Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On
|
 p.1 #1 · Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton Review | |
This review is cross-posted on both the Nikon and Sony boards, as the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton Z and E-mount versions share the same optical design, with only minor adjustments made to accommodate different sensor stack thicknesses.
Review Quick Links:
- About the lens
- Infinity Resolution and Contrast on Nikon ZF (24MP)
- Field Curvature
- Minimal Focus Distance: Resolution and Contrast
- Distortion
- Sunstar rendering, Flare resistance and Vignetting
- Rendering
- Chromatic aberration control: Purple Fringing, Axial and Lateral CA
- Flare Resistance
- Final Thoughts
- Samples 1: At various distances and lighting
- Samples 2: Various Subjects and Lighting Conditions
- Samples 3: Various Subjects at Different Distances
- Samples 4: Various Subjects at f/1.4
Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton Z-mount - Intro:
Is the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton Z-mount the perfect match for the Nikon Zf?
Nikon ZF with Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton Z-mount
There is a certain kind of lens that doesn't try to win charts, it tries to win you over. This new Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton for Nikon Z-mount lands in that camp, and paired with the Nikon Zf and its 24MP sensor, it just feels right.
On paper, it almost reads like a contradiction. A very compact 35mm with a fast f/1.4 aperture, modern electronic contacts, full EXIF support, in-body stabilization compatibility, and even focus confirmation. That's all very 2026. But the moment you start shooting, it is clear this lens is chasing something else entirely. Cosina deliberately leaves some aberrations undercorrected, not because they couldn't fix them, but because they chose not to. The goal isn't clinical perfection. It's character, drawing style, and the way an image feels.
The optical design takes inspiration from a classic symmetrical approach, updated with modern glass and coatings. A high refractive index element was added, taming excessive glow while still delivering that fast aperture look. At its core, this is a double Gauss, near-symmetrical design with 6 groups and 8 elements. Cosina didn't reinvent anything here, they refined a proven formula.
Double Gauss, near-symmetrical design with 6 groups and 8 elements
The aperture uses a 10 blade straight design, typical of many Cosina lenses. You won't get perfectly round highlights when stopped down, but you will get well-defined sunstars that a lot of people, myself included, appreciate.
Filter size stays at 58mm, same as the E-mount version. It keeps the lens compact and practical, especially if you already have filters in that size.
One thing that genuinely surprised me is that Cosina managed to make the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton Z-mount version lighter than the E-mount. The Z version comes in at 248 grams versus 262 grams for E-mount. It is not a big difference in hand, but it goes against the usual trend where lenses get heavier as mounts get larger. Even better, the minimum focus distance is now 0.27m instead of 0.3 meters. It's a small change, but it gives you just a bit more flexibility up close, and in real shooting, that does matter.
Nikon ZF with Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton with included hood
I've spent a lot of time with the E-mount version over the years, and I know the M-mount version well too. The DNA here clearly traces back to the Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux pre-ASPH, one of the most iconic character lenses ever made. That lineage shows. This isn't about corner to corner perfection at f/1.4. It's about how the lens draws, how it transitions, and how it renders a scene in a way that feels intentional rather than a modern optimized look.
Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton vs Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux with adapter
Add in a beautifully machined all metal helicoid with just the right damping and crisp, well-defined aperture clicks, and the shooting experience really comes together. This review copy is perfectly centered.
Manual focus here is a pleasure and honestly, one of the things I've been enjoying most using the Nikon system again is the focus confirmation. It changes the whole experience. It almost feels like shooting a rangefinder, except instead of a patch, you get that clean confirmation signal while composing. You stay in the moment, you stay connected to your composition.
In a world chasing speed and sharpness above everything else, this lens goes the other way. That is exactly why it stands out.
Nikon ZF with Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton with included hood
Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton Z-mount Specifications:
- Focal Length: 35mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
- Minimum Aperture: f/16
- Angle of View: 62.9°
- Minimum Focus Distance: 0.27m
- Magnfication: 1:5.47
- Optical Design: 6 groups 8 elements
- Special Glass: 1 anomalous partial dispersion glass (low dispersion)
- Filter Size: 58mm
- Aperture blades: 10 (straight)
- Dimensions (ø x L): φ67.6×41.6mm
- Weight: 248 grams (measured)
- Hood: Included
|
