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Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm f/1.4 SC Lens

BH #VO4014MSC • MFR #BA2461
Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm f/1.4 SC Lens
Key Features
  • Leica M-Mount
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
  • Single Coating
  • Manual Focus Design
A normal-length prime lens designed for M-mount rangefinder cameras, the Nokton Classic 40mm f/1.4 SC from Voigtlander blends the comfortable, unique focal length with an especially bright f/1.4 maximum aperture, which benefits working in low-light conditions as well as offering increased control over depth of field. This edition of the 40mm f/1.4 also features a single coating, as opposed to a more common multi-layered coating, which offers a subtler image quality with slightly reduced contrast that is especially well-suited to black and white applications. The lens also features a manual focus design, for working with subjects as close as 2.3', and has a 10-blade diaphragm for a smooth bokeh quality.
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Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm f/1.4 SC Overview

A normal-length prime lens designed for M-mount rangefinder cameras, the Nokton Classic 40mm f/1.4 SC from Voigtlander blends the comfortable, unique focal length with an especially bright f/1.4 maximum aperture, which benefits working in low-light conditions as well as offering increased control over depth of field. This edition of the 40mm f/1.4 also features a single coating, as opposed to a more common multi-layered coating, which offers a subtler image quality with slightly reduced contrast that is especially well-suited to black and white applications. The lens also features a manual focus design, for working with subjects as close as 2.3', and has a 10-blade diaphragm for a smooth bokeh quality.

Unique 40mm focal length offers a 56° angle of view that is slightly wider than the classic 50mm length, yet narrower than the standard 35mm wide-angle.
Bright f/1.4 maximum aperture benefits working in difficult lighting conditions and offers increased control over depth of field.
Single-layer coating helps to reduce flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color neutrality, however this coating is intentionally less effective than common multi-layered coatings in order to produce a dreamy, less contrast-rich image quality well-suited to black and white imagery.
Manual focus design permits smooth, refined control along with a minimum focusing distance of 2.3'.
A 10-blade diaphragm contributes to a smooth and pleasing bokeh quality.
Compatible with optional LH-6 lens hood.

Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm f/1.4 SC Specs

Focal Length40mm
Maximum Aperturef/1.4
Minimum Aperturef/16
Lens MountLeica M
Angle of View56°
Minimum Focus Distance2.3' / 70 cm
Optical Design7 Elements in 6 Groups
Diaphragm Blades10
Focus TypeManual Focus
Filter Size43 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)2.2 x 1.2" / 55 x 29.7 mm
Weight6.2 oz / 175 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight0.615 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)4.7 x 4 x 3.25"

Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm f/1.4 SC Reviews

Such a great lens

By Patrick
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-02-21

I use this lens on my Leica m typ 246. I specifically wanted the SC version because my camera is a monochrom. I do also use this lens on my Sigma FPL I like it very much on that color camera too. All around a great every day carry lens

On my Xpro2

By Frederic
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-08-09

on my Xpro2 it is the perfect couple, the best of both worlds.

Excellent!

By Tony
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-09-21

Perfect for B&W

Go for it!!!

By Sebastian
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-12-08

40mm might be odd, but that’s why you can get this lens dirt cheap. Image quality especially for b/w-shooters spectacular!!! Build quality as well! It’ll be discontinued soo, due to unpopular focal length: So get it while you can!

Great all-around lens

By Robert
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2018-11-12

Great lens for daily use. Its built well, produces great images, and is compact. It should be obvious, but this lens will produce a more classic look, meaning soft in some areas, a little glowy looking, with busier bokeh, but thats what I love so much about it. I mixes the modern with the classic perfectly when paired on a newer camera. My only complaint is a minor one. I dont like how the aperture has two tabs coming out and the focus only one. I would have liked for the focus tab to be larger than it is, or remove one of the aperture tabs. Its a little too easy to move the aperture when trying to focus, given the small size. However, as long as youre mindful of it, it doesnt continue being an issue.

Outstanding with Fuji X cameras!

By Glenn
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2018-10-20

This is my first Voigtlander lens. I am using it with a Fuji X-T (soon to be up graded to the X-H1 or X-T3) and I can not express how satisfied I am with it. Built like a tank, yet with a good bit of heft. Very easy to use with the cameras focus peaking. I know there are Fuji lenses close to this focal length (35mm f1.4, 35mm f2 and even the Zeiss Touit 32mm F8). I have had them all. And all are excellent. But I wanted the compact size and the idea of a manual lens that slows me down a bit and makes me think appealed to me. The sharpness & colors are beautiful. And I had forgotten how wonderful a real manual focus lens feels (no fly by wire focusing!). I can see this being in my camera bag for many years and it will probably be joined by a few more Voigtlander's!

