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 [2]. 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 [2].

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 [1][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 [2]. The aperture ring clicks firmly into half stops, and the focus action is smooth and precise [2]. 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 [1][2]. As a large lens it intrudes into the viewfinder frame, more so with the (separately sold) hood fitted [2].

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 [1][3]. The version III optics also formed the basis of the electronically coupled Sony E-mount Nokton 35mm f/1.2 SE [1]. 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 [1][3].

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 [2][3]. 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 [2].

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 [2].

Contrast and color Contrast is somewhat muted at f/1.2 and increases as the lens is stopped down [2].

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 [2].

Distortion and vignetting Pronounced vignetting is visible at the widest apertures and clears as the lens is stopped down [2].

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 [2].

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 [2].

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 [1][3].

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 [1][3]. The version III optical design was subsequently adapted into the electronically coupled Sony E-mount SE model [1].

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 [1][3]. 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 [2]. The lens hood is sold separately rather than included, so verifying whether a hood, caps, and box are present is worthwhile when buying used [2].

Sources

• [1] Phillip Reeve. Review: Voigtlander Nokton 35mm F1.2 SE. https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-voigtlander-nokton-35mm-f1-2-se/
• [2] Joeri van der Kloet. The Cosina Voigtländer Nokton 35/1.2 ASPH v2 review. http://joerivanderkloet.com/cosina-voigtlander-nokton-351-2-asph-v2-review/
• [3] Bruno Chalifour, 35mmc. Voigtlander 35mm Nokton f/1.2 VIII Initial Impressions. https://www.35mmc.com/08/06/2020/voigtlander-35mm-nokton-f-1-2-viii-initial-impressions/