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Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical Lens

BH #VO4012M • MFR #BA342A
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Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical Lens
Key Features
  • Leica M-Mount Lens
  • Aperture Range: f/1.2 to f/22
  • Two Aspherical Elements
  • Manual Focus Design
Distinguished by its speed, the Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical from Voigtlander is a short normal prime designed for M-mount rangefinder cameras. Its comfortable focal length pairs with an impressively fast f/1.2 maximum aperture to enable notable control over depth of field for producing shallow depth of field imagery, and this aperture also benefits working in difficult lighting. Complementing the fast design is an optical layout that uses two aspherical elements to suppress spherical aberrations and distortion for notable sharpness, clarity, and accurate rendering. The lens's manual focus design permits working with subjects as close as 1.6' away, and it is also rangefinder coupled to 2.3' for working with optical focusing systems.
More Details
Discontinued
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Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical Overview

Distinguished by its speed, the Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical from Voigtlander is a short normal prime designed for M-mount rangefinder cameras. Its comfortable focal length pairs with an impressively fast f/1.2 maximum aperture to enable notable control over depth of field for producing shallow depth of field imagery, and this aperture also benefits working in difficult lighting. Complementing the fast design is an optical layout that uses two aspherical elements to suppress spherical aberrations and distortion for notable sharpness, clarity, and accurate rendering. The lens's manual focus design permits working with subjects as close as 1.6' away, and it is also rangefinder coupled to 2.3' for working with optical focusing systems.

Unique 40mm focal length offers a 55° angle of view that is slightly wider than the classic 50mm length, yet narrower than the standard 35mm wide-angle.
Bright, fast f/1.2 maximum aperture affords extensive control over depth of field for selective focus techniques, and also benefits working in low-light conditions.
Two aspherical elements are featured in the optical design to control spherical aberrations and improve clarity, sharpness, and resolution.
Manual focus design permits smooth, refined control along with a minimum focusing distance of 1.6'.
Focus coupled to 2.3' for working with an M-mount rangefinder's optical focusing system.
Rounded ten-blade diaphragm contributes to a smooth quality of bokeh.
Compatible with optional LH-8 lens hood.

Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical Specs

Color
Black
Focal Length
40mm
Aperture
Maximum: f/1.2
Minimum: f/22
Lens Mount
Leica M
Angle of View
55°
Minimum Focus Distance
1.6' / 50 cm
Optical Design
8 Elements in 6 Groups
Aperture/Iris Blades
10, Rounded
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Filter Size
52 mm (Front)
Dimensions
ø: 2.4 x L: 1.7" / ø: 60.8 x L: 43.3 mm
Weight
11.1 oz / 315 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
1 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
5.3 x 4.8 x 4.4"

Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical Reviews

I went with my heart on this one

By Tim
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2025-02-20

My brain said get the RF 35mm1.4, but my heart said Get the Voigltander 40mm 1.2. I went with my heart.  As shared, I chose this lens over the RF 35mm 1.4 VCM. That lens was clinically sharp, had some character, but eventually I felt like it was too wide, and *software corrected* instead of being optically corrected. So I chose the Voigtlander because it's just more fun to shoot with, is smaller, and has better, indescribable images. Furthermore, I had fell in love with the Nokton 35mm 1.2 (50mm FF equivalent) for the X-Mount on the X-Pro3. What I loved so much about that lens is present here -- beautiful, dreamy character when wide open at F1.2 to and sharp, SHARP results at F2 and above. The special thing about the 40mm variant on the Canon R5 Mark II / full frame is that it gives me a little wider FOV than the previous lens I had on APS-C, while still retaining all that character. So it's more of an everyday lens for someone who wants to document life while still having enough compression to isolate subjects. In images, there's a vignette at 1.2, but it's pleasing and even and helps to isolate those subjects even more -- stop down to f2 or above and it stars to dissipate. Again, it's pleasing and part of that character at the wider apertures and definitely gives off a vintage feel. With Canon's manual focus mode implementation (two arrows line up towards the center of a focus box) in addition to focus peaking, I am finding that I am getting a lot more keepers from this lens paired with a modern body like the R5 Mark II than I did with the 35mm 1.2 on the Fuji. Build quality is just as good -- solid, weighty feel to it. Optics incredibly clear and have no problem resolving the 45 megapixels of Canon's 8k sensor.  No weather resistance, but I hear that Voigtlander lenses have tight tolerances so taking care of it when in inclement weather should help some (but I wouldn't shoot in super dusty environments, and I'd be incredibly careful in rain, mist, sand, beaches etc). If you don't need weather resistance, have some other lenses for work, and want to have fun with your camera, take a look at this one for sure.

