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Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

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p.47 #1 · p.47 #1 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

Al Trujillo wrote:
A couple of images taken with the CV 21mm f/1.4. I'm very pleased with this special lens!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52985714942_179906ed61_b.jpg Corn Lily BW 4 0623 by Al Trujillo, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52986692265_867dd44fee_b.jpg Corn Lily BW 6 0623 by Al Trujillo, on Flickr

Beautiful shots and processing Al.

Marcelo

Jun 24, 2023 at 10:19 AM

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p.47 #2 · p.47 #2 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

Soho - NYC

Jun 24, 2023 at 10:20 AM

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p.47 #3 · p.47 #3 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

davidmathar wrote:
Ah, OK. Thanks. I just read the very beginning of Freds review, where he stated it is essentially flat field.

I will post a complete field curvature test from close-up to infinity. I believe I only tested FC at infinity on the review.

Jul 03, 2023 at 08:35 AM

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p.47 #4 · p.47 #4 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

I bought a very well centered sample from Japan.
At infinity on Leica M10 I see a bit field curvature at f/1.4 to f/2.0,
but by f/2.8 it is pretty amazing everywhere in the frame.
And even at f/1.4 to f/2.0 it isn't really something to worry about.

Jul 03, 2023 at 09:12 AM

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p.47 #5 · p.47 #5 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

BastianK wrote:
I bought a very well centered sample from Japan.
At infinity on Leica M10 I see a bit field curvature at f/1.4 to f/2.0,
but by f/2.8 it is pretty amazing everywhere in the frame.
And even at f/1.4 to f/2.0 it isn't really something to worry about.

It's a very high performance 21mm lens for sure with way less FC compared to another great 21mm lens, the Loxia 21/2.8.

At infinity distance, the CV 21/1.4 Nokton performs even better than the Leica 21/3.4 at any aperture.

Jul 03, 2023 at 11:17 PM

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p.47 #6 · p.47 #6 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

Do some consider the weight an issue? For travel I find lenses > 400g a bit too hefty, but what do others feel concerning this issue?
The loxia 21mm is exactly at 400g and I wonder if others might also prefer it because of this.
(And discretely better color).

What are peoples thoughts?

Knut

Aug 09, 2023 at 07:09 AM

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p.47 #7 · p.47 #7 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

Yes. My main kit has lenses mostly around 400-450g, and I’m not sure about the Nokton 21, even though I love the 21mm focal length and Voigtlander lenses.

I might repurchase a Loxia, or make a long term play for a Leica SEM.

Knut. wrote:
Do some consider the weight an issue? For travel I find lenses > 400g a bit too hefty, but what do others feel concerning this issue?
The loxia 21mm is exactly at 400g and I wonder if others might also prefer it because of this.
(And discretely better color).

What are peoples thoughts?

Knut

Aug 09, 2023 at 09:20 AM

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p.47 #8 · p.47 #8 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

akashyap wrote:
Yes. My main kit has lenses mostly around 400-450g, and I’m not sure about the Nokton 21, even though I love the 21mm focal length and Voigtlander lenses.

I might repurchase a Loxia, or make a long term play for a Leica SEM.

The Leica 21/3.4 SEM lens is really impressive in terms of its small size and image quality. However, there's something unique about using a 21mm lens at f/1.4, and the Voigtlander lens is the top choice in terms of both performance and affordability.

Aug 15, 2023 at 12:52 AM

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p.47 #9 · p.47 #9 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

Loxia 21 and Nokton 21 two of my top 20 lenses. But the Nokton 21 is reliably more special. Also the focusing helicoid for some reason feels a cut better to me than the other CV, felt similar to the 35 FLE ii.

Loxia is also wonderful, great if you usually stop down with tripod.

Aug 15, 2023 at 03:52 AM

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p.47 #10 · p.47 #10 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

ftllens wrote:
Loxia 21 and Nokton 21 two of my top 20 lenses. But the Nokton 21 is reliably more special. Also the focusing helicoid for some reason feels a cut better to me than the other CV, felt similar to the 35 FLE ii.

Loxia is also wonderful, great if you usually stop down with tripod.
Nokton 21mm 1.4 is also floating elements, most of the other CV lenses are not, hence a higher resistance.
I also like the Nokton as well as the Loxia, but the situations where you can actually make use of the f/1.4 aperture are scarce due to the massive vignetting from hell that lens features at f/1.4.

Aug 15, 2023 at 04:40 AM

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p.47 #11 · p.47 #11 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

BastianK wrote:
I also like the Nokton as well as the Loxia, but the situations where you can actually make use of the f/1.4 aperture are scarce due to the massive vignetting from hell that lens features at f/1.4.

But the Nokton does sunstars at f/2.0, for some amazing night shots.

But it is heavy. Sigh.

Aug 15, 2023 at 06:23 AM

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p.47 #12 · p.47 #12 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

I’m looking for the (micro)contrast of the Loxia and the ergonomics of a Voigtlander (Loxia focusing is SO stiff!) for architecture and landscape, so I don’t think I’ll miss the 1.4. Depends on if I keep my 24 GM throughout this though.