Unique Rendering Lens

By Ralf D
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-08-20

I got this lens specifically for B&W shooting. It has such a unique rendering wide open (both color & B&W) that I am already in love with it. I am shooting this Leica M-mount lens on a Nikon Z7-ii via a Novoflex adapter. EXIF data is not recorded for lens make & model, focal length, or aperture setting -- as this lens is totally non-electronic. Shooting with this lens takes me back to 1978 when everything was 100% manual and E-X-I-F were four letters in the alphabet with no special meaning. Rendering of both color and B&W is unique with this lens, especially wide open. This lens is not sharp wide open, but it has a unique character that I find attractive. Note: lens sharpens up at about f/2.0 Bokeh is not smooth, but I like what I am seeing (which is, of course, totally subjective). I just got this lens a few days ago, so I have not shot too much with it yet. From the limited shooting that I have done, I can say that the B&W images look REALLY good with almost no computer manipulation. The B&W versions of most pictures look better than the color versions -- although I have a few color shots that are outstanding due to the unique rendering of color by this lens. This lens is shockingly small -- especially compared to the rest of my Nikon lenses. The focus ring is smooth. The aperture ring has clicks every 1/3 stop. Build quality is superb. I will be doing comparison shots of the Voightlander 40mm f/1.4 SC against Tamron 35mm f/1.4 and Sigma 50mm f/1.4 lenses -- with an eye to B&W rendering. I expect the very big, heavy and fully automatic modern lenses will be sharper wide open. I expect the older design manual lens will have more character. Whether that character translates into better B&W images is an open question. I will write another review once I have the comparison results. Attached pic shows the lens mounted on Z7-II via Novoflex ring. There is a SmallRig L-plate on the camera so that I have somewhere to put the pinky of my right hand. Regarding manual focus on the Z7: I use focus peaking on this lens most of the time. For critical focus, I need to use EVF magnification. But nothing helps when the lens is wide open: this lens is soft for most shots done at f/1.4. The softness is not apparent unless you pixel peep 1:1 on the 45 megapixel image.

For the slow, relaxing days

By JOHN
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-08-20

I bought the voigtlander 21mm f/4 and was so impressed with its performance, I ended buying this little gem of a lens shortly after. It's a little bit soft up close at f/1.4, but not in a negative way. I absolutely love the focal length (adapted to a fujifilm x-pro2) and it's ergonomics bring a cool vibe to your shooting experience.

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YOUR RECENTLY VIEWED ITEMS

Will this lens activate the Sony A7 III manual ...

Will this lens activate the Sony A7 III manual focusing aid?
Asked by: Carlos
There is no electronic contact with this lens. So only in camera contrast focus aids will work.
Answered by: Dennis A
Date published: 2019-06-13

Is it compatible with Leica M8?

Is it compatible with Leica M8?
Asked by: Tony
Yes
Answered by: Steve
Date published: 2020-09-04

Is the lens rangefinder coupled for the Leica M?

Is the lens rangefinder coupled for the Leica M?
Asked by: Richard
Short answer: Yes!
Answered by: Bill
Date published: 2020-08-09

question

I want to by a spare Front Cap which should I get ?
Asked by: Anonymous
The Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.4 Lens has a 43mm front filter thread, so you could use pretty much any 43mm lens cap. You could look at the Sensei 43mm Clip-On Lens Cap (B&H # SELCC43). If you prefer a center pinch cap, Zeiss has their 43mm Front Lens Cap (B&H # ZEFLC43).
Answered by: Christina S.
Date published: 2018-08-27

question

What is the difference between the single-coated version of this lens and the multi-coated version of this lens? How does each affect images?
Asked by: Anonymous
I've owned both versions and the MC version is very high contrast - and very sharp. The SC version has less contrast (but is still good) and is significantly more flair prone. Overall, I would say id you like a little character in your images you may like the SC version better. But if you like modern technical "optical perfection" with allot of contrast, I'd say go for the MC version. But I don't think either will disappoint most photographers. FWIW, this lens (both versions) brings up the 50mm framelines in Leica M cameras.
Answered by: Bill
Date published: 2023-05-18

question

How do I know which version of this lens have I received? Is there any notification on the lens what is the coating?
Asked by: Goran I.
It says SC on the lens next to Nokton Classic
Answered by: James B.
Date published: 2018-08-27

question

Will this lens adapt to a Sony A7?
Asked by: ray m.
Using the adapter Leica M Mount Lenses to Sony NEX Cameras.
Answered by: Shamil M.
Date published: 2018-08-27

question

Will this lens work with Fujifilm ? I have the Fujifilm M-mount adaptor and it says it will work with Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm F1.4. This is not (or is it) the Classic version ? The adaptor works with a lot of Voigtlander lenses, I use it with the 75mm with fantastic results. But some M-mounts do not work, like the 35mm F1.4. So does anyone know if this 40mm will work ? Thanks.
Asked by: Cheuk Fang Richard Y.
I use it on a FUJI XE2 and it works fine, this is the classic lens
Answered by: MOSHE S.
Date published: 2018-08-27
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