Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1.5 I

Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1.5 I

The Nokton 50mm f/1.5 is a compact, fast standard lens that pairs vintage styling with a modern aspherical optical design, and it has become a popular all-round 50mm for rangefinder and mirrorless users alike [1]. Cosina builds it under the revived Voigtländer name, and the M-mount edition reviewed here uses a six-element, five-group formula in a small all-metal barrel [1]. Its appeal rests on a combination of fast aperture, low weight, and a price well below comparable Leica optics [1].

The lens is rangefinder coupled and built to a high standard, with an all-metal construction that feels solid despite its modest weight, tight tolerances, and engraved, paint-filled markings [1]. The focus ring turns roughly 120 degrees from infinity to its 0.7 m minimum focus distance, and the ten-blade aperture uses half-stop click stops across its range [1]. The blades are straight, which renders out-of-focus highlights as polygons once the lens is stopped down while also producing well-defined ten-point sunstars [1][2]. On the M mount the lens couples normally with a rangefinder, and it adapts readily to mirrorless bodies, where a close-focus helicoid adapter can extend its minimum focusing distance and magnification beyond the native figures [1].

Two versions of the Voigtländer 50mm f/1.5 Nokton exist. The earlier one used a screw mount (M39/LTM) and had a longer minimum focusing distance, while the optical formula is otherwise the same as the later Leica-M version, although there are unconfirmed reports that the coatings were updated between them [1]. The M-mount edition is offered in black and a heavier silver finish [1]. Voigtländer has since produced later 50mm f/1.5 Nokton variants, including a Vintage Line ASPH II, so buyers should confirm exactly which generation a listing refers to [3].

Optical qualities

Rendering The lens combines fast-aperture rendering with generally modern correction. Wide open it shows a little spherical aberration and slightly lower contrast, with some glow on high-contrast edges, but contrast and definition improve sharply by f/2 [1][2].

Sharpness Center sharpness is already good wide open and very good by f/2 [1]. Corner performance is weaker at wider apertures, an effect partly attributed to field curvature, and on the Sony A7 series the thick sensor filter stack contributes to this; even cross-frame sharpness is achievable at smaller apertures on a flat subject [1].

Bokeh and transitions Background blur draws mixed but generally favorable comment. One reviewer reported a wide range from his own copy, from very smooth and largely free of outlining to occasional visible outlining and onion-ring structure in the highlights, noting that bokeh is highly subjective [1].

Flare resistance Flare resistance is average. With the sun directly in the frame there is some loss of contrast, and a bright point source can provoke noticeable ghosting, though the supplied hood is effective at controlling these [1].

Distortion and vignetting There is mild, uniform barrel distortion that corrects easily with a lens profile [1]. Vignetting is noticeable wide open, improves markedly by f/2, is rarely visible by f/2.8, and is effectively gone from f/4; a slight green corner color cast can be seen at wider apertures [1].

Aberrations Lateral chromatic aberration is well controlled, and longitudinal CA is handled well near the minimum focus distance but less so toward infinity; coma correction is weak below f/4 [1]. Some reviewers have also examined focus-shift behavior typical of fast double-Gauss-derived designs [2].

History

Development and Launch The Nokton 50mm f/1.5 is part of the modern Voigtländer rangefinder line manufactured by Cosina, sitting among the brand's fast 50mm offerings alongside larger and faster designs such as the 50mm f/1.2 and f/1.1 Noktons [2]. It was conceived as a compact, fast standard lens with modern aspherical optics inside a deliberately classic-looking barrel [2].

Production Evolution An earlier screw-mount (M39/LTM) version preceded the Leica-M edition; the screw-mount lens had a longer minimum focusing distance, while the optics are otherwise reported to be the same, with unverified claims of revised coatings on the later version [1]. The M-mount lens has been offered in black and silver finishes, with the silver version noticeably heavier than the black [1].

Collector Notes Because Voigtländer has used the Nokton 50mm f/1.5 name across more than one generation and mount, identification matters: confirm whether a lens is the screw-mount original or the Leica-M version, and distinguish this aspherical design from later Vintage Line variants such as the ASPH II [1][3]. Worth checking before purchase are the finish and weight (black versus silver), the presence of the original hood, which materially improves flare control, and the 49 mm filter thread for accessories [1].

Sources

• [1] Phillip Reeve (BastianK). Review: Voigtländer Nokton 50mm 1.5. https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-voigtlander-nokton-50mm-1-5/
• [2] 47 Degrees (Flavio Bosi). Voigtlander Nokton 50mm 1.5 Aspherical VM review. https://www.47-degree.com/focus-shift/voigtlander-nokton-50mm-15-vm-aspherical-review
• [3] Camtec Photo. Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F1.5 Vintage ASPH II VM. https://www.camtecphoto.com/en/product/voigtlander-nokton-50mm-f15-vintage-asph-ii-vm