Superb

By Anne
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2024-12-16

Best lens in this format. I am shooting with Leica Monochrome, results have been superb. Excellent sharpness wide open thru the range. Close focusing is a little off between lens and rangefinder of camera, but further experimentation will iron this out. Lens engages 50mm frame lines thus composing is slightly wider than those lines, I don’t see a need for separate finder as this method looks and feels natural. I have used this focal length in many forms over the years, and I find it to be perfect for all types of photographs.

See any errors on this page?

Can I use this lens with a Canon R5 camera?

Can I use this lens with a Canon R5 camera?
Asked by: paolo
Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical Lens has a Leica M mount. To use it on the Canon R5 you will need this adapter: Metabones Leica M Lens to Canon RF-mount Camera T Adapter https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1501857-REG/metabones_mblm_efr_bt1_leica_m_lens_to.html
Answered by: Daniel C
Date published: 2024-06-27

The Leica mount Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 has red ...

The Leica mount Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 has red aspherical lettering while none of the others do. Is there a difference?
Asked by: Brent
I am fairly certain this is a design element borrowed from some Leica lenses which have some lettering in an orange color.
Answered by: Jessica G
Date published: 2023-02-15

Most Leica brand M-mount lenses at best have a ...

Most Leica brand M-mount lenses at best have a minimum focus distance (MFD) of 0.7m. This Nokton's MFD is 0.5m. With a digital M body is the rangefinder coupled to support focusing through the optical viewfinder at focus distances between 0.5m and 0.7m?
Asked by: Andrew
According to our Voigtlander contact, they state on most Leica M-mount cameras, you will need to use the LCD screen to obtain absolute closest focus. While a few cameras such as the Leica MP may allow you to focus a bit closer due to its redesigned finder, it is still recommended to use the LCD screen for the most accurate focus when focusing at the lens' minimum focus distance.
Answered by: Manzell L
Date published: 2020-10-14

Are there issues with close focussing on a film M ...

Are there issues with close focussing on a film M like the M4 since minimum focus distance is closer on the lens than the camera allows?
Asked by: David
One can focus down to the minimum focusing distance of the Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical Lens when used on a film Leica M like the M4. The issue is you will have no visual as the rangefinder focuser does not focus this close. So while you can focus that close, you will not have the ability to confirm that your subject is in focus.
Answered by: Yaakov
Date published: 2022-08-31

Will this lens couple with the rangefinder on the ...

Will this lens couple with the rangefinder on the Voigtlander Bessa R3A?
Asked by: Brad
Yes, this lens is an M-Mount and the Voigtlander Bessa R3A is an M-Mount camera.
Answered by: Zachariah
Date published: 2021-01-28

I am assuming that this lens would work with the ...

I am assuming that this lens would work with the fuji m to x adapter and a x pro 3? I'd like to try it with focus peaking. I'm older, and concerned about manual focus. Any thoughts on using focus peaking in a Fuji x pro 3?
Asked by: Peter
Focus peaking on the Fuji Xpro 3 does work well with Voigtlander lenses with M mount used with the adapter to Fuji X. There are also other aids you can use to manual focus that also help for example the manual focus assist zoom function.
Answered by: Daniel C
Date published: 2024-10-06

Sony E vs M mount version: There's two versions ...

Sony E vs M mount version: There's two versions and I want to mount to new fujifilm xt4 with adapter. Sony E mount costs more, but I don't know if M mount will perform differently? Please help! I'm new to photography, as of last week.
Asked by: Wyatt
Unfortunately, the Sony E-Mount version of this lens cannot be adapted to the Fujfilm X-T4. That being said, your best bet is to utilize the Leica M mount version with the Metabones Leica M Lens to FUJIFILM X-Mount Camera T Adapter (Black), MEMBLMXBT1. https://bhpho.to/2BMHY17
Answered by: Kirk R
Date published: 2022-08-06

this lens cover full frame sensor like the sony ...

this lens cover full frame sensor like the sony a7r3?
Asked by: Manuel
Yes, this is a FF lens.
Answered by: Rob
Date published: 2021-01-18
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