Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
p.32 #1Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
On Sony A7RIV
WWII Memorial (Washington DC) at Dawn by Douglas Liu, on Flickr
The Sun Still Rises in Troubled Time by Douglas Liu, on Flickr
WWII Memorial (Washington DC) at Dawn by Douglas Liu, on FlickrThe Sun Still Rises in Troubled Time by Douglas Liu, on FlickrJun 10, 2020 at 08:11 AM
p.32 #2Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
I will receive the 21/1.4 VM next week and will test how it performs on both Sony and Leica bodies.
Jun 15, 2020 at 12:27 AM
p.32 #3Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
Very nice shots, Douglas - great lighting and the composition of the WWII memorial. I need to remind myself to spend more time around the monuments. I’ve lived here now for nearly a decade and I’ve only managed to visit a few. I’ve been able to drag myself down to shoot the frozen tidal basin during early morning light, but that’s really about it. 
Just bought a rack and bag for my bike, so I’ll try another approach that doesn’t require parking.
Just bought a rack and bag for my bike, so I’ll try another approach that doesn’t require parking.Jun 15, 2020 at 04:39 AM
p.32 #4Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
There's one of these for sale on BHPhoto Used for $875. Someone please buy it so I don't.
Jun 15, 2020 at 04:40 AM
p.32 #5Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
I just received mine from CameraQuest a couple of weeks ago, so I can’t help you there. You might get some support in the Smartphone forum... 
Jun 15, 2020 at 04:52 AM
p.32 #7Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
This and the Loxia 21 have definitely some magic and pop on their own league. They deliver this richness of color/contrast without over saturation and with astonishing definition. I am curious to know from direct experience if the acclaimed Sigma 14-24 can deliver that magic or its manly top sharpness across the field?
Jun 15, 2020 at 08:09 AM
p.32 #8Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
imoretti wrote:
Very nice shots, Douglas - great lighting and the composition of the WWII memorial. I need to remind myself to spend more time around the monuments. I’ve lived here now for nearly a decade and I’ve only managed to visit a few. I’ve been able to drag myself down to shoot the frozen tidal basin during early morning light, but that’s really about it. Just bought a rack and bag for my bike, so I’ll try another approach that doesn’t require parking.
Thank you! That shot of he WWII Memorial is a 3-shot pano. I shot pano maybe once year but to include the whole fountain I had to shoot pano. I managed to get the whole fountain in one shot when I had the Voigtlander 10mm, but then it made everything looked so tiny. DC has a lot of interesting stuff to photograph. If you are into architecture, the interiors of the Library of the Congress and the Union Station are very classic.
I haven't really used the 21 much in the last 6 months. Here is another shot of the WWII Memorial from sometime ago when I first bought this lens aand a few other shots with the 21.
Washington at Dawn by Douglas Liu, on Flickr
The sun still rises! by Douglas Liu, on Flickr
F1.4 by Douglas Liu, on Flickr
_DGL2379 by Douglas Liu, on Flickr
_DSC5674 by Douglas Liu, on Flickr
Francis Scott Key Bridge at Dawn by Douglas Liu, on Flickr
2019 Christmas Day Sunrise by Douglas Liu, on Flickr
Sunrise - Leesylvania State Park Fishing Pier by Douglas Liu, on Flickr
Brooklyn Bridge and Lower Manhattan - Blue Hour by Douglas Liu, on Flickr
Very nice shots, Douglas - great lighting and the composition of the WWII memorial. I need to remind myself to spend more time around the monuments. I’ve lived here now for nearly a decade and I’ve only managed to visit a few. I’ve been able to drag myself down to shoot the frozen tidal basin during early morning light, but that’s really about it.
Just bought a rack and bag for my bike, so I’ll try another approach that doesn’t require parking.Thank you! That shot of he WWII Memorial is a 3-shot pano. I shot pano maybe once year but to include the whole fountain I had to shoot pano. I managed to get the whole fountain in one shot when I had the Voigtlander 10mm, but then it made everything looked so tiny. DC has a lot of interesting stuff to photograph. If you are into architecture, the interiors of the Library of the Congress and the Union Station are very classic.
I haven't really used the 21 much in the last 6 months. Here is another shot of the WWII Memorial from sometime ago when I first bought this lens aand a few other shots with the 21.
Washington at Dawn by Douglas Liu, on FlickrThe sun still rises! by Douglas Liu, on FlickrF1.4 by Douglas Liu, on Flickr_DGL2379 by Douglas Liu, on Flickr_DSC5674 by Douglas Liu, on FlickrFrancis Scott Key Bridge at Dawn by Douglas Liu, on Flickr2019 Christmas Day Sunrise by Douglas Liu, on FlickrSunrise - Leesylvania State Park Fishing Pier by Douglas Liu, on FlickrBrooklyn Bridge and Lower Manhattan - Blue Hour by Douglas Liu, on FlickrJun 15, 2020 at 08:29 AM
p.32 #9Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
fplstudio wrote:
This and the Loxia 21 have definitely some magic and pop on their own league. They deliver this richness of color/contrast without over saturation and with astonishing definition. I am curious to know from direct experience if the acclaimed Sigma 14-24 can deliver that magic or its manly top sharpness across the field?
