Sunday, June 9, 2013

Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f1.4 Classic - Couple of Samples

By most people's standards, the Cosina Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f1.4 Classic in M-mount is a desirable lens; small, sharp, well-built, and good looking. It is especially well suited for mirrorless cameras like the Leica Digital Ms, NEX and Micro 4/3 (sorry Samsung NX, your designers really screwed up by designing the sensor to lens register just slightly too long for M-Mount lenses).

Dillon has had this lens for a while, but I doubt he used it much. It's really a shame the lens is not used more often. After the death (at the moment any way) of the EF 200mm f1.8L, I have a new appreciation of manual focus lenses; it's better to invest in good quality manual focus lenses than AF lenses, in the long run, unless your must have AF do to the job. The mechanical nature of these lenses are far more likely fixable than AF lenses decades hence.

Old, New, and Newer - Sony NEX-6 & Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f1.4. Click for Larger

PINEGLEN the ship - NEX-6 & Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f1.4

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5 comments:

  1. lucindaleJune 9, 2013 at 9:05 PM

    I like these small M mount lenses a lot for mirror-less cameras. I ended up getting the 35mm f1.4 as it is closer to 50mm full frame focal length. 60mm is getting a touch long for me. I suspect though that the 40mm may perform a little better optically, but I don't have an easy may to verify this.

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    Replies
    1. Lens BubbleJune 9, 2013 at 11:57 PM

      The 35/1.4 has a good reputation. I don't have one, but I don't think they would be that much different.

      Delete
  2. michael from austriaJune 10, 2013 at 3:20 PM

    Hello again,
    i use the voigtländer 40mm 1.4 a lot in combination with the fotodiox m-mount helicoid (for sony NEX). it is a nice lens and it really shines indoors (e.g. at exhibitions) or on objects in moderate distance (archtectural details).

    it's a good companion for the heliar 15mm.

    i am still searching for a normal lens, that is good for nature/greens in bright sunlight. this is where the nokton fails absolutely and begins to smear.
    i dont know why.

    greetings to canada
    michael

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    Replies
    1. Lens BubbleJune 10, 2013 at 9:41 PM

      Hello Michael,

      Have you tried the Voigtlander 35mm f1.4? I heard it's a good lens, but I don't own one, so can't comment on it. Strange that the Nokton doesn't perform to your expectations in bright light. I must try it next time and find out for myself.

      Cheers

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJune 11, 2013 at 7:21 PM

    hello yu-lin,
    i didnt have the chance to try a 35mm voigtlander.
    but i check very often this site:

    http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=154

    and all the 35mm voigtländer lenses look promising.

    greetings michael



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