Fred Miranda wrote:
The Leica 21/3.4 SEM lens is really impressive in terms of its small size and image quality. However, there's something unique about using a 21mm lens at f/1.4, and the Voigtlander lens is the top choice in terms of both performance and affordability.

Aug 15, 2023 at 10:19 AM

Al Trujillo
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p.47 #13 · p.47 #13 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

An image from the Great Sand Dunes National Park.

GSD Ring Muhly 08 2023 by Al Trujillo, on Flickr

Aug 25, 2023 at 09:20 PM

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p.47 #14 · p.47 #14 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

I have been trying to convince myself the Leica 21/24 Lux is the better option. Not being able to get my hands on a really nice copy for somewhat reasonable price, I went the 21 Nokton route. Not sure why I waited! This lens seems to be a stunner. Only got this out in my neighborhood for a 15 minute walk but its seems like a winner. Having a 21 with such a fast aperture is pretty special to play with.

Can't wait to get this on the beach at night on the Oregon Coast.

LEICA M11 Monochrom Elmarit-M 1:2.8/21 lens 21mm f/2.8 1/180s 125 ISO 0.0 EV

Aug 28, 2023 at 10:43 PM

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p.47 #15 · p.47 #15 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

Aug 28, 2023 at 11:20 PM

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p.47 #16 · p.47 #16 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

Didn't get as much time with this lens as I wanted to this weekend but really impressed. Thanks to @fredmiranda for such a detailed review of this lens!!!

Had a spot planned to shoot Astro on an incredible beach in Oregon but the weather didn't hold up. Next time

Depoe Bay, OR

LEICA M11 Summicron-M 1:2/28 ASPH. lens 28mm f/3.4 1/1000s 64 ISO -1.0 EV

Sep 04, 2023 at 05:30 PM

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p.47 #17 · p.47 #17 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

RustyRus wrote:
Didn't get as much time with this lens as I wanted to this weekend but really impressed. Thanks to @fredmiranda@ for such a detailed review of this lens!!!

Had a spot planned to shoot Astro on an incredible beach in Oregon but the weather didn't hold up. Next time

Depoe Bay, OR

Nice photo! You're welcome. I've been using the CV 21/1.4 lens since it was first available for E-mount cameras. These days, I also have the M-mount version with the 21mm viewfinder. I don't use it too often due to its larger size, but whenever I do, it brings me a lot of joy.

Sep 08, 2023 at 10:30 AM

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p.47 #18 · p.47 #18 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

RustyRus wrote:
I have been trying to convince myself the Leica 21/24 Lux is the better option. Not being able to get my hands on a really nice copy for somewhat reasonable price, I went the 21 Nokton route. Not sure why I waited! This lens seems to be a stunner. Only got this out in my neighborhood for a 15 minute walk but its seems like a winner. Having a 21 with such a fast aperture is pretty special to play with.

Can't wait to get this on the beach at night on the Oregon Coast.

If based on your last post, you want to do astro with such a lens, then the Leica 21 Lux is not a good option wider than f/4 due to massive coma. I believe the 24 Lux performs similarly. That said, as an owner of the 21 Lux, I do enjoy its wide open rendering for non-technical reasons, but 70cm MFD is a bit of a restriction. I bought mine well before the VM21/1.4 was available and if shopping for such a lens now, would get the VM for its better technical performance at a much lower price.

Sep 08, 2023 at 10:43 AM

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p.47 #19 · p.47 #19 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

rscheffler wrote:
If based on your last post, you want to do astro with such a lens, then the Leica 21 Lux is not a good option at and near wide open due to massive coma. I believe the 24 Lux performs similarly. That said, as an owner of the 21 Lux, I do enjoy its wide open rendering for non-technical reasons, but 70cm MFD is a bit of a restriction.

I agree with you on all fronts....Its why it was silly of me to drag my feet on pulling the trigger with this lens

Especially at 800 bucks. Also its much smaller than I thought it was going to be. Easy carry when I know I want to use a 21.

Sep 08, 2023 at 10:48 AM

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p.47 #20 · p.47 #20 · Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Review

I have the Nokton 21mm f/1.4 VM, and, for comparison, not the 21mm SEM, but its close cousin, the Elmar-M 24mm f/3.8 ASPH. While the Nokton is somewhat larger, and somewhat heavier, the Elmar-M is no feather-weight, being quite dense, has 46mm filter threads, so is not slim in that regard, and, its threaded hood, which flares at the front, adds considerable bulk. I do not find the Nokton 21mm VM to be an undue amount of trouble to carry, especially considering its capabilities.

To be clear, I am not complaining about these threaded Leica hoods, for the 21mm SEM, 24mm Elmar-M, and, for that matter, the Summilux-M 35 FLE. I love the ergonomics, which compensates well, in my hands, for their bulk.

I ordered my Nokton 21 VM in May of last year, along with its cousin, the Nokton 50mm f/1.0 Aspherical VM, as part of a plan to let more light into my “older” M 246 and M10 cameras, especially for evening/night shooting, rather than “upgrade” to an M10 Monochrom. (In Texas, along the hot, humid Coastal Plain, much shooting happens very early in the mornings, and in the evenings.)

Sep 09, 2023 at 01:02 PM

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