I had the Loxia 21 too before I got the CV 21. I also have the CV 15 which I haven't used for a long time because I didn't find proper subjects for the FL. I have been reading the comments on the Sigma 14-24 with great interest. If I get one eventually, I will still keep the CV 21 for the size, sunstar and easy use of filters. The Sigma 14-24 will probably be used mainly for architecture, which I don't shoot much at all. Will be interesting to see how huge and expensive the rumored Sony 12-24 f2.8 GM will be.
This and the Loxia 21 have definitely some magic and pop on their own league. They deliver this richness of color/contrast without over saturation and with astonishing definition. I am curious to know from direct experience if the acclaimed Sigma 14-24 can deliver that magic or its manly top sharpness across the field?
I had the Loxia 21 too before I got the CV 21. I also have the CV 15 which I haven't used for a long time because I didn't find proper subjects for the FL. I have been reading the comments on the Sigma 14-24 with great interest. If I get one eventually, I will still keep the CV 21 for the size, sunstar and easy use of filters. The Sigma 14-24 will probably be used mainly for architecture, which I don't shoot much at all
. Will be interesting to see how huge and expensive the rumored Sony 12-24 f2.8 GM will be.Jun 15, 2020 at 08:44 AM
p.32 #10Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
Thanks for the suggestion on the LoC; haven’t been since I was a kid. 
Michael
Michael
Jun 16, 2020 at 01:48 PM
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p.32 #11Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
I’m in the market for a 21mm lens for a M10; any suggestion on the CV 21 1.4 versus the SEM?
Jun 16, 2020 at 03:04 PM
p.32 #12Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
james3shin wrote:
I’m in the market for a 21mm lens for a M10; any suggestion on the CV 21 1.4 versus the SEM?
The SEM is more comparable to the CV 21/3.5 in size and optics. The CV 21/1.4 Nokton VM competes with the $8K Leica 21/1.4 Lux.
I just received my CV 21/1.4 VM copy today and it's just as impressive as the E-mount while being much lighter and smaller. The negative is that it does not behave well on the Sony sensor at wide aperture so as long as you only use it on your Leica M10, you will be fine.
I’m in the market for a 21mm lens for a M10; any suggestion on the CV 21 1.4 versus the SEM?
The SEM is more comparable to the CV 21/3.5 in size and optics. The CV 21/1.4 Nokton VM competes with the $8K Leica 21/1.4 Lux.
I just received my CV 21/1.4 VM copy today and it's just as impressive as the E-mount while being much lighter and smaller. The negative is that it does not behave well on the Sony sensor at wide aperture so as long as you only use it on your Leica M10, you will be fine.
Jun 16, 2020 at 03:24 PM
p.32 #13Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
Fred Miranda wrote:
The SEM is more comparable to the CV 21/3.5 in size and optics. The CV 21/1.4 Nokton VM competes with the $8K Leica 21/1.4 Lux.
I just received my CV 21/1.4 VM copy today and it's just as impressive as the E-mount while being much lighter and smaller. The negative is that it does not behave well on the Sony sensor at wide aperture so as long as you only use it on your Leica M10, you will be fine.
My take for what it worth (which isn't much) is that the Leica M 21 f/3.4 SEM is a pretty unique lens. It is just a bit bigger than the Voigtlander 21 f/3.5, but has performance that rivals and maybe even surpasses the Loxia 21. It has a lot of special glass (of the 8 elements, four are APD and one is a double sided aspherical; the Loxia has 11 elements with 4 APD and 1 single sided aspherical) and remarkably low astigmatism. Unlike some Leica lenses it also seems to have no mid zone dip, but just a gradual reduction of performance into the corners (a pattern I prefer over midzone weakness with stronger corners). Since the Leica M 21 SEM can be bought for about $2,000 used I also think it is a reasonably good deal. A very small lens that packs a big punch in landscape performance. It's performance is seriously compromised by the sensor stack on Sony cameras, however.
james3shin wrote
I’m in the market for a 21mm lens for a M10; any suggestion on the CV 21 1.4 versus the SEM?I just received my CV 21/1.4 VM copy today and it's just as impressive as the E-mount while being much lighter and smaller. The negative is that it does not behave well on the Sony sensor at wide aperture so as long as you only use it on your Leica M10, you will be fine.
My take for what it worth (which isn't much) is that the Leica M 21 f/3.4 SEM is a pretty unique lens. It is just a bit bigger than the Voigtlander 21 f/3.5, but has performance that rivals and maybe even surpasses the Loxia 21. It has a lot of special glass (of the 8 elements, four are APD and one is a double sided aspherical; the Loxia has 11 elements with 4 APD and 1 single sided aspherical) and remarkably low astigmatism. Unlike some Leica lenses it also seems to have no mid zone dip, but just a gradual reduction of performance into the corners (a pattern I prefer over midzone weakness with stronger corners). Since the Leica M 21 SEM can be bought for about $2,000 used I also think it is a reasonably good deal. A very small lens that packs a big punch in landscape performance. It's performance is seriously compromised by the sensor stack on Sony cameras, however.
