Voigtländer Nokton 35mm f/1.2 II

Voigtländer Nokton 35mm f/1.2 II

For years the Nokton 35mm f/1.2 held the distinction of being the fastest 35mm lens available for the Leica M system, and the second-generation version carried that reputation forward while addressing the bulk of the original [1][2]. Built by Cosina in Japan, it pairs an unusually large maximum aperture with a relatively modest price compared with Leica's own fast 35mm lenses, which made it a practical tool for available-light and reportage work on both film and digital M bodies. Reviewers who shot it extensively, including for demanding low-light assignments such as weddings, found it a versatile lens that could serve as a general 35mm stopped down while delivering strong subject isolation wide open.

The version II uses a ten-element, seven-group aspherical formula and a twelve-blade diaphragm that contributes to its smooth out-of-focus rendering[3]. The all-metal barrel is solid and substantial, and the lens is comparatively heavy for an M-mount optic, although it balances reasonably well on a film or digital M body. The aperture ring clicks firmly into half stops, and the focus action is smooth and precise. One notable handling change for the second generation was a closer minimum focus distance of 0.5 m, shorter than the 0.7 m of the original; because the M rangefinder is coupled and calibrated for focusing to about 0.7 m, the extra travel down to 0.5 m can only be used accurately with an electronic viewfinder, while pure rangefinder focusing remains reliable to 0.7 m. As a large lens it intrudes into the viewfinder frame, more so with the (separately sold) hood fitted.

The Nokton 35mm f/1.2 has appeared in three distinct M-mount generations. The original version I shared the same ten-element, seven-group design but was heavier and focused only to 0.7 m; the version II reviewed here kept the ten-element layout while trimming weight and closing the minimum focus to 0.5 m; and the later version III was redesigned to a nine-element, seven-group formula that is roughly 20 percent shorter and about 30 percent lighter, at around 50.5 mm and 332 g. The version III optics also formed the basis of the electronically coupled Sony E-mount Nokton 35mm f/1.2 SE. Buyers should take care to distinguish the three M-mount generations, since the differences in size, weight, and minimum focus distance are the clearest way to tell them apart.

Optical qualities

Rendering The lens is characterised by smooth tonal transitions and pleasant bokeh that some users compare, in limited respects, to faster Leica designs, with the twelve-blade diaphragm aiding the rendering of out-of-focus areas. Its character is most pronounced at f/1.2, where shallow depth of field and a softer look dominate, while stopping down brings it closer to a conventional sharp 35mm.

Sharpness Wide open it is not the sharpest fast 35mm available, though it remains usable for portraiture and reportage; sharpness improves noticeably by f/4 and is strong by f/5.6.

Contrast and color Contrast is somewhat muted at f/1.2 and increases as the lens is stopped down.

Bokeh and transitions The out-of-focus rendering is regarded as good for a 35mm lens, with smooth transitions that suit environmental portraits, although meaningful background separation requires focusing fairly close.

Distortion and vignetting Pronounced vignetting is visible at the widest apertures and clears as the lens is stopped down.

Aberrations As an aspherical design it avoids the heavy spherical aberration seen in some slower-corrected fast lenses, but it can show purple fringing in high-contrast situations.

Digital use The lens is widely used on digital M bodies and, via adapter, on mirrorless cameras such as the Leica SL, where an electronic viewfinder allows accurate use of the full focus range to 0.5 m.

History

Development and Launch The Nokton 35mm f/1.2 line is produced by Cosina under the Voigtländer name. The second-generation version followed the original in order to reduce the lens's weight and length while retaining the headline f/1.2 aperture and the ten-element, seven-group aspherical layout that defined the family.

Production Evolution Across its three M-mount generations the design moved from a heavier original focusing to 0.7 m, to the lighter version II with a 0.5 m minimum focus, and finally to the substantially smaller and lighter version III with a revised nine-element, seven-group formula. The version III optical design was subsequently adapted into the electronically coupled Sony E-mount SE model.

Collector Notes The three M-mount Noktons are easiest to identify by their physical differences: the version II retains the ten-element design, weighs around 470 g, and focuses to 0.5 m, whereas the later version III is markedly shorter and lighter. Because the rangefinder is calibrated to 0.7 m, prospective buyers who shoot purely with the optical rangefinder should be aware that the 0.5 m to 0.7 m range is intended for use with an electronic viewfinder. The lens hood is sold separately rather than included, so verifying whether a hood, caps, and box are present is worthwhile when buying used.