was in no way mistreating it - stored in a padded bag at all times when not in use. I prefer whatever it is you are doing on your Zeiss lenses with respect to the paint job. For laughs I did a quick search and I am not the only one grumpy about it. It isn't confined to this particular lens, all of my recently purchased APO-Lanthar lenses have started showing shiny metal underneath very quickly.
Conclusions
Buy this lens for its rendering shot wide open . If you're like me and shoot in lowlight often, it might be another reason for your purchase. Bang for buck it is the best high speed 50mm lens available for the Leica M-mount and is a serious shot across Leica's bow. Normally there is a caveat in any lens review about spending ten times more to get the Leica bleeding edge last 2% of image quality or bump in rendering, but in this case spending more on the Leica doesn't appear to get you better performance(other than a slightly faster f0,95 compared to f1,0), bokeh, or rendering. I will, however, get my hands on a Noctilux to see what all the fuss is about. The Nokton has stubbornly refused to budge from my M11 despite its awkward and ungainly appearance.