Jun 16, 2020 at 03:38 PM
p.32 #14Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
Steve Spencer wrote:
The SEM is more comparable to the CV 21/3.5 in size and optics. The CV 21/1.4 Nokton VM competes with the $8K Leica 21/1.4 Lux.
I just received my CV 21/1.4 VM copy today and it's just as impressive as the E-mount while being much lighter and smaller. The negative is that it does not behave well on the Sony sensor at wide aperture so as long as you only use it on your Leica M10, you will be fine.My take for what it worth (which isn't much) is that the Leica M 21 f/3.4 SEM is a pretty unique lens. It is just a bit bigger than the Voigtlander 21 f/3.5, but has performance that rivals and maybe even surpasses the Loxia 21. It has a lot of special glass (of the 8 elements, four are APD and one is a double sided aspherical; the Loxia has 11 elements with 4 APD and 1 single sided aspherical) and remarkably low astigmatism. Unlike some Leica lenses it also seems to have no mid zone dip, but just a...Show more →
Yes, I've heard it's an exceptional lens. I just thought it's more comparable in size and aperture to the CV 21/3.5 than the CV 21/1.4.
I will probably try one these days.
Fred Miranda wrote
james3shin wrote
I’m in the market for a 21mm lens for a M10; any suggestion on the CV 21 1.4 versus the SEM?I just received my CV 21/1.4 VM copy today and it's just as impressive as the E-mount while being much lighter and smaller. The negative is that it does not behave well on the Sony sensor at wide aperture so as long as you only use it on your Leica M10, you will be fine.
Yes, I've heard it's an exceptional lens. I just thought it's more comparable in size and aperture to the CV 21/3.5 than the CV 21/1.4.
I will probably try one these days.
Jun 16, 2020 at 03:45 PM
p.32 #15Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
I think I’m going with the CV 21 1.4. Thanks everyone
Jun 16, 2020 at 04:08 PM
p.32 #16Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
james3shin wrote:
I think I’m going with the CV 21 1.4. Thanks everyone
I just posted an infinity test showing how the CV 21/1.4 Nokton VM performs on both Leica and Sony.
It's amazing on the Leica, being sharp from wide open. (Just like the E-mount is on the Sony)
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1647789/4#15256999
I think I’m going with the CV 21 1.4. Thanks everyone
I just posted an infinity test showing how the CV 21/1.4 Nokton VM performs on both Leica and Sony.
It's amazing on the Leica, being sharp from wide open. (Just like the E-mount is on the Sony)
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1647789/4#15256999
Jun 16, 2020 at 05:45 PM
p.32 #17Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
Fred Miranda wrote:
james3shin wrote
I think I’m going with the CV 21 1.4. Thanks everyoneIt's amazing on the Leica, being sharp from wide open. (Just like the E-mount is on the Sony)
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1647789/4#15256999
Many thanks for the comparison - just validated my decision even further
Jun 16, 2020 at 07:16 PM
p.32 #18Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
Buy the used mint one on BH lol, it's literally in my cart and I'm resisting.
Jun 17, 2020 at 01:22 AM
p.32 #19Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
Some really beautiful shots especially of the young lady with the view point. I've really started adoring this CV 21 1.4 so much lately. It's just incredible how you can get the amazing sunstars already at F/1.8 which is so fun for night street photography and the amazing even sharpness I get for landscapes. I just got a step up ring adapter so I can use my 82mm filters I have so looking forward to taking it out with me to valley of fire in 2 weeks. Boy I am so excited 
This satisfied my need for a 20mm when I had the nikon 20 1.8G. I think in my eyes 20/21mm might be my favorite focal length for landscapes when I do not need to necessarily put emphasis on a foreground subject. It's very wide but not ultra wide.I just so wish that the lens was weather sealed.
This satisfied my need for a 20mm when I had the nikon 20 1.8G. I think in my eyes 20/21mm might be my favorite focal length for landscapes when I do not need to necessarily put emphasis on a foreground subject. It's very wide but not ultra wide.I just so wish that the lens was weather sealed.
Jun 18, 2020 at 12:56 PM
p.32 #20Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review
My 21/1.4 replaces my 21/4 Color Skopar. I haven’t compared them side by side as I already packed up the old to make room for the new. (But there it still sits on my desk...) I’m really having a lot of fun with this new lens...
My nieces
My sons skipping stones at Edwards Ferry on the Potomac
C&O Canal Trust Lockhouse at Edwards Ferry
Young activist at BLM protest in DC
Gathering at speech on New York Ave NW during BLM protest in DC
My nieces
My sons skipping stones at Edwards Ferry on the Potomac
C&O Canal Trust Lockhouse at Edwards Ferry
Young activist at BLM protest in DC
Gathering at speech on New York Ave NW during BLM protest in DC
Jun 18, 2020 at 03:40 PM